Valentine’s Day Around the World

Valentine’s Day, an exciting holiday where couples exchange gifts of love and appreciation and spend quality time together, is in a few days. Most people in the U.S. are familiar with celebrating the holiday, but how do other countries around the world celebrate Valentine's Day? Some countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia recognize the day.

In North America, most people celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Cards are sent, gifts such as chocolates or flowers are exchanged, and loved ones dine in and out together.

South American countries are familiar with Valentine’s Day as well. In Colombia on September 17th, people celebrate Love and Friendship Day where not only romantic love but also friendship is celebrated. In Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador Valentine’s Day is celebrated similarly to the U.S. where couples go out to dinner, share gifts, and send cards to one another. In Chile, people walk around the city to see decorations in shops, malls, and on the streets. In the Dominican Republic, people share cariñitos - gifts of love traded amongst friends and family.

In Africa, the nation of South Africa celebrates Valentine’s Day similarly to those in other countries by giving gifts and sharing meals with loved ones.

In Europe, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in numerous countries. 

Spain celebrates Valentine’s Day the same as the U.S. but also celebrates a similar holiday on April 23rd called La Dia de Sant Jordi. La Dia de Sant Jordi is celebrated by the exchange of books or roses and performances portraying the legend of Saint George– a brave knight who slays a dragon to save a princess. In Italy, Valentine's Day known as La Festa Degli Innamorati is celebrated through musical performances, romantic walks, and the visit to Juliet’s House from the play Romeo and Juliet where they can leave notes on the walls and stand on the famous balcony. In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä meaning Friend’s Day. Ystävänpäivä is a day when close friends send cards and gifts to each other as an appreciation of their friendship. In Denmark, admirers send gaekkebrev – joke letters to their loved ones. Scotland, Germany, and France celebrate similarly to most countries by gifting presents to one another or sharing romantic outings. Wales calls Valentine’s Day Dwynwen's Day which is celebrated on January 25th. This holiday honors Saint Dwynwen who is the patron saint of lovers. People exchange carved wooden spoons called love spoons which different designs represent different sentiments of love.

Multiple countries in Asia celebrate Valentine’s Day. In South Korea and Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day and men return the gesture a month later on White Day. China’s Valentine’s Day is celebrated similarly to Western traditions. In addition, China has the Qixi Festival which usually falls in August. The festival is based on a romantic legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl where two lovers are separated by the Milky Way and can only reunite on the Qixi Festival once a year. India, Thailand, and the Philippines celebrate similarly to the US on Valentine’s Day.