Red Nose Day in the UK in 2026 is on Friday 20 March 2026.

When is it Red Nose Day?

Quick Scoop

If you’re looking up “when is it Red Nose Day” for the upcoming event, here’s the key info in one place.

  • In 2026 , Red Nose Day falls on Friday 20 March.
  • It’s held in March each year in the UK and is run by the charity Comic Relief.
  • The night usually features a big BBC TV special packed with comedy, sketches and live fundraising moments.

Recent and upcoming dates

To give you some context around “when is it Red Nose Day” over the last and next few years:

  • 2025: Friday 21 March 2025.
  • 2026: Friday 20 March 2026.
  • 2027: Friday 19 March 2027 (projected calendar date listed for Red Nose Day).

These dates tend to land on the second or third Friday in March , which keeps the tradition of a big Friday night TV fundraiser.

What actually happens on the day?

When people search “when is it Red Nose Day” , they’re usually planning one of three things:

  1. Watching the TV special
    • A live show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer , typically from the evening into the night.
 * Hosted by well‑known presenters and comedians, with sketches, musical performances and emotional appeal films.
  1. Doing fundraising at school or work
    • Things like dress-up days , bake sales , sponsored runs , “guess the joke” contests or silly challenges.
 * Many workplaces and schools pick the whole week of Red Nose Day for activities, but the main push is the **Friday** itself.
  1. Buying and wearing a red nose
    • The iconic red noses are sold in the run-up, with Amazon now the official home for the Red Nose in the UK.
 * Recent years have included special designs (like the **“Design‑Yer Nose”** in 2026) that let you customise your own.

Why it’s a big deal

Red Nose Day isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a huge national fundraiser.

  • The event has raised over £1 billion across the decades to support people in need in the UK and around the world.
  • Money goes toward tackling issues like poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, and access to healthcare and education.
  • The mix of comedy and serious stories is deliberate: the aim is to “make people laugh while changing lives.”

Quick facts table

[8][4][6] [7][1][5][9][3] [3]
Year Red Nose Day date Day of week Notes
2025 21 March 2025 Friday Comic Relief 40th anniversary, BBC One special.
2026 20 March 2026 Friday Main UK Red Nose Day; big night on BBC; Amazon official Red Nose home.
2027 19 March 2027 Friday Listed future date for Red Nose Day.

TL;DR

  • When is it Red Nose Day (UK, next one)?
    • Friday 20 March 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.