On the 5th March 2026, Cardiff will host a new flagship event to mark Wales’ national day — one designed not just to celebrate, but to connect. The inaugural St David’s Day Dinner, taking place at the Marriott Hotel in the Welsh capital, aims to bring together leaders from business, the third sector and charities for an evening of national pride and collaboration, while creating a social impact legacy for young people in Wales.

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The idea for the dinner was spearheaded by Tim Edds, Partner and Head of the Cardiff Office at Browne Jacobson, who recalls attending a St David’s Day dinner at the Guildhall in the City of London two years ago — an impressive event drawing hundreds of people, many of them from Welsh businesses.

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“I remember sitting there thinking how fantastic it was,” he explains. “But I also remember asking: if all of these people have travelled to London to celebrate St David’s Day, what’s happening tonight in Cardiff?"

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The answer, it seemed, was very little.

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“It felt like a real missed opportunity,” Tims says. “We had people spending money on trains, hotels, tickets — all going into the London economy — when our capital city should have been the place we were celebrating our national day.”

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That question planted the seed for what has now become the St David’s Day Dinner: an evening event rooted in Cardiff, open to all sectors, and deliberately designed to be inclusive, accessible and impactful.

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The accessibility piece really matters for an event celebrating organisations and entrepreneurs at the beating heart of Wales, and Tim agrees:

 

“Cardiff is a thriving, growing capital city. It felt completely counterintuitive that we didn’t have a meaningful evening event here to celebrate who we are as a nation as part of St David’s Day.”

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But from the outset, the ambition for the dinner was about more than a formal meal and a raised glass.

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“For me, celebrating Wales has to mean celebrating all of Wales,” Tim explains. “That means business, yes — but also the third sector, charities, public sector, and importantly, our young people.”

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Social impact – supporting the next generation

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That thinking has shaped the event’s strong social impact focus. For its inaugural year, the dinner has partnered with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026.

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“It felt like a natural fit. So many people in Wales have been part of the DofE at some stage. I did my Bronze Award at school, as did countless others. What the programme does — from Bronze through to Gold — is give young people confidence, resilience and belief in themselves.”

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The dinner will raise funds for the charity while also showcasing the voices of its Youth Ambassadors, who will speak during the evening.

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“They are some of the most inspiring young people you’ll meet,” he adds. “Their stories are incredible, and they represent the future of Wales. It felt right that this celebration of our national day should include them.”

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An event owned by the Welsh business community

The event itself is intentionally broad in its appeal. Tables are available in groups of ten, but individual tickets can also be booked, with attendees placed alongside like-minded organisations.

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Tim emphasises the call to arms for ALL businesses to join us at the Dinner:

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“This is absolutely sector-agnostic; it’s not aimed at any one industry. It’s for everyone who cares about Wales and wants to be part of its future.”

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Those driving the event – including Tim, with some help from me – aim to create an annual event that’s inclusive and collegiate. All businesses from across Wales are invited to join us – bringing colleagues and clients along - and tickets are selling fast. The aim is to build a sense of solidarity, celebration and community around St David’s Day – IN Wales, and for organisations of all sizes. 

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Celebrating & supporting the future of Wales

As part of the evening, attendees will be profiled and celebrated, highlighting their achievements and aspirations for their work in Wales and for Wales itself. There will be entertainment, speeches, youth voices, and — crucially — time and space to connect, as Tim explains:

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“Networking is something we do brilliantly in Wales. Those conversations, referrals and relationships are where so much collaboration begins. This evening has been designed to make room for that, which is sometimes missing from more formal events.”

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“This is the first one, but the aspiration is for the St David’s Day Dinner to become an annual fixture — the event where business, charities and partners come together in Cardiff to celebrate our national day.”

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With its mix of civic pride, cross-sector collaboration and commitment to future generations, the St David’s Day Dinner is positioning itself not just as a celebration, but as a statement: that Wales’ national day belongs in its capital, and that its future is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table.

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Join us to help build a celebration of Wales, in Wales

The St David’s Day Dinner takes place on Thursday 5 March 2026 at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel. This year, all profits raised will be donated to the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme in Wales.

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