When is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day is always February 14. Valentine's Day 2027 falls on Sunday, February 14, 2027. It is not a public holiday in the U.S. or anywhere else, so schools and businesses stay open; when it falls on a Friday or Saturday, restaurants are usually at their busiest.
Upcoming Valentine's Day dates
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | February 14 | Sunday |
| 2028 | February 14 | Monday |
| 2029 | February 14 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | February 14 | Thursday |
| 2031 | February 14 | Friday |
| 2032 | February 14 | Saturday |
| 2033 | February 14 | Monday |
| 2034 | February 14 | Tuesday |
Where Valentine's Day comes from
The day is named after Saint Valentine. Early Christian records mention more than one martyr named Valentine who was honored on February 14, but very little is reliably known about their lives, and the popular legends about secret weddings and notes from prison came much later. In 1969 the Catholic Church removed the feast from its general calendar because of that uncertainty, though Valentine is still recognized as a saint.
The link with romance first appears in the late 1300s, in Geoffrey Chaucer's poem Parlement of Foules, which describes birds choosing their mates on "Seynt Valentynes day." The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia in mid-February is often named as a forerunner, but historians debate any direct connection. By the 1700s English lovers exchanged handwritten notes, printed cards became popular in the 1800s, and in the 1840s Esther Howland of Massachusetts built a business selling elaborate lace valentines, earning the nickname "Mother of the American Valentine."
How Valentine's Day is celebrated
Americans mark the day with cards, red roses, chocolate, jewelry and dinners out. In elementary schools children often exchange small cards with the whole class, and many friends celebrate "Galentine's Day" on February 13, an idea popularized by the TV series Parks and Recreation in 2010. Customs differ around the world: in Japan and South Korea women traditionally give chocolate on February 14 and men return the favor on White Day, March 14, while Finland and Estonia celebrate February 14 as Friend's Day.
Planning with the countdown
- Reserve dinner early. Popular restaurants book up weeks in advance, especially when February 14 lands on a weekend. If the countdown is under three weeks, call soon or plan a different night.
- Order flowers ahead. Demand for roses peaks in the days before February 14, so prices and delivery slots get tighter. Ordering a week or more ahead gives you more choice.
- Mail cards on time. Allow several days for delivery, more for international mail.
- Set a budget. Dinner, flowers and a gift add up quickly; deciding on a total while the countdown is still in weeks makes it easier to stick to.
- Consider the day after. Chocolate and other Valentine's merchandise is often marked down on February 15 if you're shopping for later.
Frequently asked questions
What day of the week is Valentine's Day 2027?
Valentine’s Day 2027 falls on Sunday, February 14, 2027.
Is Valentine’s Day a federal holiday?
No. It is a widely observed tradition but not a public holiday, so schools, banks and offices stay open.
Why is Valentine’s Day on February 14?
February 14 is the traditional feast day of Saint Valentine, an early Christian martyr. Its romantic meaning dates back to medieval poetry, starting with Chaucer in the 1300s.
When is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day, a celebration of female friendship popularized by the show Parks and Recreation, is February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.
What is White Day?
White Day, celebrated on March 14 in Japan, South Korea and a few other countries, is when people who received Valentine’s gifts return the gesture.
Last updated: October 8, 2026