It's easy to forget that February is the shortest month of the year given just how much there is to celebrate in it. We're not just talking about Valentine's Day, either! Believe us, we have so much fun celebrating the day of love, but there truly is so much more that goes on during the month than just exchanging Valentine's Day gifts on February 14. Not that this is news to anyone, but February is still in winter—so there are many holidays and observances that appeal to the chilly month. If you're keen on learning just how many there are, we created a list of the best February holidays we think you should know about!
For one, the month is full of days and festivities that honor the most delicious desserts. Have you heard of National Cherry Pie Day or National Sticky Bun Day? We love an excuse to stuff our faces! For our book lovers out there, there's a day dedicated to giving someone a book! (Because flipping through pages of an enemies-to-lovers novel or romance book never gets old.) There are so many other February holidays that you might not have been aware of, so read on for a full list of them!
February Daily Holidays and Observances
- Feb. 1: Decorating with Candy Day, National Baked Alaska Day, National Dark Chocolate Day, National Freedom Day, National Girls and Women in Sports Day
- Feb. 2: Bubblegum Day, Crepe Day, Groundhog Day, National Hedgehog Day, National River Day, National Tater Tot Day, National Ukulele Day, Self Renewal Day
- Feb. 3: American Painters Day, Feed the Birds Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Golden Retriever Day, National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, National Women Physicians Day
- Feb. 4: National Homemade Soup Day, National Stuffed Mushroom Day, National Thank a Mail Carrier Day, Sweater Day
- Feb. 5: National Chocolate Fondue Day, National Pork Rind Day, National Weatherperson’s Day, World Nutella Day
- Feb. 6: National Chopsticks Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day, Pay a Compliment Day, Time to Talk Day
- Feb. 7: National Ballet Day, National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, National Periodic Table Day, National Send a Card to a Friend Day, Rose Day
- Feb. 8: Fat Thursday, National Boy Scout Day, National Kite-Flying Day, Opera Day, Propose Day
- Feb. 9: National Pizza Day, Read in the Bathtub Day
- Feb. 10: Chinese New Year, International Cribbage Day, National Cream Cheese Brownie Day, National Flannel Day, National Umbrella Day
- Feb. 11: National Guitar Day, National Inventors’ Day, National Latte Day, National Make a Friend Day
- Feb. 12: Hug Day, National Plum Pudding Day, Super Bowl Sunday
- Feb. 13: Galentine’s Day, Kiss Day, Mardi Gras, National Apology Day, National Cheddar Day, National Tortellini Day, Self-Love Day
- Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday, International Book Giving Day, National Call In Single Day, National Cream-filled Chocolates Day, National Ferris Wheel Day, National Donor Day, Organ Donor Day, Read to Your Child Day, Valentine’s Day
- Feb. 15: International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, National Gumdrop Day, Singles Awareness Day, Susan B. Anthony Day, World Anthropology Day, World Hippo Day
- Feb. 16: Innovation Day, National Almond Day, National Caregivers Day, National Tartar Sauce Day
- Feb. 17: National Cabbage Day, National Cafe au Lait Day, National Random Acts of Kindness Day, World Human Spirit Day
- Feb. 18: National Drink Wine Day, Pluto Day, World Whale Day
- Feb. 19: National Chocolate Mint Day, National Vet Girls Rock Day, Presidents' Day
- Feb. 20: Clean Out Your Bookcase Day, National Cherry Pie Day, National Comfy Day, National Leadership Day, National Muffin Day, National Student Volunteer Day, World Day for Social Justice
- Feb. 21: Language Day, National Grain Free Day, National Sticky Bun Day
- Feb. 22: Be Humble Day, National Chili Day, National Cook a Sweet Potato Day, National Margarita Day, National Walking Your Dog Day, Single Tasking Day, Supermarket Employee Day, World Thinking Day
- Feb. 23: National Banana Bread Day, National Dog Biscuit Day, National Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day, National Tile Day, National Tootsie Roll Day, Play Tennis Day
- Feb. 24: National Tortilla Chip Day, National Trading Card Day
- Feb. 25: Let's All Eat Right Day, National Chocolate Covered Nut Day, Quiet Day
- Feb. 26: Carnival Day, Carpe Diem Day, Letter to an Elder Day, National Pistachio Day, Tell a Fairy Tale Day
- Feb. 27: International Polar Bear Day, National Protein Day, National Strawberry Day, Pokémon Day, Retro Day
- Feb. 28: Floral Design Day, Inconvenience Yourself Day, National Chocolate Soufflé Day, National Essay Day, National Pancake Day, National Science Day
- Feb. 29: Leap Day, National Toast Day
February Weekly Holidays and Observances
- African Heritage and Health Week (Feb. 1—7)
- National School Counseling Week (Feb. 5—9)
- National Jell-O Week (Feb. 12—18)
- Ayyám-i-Há (Feb. 26—29)
February Monthly Holidays and Observances
- American Heart Month
- Bake for Family Fun Month
- Black History Month
- Celebration of Chocolate Month
- Dog Training Education Month
- International Boost Self-esteem Month
- International Month of Black Women in the Arts
- National Bird Feeding Month
- National Cancer Prevention Month
- National Cherry Month
- National Embroidery Month
- National Goat Yoga Month
- National Haiku Writing Month
- National Hot Breakfast Month
- National Library Lovers Month
- National Macadamia Nut Month
- National Self-Check Month
- National Snack Food Month
- National Women Inventors Month
- Vegan Cuisine Month
Josiah Soto is the assistant editor of news and social for The Pioneer Woman. He helps manage the website’s social channels, in addition to writing high-performing news and entertainment content daily.