About Lughnasadh (Lammas)
Lughnasadh, also spelled Lúnasa and known in its Christian form as Lammas, is one of the four great Gaelic seasonal festivals and marks the beginning of the harvest season. Falling on August 1, it takes its name from Lugh, the many-skilled god of Irish mythology, and traditionally celebrated the gathering of the first grain. This live Lughnasadh countdown shows exactly how many days, hours and minutes remain until the festival in your own timezone.
According to legend, Lugh founded the festival as a funeral feast and series of athletic games in honour of his foster-mother Tailtiu, who was said to have died clearing the plains of Ireland for farming. Celebrations historically featured great gatherings, horse races, trading fairs, matchmaking and the baking of bread from the first cut wheat. In Christian times, loaves from the new harvest were blessed at the "loaf mass" — hlafmaesse — that gave Lammas its name.
Lughnasadh is one of the cross-quarter days of the Wheel of the Year, marking the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, and is always kept on August 1 (some mark it at the nearest full moon). The moment the day passes, this page rolls over to next year's festival — so bookmark the live countdown, or add Lughnasadh to your own countdown page.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Saturday, August 1, 2026next |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 1, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, August 1, 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, August 1, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, August 1, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Lughnasadh?
Lughnasadh falls on August 1 every year. The live countdown above shows the exact days, hours and minutes until the festival in your local timezone.
Why is Lughnasadh celebrated?
It marks the start of the harvest season and honours the Gaelic god Lugh, giving thanks for the first grain and the labour that brought the crops in.
How is Lughnasadh celebrated?
Traditionally with harvest feasts, bread baked from the first wheat, athletic games, fairs and gatherings; today many also light bonfires or mark it with seasonal rituals.
What is the difference between Lughnasadh and Lammas?
They share the August 1 date: Lughnasadh is the older Gaelic harvest festival, while Lammas is its Christian form, when loaves of new-harvest bread were blessed in church.