The rise of Galentine’s Day: Why women are prioritising celebrating female friendships

Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate love in all its forms. For many women, friendships bring laughter, support and connection that enrich life every day.

Galentine’s Day, typically celebrated on February 13, honours these special bonds and the joy of female companionship. It’s a day to gather, uplift one another and simply enjoy each other’s company. Whether near or far, it’s a reminder that friendship deserves its own celebration.

Understanding Galentine’s Day

Nowadays, Valentine’s Day often centres on romance and commercialised expressions of love. In the past, some women chose friendship instead, gathering for dinners, games and poetry. Homemade cards, witty poems and heart-shaped treats celebrated creativity, humour and companionship. These gatherings, recorded by diarist May Bragdon, highlight how friendships provided support, joy and self-expression.

Galentine’s Day takes place on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, and celebrates female friendship. It’s a time to gather with your girlfriends and honour the bonds of support, empowerment and fun. The holiday is primarily centred on female connection, offering a space to uplift and encourage one another. It’s also a perfect excuse for long-distance friends to reconnect and enjoy moments that bring them joy.

Celebrating and prioritising friendship

Celebrating friendship matters because it nurtures happiness, emotional support and connection in everyday life, beyond romantic relationships.

“Women are placing greater value on their friendships, as they’re increasingly being seen as foundational sources of support and connection, rather than being secondary to a romantic partner,” said eharmony’s relationship expert Susie Kim.

“Many women have experienced long-term partnerships, marriage, divorce, caregiving, or major life transitions — and through that, friendships have proven to be the most consistent source of emotional support.”

Galentine’s Day reflects a fun and nourishing way to celebrate deep, enduring bonds with friends, while taking the romantic pressure off Valentine’s Day.

Boosting happiness and life satisfaction

Social relationships play a key role in happiness because people have a strong need to belong, which stable and meaningful friendships fulfill. High-quality connections provide support, understanding and someone to talk to, while also offering emotional and practical help. They strengthen wellbeing for everyone.

Happiness relies more on the closeness and depth of relationships rather than on their number or frequency. Feeling truly connected with loved ones predicts greater life satisfaction, and regular interaction further boosts wellbeing.

Opting out of romantic pressure

Not everyone feels a natural pull toward romantic relationships, and some prioritise independence. Family, culture and societal expectations often push people toward dating or commitment, even if they prefer to stay single.

Focusing on friendships allows women to follow their own values and choose what truly brings them joy. Embracing autonomy enhances satisfaction and fosters a positive outlook. This mindset celebrates meaningful connections and the many ways to cultivate happiness and fulfillment.

“Romantic relationships often carry real-world responsibilities: blended families, work pressures, financial considerations, or past relationship wounds. Galentine’s Day, by contrast, allows women to reconnect with friends in a way that feels joyful and low-pressure,” said Kim.

Seeking community beyond family

Friendship is both a personal and a social relationship, shaped by choices and society. Modern connections often challenge traditional family roles, offering care and intimacy based on equality and mutual support. Many include close friends in their ‘chosen family’, valuing them as much as relatives. Shared experiences, openness and affection deepen intimacy, while these intentional bonds enhance wellbeing and enrich daily life.

Finding emotional support in friendship

For many women, connecting with their female friends offers the emotional support that was once expected to be fully met by a romantic partner.

“Friendships – especially those that span decades – tend to be deeply vulnerable, communicative and emotionally expressive, which creates that strong sense of closeness and intimacy. As a result, when romantic partners feel distant or aren’t consistently present, friends can offer steady care, understanding, and connection,” said Kim.

There’s also a biological aspect to female friendships, with many studies showing that women naturally seeking connection when they’re experiencing stress, as the social bonding  releases oxytocin that helps reduce stress and supports emotional regulation.

“Time with trusted friends offers a meaningful connection that can be both emotionally and physiologically restorative,” said Kim.

How to celebrate Galentine’s Day

There are countless ways to celebrate your friendships, from simple shared moments to fun, creative activities that bring you closer and create lasting memories.

Cooking and connecting

Cooking can be a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Galentine’s Day. Planning a meal together gives you a chance to bond, laugh and create memories while enjoying something delicious. Simple foods like salads, wraps or sandwiches can be quick, delicious and satisfying. It can be a great way to connect with your friends, share ideas and enjoy time together while cooking something tasty and healthy.

Gaming and bonding

Multi-player online games offer more than entertainment — they provide opportunities for social interaction, teamwork and friendship. Players can cooperate on quests, solve challenges together and engage in casual conversations, creating meaningful social connections. Gaming communities allow people to communicate and collaborate, with social experiences often enhanced when playing with like-minded individuals.

Enjoy the outdoors

You may consider spending time together outdoors, whether in a park, on a walk or over coffee. On a nice day, a bike ride could be a refreshing way to explore your neighborhood. Visiting a botanical garden or having an outdoor picnic can offer quiet moments and a connection with nature. It can also give you space to relax and enjoy simple pleasures. 

Bringing friendship into the spotlight

Galentine’s Day celebrates the friendships that support and uplift us. Choosing connection and autonomy can bring as much joy as romance. From coffee dates to creative activities, there are endless ways to make memories with your gals.

Prioritising chosen family lets women nurture meaningful bonds on their own terms. Ultimately, the day is a reminder that love takes many forms and friendship is a powerful one.