Calendr y Chwedlau · Myth calendar
Welsh Myth Calendar
The old Welsh year turns on a few nights when the stories come closest. Here are the traditional dates, each linked to its legend.
Y Gwyliau · Mari Lwyd season
Christmas to Twelfth Night (and Hen Galan, 13 January)
The grey mare's skull goes door to door for the pwnco rhyming contest, traditionally over the Christmas and New Year season. Some villages keep it to Hen Galan, the old New Year.
Gŵyl Seiriol · Feast of Saint Seiriol
1 January
The traditional feast of Seiriol the Fair of Penmon, kept at the start of the year — the dawn-walker who crossed Ynys Môn each week to meet his friend Cybi.
Dydd Santes Dwynwen · St Dwynwen's Day
25 January
The Welsh day of lovers, for the saint of Llanddwyn on Ynys Môn.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi · St David's Day
1 March
The national day of Wales, kept on the traditional date of Dewi Sant's death. Leeks, daffodils, and his last words: gwnewch y pethau bychain — do the little things.
Calan Mai · May Day, the start of summer
Eve of 1 May
In Culhwch and Olwen, Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwythyr fight for Creiddylad every Calan Mai until Judgement Day. In the Mabinogi, Teyrnon's foal vanished every May eve — the night he found the lost child of Rhiannon.
Gŵyl Cybi · Feast of Saint Cybi
8 August
The traditional feast of Cybi the Tanned of Holyhead — the Cornish prince who raised his church inside the Roman fort of Caer Gybi, and walked into the sun both ways to meet Seiriol.
Nos Galan Gaeaf · Winter's Eve, the start of winter
31 October
An ysbrydnos — a spirit night. The old rhyme warns of the headless lady and the tailless black sow on the lanes. Winter is also when the hounds of Annwn are said to run.