You have Amy Poehler (right) and a character she portrayed on Parks and Recreation (Leslie Knope) to thank for Galentine’s Day. At left is Donna Meagle, who played Retta on the show. | Wikimedia Commons photo
What you probably already know: Celebrating Galentine’s Day? You’re not alone. Surveys show that approximately one-third of American consumers will celebrate Galentine’s Day this year, a record high. In case you’re unfamiliar, Galentine’s Day is a day of celebrating female friendships that began, of all places, on a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation. It’s a “holiday” invented by the show’s main protagonist, Leslie Knope (portrayed by Amy Poehler). “What is Galentine’s Day? “Knope asks at her annual G-Day party. “Only the best day of the year. Every Feb. 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home. Ladies celebrate ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
Why it matters: From those satirical beginnings, the day has evolved to become an important one for women to celebrate the power of sisterhood and build each other up. National Today, a website that publicizes both important holidays and quirky occasions related to a particular day, notes that 98% of women say they have a best friend — one of six they’ll have in their lifetime — while one in four say their best friend knows them better than their partner. Seventy percent of women consider their female friends a family member, and 60% of millennials say they’d “rather be trapped in quarantine with their closest female friend over a romantic partner.”
What it means: Open Table says Galentine’s Day dining last year increased 34% from 2024, with 43% of those celebrating saying they’ll be “soft-launching” a new friendship. The Food Institute calls the day a “highly lucrative” opportunity for bars and restaurants thanks largely to Gen Z (those between the ages of about 30 to 45). But it’s not just about Gen Z. Parade magazine (which certainly appeals to an older demographic) even suggests a list of 105 Galentine’s Day Instagram captions, including “ovaries before brovaries;” “boys are whatever, friends are forever;” and “uteruses before duderuses.” The day is most celebrated in Washington, D.C.; Hawaii; Massachusetts; New Jersey; and California.
What happens next: “Leslie Knope and Amy Poehler remain central in January 2026 language, keeping the holiday legible and easy to reference,” notes research and data firm Quid, adding that the term “Galentine’s Day” generated more than 71 billion social media impressions between 2024 and January 2026, with many of the posts originating from influencers. Today is a day to embrace your inner Leslie Knope, with National Today urging women to “Head to your favorite, café, go ice skating, spend an afternoon with your gal pal at the salon, or just order in a pizza and watch movies.” On that last note, Evite has published a comprehensive list of the best flicks for Galentine’s Day, with the top three being 10 Things I Hate About You; How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days; and She’s All That.
