What is Galentine’s Day? Everything to know about the popular holiday (2024)

Ideas for celebrating Galentine’s Day

Chef and wellness expert Lisa Washington shares some easy ideas to show the gals in your life some love.

Many people have a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. Some believe the holiday is just a marketing tactic spread by greeting card companies or is only for people who are romantically involved.

Cue the solution to those worries: Galentine’s Day.

But what is this unofficial holiday, who can celebrate the occasion and when is it? Gather up your gal pals, and find out the details below.

What is Galentine’s Day?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Galentine’s Day is a "day for women to celebrate their friendships with their lady friends." Essentially, the meaning of Galentine’s Day is Valentine’s Day for your gals. (It’s right there in the name).

With the last couple of years spent in isolation and with lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to celebrate community is more amplified than ever.

What is Galentine’s Day? Everything to know about the popular holiday (1)

Galentine's Day cards are displayed at a Target store in Falls Church, Virginia, on February 9, 2019. - For some people, facing the onslaught of Valentine's Day flowers, candy and marketing can be overwhelming if you are single. For Riya Patel, it's

In fact, search #GalentinesDay on social media platforms and you’ll find over half a million posts of women celebrating other women in honor of the holiday.

Galentine’s Day is most popular in Washington D.C., followed by Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey and California, according to National Today.

How did Galentine’s Day start?

Surprisingly, you can thank actress Amy Poehler for starting this tradition.

We’re not kidding, either.

The word "galentine" was first introduced to the world during a Feb. 2010 episode of "Parks and Recreation."

In the hit comedy, Leslie Knope — the fictional deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department — discussed the holiday.

"What's Galentine's Day? Oh, it's only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas," she said in the episode.

What is Galentine’s Day? Everything to know about the popular holiday (2)

Hosts Tina Fey (L) and Amy Poehler attend the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Jeff Vespa/WireImage via Getty Images)

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode "Galentine’s Day" garnered nearly 5 million viewers, marking it as an improvement for ratings in the series.

"After that 2010 debut, the word was mentioned in episodes that aired in 2012 and 2014, and by 2016 evidence of the word’s appeal was starting to show up in national and international publications, as people everywhere embraced the very idea of a holiday for celebrating friendships," Merriam Webster continued.

What day is Galentine’s Day?

While many are quick to shower their significant others with gifts and treats on February 14 — the day prior or the 13th of the month — is designated to celebrate the important friendships in one’s life.

Galentine’s Day is celebrated on Feb. 13 each year, and this year, it will land on a Sunday.

While Galentine’s Day is not an official holiday, research from National Today shows searches for Galentine’s Day have increased 400% (with Missouri ranking No. 1 in looking it up, followed by Virginia, Louisiana, Colorado and Arizona) since 2015.

Who can celebrate Galentine’s Day?

Traditionally, Galentine’s Day is celebrated with the girls in someone’s life — whether its’ a sister, mother or friend.

While "galentine" gives off the impression that only females can celebrate, that doesn’t need to be the case.

Many have accepted the holiday as a day to hang out with best friends — regardless of gender. A Galentine’s Day celebration can include all genders and all of those that you adore...as long as they enjoy a tasty brunch!

How to celebrate Galentine’s Day

So, what should you do on Galentine’s Day?

Major retailers including Walmart and Target stock up on Galentine's Day merchandise, and some people purchase gifts or cards for their "galentines."

Where sales for Valentine’s Day specifically are trending downwards, Hallmark found that nearly 2 out of 3 of women who were purchasing cards around Valentine’s Day were doing so for non-romantic relationships, including friends and family. This prompted the brand to release a line of Galentine’s Day cards and others celebrating platonic relationships.

RELATED: ‘Ladies celebrating ladies’: Spend Galentine’s Day with free movies that celebrate female friendship

Activity-wise, brunch is the most traditional event on Galentine’s Day, due to the "Parks and Recreation" episode. Find a fun brunch spot for you and your gal-pals or make an amazing spread at home.

Each year, more and more people are getting creative and choosing other activities to do with their friends.

Some people choose to have movie nights, sleepovers, spa trips, go ice skating or host cooking lessons. Really, no activity is off limits.

The only rule of thumb is that you spend your Galentine's Day celebrating your friends: no significant others allowed.

What is Galentine’s Day? Everything to know about the popular holiday (2024)

FAQs

What is Galentine’s Day? Everything to know about the popular holiday? ›

Galentine's Day is a global holiday that celebrates women's friendship. Galentine's Day is typically marked as February 13, but can be observed any day. Galentine's Day events are typically all-female occasions of mutual "empowerment...a reminder for women to support and uplift one another."

What are some fun facts about Galentines day? ›

Fun Fact: Galentine's Day was created by Leslie Knope, the Parks and Recreation fictional main character. She invented the holiday as a tribute to her close girlfriends.

Why is Galentines important? ›

Galentine's is not just a holiday, it's a way to empower a woman in your life or to celebrate your cherished friendships. The holiday is a symbol for women empowerment and celebrating those we love.

What popularized Galentines day? ›

We have the cult-favorite sitcom "Parks & Recreation" to thank for the unofficial holiday. Protagonist and feminist icon Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, invented the holiday in Season 2, episode 16 of the series, aptly titled 'Galentine's Day. '

What are the rules for Galentines day? ›

Grown out of the success of Galentine's Day to include everybody, there are no rules or particular customs, it's just a day to appreciate platonic love and the friends in your life by spending time together and doing things you like.

Is Galentines only for single girls? ›

Is Galentine's Day only for girls and singles? Galentine's Day is definitely NOT for just the singles and girls. While the name has gal in it, anyone and everyone can celebrate Galentine's Day.

Is Galentines day a real holiday? ›

Strictly speaking, Galentine's Day (February 13th) is as “unofficial” a holiday as Valentine's Day is “official.” But that hasn't stopped its popularity. Witty and merry Galentine's Day promotions, cards and celebrations are everywhere.

Are Galentines for guys? ›

While Galentine's Day is more popular among women, the holiday itself can also include, as long as the relationship is non-romantic, male and other nonbinary friends.

Why do girls do Galentines? ›

Galentine's Day celebrated on February 13, a day before Valentine's Day, is all about ladies cherishing their female friends. Coinciding with 'Kiss Day', Galentine's Day came into a trend because of the popular sitcom “Parks and Recreation".

Who invented Galentine's day? ›

How did Galentine's Day start? Believe it or not, we actually have Amy Poehler to thank for this day of celebration. Well, kinda. Her fictional character, Leslie Knope, from the comedy show Parks and Recreation, coined the term during the second season of the show in 2010.

What is the male version of Galentines day? ›

Malentine's day is a day for men to meet up and celebrate their amazing friendship. It is a happy, celebratory day, the male equivalent of Galentine's day.

Why do they call it Galentines day? ›

The word—a blend of Valentine's Day and gal—was introduced to the world by the chipper and dedicated Leslie Knope, the fictional Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of the also-fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana, in the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation, which ran from 2009 to 2015.

Why is everyone saying Galentine? ›

It's one of those things that has just embedded itself in popular culture, and it actually goes back to the Feb. 11, 2010, episode of "Parks and Rec" where Leslie Nope, Amy Poehler's character, is introducing Galentine's Day. It's this wonderful day where, you know, women celebrate women. They go out to brunch.

What color do you wear on Galentines day? ›

A pink and red printed dress is the perfect choice for a Galentine's Day celebration. The playful combination of pink and red is both feminine and fun, making it the perfect choice for a day spent with your besties.

Do you give gifts on Galentines day? ›

Whether you have a sweetheart or not, Galentine's Day is a great occasion to celebrate the female friendships in your life. The best Galentine's Day gifts will show how much you care and make each of your friends feel appreciated. Best of all, you don't have to spend big to treat your gals to something sweet.

What are 10 facts about Valentine's day? ›

10 Fun Facts About Valentine's Day
  • The origins of Valentine's Day are unclear. ...
  • The first Valentine's Day letter was written in 1415. ...
  • Valentine's Day wasn't always associated with romantic love. ...
  • The first Valentine's Day cards were handmade. ...
  • The most popular Valentine's Day gifts are flowers and chocolates.

Why is it called Galentines? ›

As the name would suggest, Galentine's Day is a celebration of female friendship. The term was popularised following the release of a 2010 episode of US sitcom Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, explains its meaning while throwing an annual Galentine's Day bash for her friends.

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