St Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s national day, and there is nowhere quite like the town that shares the saint’s name to celebrate it. On the last Saturday of November, St Andrews throws its own party, the Big Hoolie. A market and live music fill South Street, there’s an outdoor ceilidh, and the night ends with a torchlit procession and fireworks over the West Sands.
In 2026 the timing is especially good. The Big Hoolie falls on Saturday 28 November, and St Andrew’s Day itself is Monday 30 November, a Scottish bank holiday. Stay Friday to Monday and you have a proper long weekend in Fife, just as the town lights up for winter.
When Is St Andrew’s Day 2026?
St Andrew’s Day is Monday 30 November 2026. It has been an official bank holiday in Scotland since 2007, although not every employer gives the day off, so check with yours before you book. Shops, restaurants and attractions in St Andrews generally stay open as normal.
The Big Hoolie is held on the Saturday before, Saturday 28 November 2026. That makes 27–30 November the natural dates for a long weekend. For the rest of the year’s long weekends, see our UK bank holidays 2026 guide and, looking ahead, our bank holidays 2027 guide.
What Happens at the Big Hoolie?
The Big Hoolie is organised by BID St Andrews, the town’s business improvement district, and has been running since 2017 with support from VisitScotland and Fife Council. The 2026 programme hasn’t been published yet, but last year’s event gives a good idea of how the day unfolds. In 2025 it was free and unticketed.
Daytime: Market and Music on South Street
The day starts at around 11am with a community market at the West Port end of South Street. Expect local food and drink, craft stalls and family activities such as face painting. In 2025 the market ran until 3pm. It is a good chance to pick up Christmas presents made in Fife.
Evening: Live Music and an Outdoor Ceilidh
From late afternoon, local musicians take to a stage on South Street. Then comes the outdoor ceilidh, which in 2025 ran from 7pm to 7.45pm. You don’t need to know the steps. Callers talk beginners through the reels, and the cold air gives everyone a good reason to keep moving.
The Torchlit Procession and Fireworks
The highlight is the torchlit procession. In 2025 a pipe band led it from South Street via Bell Street and Golf Place down to the West Sands, where fireworks lit up the sky over the beach to close the night, at around 8.45pm. Watching a river of flame wind through the old town towards the sea is one of the most memorable sights of the Scottish winter.
We’ll update this guide when the 2026 times are confirmed. In the meantime, plan around the same pattern: market in the day, music and dancing in the early evening, procession and fireworks at about 8pm.
How to Spend a St Andrew’s Day Long Weekend in Fife
With four days to play with, you can see far more than the Hoolie. Winter daylight is short in late November, so plan outdoor activities for the morning and save the evenings for good food and a warm fire.
Friday: Arrive and Settle In
Arrive in daylight if you can, then head into town for dinner. Our guide to romantic restaurants in St Andrews covers the best tables for a special night, and our top places to eat out in St Andrews includes more relaxed options. Book ahead, as the town is busy over the Hoolie weekend.
Saturday: The Big Hoolie
Start with a morning at St Andrews Castle or among the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, once the largest church in Scotland and the reason the town became a place of pilgrimage to St Andrew. The cathedral is open on a reduced winter timetable, so check Historic Environment Scotland’s website before you go. Then wander down to the market on South Street, head back to your accommodation for an extra layer, and return for the music, ceilidh and fireworks.
Sunday: The Coast and the East Neuk
Blow away the cobwebs with a walk on the West Sands, or drive south along the coast to the fishing villages of the East Neuk. Crail, Anstruther and Elie are quiet and atmospheric out of season, and the harbour fish and chips taste even better on a cold day. If you’re bringing the dog, our guide to dog walks in Fife has plenty of ideas.
Monday: St Andrew’s Day Itself
Make the most of the bank holiday with a slow breakfast and a final walk before heading home. Golfers can take advantage of the quieter season on the links. Our guide to golf in St Andrews has more on playing the courses. On clear winter nights, keep an eye on the sky too, as Fife’s coast is a good place to spot the Northern Lights.
Getting to St Andrews
The nearest railway station is Leuchars, about five miles from St Andrews, with ScotRail services from Edinburgh and Dundee. From there it is a short bus or taxi ride into town. If you’re driving, plan your parking early on Hoolie day, as South Street and the town centre fill up and the streets around the procession route get very busy. Staying within walking distance, or arranging your return before the fireworks finish, makes for a much easier evening.
Where to Stay for St Andrew’s Day 2026
The last weekend of November is one of the busiest of the autumn in St Andrews, so it pays to book early. Premier Stays Fife has self-catering homes across the area to suit every kind of trip:
- In St Andrews: homes within walking distance of South Street and the West Sands, so you can enjoy the evening without worrying about driving. Browse our St Andrews accommodation.
- At Stewart’s Resort: lodges a short drive from town, several with hot tubs, ideal for families and groups. See our Stewart’s Resort lodges.
- In the East Neuk: cottages in Crail, Anstruther, Cellardyke and Elie for a quieter coastal base. Explore our East Neuk guide.
Book direct with Premier Stays Fife for our best rates, and check our latest offers for late-autumn breaks.
St Andrew’s Day 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
St Andrew’s Day 2026 is on Monday 30 November. It is Scotland’s national day and an official bank holiday in Scotland, although not every employer gives the day off.
The Big Hoolie, the St Andrew’s Day celebration in St Andrews, takes place on Saturday 28 November 2026. The full programme and times are usually announced closer to the date.
In 2025 the Big Hoolie was free and unticketed, with a daytime market, live music, an outdoor ceilidh, a torchlit procession and fireworks at the West Sands. Check the 2026 programme when it is published.
In 2025 the torchlit procession, led by a pipe band, went from South Street via Bell Street and Golf Place to the West Sands, where the fireworks closed the night.
Staying in St Andrews lets you walk to the market, ceilidh and fireworks. Stewart’s Resort is a short drive away with lodges for families and groups, and the East Neuk villages of Crail, Anstruther and Elie offer quieter coastal stays. Premier Stays Fife has self-catering homes in all of these areas.
