Galentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 13, shines a spotlight on friendship and the importance of cherishing close relationships with the women in our lives. Known as a day to gather with friends, exchange fun gifts, and share in laughter, this unofficial holiday has rapidly gained popularity as a special occasion to honor female friendships. The idea originated on the television show Parks and Recreation, where the character Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, declared February 13 as the ultimate day to celebrate “lady friends.”
Over the years, Galentine’s Day has become a meaningful day on the calendar, proving that friendship deserves its moment in the spotlight. It encourages friends to prioritize each other, strengthening bonds that often last a lifetime.
The Origins of Galentine’s Day
Galentine’s Day first came to life in a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation, where Leslie Knope famously invited her friends for brunch, expressing her love for those friendships in her life. The quirky and heartfelt tradition quickly caught on with fans, who saw it as the perfect chance to gather their friends and celebrate their connections. Although it started as a fictional holiday, Galentine’s Day has since become a real cultural phenomenon, embraced across the world as a day to acknowledge and celebrate friendships among women.
Why Celebrate Galentine’s Day?
Celebrating Galentine’s Day means more than just sharing good times and gifts; it’s about recognizing and valuing the friendships that bring joy and support to our lives. While Valentine’s Day often centers on romantic relationships, Galentine’s Day focuses on the unique bonds between friends, offering a chance to step away from daily routines and focus on what makes these friendships special. It’s an opportunity to celebrate self-love and mutual appreciation, free from any pressures related to romance.
When is Galentine’s Day Celebrated?
Every year, Galentine’s Day lands on February 13, just one day before Valentine’s Day. Since it’s just a day before Valentine’s, Galentine’s Day fits right in as a time to celebrate friendship. Marking it on your calendar makes it easy to set aside time for friends in a way that’s all about them. Here are the upcoming dates to help you plan:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 13, Thursday |
| 2026 | February 13, Friday |
| 2027 | February 13, Saturday |
| 2028 | February 13, Sunday |
| 2029 | February 13, Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 13, Wednesday |
Fun Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day
From brunch gatherings to thoughtful gift exchanges and at-home spa days, Galentine’s Day offers plenty of ways to celebrate friendship. Here are a few ideas to make this day memorable with your closest friends:
- Host a Brunch or Dinner: Following Leslie Knope’s example, gather friends for brunch or a cozy dinner. You can enjoy waffles, mimosas, or any favorite foods that make everyone feel appreciated.
- Plan a DIY Spa Day: Arrange a relaxing spa day at home. With face masks, mani-pedis, and your favorite movies, you can create a space to unwind and bond.
- Exchange Thoughtful Gifts: Consider small, thoughtful gifts that reflect inside jokes, favorite memories, or shared interests. It’s not about the price; it’s about the sentiment.
- Write Friendship Letters: If you’d like to get a little sentimental, write letters to each friend expressing what you appreciate most about them. It’s a heartfelt gesture that can strengthen connections and spark smiles.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
