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- Determined annually by Comic Relief Inc.
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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
Red Nose Day timeline
In response to the famine in Ethiopia, comedians Lenny Henry and Richard Curtis establish the British charity ‘Comic Relief.’
The first Red Nose Day is celebrated, with over 150 comedians and celebrities participating.
The theme of the year is the squishy tomato Red Nose, symbolizing ‘squashing’ poverty.
The annual event is adopted by the U.S.
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
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!
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
