This is the story behind Galentine’s Day and how it became a celebration of friendship, laughter, and lasting love
We all know what the month of February celebrates. Love fills the air, and romance is marketed in every store, on every screen, and in every heart-shaped chocolate box. But in recent years, a different kind of love has been getting its moment in the spotlight. Galentine’s has become a cherished day for women to celebrate the love that is about friendship, laughter, and the people who lift you up when life gets messy.
Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday observed on February 13th, just one day before Valentine’s Day. It’s a time set aside to celebrate and appreciate female friendships and the deep emotional bonds women share, whether you’re single, taken, or somewhere in between. Every year, more women are embracing this tradition, celebrating openly with their girls and making it a special occasion.
This growing celebration of friendship and sisterhood might seem modern, but Galentine’s actually has a very specific origin — a story that begins on television.
How it all started — a TV joke that became real
Believe it or not, Galentine’s Day didn’t begin as an official calendar holiday, a greeting card campaign, or a commercial idea. It began in 2010, with a fictional character who simply loved her friends.
In the American sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” the character Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) declared a day for female friendship in the Season 2 episode aptly titled “Galentine’s Day.” In the episode, Leslie explains:
“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 was meant to be funny, quirky, and full of Leslie’s infectious optimism. The brunch included waffles, gift giving, and heartfelt tributes to the women she loves. But that 22‑minute TV joke struck a chord with female audiences, and a tradition was born.
After that episode aired, fans began adopting the idea, and what started as a fictional holiday evolved. It soon spread across social media, brunch tables, and girls’ nights everywhere. Hashtags like #GalentinesDay, #GirlsCelebratingGirls, and #WomenSupportWomen helped the concept go viral, and before long, people around the world were embracing the idea of celebrating friendships.
Even retailers began marketing Galentine’s Day-themed merchandise, including cards, gifts, themed treats, and spa‑day packages, further cementing it as a beloved alternative (or addition) to romantic Valentine’s festivities.
Read also: Our editors are celebrating sisterhood this Galentine’s Day
Why does Galentine’s Day matter?
Valentine’s Day celebrates romantic love, but humans naturally desire connection in many forms. Galentine’s Day fills a beautiful gap by reminding us that:
Friendship is love, too. It’s the steady and reliable kind that should get its own holiday.
Women love and support other women. This Galentine’s highlights female empowerment, encouragement, and mutual upliftment.
Love is multifaceted. It’s not only about hearts and roses; it’s also about those who laugh with you, challenge you, and remind you of your worth.
Galentine’s Day celebrations have grown beautifully diverse. There’s no one “right” way to mark the day, but common traditions include brunch with friends, exchanging notes or gifts, creative nights in or just chilling together. What matters most isn’t fancy plans, it’s intentional time spent celebrating the women who make your life brighter.
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A holiday for every kind of connection
And while the name “Galentine’s” suggests women celebrating women, many people choose to broaden the tradition. Some include friends of all genders, siblings, mentors, and chosen family, because at its core, the day is about cherishing deep, meaningful connections.
Galentine’s Day may have begun as a lighthearted TV moment, but it has blossomed into something far more meaningful: a celebration of platonic love, mutual support, and lifelong friendship.
Whether you’re single, taken, or simply feeling grateful for the women in your life, Galentine’s Day offers a warm reminder that love doesn’t only live in romantic gestures, but in shared laughs, text messages that lift your spirits, shoulders to lean on, and friends who feel like home.
So this season, celebrate love in all its beautiful variations, especially the love that women in your life bring into your world.
Read more: Curious what our editors are wearing for Galentine’s Day? Here are their top picks
