Valentine's Day is always 14 February, every year. The next Valentine's Day is Sunday, 14 February 2027 — a weekend, ideal for a date or a getaway. This guide covers the date, the surprisingly ancient history, and how the day is celebrated differently around the world.
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When is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day falls on 14 February every year, regardless of the day of the week.
| Year | Valentine's Day | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 February | Saturday |
| 2027 | 14 February | Sunday |
| 2028 | 14 February | Monday |
| 2029 | 14 February | Wednesday |
The history: where does Valentine's Day come from?
Valentine's Day has roots reaching back to ancient Rome. One likely ancestor is the mid-February festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration. The day was later Christianised and named for Saint Valentine — a priest who, according to legend, secretly married couples against the orders of Emperor Claudius II, and was executed on 14 February.
The romantic meaning we know today grew in the Middle Ages, helped along by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who linked the day to the start of birds' mating season. By the 18th century, exchanging handwritten notes — "valentines" — was a popular custom in England, and mass-produced cards followed in the 1800s.
How Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world
- United States & Europe: flowers (especially red roses), chocolates, cards and romantic dinners. One of the biggest days of the year for restaurants and florists.
- Japan & South Korea: on 14 February, women give chocolate to men. Men reciprocate a month later on White Day (14 March). Korea adds Black Day (14 April), when singles eat black-bean noodles.
- Finland & Estonia: the day is more about friendship than romance — called "Friend's Day" (Ystävänpäivä).
- Wales: celebrates its own day of love, Dydd Santes Dwynwen, on 25 January.
- Brazil: skips 14 February (it's often near Carnival) and celebrates Dia dos Namorados on 12 June instead.
Quick answers
When is Valentine's Day 2027? Sunday, 14 February 2027.
Is Valentine's Day always on the same date? Yes — it is always 14 February, no matter the day of the week.
Why is Valentine's Day on February 14? It is named for Saint Valentine, said to have been executed on 14 February, and overlaps the timing of the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia.
What is White Day? A day on 14 March, celebrated in Japan, South Korea and parts of Asia, when men return gifts to women who gave them chocolate on Valentine's Day.