From TV trope to economic force: The rise of Galentine’s Day
Theora Jaz pulled rose petals, handcrafted rose-and-baby’s-breath bouquets and hung red silk fabric over her walls and tables to set the scene for a very special night. She poured her thoughts, time and effort into a Galentine’s Day party to celebrate the women in her life.
“Galentine’s Day is about admiring and celebrating our female friends. It’s about supporting each other and congratulating one another for all we have accomplished,” Jaz, 37, told Straight Arrow News.
She prepared for her party with great intention, taking inspiration from “Alice in Wonderland’s” Queen of Hearts.
“I wanted it to be grown and sexy vibes and told my girls to dress up with heels and all,” Jaz said. “Because what girl doesn’t love getting dolled up?”
Jaz is just one of a rapidly growing number of women who celebrate the quasi-holiday. Galentine’s Day — the day before Valentine’s Day, when women celebrate women, thanks to a 16-year-old episode of Parks and Recreation — has seen a huge leap in popularity in recent years. The restaurant-reservation app, OpenTable, reported a 34% increase in Galentine’s Day reservations between 2024 and 2025.
That’s no surprise to Jaz.
Why celebrate Galentine’s Day?
“Valentine’s Day is for romance with your partner, and Galentine’s is just honoring and showing love to your female friends,” Jaz told SAN.
She included a paint-and-sip activity, a buffet and, of course, plenty of desserts. Not to mention balloons that read “Galentine’s” and “no boys allowed,” as well as roses, candles and treats.
It’s not a knock on men, she told SAN.
“I feel like women are realizing that their friendships with their girls are very important and want to sort of celebrate them in a way through a party,” Jaz said.
OpenTable’s data backs up Jaz’s theory. In a separate survey of more than 1,500 Americans, OpenTable found a widening definition of who Americans want to share their love with this February. OpenTable reported that 60% of Gen Z and 41% of all Americans are “likely to celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends instead of a romantic partner this year.”
It makes sense: Americans are staying single for longer these days. And data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that there are about 100 unmarried women for every 89.8 unmarried men.
Galentine’s Day’s growing popularity
Jaz credits the holiday’s growth to women’s desire to celebrate each other.
“A lot of women are strong, independent women nowadays,” she said, adding that women are realizing how important female friendships are and just want to celebrate that.
For those interested in joining the celebration, Jaz has a few tips.
“I would recommend decorating days in advance,” Jaz said. “I would also recommend being intentional with decorations, and personalize things for their girls if they can to make them feel extra special.”
She added that incorporating at least one group activity is also a good idea, like her sip-and-paint setup.
How did Galentine’s Day get started?
Galentine’s Day was first introduced in 2010 during an episode of “Parks and Recreation,” when Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, gathered her female friends together on Feb. 13.
“What’s Galentine’s Day?” Poehler asked in the episode. “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every Feb. 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrate ladies.”
Since the episode aired, women across the country have run with it, and it’s a tradition even Poeher continues to acknowledge.
“Female friendships are the most important thing in your life,” Poehler said in a 2024 TikTok post. “The best thing about your friends is they know you better than anyone, and they still want to hang out with you. Happy Galentine’s Day!”
Businesses embrace Galentine’s Day
As more women across the U.S. celebrate the holiday, businesses have taken steps to monetize it.
In Omaha, Nebraska, Big Grove Brewery plans to host its own Galentine’s Day event, featuring bouquet making, charm bracelet and necklace crafting and Galentine’s-themed trivia. The brewery even created a special menu for the women of Omaha.
At Wick & Paper Studio, also in Omaha, the owners are hosting a craft-and-sip event.
“Attendees can expect a fun evening of creativity. They can choose to make a card or candle or both,” said Chantelle Green, who works at the art studio. Green told SAN that while the event is open to everyone, it is meant “for girlfriends to get together and have some fun.”
“I think that as women, we always have to figure it out,” Green said. “This is just a night to be free of responsibility and to have a good time with their friends and to meet new friends with no pressure.”
Target also launched a Galentine’s Day promotion, dedicating an entire page on its website to Galentine’s Day merch and hosting essentials.
The increasing options are a win on a day full of them for Jaz, who spent days prepping for her party.
But, she said, it’s worth it: “You get to hang out with your girls and catch up and just enjoy each other’s time with one another.”
The post From TV trope to economic force: The rise of Galentine’s Day appeared first on Straight Arrow News.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
