13 Fun February Holidays to Celebrate

February is a month full of fun and meaningful celebrations, each offering its own unique way to connect with traditions, passions, and special moments in life. Whether you’re getting into the spirit of Groundhog Day, honoring the iconic Elmo, or indulging in some sweet chocolate for Chocolate Day, February holidays allow us to embrace joy, nostalgia, and even a bit of whimsy.

In this blog post, we dive into the wide variety of February holidays, from the excitement of Mardi Gras to the thoughtful reflection on Presidents’ Day, and explore how these moments can enrich our lives and bring us closer to the people and causes that matter most.

Can a groundhog’s shadow really predict the weather? Let’s find out! (Groundhog Day)

February 2 – By Xiaotong Meng

Groundhog Day is on February 2, and we wait to see whether or not winter will continue for another six weeks.

This holiday was originally established by German-speaking immigrants who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, along with their special seasonal superstitions. In the 18th and 19th century, they developed their own take on the legend of Candlemas by bringing with the local groundhog to forecast the weather. 

In this case, people would know if winter chill would continue. If the weather becomes cloudy, we would most likely expect a warmer temperature in the next few weeks. The Pennsylvania Dutch has transformed this idea of predicting weather by an animal into a tradition.

The first Groundhog Day was celebrated by a local newspaper editor, Clymer Freas, around 1886. Freas went with many business owners and Groundhog hunters to find out if one of the groundhog celebrities, Punxsutawney Phil, could see his shadow and forecast the weather.

In addition to getting to know the background of this holiday, many people believed that Phil drinks a magic “elixir of life” every summer, which makes him live longer than other groundhogs.

Phil has kept reporting the weather since 1886, and he was the only one. Any other groundhogs who attempted to do what he did are classified as cheaters.

Today, thousands of people will attend different events in a Pennsylvania Dutch dialect on February 2. You can also see a group of people called the inner circle who wear top hats and often conduct official proceedings.

The concept of Groundhog Day sounds very interesting alongside its several traditions. One of the biggest celebrations would be the gathering of people at Punxsutawney to witness the groundhog Phil emerging from his tunnels. The entire event will be live streamed with follow up videos, so don’t worry if you can’t make it there.

Moreover, baking and eating a dirt pie is another observance on this holiday. And of course, don’t forget to spend some time and watch the “Groundhog Day” movie that features Bill Murray.

 

We love you, Elmo (Elmo’s Birthday)

February 3 – By Xiaotong Meng

We celebrate Elmo’s birthday on February 3 every year, when he first appeared on the “Sesame Street” show in 1980 produced by the Sesame Workshop.

Elmo, a red puppet, is a beloved character who is accompanied by many childhood dreams. He was represented as a supportive character in an educational show, “Sesame Street”, which turned out as the longest-running children’s programs in the United States ever since.

If you have never heard about “Sesame Street”, it is a set of different curricula that aims to educate children with numbers, alphabets, colors and a lot more. It has been a longtime favorite for both the children and the adults.

Educators, researchers, designers and producers from all over the world have worked together to form this nonprofit organization, with the purpose of monitoring educational effects this show has on various viewers and fixing where necessary to better suit the audiences’ interests.

Elmo, as a character who constantly appeared on “Sesame Street” and even hosted a 15-minute show, has become very popular among children and toddlers. A lot of kids can relate themselves or find similar life experiences from Elmo since he acts like a friend in their age group.

Additionally, Elmo has regularly appeared on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show”, “Martha Stewart Living” and “The View” and has toured the talk show circuit. Elmo was also a well-known superstar in various movies, including “The Adventure of Elmo in Grouchland” and “Elmo Saves Christmas.”

In this case, we know that no other characters from the show have appeared in children’s lives and the entire American entertainment industry as much as Elmo does.

Therefore, use today to show some love and appreciation for Elmo’s birthday, even if he is just a TV show character. If you have kids in your house, nothing better than watching “Elmo’s World” with them to celebrate this special day.

 

Shoutout to Boy Scouts (National Boy Scout Day)

February 8 – By Xiaotong Meng

We celebrate National Boy Scout Day on February 8 each year to honor those who are loyal, helpful, courageous, brave, kind, cheerful, trustworthy and friendly.

This holiday can be dated back to 1910 when the founder American W.D. Boyce got lost in London on a foggy day. An unknown Scout came to help him find the right direction back to Boyce’s hotel. When Boyce wanted to give a tip to this boy, he refused and said that he was doing his duty as a Scout.

Afterward, Boyce was inspired by this nameless boy, and he was determined to bring the principles of the British Boy Scout Association back to the United States. 

Therefore, the American Boy Scouts have shaped a lot of the greatest icons of the nation, including Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy. In addition to establishing the Boy Scouts, there are also Eagle Scouts, such as Neil Armstrong and Steven Spielberg, and Cub Scouts like Michael Jordan.

Boy Scouts are very cool. Five United States presidents and 180 U.S. astronauts have been involved in different Scouting programs.

According to research, those who were part of the Scouting programs have a long-lasting impact as they grow from a little boy into a real man. 83% of people have indicated that the lessons and values they learned as a Boy Scout still affect them today. A lot of them also said the experience in Scouting programs influence their current career paths as well.

The Boy Scouts have always been creating greater good for the nation and even the whole world. Even if we are not Boy Scouts, we can still help other people who are in need to spread love and kindness.

Another important part of trying to be a Boy Scout is to go camping. It could help us to connect with nature and improve self-reliance. Call a group of friends, load your cars with camping necessities then go to the nearest camping spot to celebrate this holiday.

 

Chocolate is in my blood (Chocolate Day)

February 9 – By Xiaotong Meng

Calling all the chocolate lovers out there. February 9 is Chocolate Day, and it is also a part of the Valentine’s week celebrations in India.

The history of chocolate (also known as cocoa) can be traced back around 2,500 years when the Aztecs discovered liquid cocoa and believed that it was the god of wisdom. At the same time, cocoa seeds were also considered something valuable in that they were used as a form of currency.

In the early years, most of cocoa was sugar-free, which was consumed very bitterly. Until the 16th century, the Europeans started adding sugar to this popular dessert item. Surprisingly, it became quite famous in the markets, and many families started to buy chocolate as a type of treat.

In the 19th and early 20th century, many cocoa companies began to build up their business path by producing this brown-colored dessert item. One of the cocoa industries, Cadbury, was founded in England in 1868. Nowadays, it has developed into a well-known chocolate brand.

After the establishment of Cadbury, Milton S. Hershey founded Hershey’s 25 years later, which stands out as one of the biggest chocolate brands around the world. Moreover, in the 1860s, Nestlé kicked off producing chocolate-flavored drinks.

Today, a lot of cocoa businesses not only offer a wide variety of cocoa items that are loved by so many people, but also generate a large amount of profit, which boosts the increase of the economy.

Chocolates are a favorite among all the people of all ages. We can have this roasted food as a drink, a dessert, an ice cream or a cake flavor.

On Chocolate Day, besides treating yourself with something cocoa, it is also a day for us to express love. Wrap up a chocolate bar and give your sweethearts to surprise them before Valentine’s Day. This romantic action would certainly gain endless appreciation from your loved ones.

 

She has that girl boss hustle (Galentine’s Day)

February 13 – By Xiaotong Meng

Hold on… it’s not Valentine’s Day to surprise your significant others yet.

Today, February 13 is Galentine’s Day to celebrate the female relationships that we heavily lean on every day. It is the best time of the year to bring together all the wonderful ladies in your life.

This holiday was observed by a fictional deputy director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie Knope after she enjoyed a great time eating waffles and gift-giving with her closest girlfriends and colleagues.

After that, this unofficial holiday became very popular. A lot of companies started to promote the celebration of Galentine’s Day to express love to those girls who make up the huge support systems.

Especially since Valentine’s Day is coming up, use today to organize some fun group activities to let those single left women feel loved. Some great celebrations include a Friday movie night, going to a spa, hanging out at the local coffee shop or just simply going out to have brunch together.

Galentine’s Day is also a process of recognizing the importance of Friendsgiving to one another. It is a chance to realize the positive impacts that our friends have on our lives and the way they have shaped us into better people.

Life goes on, but those friendships that we valued would remain in our hearts forever. Just like the founder Knop’s explanation about Galentine’s Day, “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. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”

Today is all about the girls who have supported you throughout your life journey so far, whether the person is your mom, sister, cousin, girlfriend or wife. Any female relationship is valued, and there is nothing like it.

Let’s go, girl power!

 

Every day it’s Valentine’s Day when I’m with you

February 14 – By Xiaotong Meng

Love should be spread and cherished every day. On February 14, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Unlike National Boyfriend Day, today is not just for boyfriends. Everyone could show some love and affection to someone important.

The origins of this holiday came from a Catholic church feast for the patron saint named Valentine around 496 AD. This festival was celebrated at the beginning of every spring in honor of the Roman God of Agriculture, Faunus, on February 15. On this day, a goat and a dog would be sacrificed and represent fertility and purity.

Additionally, the romantic elements that filled in Valentine’s Day can be dated back to a priest who was afflicted by emperor Claudius II Gothicus during the 270 CE. 

The stories about St. Valentine’s also came in many different versions. Some believed married couples in secret to prevent men from leaving and going to the war, some said St. Valentines left a message to his daughter and signed “your Valentine”.

Although we may have heard various editions of Valentine’s story, there was also a possibility that they were all the same person.

During the 1400s, handwritten love letters and poems began to become popular. In the mid-1800s, Valentine’s cards and flowers turned into big commercial gifts that people would buy for their loved ones.

Today, take your love to the next stage beyond your boyfriend or significant other, showing how much you care and love your friends and family members as well. There is no better day to express your true feelings than on the day of love.

It doesn’t matter whether you choose to buy a banquet of flowers to support the local businesses or create a personalized card, you don’t need to prepare anything fancy. The core of this holiday is to enjoy and share these special significant milestones in a relationship.

 

Happy Fat Thursday; let’s have a donut

Final Thursday before Lent – By Xiaotong Meng

We take the Thursday before Ash Wednesday in February to indulge.

As the Lent season nearly approaches, food becomes essential in a lot of people’s minds, especially those treats with calorific goodness.

This holiday originated in Poland in the 1500s with a tradition of consuming donuts, which is known as “paczki”. Fat Thursday is the last celebration before the fasting period of Lent when Catholics stop eating meat or have alcohol. The idea of giving up so many indulgences is to focus more on the meaning of Easter.

In case you have doubts, why is the holiday called Fat Thursday. The “fat” part of the name represents the fried sugary goodness of different kinds of donuts that people would eat in Poland. 

The most transitional one would be a fluffy donut filled with rosehip jam and dusted with powdered sugar on the top. As time goes on, the variations of donuts become much more diverse.

Fat Thursday has two meanings for the Poles. On one hand, it is an annual holiday that is closely related to the Poles’ religion and beliefs. On the other hand, it allows people to carry a guilt-free feeling before the Lent period.

Based on the statistics, the average Pole would eat 2-3 donuts on Fat Thursday, which is also a day many people call International Poland Donut Day. The recommendation is to eat at least one because not having any donuts today would bring you bad luck.

We love to celebrate food holidays. If you have a sweet tooth, today is the best time for you to satisfy your taste buds by eating donuts. 

Donuts are not your thing? Don’t worry. There are tons of other treats for you to choose from and hit the spot.

Since this holiday begins in Poland, it’s also a great opportunity to do some research to learn about different cultures and some traditions the Poles may have on Fat Thursday.

 

Honoring each U.S. president (Presidents’ Day)

Third Monday of February – By Xiaotong Meng

On the third Monday of February every year, we celebrate Presidents’ Day.

After the death of George Washington, people celebrated his birthday annually in honor of his contributions to this country, which turned into an unofficial holiday called Washington Day. 

In 1832, a resolution permitted the removal of Washington’s body in the Capitol in Washington D.C. Later on, in 1848, the Washington Monument led to a bigger celebration across the nation.

In the late 1870s, Steven Wallace Dorsey indicated that Washington’s birthday should become a federal holiday. In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes passed this law, claiming Presidents’ Day should celebrate both Washington and Abraham Lincoln due to Lincoln’s legacy, however, the Congress rejected this opinion.

Washington’s birthday didn’t officially announced as a national federal holiday until the late 1960s. Senator Robert McClory of Illinois demonstrated moving key bank holidays to Mondays, with the purpose of increasing the number of three-day weekends because of the Uniform Monday’s Act.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed the executive order to pass the Uniform Monday’s Act, which shifted Washington’s birthday, Columbus Day, Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day to every Monday.

By the mid-1980s, Presidents’ Day has progressively become a common holiday until today. 

A lot of people will get today off from work. With that being said, the purpose of having a three-day weekend is to inspire greater productivity and efficiency nationwide. 

On this day, all the presidents in U.S. history will be remembered for their countless efforts for making America a better country around the world. You can dive into the history of each U.S. president and learn something new.

In addition to showing admiration for those American presidents, you can also look for some great deals on home furniture and appliances on President’s Day, which seems to be the holiday with the best deals for those kinds of items.

 

It’s time to rejoice. It’s Mardi Gras!

Day before Ash Wednesday – By Xiaotong Meng

“Mardi Gras” – the French term for Fat Tuesday – is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. This day is celebrated with different parades and feasts before the start of the fasting season of Lent.

In some other parts of the world, people also call Fat Tuesday as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. Mardi Gras is a term that represents carnival festivals in New Orleans, Venice, along with a lot of Roman Catholics who similarly celebrate this holiday.

Mardi Gras is a long-lasting tradition that was originally rooted in the pagan celebrations of the arrival of spring and fertility. As time goes on, the heritage of Lent, Carnival and Fat Tuesday steadily connect into regional customs.

The history of this holiday can be dated back to ancient Roman times when people celebrate the harvest season. Christianity incorporated the popular local traditions into some types of a new faith. This is the last indulgent time before the 40-day period of Lent.

Fat Tuesday was first celebrated in America when the French explorers arrived on land close to present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. Afterward, the French colonists introduced this holiday by having street parties and lavish dinners that were organized by social clubs called “Krewes”.

Today, this pre-lenten festival takes place all around the world, incorporating various native cultures, traditions and new styles. Some significant events include Rio’s week-long Carnival festivals, Quebec’s Winter Carnival and a lot more.

Of course, we can’t miss the most fun part of this period of festivals: parades, dress-ups, costume balls, delicious food, and women cutting off men’s ties to represent women’s power.

These feasts will lead to a period of reflection and fasting, which is known as Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Therefore, take advantage of today to enjoy this week-long festivities around the globe and hopefully, have a lot of fun. You can also bring some similar activities home and celebrate with your friends or family members.

 

Curling connects people and builds on community (Curling is Cool Day)

February 23 – By Xiaotong Meng

Curling is Cool Day is observed annually on February 23 to celebrate a sport that is cool and interesting.

In case you haven’t heard of curling before, it is a team sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a targeted area which is segmented into four concentric circles. It is usually played by two teams, each with four players taking turns.

Each side has eight stones, and the players would stand on an ice rink that has been sprayed with water that freezes into a special surface called pebbled ice. 

The game was also given several nicknames called “The Roaring Game” and “Chess on Ice.” When the game starts, the player would guide the stones in certain directions by sweeping the ice in front of the stones.

The purpose of curling is to score as many points as you can by getting the stones closer to the center than the other team’s stones.

Curling was started in the 1500s in Scotland when people played on lakes and ponds in winter. In the 1600s, the first stones with handles were introduced. Then it gradually became a popular sport played in cold weather where the Scots lived, including parts of Canada, the United States, Sweden, New Zealand and many more.

A few centuries later, curling became much more standard and professional, and the sport was also introduced to a lot of indoor ice facilities.

In 1924, curling played in the Olympics for the first time in Chamonix, France. However, it didn’t considered an official Olympic sport by the committee until 2006.

Today, curling is an Olympic and Paralympic winter sport for women, men, mixed doubles and mixed wheelchair teams. It has become a popular game that is loved by lots of people of all ages.

This sport may seem very strange, but you can take a curling lesson to give it a try and enjoy an exciting curling match with a group of friends.

 

Can I trade this card with you? (Trading Cards Day)

February 24 – By Xiaotong Meng

National Trading Cards Day is introduced on February 24 each year. A typical card-trading process may include a picture of a place, a person, or any real or fictional thing, along with a description or trivia.

In the late 19th century, trade cards were often put in cigarette packs. They were also known as cigarette cards while people were advertising cigarettes and talking about interesting trivia.

In the United States, the most popular sports cards have been baseball cards. The first one was made in the 1860s for a sports good company. In 1909, the most valuable baseball card ever, the T206 Honus Wanger card, was once sold for over $3 million.

In 1933, baseball cards were packaged with gum by the Goudey Gum Company. Later in 1952, the first set of baseball cards with statistics and playing records came out, which was identified as the 1952 Topps Baseball set.

Topps has been the most popular brand for trading cards for several decades, including both sports cards and non-sports cards.

During the 1980s, collectors began to pay attention to how valuable those trading cards could be. In the 2000s, many companies started to produce digital cards instead of using paperboard or thick paper.

On top of those widespread sports trading cards, non-sports cards were also very well-known and trendy ever since.

Some non-sports trading cards may feature cartoon characters, comic book characters or any TV shows and movies. People often used these cards to play games like collectible card games.

Trading cards have a long history, and the younger generations may not even have heard about them before.

So, if you have an old trading card collection, you could take it out and see which one you would like to trade or sell. If you don’t have one, you could buy a set of trading cards online or from a collector to learn about the cultural value behind them.

 

Doctors are angels in white coats (Pokémon Day)

February 27 – By Xiaotong Meng

The Pokémon phenomenon never dies. We celebrate National Pokémon Day annually on February 27.

This holiday was first introduced in 1996. The word came from a Japanese term “Poketto Monsuta” or “Pocket Monsters.”

In 1965, the inventor of the expression “Pokémon”, Satoshi Tajiri, was born and raised in Tokyo. When Tajiri was young, he fell in love of researching different insects and collecting them. He was determined to become an entomologist when he grew up.

Nevertheless, his passion for video games overridden his interest in insects.

He spent most of his young age gaming and learning about the platforms for video games after being obsessed with the game “Space Invaders.” In 1991, he introduced and collaborated on a puzzle name called “Yoshi” with the video game company Nintendo.

Soon after this cooperation, Tajiri brainstormed an idea of designing a brand-new video game, which eventually turned into “Pokemon.”

In the beginning, Pokémon was named “Capsule Monsters,” and it was renamed to “CapuMon”, then “Pocket Monsters” because of the violation of the copyright.

The company Nintendo was impressed by Tajiri’s idea. Later on, Generation I Pokémon Red and Green was officially launched to the public.

In 1997, the franchise’s first TV series came out in Japan. One year later, Pokémon cards were released, becoming one of the biggest crazes for its fans to trade cards in the 1990s.

Today, Pocket Monsters fans from all over the world celebrate this special day. You probably could see some people go out with their Pokémon costumes on. The franchise (and character) have also developed into a worldwide phenomenon for people to enjoy a fun time together.

If you are a fan of the franchise, use today to play with those cute little pocket monsters and share your adventures with others. Don’t forget to show your love for all things Pokémon both in real life and in the social media world.

 

I put everything I’ve got in my pocket (Car Keys and Small Change Day)

February 28 – By Xiaotong Meng

Car Keys and Small Change Day is on February 28. We use today to celebrate a small opening or pouch on our clothes, and it could carry many small items. Yes, it is a pocket.

The history of the pocket can be dated back to 3300 B.C. when Ötzi wore a belt that had a pouch on it, which was used to put drill, scraper, bone awl and a lot more other tools.

The word pocket was transformed from a French word: pouque. In the 13th century, the first form of pocket appeared in Europe, which was known as the “fitchet.”

One century later, pockets became very noticeable again. People could remove pockets or even hang them as purses. The most interesting design of those pocket purses was that they could hide underneath clothes to prevent theft.

Later in the 17th century, pockets developed into an important part of men’s clothes. However, it didn’t apply to women who still needed to use those tied pouches underneath their clothes. At that time, women were seen wearing pockets outside clothing as a fashion trend until the 1800s.

During the 1920s, some female film stars began to wear male attires, which led to the appearance of pockets on women’s clothes as well.

Today, we have five major types of pockets. They are fob pockets (used to carry a pocket watch), camp pockets (a pocket sewn into the outer part of a clothing), slit pockets (cut into a garment), beer pockets (designed to carry a bottle of beer) and lastly, patch pockets (sewn patchwork style onto a single piece of clothing).

Without the invention of pockets, where should we keep our car keys and small items? Pockets make our lives easier. 

From this unofficial holiday, we could also learn to appreciate those little things in life. We shouldn’t take anything for granted, even if it is a tiny pocket. Take advantage of today to learn more about the development of fashion over time.

 

Conclusion

As we celebrate the many holidays that February brings, we’re reminded of the importance of having fun, reflecting on history, and cherishing our relationships. Whether it’s the playful joy of Pokémon Day, the thrill of Mardi Gras, or the quiet appreciation on Presidents’ Day, each holiday in February offers something to be grateful for.

Let’s embrace these moments and use them as a reminder to connect with our passions, honor traditions, and continue making memories with those we love.