Celebrate These Unique February Holidays in 2024
February Holidays & Observances
February is the shortest month of the year, but there are a ton of things to celebrate and acknowledge during these 29 days—because it's a leap year—which is why we're happy to share these February holidays and observances for 2024!
As you are likely aware, Valentine’s Day is in February, as is Presidents’ Day—a day on which we recognize POTUSes past and present. There’s also Groundhog Day, when we wait to find out whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, and Super Bowl Sunday, where the top professional football teams battle it out for top honors.
But did you know that there are also national days set aside during the month to celebrate Golden retrievers, eat ice cream for breakfast, fly a kite and read to your child? There are several celebrations throughout the month honoring the Boy Scouts of America, as well as Black women in the arts.
The entire month of February is also a time to bring awareness to many important causes, like American Heart Month and Black History Month. There are also certain weeks during the month of February dedicated to causes, like Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Random Acts of Kindness Week.
Ready to learn all about the holidays and observances in February 2024? Read on!
What major holidays are in February?
The month of February has several popular holidays, namely Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and Presidents' Day. Also known as Washington’s Birthday, Presidents' Day falls on Monday, February 19, 2024, and is the only federal holiday during the month. That means that most businesses will be closed, including the banks and post office, and the kids will have a day off from school!
In 2024, the lunar calendar begins its new year during the second month of the Gregorian calendar’s new year, which means that Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 10, 2024. And 2024's Lunar New Year marks the start of the Year of the Dragon!
In terms of religious holidays, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, 2024 (AKA Valentine's Day). Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. Christians who observe this day go to church to "receive ashes," which means getting a mark of the cross on their forehead in ashes while fasting during the day.
Does February 2024 have a Leap Day?
Yes! The year 2024 is a Leap Year, so there is a February 29 on the calendar. Leap Years occur when the year’s number is divisible by four, which the year 2024 is! Leap Years generally occur every four years—but there is an exception when it comes to century years. A century year must be divisible by 100 and 400 in order to be a Leap Year!
February 2024 Daily Holidays and Observances
February 1
Candy-Making Day
Car Insurance Day
Change Your Password Day
Dark Chocolate Day
Decorating With Candy Day
G.I. Joe Day
Holiday Hugs Day
Hula in the Coola Day
International Face & Body Art Day
National Baked Alaska Day
National Freedom Day
National Get Up Day
Robinson Crusoe Day
Serpent Day
Spunky Old Broads Day
World Hijab Day
Related: Huh? Some People Swear By Blowing Cinnamon Into Their Homes on the First of the Month—Here’s Why
February 2
Ayn Rand Day
Bubblegum Day
California Kiwi Fruit Day
Candlemas
Crepe Day
Give Kids A Smile Day
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Job Shadow Day
Hedgehog Day
Heavenly Hash Day
Marmot Day (in Alaska)
National Brown Dog Day
National River Day
National Wear Red Day (first Friday in February)
National Woman's Heart Day
National Ukulele Day
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Self-Renewal Day
Sled Dog Day
The Record of a Sneeze Day
Tater Tot Day
World Wetlands Day
February 3
American Painters Day
Doggy Date Night
Elmo’s Birthday
Feed the Birds Day
Four Chaplains Day
Golden Retriever Day
Lung Leavin’ Day
International Pisco Sour Day (first Saturday in February)
National Carrot Cake Day
National Carrot Day
National Cordova Ice Worm Day
National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (first Saturday in February)
National Missing Persons Day
National Patient Recognition Day
National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of every month)
National Wedding Ring Day
National Women Physicians Day
Take a Cruise Day
Take Your Child To The Library Day (first Saturday in February)
February 4
Create a Vacuum Day
Dump Your Significant Jerk Day (first Sunday in February)
Facebook’s Birthday (the popular social media platform turns 20 in 2024)
Farmer's Day
Homemade Soup Day
Liberace Day
National Hemp Day
National Stuffed Mushroom Day
National Thank a Mail Carrier Day
National Thank a Mailman Day
National Wicker Day
Quacker Day
Rosa Parks Day (in California and Missouri)
Scout Sunday (first day of Boy Scout Week)
Sweater Day
Torture Abolition Day
USO Day
World Cancer Day
February 5
Adlai Stevenson Day
Disaster Day
National Chocolate Fondue Day
National Fart Day
National Pork Rind Day
National Shower with a Friend Day
National Sickie Day
National Weatherperson’s Day
Shower With a Friend Day
Western Monarch Day
World Animal Reiki Day
World Nutella Day
Related: 100 Quotes About Butterflies
February 6
African American Coaches Day (first Tuesday in February)
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
Lame Duck Day
National Chopsticks Day
National Frozen Yogurt Day
National Valentine Shopping Reminder Day
Pay a Compliment Day
Time to Talk Day
February 7
e-Day
Ballet Day
Global School Play Day (first Wednesday in February)
Hug an Addict or Alcoholic Day
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
National Girls & Women in Sports Day (first Wednesday in February)
National Periodic Table Day
Rose Day (beginning Valentine’s Week)
Send a Card to a Friend Day
Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
World Read Aloud Day (first Wednesday in February)
February 8
Boy Scout Anniversary Day/National Boy Scout Day
Giving Hearts Day (in North Dakota and Minnesota)
Laugh and Get Rich Day
Molasses Bar Day
National Kite Flying Day
Opera Day
February 9
International Winter Bike to Work Day
National Bagels and Lox Day
National Cut the Cord Day
National Develop Alternative Vices Day
National Pizza Day
National Toothache Day
Read in the Bathtub Day
The Inbox Day (second Friday in February)
February 10
All the News That's Fit to Print Day
Cream Cheese Brownie Day
Global Movie Day
National Flannel Day
National Home Warranty Day
National Umbrella Day
Teddy Day
World Pulses Day
February 11
Autism Sunday
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
Get Out Your Guitar Day
Grandmother Achievement Day
International Day of Women & Girls in Science
National Guitar Day
National Inventor’s Day
National Latte Day
National Make a Friend Day
National Shut-in Visitation Day
Peppermint Patty Day
Pro Sports Wives Day
Promise Day
Satisfied Staying Single Day
Super Chicken Wing Day
White T-Shirt Day
World Day of the Sick
World Marriage Day
Related: 75 Single on Valentine’s Day Quotes
February 12
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
Darwin Day
Hug Day
International Epilepsy Day (second Monday in February)
NAACP Day
National Clean Out Your Computer Day
National Freedom to Marry Day
National Lost Penny Day
National Plum Pudding Day
National Poop Day
Oatmeal Monday
Red Hand Day
Safety Pup Day
February 13
Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday/Paczki Day/Mardi Gras (a state holiday in Louisiana)
Black Love Day
Desperation Day
Dream Your Sweet Day
Employee Legal Awareness Day
Extraterrestrial Culture Day
Get a Different Name Day
International Natural Day
Kiss Day
National Break Up With Your Carrier Day
National Cheddar Day
National Crab Rangoon Day
National Internet Friends Day
National Tortellini Day
National Wingman Day
Safer Internet Day
Self-Love Day
World Radio Day
February 14
Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent)
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
Frederick Douglass Day
International Book Giving Day
League of Women Voters Day
Library Lovers' Day
Madly In Love With Me Day
National Black Literacy Day
National Call in Single Day
National Condom Awareness Day
National Creme-Filled Chocolates Day
National Donor Day
National Ferris Wheel Day
Pet Theft Awareness Day
Read to Your Child Day
Singles Awareness Day/Singles Appreciation Day
World Bonobo Day
February 15
Annoy Squidward Day
International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
Love Reset Day
National Black Girl Magic Day
National Gumdrop Day
National I Want Butterscotch Day
Remember the U.S.S. Maine Day
St. Skeletor's Day
Susan B. Anthony Day
World Anthropology Day
World Hippo Day
February 16
Do a Grouch a Favor Day
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day
Friday Fish Fry Day
Innovation Day
National Almond Day
National Caregivers Day
National Tartar Sauce Day
No One Eats Alone Day
World Cholangiocarcinoma Day
February 17
Analog to Digital TV Day
Champion Crab Races Day
My Way Day
National Cabbage Day
National Cafe au Lait Day
National Love Your Pet Day
National Public Science Day
National PTA Founders Day
National Tennis Pro Day
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Who Shall I Be Day
World Human Spirit Day
World Pangolin Day
February 18
Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day
Drink Wine Day
National Battery Day
National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day
NBA All Star Game
Pluto Day
Thumb Appreciation Day
World Whale Day (third Saturday in February)
February 19
Coast Guard Reserves Birthday
Daisy Gatson Bates Day (in Arkansas)
International Tug-of-War Day
National Airboat Day
National Arabian Horse Day
National Chocolate Mint Day
National Lash Day
Presidents' Day
Prevent Plagiarism Day
Vet Girls RISE Day
February 20
Clean Out Your Bookcase Day
Hoodie Hoo Day
National Cherry Pie Day
National Comfy Day
National Day of Solidarity with Muslim Arab and South Asian Immigrants
National Handcuff Day
National Leadership Day
National Muffin Day
National Student Volunteer Day
National Whistleblower Reward Day
No Politics Day
Women in Blue Jeans Days
World Day for Social Justice
February 21
Card Reading Day
International Mother Language Day
Language Day
National Grain Free Day
National Sticky Bun Day
Related: Mardi Gras Facts
February 22
2Twenty2 Day
Be Humble Day
Great American Spit Out
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Thursday of National Engineer’s Week)
National Chili Day
National Cook a Sweet Potato Day
National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
National Margarita Day
National Walk Your Dog Day
Play More Cards Day
Recreational Sports & Fitness Day
Single Tasking Day
Supermarket Employee Day
World Thinking Day
February 23
Curling Is Cool Day
Diesel Engine Day
International Stand Up to Bullying Day (last Friday in February)
National Banana Bread Day
National Dog Biscuit Day
National Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day
National Play Tennis Day
National Rationalization Day
National Tile Day
National Tootsie Roll Day
Pinocchio Day
Skip the Straw Day
World Understanding and Peace Day
February 24
National Tortilla Chip Day
National Trading Card Day
Twin Peaks Day
World Bartender Day
February 25
Let's All Eat Right Day
National Chocolate Covered Nuts Day
National Clam Chowder Day
Quiet Day
February 26
Black Lives Matter Day
Carnival Day
Carpe Diem Day
For Pete's Sake Day
International Tongue Twister Contest Day
Letter to an Elder Day
Levi Strauss Day
National Pistachio Day
Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Thermos Bottle Day
February 27
Anosmia Awareness Day
International Polar Bear Day
National Kahlua Day
National Pokemon Day
National Protein Day
National Retro Day
National Strawberry Day
No Brainer Day
Retro Day
The Big Breakfast Day
World NGO Day
World Spay Day
February 28
Car Keys and Small Change Day
Floral Design Day
Inconvenience Yourself Day
International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day
National Chocolate Souffle Day
National Customized Wheel and Tire Day
National Essay Day
National Pancake Day
National Public Sleeping Day
National Science Day
National Time Refund Day
National Tooth Fairy Day
Rare Disease Day
US Snow Shoe Day
February 29
Leap Day
Digital Learning Day (last Thursday in February)
National Toast Day (last Thursday in February)
Related: The History of Valentine’s Day
Weekly Observances for February 2024
Catholic Schools Week (January 28 - February 3)
Solo Diners Eat Out Week (February 1-7)
Women’s Heart Week (February 1-7)
Boy Scout Anniversary Week (February 4-10)
Burn Awareness Week (February 4-10)
National School Counseling Week (February 5-9)
National Children’s Mental Health Week (February 5-11)
Tinnitus Awareness Week (February 5-11)
Freelance Writers Appreciation Week (February 5-11)
African Heritage and Health Week (February 7-13)
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7-14)
International Week of Black Women In the Arts (February 7-15)
National Entrepreneurship Week (February 10-17)
National Hero Week (February 10-16)
International Flirting Week (February 11-17)
Jell-O Week (February 12-18)
Celebration of Love Week (February 11-17)
Children of Alcoholics Week (February 11-17)
Heart Failure Awareness Week (February 11-17)
Great American Pizza Bake (February 11-17)
Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 13-19)
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week (February 13-19)
Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (February 16-18)
National Engineer’s Week (February 18-24)
National Pancake Week (February 19-25)
National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week (February 26 - March 1)
America Saves Week (February 19-23)
Related: 65 Creative Random Acts of Kindness
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February Monthly Holidays and Observances
American Heart Month
Bake for Family Fun Month
Cancer Prevention Month
Cat Health Month
Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month
Creative Romance Month
Dog Training Education Month
Financial Aid Awareness Month
Hot Breakfast Month
Humpback Whale Awareness Month
International Friendship Month
International Month of Black Women in the Arts
International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
Canva/Parade
Library Lovers Month
Low Vision Awareness Month
Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
Marijuana Awareness Month
National Cherry Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Parent Leadership Month
National Patient Recognition Month
National Pet Dental Health Care Month
National Self-Check Month
National Senior Independence Month
National Snack Food Month
National Wise Health Consumer Month
National Women Inventors Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
Sweet Potato Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Vegan Cuisine Month
Youth Leadership Month
Next, get your family ready for Black History Month with these activities for kids.
