Celebrating the St. Valentine's Day in Germany: dates, congratulations, greetings, traditions and customs
On this page, you will find information about the celebration of St. Valentine's Day in Germany, including dates by year, customs and traditions, the origins of the holiday, and popular greetings.
Dates for the St. Valentine's Day celebration in Germany
The date of the St. Valentine's Day celebration in Germany remains unchanged every year and falls on 14 February. See calendar.
The St. Valentine's Day celebration date in Germany falls on Saturday, 14 February 2026 this year.
Below is a list of dates for celebrating the St. Valentine's Day in Germany by year, provided that in previous and subsequent years the present practice and time of the holiday celebration is preserved:
- (Fri) 14 February 2025 - St. Valentine's Day 2025GermanyGermany
- (Sat) 14 February 2026 - St. Valentine's Day 2026GermanyGermany
- (Sun) 14 February 2027 - St. Valentine's Day 2027GermanyGermany
Holiday status in the territory of Germany, brief information
- Holiday name in German
- Valentinstag
- Holiday status
- St. Valentine's Day is not an extra non-working day in Germany.
- Other names of the holiday
- Day of all people in love / Valentine's Day
Wishes and congratulations, greetings on the St. Valentine's Day in Germany
Usually congratulations and wishes are written in postcards, among the popular are as follows:
- Herzliche Grüße zum Valentinstag! (Heartfelt congratulations on Valentine's Day)
- Ich liebe Dich! (I love you)
- Ich denk an dich (Thinking of you)
- Für Dich (For you)
How St. Valentine's Day is celebrated in Germany: customs and traditions
Traditionally, in Germany, as in many other countries, lovers, spouses give each other gifts. In Germany, in most cases, flowers are given, as well as the other gifts like:
- sweets,
- greeting cards with wishes and congratulations,
- lunch or dinner together,
- music,
- perfume, jewellery, accessories,
- and more.
However, at least half of the Germans and other residents of Germany do not give anything to their beloved on this day. The main symbol of the holiday is a heartlet, heart-shaped greeting cards - valentines.
The origin of the St. Valentine's Day
The exact origin of the holiday is not clear; there are several versions with regard to it.
The holiday may be a continuation of celebrating the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia - a holiday of purification and fertility in honour of the god Lupercus, which used to be held on February 15. Under Christianity, in the 5th century AD, this holiday was banned, and over time, St. Valentine's Day was set to become a replacement for the above celebration. As for Valentine himself, he is believed to have lived in the third century and secretly married lovers, despite the emperor's ban. As a consequence, he was executed on the 14th of February. In the Middle Ages, his story became famous and resulted in this day celebration.
This holiday came to Germany only after World War II and was first celebrated in 1950, yet, it has become popular just in recent decades.
Photos, pictures for the holiday
Chocolate candies in the shape of a heart
Heart-shaped cupcakes
A greeting card for Valentine's Day
Author team kalender-plus.de
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