Earth Hour 2027
March 20, 2027
About Earth Hour 2027
Earth Hour 2027 is Saturday 20 March 2027 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm local time. Earth Hour is normally held on the last Saturday of March, but WWF moves it a week earlier when that Saturday falls on Holy Saturday, as it does in 2027.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday 28 March 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday 20 March 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday 25 March 2028 |
What is Earth Hour?
Earth Hour is a global environmental movement organised by WWF in which people, businesses and landmarks switch off non essential lights for one hour as a symbol of commitment to the planet. It began in Sydney on 31 March 2007, when around 2.2 million people and 2,000 businesses turned off their lights, and it has grown into one of the largest grassroots environmental events in the world, with participation in more than 190 countries and territories. Details are published by WWF Earth Hour.
Since 2023 WWF has framed the event as the Biggest Hour for Earth, asking participants to give an hour to the planet in whatever way suits them, from switching off lights to litter picking, cooking a plant based meal or learning about nature. Landmarks including the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace go dark for the hour.
Why it matters for marketers and organisations
Earth Hour gives businesses, councils, schools and charities a simple, visible way to demonstrate environmental commitment, and it sits early in the year alongside Earth Day on 22 April and World Environment Day on 5 June. Facilities and sustainability teams switch off signage and office lighting; hospitality venues run candlelit dinners; and schools use the week for climate education. The angle is action beyond the hour: switching off is symbolic, so the strongest campaigns pair the moment with a real commitment such as an energy audit, a renewable tariff or a nature project.
Ideas: how to mark Earth Hour
- Switch off external signage, office lighting and non essential displays from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
- Run a candlelit dinner, acoustic gig or stargazing event in a hospitality venue or community space.
- Announce a measurable commitment for the year, such as a percentage cut in energy use, on the day.
- Organise a litter pick or tree planting session on the Saturday afternoon.
- Share a switch off checklist for staff working from home and in the office.
- Invite a local council or landmark to join and publicise the before and after photos.
- Give an hour of paid volunteering time to staff for a nature activity.
- Publish your energy data and what you are doing to reduce it.
Key facts
- The first Earth Hour took place in Sydney on 31 March 2007.
- Earth Hour went global in 2008, with 35 countries taking part.
- Earth Hour was born out of a WWF Australia campaign with the agency Leo Burnett and Fairfax Media.
- Earth Hour 2024 recorded more than 1.4 million hours given to the planet through its Hour Bank.
- The event runs at 8.30pm local time, so it rolls around the world across 24 time zones.
Frequently asked questions
When is Earth Hour 2028?
Earth Hour 2028 is Saturday 25 March 2028, the last Saturday of March, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm local time. Easter 2028 is 16 April, so there is no clash with Holy Saturday and the usual rule applies.
Why is Earth Hour 2027 on 20 March and not the last Saturday?
WWF avoids holding Earth Hour on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday 2027 is 28 March, so the last Saturday of March is Holy Saturday and Earth Hour moves to 20 March.
Does switching off for an hour actually save energy?
The energy saved is small and is not the point. WWF describes Earth Hour as a symbolic moment to build support for climate and nature action, and it has been used to support policy changes such as Argentina’s Senate passing marine protected area legislation in 2013.
Published 28 August 2026: dates checked for 2026 to 2028.
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