Red Nose Day – Mar. 19, 2027

Red Nose Day
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Red Nose Day rallies people worldwide to fight child poverty, falling on March 20, 2026. This special holiday, spearheaded by Comic Relief, transforms laughter into life-changing support for children in need. Get involved by donating, buying a red nose, or hosting a fun fundraiser!

Want to sponsor Red Nose Day? Learn how

Expected Red Nose Day Deals

Red Nose Day, a powerful fundraising initiative by Comic Relief, focuses on collective giving rather than commercial deals. Major partners like Walgreens typically sell the iconic red noses, with proceeds directly benefiting the cause. Other corporations, such as M&M’s, British Airways, and Sainsbury’s, have historically supported the campaign through special product lines, donation matching, or in-store fundraising drives. Individuals and businesses can contribute by purchasing official merchandise, making direct donations to Comic Relief, or organizing their own fundraising events. We encourage checking the official Red Nose Day website for verified ways to contribute and participate as March approaches.

Platform Guide for Red Nose Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #RedNoseDay. Share photos and videos of your red nose antics, fundraising efforts, and the impact of your contributions.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #RedNoseDay. Follow the official accounts for real-time updates, celebrity endorsements, and shareable content to spread awareness.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #RedNoseDay. Create a fundraising page, share your story, and invite friends and family to donate to Comic Relief.

Social Media Tips for Red Nose Day

Individuals

Purchase a red nose, wear it proudly, and encourage friends and family to donate. Participate in local fundraising events or organize a small, fun activity with a donation goal.

Creators

Produce engaging content featuring the red nose, such as humorous skits, challenge videos, or educational pieces about the cause. Use your platform to drive donations and awareness for Comic Relief.

Brands

Launch an employee fundraising challenge, offer a donation match program for customer purchases, or create limited-edition products with a portion of sales benefiting Red Nose Day. Highlight your commitment to ending child poverty.

Organizations & Brands for Red Nose Day

  1. Comic Relief

    Founded in the UK in 1985 by comedy writer Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry, Comic Relief is a major British charity that uses comedy and entertainment to raise money for people in need. It created Red Nose Day in 1988.

  2. Walgreens

    As the exclusive retail partner for Red Nose Day in the U.S., Walgreens plays a crucial role in selling the iconic red noses and collecting donations. Since 2015, Walgreens has raised over $200 million for the cause.

  3. M&M's

    The popular chocolate candy brand, owned by Mars, Inc., has been a long-standing partner of Red Nose Day. M&M's often releases special packaging or campaigns that encourage consumers to donate to the cause.

  4. British Airways

    The UK's flag carrier airline has supported Comic Relief and Red Nose Day through various initiatives, including onboard fundraising and employee challenges. Their involvement helps extend the campaign's reach globally.

  5. Sainsbury's

    One of the largest supermarket chains in the UK, Sainsbury's is a significant retail partner for Red Nose Day. They facilitate in-store donations and sell official merchandise, making it easy for customers to contribute.

  6. Save the Children

    An international non-governmental organization that promotes children's rights, provides relief, and helps support children in developing countries. Save the Children is a beneficiary of funds raised by Red Nose Day.

  7. NBC

    As the broadcast partner for Red Nose Day in the U.S., NBC hosts the annual telethon and special programming dedicated to the event. This media exposure is vital for raising awareness and encouraging donations across the country.

Red Nose Day Hero

Richard Curtis

Richard Curtis is a renowned British screenwriter, film director, and producer, best known for romantic comedies like 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'Love Actually.' In 1985, he co-founded Comic Relief with comedian Lenny Henry, establishing Red Nose Day as its flagship fundraising event. His vision transformed charitable giving into a fun, engaging, and widely accessible movement, raising billions to combat poverty and injustice worldwide. Curtis's work has had a profound impact on both entertainment and global philanthropy.

Red Nose Day timeline

1985
Comic Relief

In response to the famine in Ethiopia, comedians Lenny Henry and Richard Curtis establish the British charity ‘Comic Relief.’

1988
The Nose Knows

The first Red Nose Day is celebrated, with over 150 comedians and celebrities participating.

1993
Squishy Tomato

The theme of the year is the squishy tomato Red Nose, symbolizing ‘squashing’ poverty.

2015
Americans Love It!

The annual event is adopted by the U.S.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Red Nose Day

Local businesses can embrace Red Nose Day by organizing fun, lighthearted fundraising activities that engage both employees and customers. Consider hosting a ‘dress-down’ day where staff wear red noses for a small donation, or offer a special menu item with a portion of sales benefiting Comic Relief. Retailers can set up donation boxes at checkout, encouraging customers to round up their purchases. Promote your participation on social media, tagging #RedNoseDay and highlighting your commitment to helping children in need.

Red Nose Day FAQs

When is Red Nose Day?

Red Nose Day 2027 is scheduled for Friday, March 19. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join millions worldwide in supporting children living in poverty.

How much money has Red Nose Day raised?

The Red Nose Day campaign, through its various international iterations, has collectively raised well over $1.5 billion USD to date, making it one of the largest charity events worldwide.

How can I participate in Red Nose Day?

Participating in Red Nose Day 2027 is easy: buy and wear a red nose, contribute to fundraising campaigns online, or volunteer your time for local events. Every contribution helps make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

What is Comic Relief?

Comic Relief is a UK-based non-profit that leverages humor and celebrity engagement to fund projects addressing poverty, injustice, and mental health issues both in the UK and internationally, primarily through its Red Nose Day and Sport Relief initiatives.

How to Observe Red Nose Day

  1. Wear a red nose

    One of the easiest way to get involved in Red Nose Day is to wear a red nose! Special noses are sold at Sainsbury's stores and petrol stations, Oxfam stores, and BBC shops. Noses cost just £1, and all proceeds go to Red Nose Day!

  2. Watch the BBC broadcast

    Invite friends and family over to watch the marathon BBC broadcast together! Wear red noses and laugh at your favorite celebrities doing very silly things to raise money. And of course, don’t forget to call in and pledge your pounds!

  3. Fundraise for Red Nose Day

    Take to the streets with your Red Nose Day joy! The organizers of Red Nose Day have a lot of ideas for raising money in a fun way. From Bake Sales to Sponsored Silences and road races, there is sure to be a way to for you to raise money, and have fun doing it!

Why Red Nose Day is Important

  1. It’s a British tradition

    Red Nose Day is basically an unofficial national holiday! Everyone gathers around the TV on Red Nose Day to watch the TV marathon on the BBC that includes comic sketches, documentaries about where the money raised will go, and broadcasts from events around the country.

  2. It makes us laugh

    The day raises money for serious causes, but is a great excuse to get silly and enjoy laughing with your friends. Smile at people on the streets and in the office wearing red noses, and prepare to laugh as you settle in to watch your favorite comedians and celebrities get goofy for good.

  3. It’s for good

    Red Nose Day raises money for a huge number of worthy causes including HIV education, female literacy, and childhood immunizations in Africa and resources for domestic violence survivors and the elderly in the UK. It's a lot of fun, but it does a lot of good, and that's something to love.

Red Nose Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 March 20 Friday
2027 March 19 Friday
2028 March 17 Friday
2029 March 16 Friday
2030 March 15 Friday