Why women across the world celebrate Galentine’s Day on 13 February (2024)

Sabrina Barr

·2 min read

For some, the prospect of celebrating Valentine’s Day on 14 February fills them with joy as they prepare to shower their significant other with saccharine declarations of love.

For others, a far more exciting event takes precedence – Galentine’s Day, which falls on 13 February every year.

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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“What’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year,” Knope says during the 16th episode of the show’s second series.

“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.”

Galentine’s Day has gained traction in recent years, with an increasing number of women, both single and in relationships, using the day to acknowledge the strength of their female friendships.

There are several events taking place to mark the occasion, such as a Revolution and Bumble BFF brunch in Glasgow on 17 February and nationwide screenings of Legally Blonde and Mean Girls at Everyman cinemas.

Thinking of Leslie Knope today, who I hope is somewhere ordering a stack of pancakes with loads of syrup and cream with all her best girlfriends and living her best damn life. #PancakeDay #GalentinesDay pic.twitter.com/JdPC6TTFPY

— bally singh (@putasinghonit) February 13, 2024

Happy #GalentinesDay! Sending our love to the 13,412,907 women in Aus today. Tag your best gal pal 👇💕 pic.twitter.com/qG8P7C11va

— Australian Bureau of Statistics (@ABSStats) February 13, 2024

Some have expressed their opposition to the day, stating that the celebration of bonds between women is something that should be recognised all-year round.

“An unpopular thought but Galentine’s Day gets up my nose as much as Valentine’s. I don’t need a day to celebrate my female friendships,” tweeted journalist Poorna Bell.

“To me, that’s forged in the midnight Ubers, the tissue pressed into their hand as they cry, the belly laugh as you’re walking down a street.”

A 2017 survey conducted by YouGov found the majority of Brits have a very unfavourable view of Valentine’s Day.

Only four per cent of the participants said that they love the celebration, and 87 per cent stated that they believe the annual event has become too commercial.

Read all about the unromantic origins of Valentine’s Day here.

Why women across the world celebrate Galentine’s Day on 13 February (2024)

FAQs

Why women across the world celebrate Galentine’s Day on 13 February? ›

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

Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation (also known as Parks and Rec) is an American political satire mockumentary television sitcom created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. The series aired on NBC from April 9, 2009, to February 24, 2015, for 125 episodes, over seven seasons. A special reunion episode aired on April 30, 2020.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Parks_and_Recreation
. Leslie Knope
Leslie Knope
Leslie Barbara Knope (/ˈnoʊp/ NOHP) is a fictional character portrayed by Amy Poehler and the main protagonist of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. For most of the show's run, she serves as deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department of the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Leslie_Knope
, played by Amy Poehler, explains its meaning while throwing an annual Galentine's Day bash for her friends.

Is February 13th a Galentine's day? ›

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 is the origin of Galentine's day? ›

That's because Galentine's Day was actually created by Leslie from Parks and Recreation! Leslie, the fictional but utterly fabulous character played by Amy Poehler, introduced the world to Galentine's Day. A true friend enthusiast, Leslie explains how she gathers her girls every February 13th for brunch.

Why is everyone calling it Galentines day? ›

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 does Happy Galentines day mean? ›

What is Galentine's Day? Observed on February 13, the day before Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day celebrates platonic friendships, usually among women. It originated on the show Parks and Recreation.

Why is February 13 a special day? ›

We celebrate National Women's Day on the occasion of Sarojini Naidu's birthday on 13 February 1879. She was a gifted national leader, a freedom fighter, and a celebrated poet. She was known as the 'Nightingale of India' and 'Bharat Kokila'.

What happened on February 13th in history? ›

February 13 Events In History

1668 – Portugal becomes an independent nation. 1880 – Thomas Edison discovers the Edison effect. 1945 – During World War II in Europe, British and American planes began massive bombing raids on Dresden, Germany.

Is there a male version of Galentines day? ›

Malentine's day is a day for men to meet up and celebrate their amazing friendship.

What are the rules for Galentines day? ›

Galentine's Day is all about gathering the girls in celebration of female friendship. There are no strict rules when it comes to Galentine's Day festivities. Some choose to go the original path that is based on the television show.

What is a fun fact 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.

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.

What is a Galentine slang? ›

That's right: Galentine's Day—a day for women to celebrate their friendships with their lady friends. It's Valentine's Day with your gals. It's right there in the name.

What is Galentines explained? ›

Galentine's Day is a play on Valentine's Day dedicated to celebrating a different kind of love - friendship. The unofficial holiday falls on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine's, and specifically encourages women to get together with their female friends and honor the power of female friendship.

What is on 13 February kiss day? ›

Kiss Day is celebrated on February 13th every year, marking the sixth day of Valentine's Week, which leads up to Valentine's Day on February 14th. It is a day dedicated to the expression of love and affection through the simple yet profound expression of love and affection through the simple, symbolic act of kissing.

What Valentine is February 13? ›

Kiss Day is the seventh day of Valentine's Week, which is on February 13. On this day, love is felt by kissing each other. Couples share kisses on this particular day to express their love and admiration for one another.

What national day is on 13th February? ›

FEBRUARY 13, 2024 | GALENTINE'S DAY | NATIONAL CHEDDAR DAY | NATIONAL TORTELLINI DAY | NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY – IHOP | FASTNACHT DAY | PACZKI DAY | FAT TUESDAY. On February 13th, Galentine's Day brings women together to celebrate each other every year the day before Valentine's Day. Read more...

Is Valentine's Day on the 13th? ›

Valentine's Day, the annual holiday that celebrates romance, is around the corner. People around the world spend Feb. 14 celebrating romantic relationships and friendship, and many people in the United States exchange cards, candies and gifts.

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