What Valentine’s Day is

A feast day for one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine that became associated with romantic love in the late medieval period, largely through Chaucer and the courtly love tradition.

It is now one of the largest card-sending occasions in the world, and is marked well beyond countries with a Christian tradition.

When it falls, and why the date moves

The countdown at the top of this page is live, and the date beneath it is the next occurrence. This is a fixed date: it falls on the same day of the month every year, so only the weekday changes.

It is grouped here under Global, alongside the other observances that share its calendar.

What is coming up next

Once this date passes, the countdown moves on according to the recurrence rule described above. Calculated lunar dates remain estimates until the relevant calendar or local authority confirms them. See the full list of upcoming events, or use the countdown timer for a duration of your own.