Valentine's Day is steeped in history, with its origins dating all the way back to ancient Rome. We're all well-versed in the traditional ways to celebrate, with bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, and romantic dinners for two. But you might not know quite as much about its much more recent cousin, Galentine's Day. Compared to most of the holidays we celebrate, Galentine's Day is barely a decade old and has its origins in pop culture. If you've ever wondered what the special day is about and how to celebrate, we've got you covered! Trust us, you'll want to add this one to your calendar. Think of it as the Friendsgiving version of Valentine's Day, with plenty of low-pressure time celebrating your BFFs.
Why do we celebrate Galentine's Day?
Galentine's Day was invented by Leslie Knope, a character portrayed by actress Amy Poehler on Parks & Recreation. The sitcom aired from 2009 to 2015, but the show's legacy lives on in this holiday. In Leslie's words, Galentine's Day is "the best day of the year. Every February 13, 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." How you spend the day is up to you and your friends! Leslie would suggest brunch and crafts, but we love the idea of a movie night with your favorite rom-coms and a toast with pink drinks. Think of it as a reason for a Girls' Night Out.
When Is Galentine's Day?
The day of fun happens on February 13, just before the main event of Valentine's Day. As Leslie says, "February 14, Valentine's Day, is all about romance. But February 13, Galentine's Day, is about celebrating lady friends. It's wonderful, and it should be a national holiday." This year, Galentine's Day falls on a Monday, so you'll want to make it extra special to help you and your friends get through the week. And, sadly, Leslie's plea to congress to have Galentine's Day declared a national holiday hasn't worked (yet), so it will be a typical work day.
How can I watch the Galentine's Day episodes of Parks & Recreation?
Galentine's Day happens three times during the seven seasons of Parks & Rec. Why not spend February 13 watching them with your friends? And, while you're at it, throw in the Treat Yo' Self episode (Season 4, Episode 4: Pawnee Rangers) to round out the evening (fragrances! mimosas! massages!)?
- Season 2, Episode 16: "Galentine's Day"
- Season 4, Episode 14: "Operation Ann"
- Season 6, Episode 17: "Galentine's Day"
All episodes of Parks & Recreation are available for streaming on Peacock. Plans start as $4.99/month.
Grab a Gift for Your Galentines
Galentine's Day: The Official Guide to Friendship, Fun, and Cocktails
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue
