This Python Dates lesson is for a beginner. Read the short notes, run each example, then change one name or number and run it again.
datetime.date is a calendar day. datetime.now is a date and a time. Formatting uses strftime codes such as %Y and %m.
Store dates as date objects, not as hand-built strings, when you need to compare or add days.
Example 1: Start here
Month codes are case sensitive. %m is the month number. %M is minutes.
from datetime import date # load a tool that comes with Python
today = date(2026, 10, 24) # a calendar date
print(today.strftime("%d %b %Y"))
Example 2: Today
date.today returns the current date.
from datetime import date # load a tool that comes with Python
print(date.today())
Example 3: Build a date
The order is year, month, day.
from datetime import date # load a tool that comes with Python
print(date(2026, 10, 24))
Example 4: Format it
strftime turns the date into text using the pattern you give it.
from datetime import date # load a tool that comes with Python
print(date(2026, 10, 24).strftime("%d %b %Y"))
Month codes are case sensitive. %m is the month number. %M is minutes.
