Do you ever feel disappointed at the end of the traditional holiday season? Once Christmas and New Year’s Day are over, the months afterward can feel like a bit of a letdown. You may struggle to remain positive and productive during the winter months. This is especially true if you live in a colder climate. Once February arrives, you still have cold, unpleasant weather but seemingly nothing to look forward to.
If you’re searching for ways to make February more exciting, you’re in luck! This underestimated month is full of enjoyable holidays and observances. You may not know about some of them yet! Here are seven fun and unique holidays to add to your February calendar. Set them up as annually recurring events in your Calendar, Microsoft Calendar, or Google Calendar so they pop up every year.
1. Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is celebrated in both Canada and the United States on the second day of February each year. It’s an entertaining and unique occasion based on a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition for predicting how long winter will last. According to the bizarre Groundhog Day theory, a specific groundhog (“Punxsutawney Phil”) can predict how long winter will last. If the furry critter emerges from his den and sees his shadow, it’s said that winter will last six more weeks. If the groundhog emerges from his den and doesn’t see his shadow due to cloud cover, it supposedly means spring will come early. Unfortunately for us, the groundhog saw its shadow this year, so we’ll be in for another six weeks of winter!
Groundhog Day in the United States dates back to at least 1886 (when it was first officially reported on by the press in the Punxsutawney Spirit). Every year since, people have gathered faithfully on February 2nd to witness Phil’s winter prediction. There’s even a popular 1993 movie about the celebration called “Groundhog Day.” (Dare I say, I never miss watching the “groundhog movie” on Groundhog Day? Which reminded me I didn’t have this post published!) If you have available PTO, consider planning a trip to Punxsutawney, PA, to celebrate Groundhog Day in person. It’s a huge event for locals and tourists, attracting as many as 40,000 people each year.
2. National Soup Day
If you love comfort foods like hearty soups and breads, you’ll love National Soup Day. Celebrated on February 4th of each year, this food-centered national holiday is tragically undercelebrated. But you can change that by making this unique and delicious holiday a big deal amongst your family and friends. Whether you love a bowl of creamy bisque or prefer spicy chili, make February 4th the day you indulge in your favorite soup.
No one knows for sure when National Soup Day became a thing. However, people have been celebrating soup for centuries. Archaeological evidence shows that soup has been around since as early as 20,000 B.C. Ancient pottery in China showed evidence of scorch marks, suggesting it was used to make some sort of soup. It’s believed that Neanderthals made soup by heating rocks and putting them into a bowl of water with other ingredients.
3. National Kite Flying Day
After indulging in creamy soups on February 4th, you may find yourself looking for ways to burn off those calories. Why not head outside with family and friends and learn how to fly a kite? National Kite Flying Day is observed each year on February 8th. It’s the perfect excuse to reconnect with your inner kid and make memories while flying kites with loved ones.
Kite enthusiasts nationwide celebrate National Kite Flying Day by showcasing their homemade or store-bought kites. But don’t worry, you don’t need to know any fancy kite stunts to enjoy this unique, fun-filled holiday. However, you need to head outside when there’s plenty of wind to keep your kite airborne. Otherwise, you’ll feel disappointed when you realize you can’t get your kite off the ground.
4. Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl Sunday is among the most highly anticipated February events for sports and football enthusiasts. It’s when the National Football League (NFL) plays its annual championship game. In 2025, the Super Bowl is scheduled for February 9th in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. You can watch it live on Fox or the Fox Sports or Fubo streaming apps, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, get yourself some tickets and watch the game in person!
Watching the Super Bowl on Sunday is a guilty pleasure for many people since the game can potentially last four hours or longer. However, many families turn Super Bowl Sunday into an opportunity to strengthen relationships and enjoy food and games together. You can even learn valuable life lessons from carefully observing the game. For example, players and coaches model resilience, teamwork, strategic planning, and time management with each play. Incorporating these skills into your own life can help you become more successful in your personal and professional endeavors.
5. Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated holidays in February. Please, dear couples, don’t forget this holiday — that would be a sin, and you will pay for it. I didn’t mean to have a couple’s image as the featured image, but this pic was so wonderful, and the photographer so original, I had to include it. If you are not a “couple,” think of the “littles” in your life. Remember the Valentine box at school — one more “something special” is great for others in your life, too. And think of the old lady down the street who has no one (but you?). Just do it, as Nike would say.
Valentine’s always falls on February 14th, the perfect day to show your loved ones how much you care. This sentimental holiday originated in early Rome, though its beginnings are hardly romantic. Valentine’s Day was first set up to honor the memories of several Christian martyrs in Rome named Valentine. Some Christian churches still formally celebrate the occasion with that original purpose in mind.
However, the modern world celebrates Valentine’s Day with a different motivation. Today, the holiday is widely considered a day of romance, love, and a celebration of fertility. If you don’t have a lover to celebrate with, consider using the day to strengthen relationships with family members and friends. Or take time to show yourself a little self-love with a spa day or another enjoyable activity.
6. World Whale Day
Are you looking for a February observance that’s a little more random and obscure than most? World Whale Day has got you covered! Observed on the third Sunday in February each year, World Whale Day celebrates whale species from around the world. Greg Kaufman, an avid whale watcher and founder of the Pacific Whale Foundation, first implemented World Whale Day in 1980. It began as a celebration of endangered humpback whales in Maui but now includes recognition of all whale populations.
There are many great ways to observe World Whale Day. You might consider spending a few hours cleaning up a local beach or watching whale documentaries. You could also raise awareness about endangered whales through social media. Or schedule a whale-watching excursion to see the beautiful creatures up close.
7. Random Acts of Kindness Day
This February, you could potentially change a complete stranger’s life for the better by simply being kind. Random Acts of Kindness Day is an unofficial holiday on February 17th each year. It’s a great excuse to look outside yourself and focus instead on spreading kindness “just because.” On this day, adopt a “pay it forward” mentality and aim to improve the lives of all you come in contact with.
If you need ideas for nice things to do on Random Acts of Kindness Day, start by sharing a smile with everyone you see. You can also donate money to a charity, leave a generous tip for your waiter, or compliment a random stranger. Even something as small as holding a door open for someone can brighten their day while making yours better. Don’t forget to show extra love and kindness to your family and friends on this day.
Who says February has to be the let-down month of the year? Try adding a little excitement and fun to the month by observing some (or all) of these unique holidays. Before you know it, February might just become your favorite month of the entire year.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by How Far From Home; Pexels
Abby Miller
Student at UC Berkeley, currently working on a degree in Electrical Engineering/Computer Sciences and Business Administration. Experienced in CSX, productivity management, and chatbot implementation.