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Imbolc - the Gaelic beginning of spring, the festival of Brigid, and the returning light

Imbolc is the Gaelic beginning of spring, observed on February 1-2 in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The festival marks the midpoint of winter and the first signs of spring, and is associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid and her role as patron of poetry, healing, and smithcraft.

IE GB

Cultural celebrationPublished October 18, 2026

At a glanceCultural celebration

Observed in: IE GB
Where observed in 2 countries
When: February
Frequency: Same date every year
Type
Days off: 0 days - cultural observance only
Public status: Cultural observance - not a legal public day

Last reviewed: October 18, 2026

Add to calendarSources: see bottom of brief

The one-line summary

A Gaelic beginning-of-spring festival observed on February 1-2 in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, marking the midpoint of winter and the first signs of spring. The festival is associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid and the lactation of ewes. Observed as a Celtic cultural festival and a major Wiccan sabbat; also the source of the Christian feast of Saint Brigid, which became a public holiday in Ireland in 2023.

Origin

Imbolc is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, with roots in pre-Christian Celtic religion. The festival marked the midpoint of winter and the first signs of spring, and was associated with the lactation of ewes, the lighting of the hearth fire, and the purification of the home. The name Imbolc is sometimes translated as "in the belly" (referring to pregnant ewes) or "ewe's milk", reflecting the agricultural basis of the festival.

The festival was widely observed throughout the Celtic world, with regional variations in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. The festival was associated with several deities, most notably the goddess Brigid, who was the patron of poetry, healing, and smithcraft, and was associated with the hearth fire, the forge, and the spring. After the Christianization of Ireland, the pre-Christian Imbolc was absorbed into the Christian feast of Saint Brigid on February 1, and the goddess Brigid was transformed into Saint Brigid of Kildare.

Brigid

Brigid is the Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft, and one of the most important deities in the Irish pantheon. She is associated with the hearth fire, the forge, and the spring, and was the patron of healers, poets, and smiths. The goddess was associated with the returning light after the winter solstice, and was believed to visit households on the eve of Imbolc to bless the family and the home.

After the Christianization of Ireland, Brigid was transformed into Saint Brigid of Kildare, a 5th-6th century abbess who founded the monastery of Kildare and was one of the patron saints of Ireland. The Christian Saint Brigid shared many attributes with the pre-Christian goddess, including the association with fire, healing, and the patronage of the poor. The feast of Saint Brigid on February 1 absorbed the pre-Christian Imbolc and preserved many of its folk traditions, including the making of Brigid's crosses and the leaving of cloth outside to be blessed.

The goddess and the saint are often conflated in modern Irish folklore. The Brigid of Kildare who founded the monastery is sometimes understood as a Christianization of the older goddess, and many of the traditions associated with the saint (such as the making of Brigid's crosses and the leaving of cloth outside) are clearly pre-Christian in origin.

How it is observed

Imbolc is observed in two main ways: as a Gaelic cultural festival in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, and as a major Wiccan and Neo-Pagan sabbat. The Gaelic cultural observance includes the making of Brigid's crosses (small crosses woven from rushes or straw), the leaving of cloth or fabric outside overnight to be blessed by Brigid, the lighting of candles to welcome the returning sun, and the preparation of traditional foods (especially barmbrack, colcannon, and dairy-based dishes).

The Brigid's cross is one of the most distinctive symbols of Imbolc. The cross is woven from rushes or straw in a distinctive square pattern, and is hung in the home for protection. The tradition dates to the pre-Christian period and is associated with the goddess Brigid; the Christian tradition reinterpreted the cross as a symbol of Saint Brigid and her role in protecting the home.

The Wiccan observance of Imbolc includes the honouring of the goddess Brigid, the lighting of candles (often in the colours white, red, and green), the cleansing of the home, and the preparation of a Brigid's bed - a small bed or pillow left out for Brigid to rest in as she travels. The Wiccan Imbolc ritual is one of the four Greater Sabbats, marking the transition from the dark half of the year to the light half.

Saint Brigid's Day

Saint Brigid's Day (Lá Fhéile Bríde) became a public holiday in Ireland in 2023 under the Public Holidays (Ireland) Amendment Act 2022. The holiday is observed on the first Monday in February (or February 1 if it falls on a Friday), and is the first Irish public holiday named after a woman. The holiday has been controversial, with some arguing that it should be a permanent fixture and others arguing that it adds an unnecessary public holiday to the calendar.

The Saint Brigid's Day public holiday coexists with the older folk tradition of Imbolc. Many communities hold events on or near the public holiday that combine Christian (Saint Brigid) and pre-Christian (goddess Brigid, Imbolc) elements, including the making of Brigid's crosses, the lighting of candles, and the telling of stories about Saint Brigid and the goddess.

Imbolc is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals, each marking a transition in the agricultural calendar. The other three are Beltane (May 1, the beginning of summer), Samhain (November 1, the beginning of winter), and Lughnasadh (August 1, the beginning of autumn). The four festivals are widely observed in Celtic cultural circles and in Wiccan and Neo-Pagan traditions. The festival is also related to the Christian feast of Saint Brigid and the pre-Christian goddess Brigid, both of which share the same date of February 1.

Sources

en.wikipedia.org, Imbolc.
britannica.com, Imbolc.
gov.ie, Brigid's Day public holiday.
duchas.ie, Schools' Collection (Irish folklore).

Frequently asked questions

When is Imbolc in 2026?

Imbolc 2026 is observed on Sunday, February 1, 2026 (the eve) and Monday, February 2, 2026 (the day). The festival begins at sunset on February 1 and continues through sunset on February 2. The dates fall halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, marking the official beginning of spring in the traditional Gaelic calendar.

What is the meaning of Imbolc?

Imbolc is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, alongside Beltane (May 1, the beginning of summer), Samhain (November 1, the beginning of winter), and Lughnasadh (August 1, the beginning of autumn). The festival marks the midpoint of winter and the first signs of spring, and is the traditional time when the ewes begin to lactate after giving birth - the basis for the name Imbolc, which is sometimes translated as "in the belly" (referring to pregnant ewes) or "ewe's milk".

Who is Brigid?

Brigid is the Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft, and one of the most important deities in the Irish pantheon. She is associated with the hearth fire, the forge, and the spring, and was the patron of healers, poets, and smiths. After the Christianization of Ireland, Brigid was transformed into Saint Brigid of Kildare, and the pre-Christian Imbolc was absorbed into the Christian feast of Saint Brigid on February 1. The goddess and the saint share many attributes, including the association with fire, healing, and the patronage of the poor.

How is Imbolc observed today?

Imbolc is observed in two main ways: as a Gaelic cultural festival in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, and as a major Wiccan and Neo-Pagan sabbat. The Gaelic cultural observance includes the making of Brigid's crosses (small crosses woven from rushes or straw), the leaving of cloth or fabric outside overnight to be blessed by Brigid, the lighting of candles to welcome the returning sun, and the preparation of traditional foods. The Wiccan observance includes the honouring of the goddess Brigid, the lighting of candles, and the cleansing of the home.

Is Imbolc a public holiday?

Imbolc is not a public holiday in any country. The related Christian feast of Saint Brigid (Lá Fhéile Bríde) is observed as a public holiday in Ireland, where it became a public holiday in 2023 under the Public Holidays (Ireland) Amendment Act 2022. Saint Brigid's Day is the first Irish public holiday named after a woman, and is observed on the first Monday in February (or February 1 if it falls on a Friday).

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