Wondering how many days until Valentine’s Day? The next February 14 is Sunday, February 14, 2027, and the timer above counts down to it in days, hours, minutes and seconds. Whether you are planning a dinner for two, a card for your best friend or a classroom party, this page helps you stay ahead of the rush.
Who was Saint Valentine?
The holiday is named after at least one early Christian martyr called Valentine who, according to tradition, died in Rome on February 14 in the third century. Little is known for certain about his life, and the romantic legends around him developed much later. The link between the day and love first appears in medieval England, in the writing of Geoffrey Chaucer, who connected Saint Valentine’s Day with birds choosing their mates. By the 1700s, lovers in England were exchanging handwritten notes and tokens on February 14.
In the United States, mass-produced cards took off in the 1840s, when Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts, began selling elaborate lace-paper valentines. She is often called the Mother of the American Valentine.
The date never changes
Valentine’s Day is always on February 14, but the weekday shifts from year to year. When it falls on a weekend, restaurants book up even faster. It is not a federal holiday, so schools, banks, the post office and businesses keep normal hours.
Ideas for every kind of Valentine
- For a partner: cook a favorite meal at home, recreate your first date, or plan a weekend getaway.
- For friends: host a Galentine’s or Palentine’s brunch, or swap small handmade gifts.
- For kids: classroom card exchanges, heart-shaped pancakes, or a family movie night.
- On a budget: a handwritten letter, a photo book of shared memories, or a sunset picnic.
A simple planning timeline
- About four weeks before: reserve a table at popular restaurants and book any travel.
- Two weeks before: order personalized gifts so shipping delays are not a problem.
- One week before: order flowers for delivery; prices and demand climb sharply right before the day.
- The day before: write the card and confirm every reservation.
Valentine’s Day around the world
In the UK, the tradition of sending an unsigned card to a secret admirer is still part of the fun. In Japan, women traditionally give chocolate to men on February 14, and men return the favor a month later on White Day, March 14, a custom that South Korea shares. Wherever you are, the day has broadened beyond couples to include friends, family and classmates.
Share the anticipation
Send this countdown to someone special with the share button, or add February 14 to your calendar so the reminder comes to you. Planning a surprise for a different date, such as an anniversary? You can create your own countdown and send that link instead. If you are thinking further ahead, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are the next big gift occasions of the year.