Happy Galentine's Day 2025! What to know about the holiday celebrating friendship and love

Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
·2-min read

Gather your (girl)friends, pop that champagne and celebrate Galentine's Day which, according to its founder is "only the best day of the year."

After a long and dreary January, February, the month of all things love is a welcome respite, and love is not just limited to your significant other or partner. It can be with and for anyone.

While Galentine's Day is a relatively newer holiday, compared to Valentine's Day, the increasingly popular holiday presents a special way to tell your pals and gals you appreciate them.

Here's what to know about the holiday.

Book a getaway for Galentine's Day: 6 safe destinations abroad for women

When is Galentine's Day?

Galentine's Day cards are displayed at a Target store in Falls Church, Virginia, on February 9, 2019.
Galentine's Day cards are displayed at a Target store in Falls Church, Virginia, on February 9, 2019.

Galentine's Day is celebrated on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine's Day. This year the holiday falls on Thursday.

It's a day to leave husbands, boyfriends and significant others at home and to gather with other women and to celebrate female friendships − often over a boozy-filled brunch, lunch or dinner.

No date this Valentine's Day? Animal shelters offering dogs, cats for cuddly sleepovers

Galentine's Day origin

Galentine's Day was first introduced to mainstream culture in 2010 by the popular NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation."

Season 2, episode 16 of the series, appropriately titled "Galentine's Day," features the show's lead protagonist Leslie Knope, played by former "SNL" star Amy Poehler, celebrating the ladies in her life with a waffle-themed breakfast at a local diner.

For Valentine's Day: "Parks and Recreation" not only has great romances worthy of Valentine's, it actually has led to a semi-recognized holiday on February 13: Galentine's Day.
For Valentine's Day: "Parks and Recreation" not only has great romances worthy of Valentine's, it actually has led to a semi-recognized holiday on February 13: Galentine's Day.

"What's Galentine's Day? Oh, it's only the best day of the year," Knope tells cameras.

The pillars of the holiday, according to Knope?

  • Leaving your boyfriends and husbands at home

  • Kicking it breakfast style (i.e. go grab some waffles or pancakes at a local spot)

  • Ladies celebrating ladies

Although the episode aired during the series' second season, the tradition of Galentine's Day has outlived the show, which stopped production in 2015.

Celebrate with your besties: 10 TV shows, movies for Galentine's Day

What is the meaning of Galentine's Day?

Galentine's Day is meant to embody the spirit of Valentine's Day, including all the mushiness and affection, except rather than showering it on your romantic partner, you express all that love to your friends.

Contrary to popular belief, Galentine's Day is not limited to just singles, anyone can participate in it. The day is a celebration of close (often female) friendship and of love in all its platonic and non-romantic forms.

This story was updated with a new promo image.

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Galentine's Day 2025: When is it? Origin, meaning, what to know

Latest stories