03.12

Germany Calendar

Holidays, School vacations, Non-working days

Celebrating the St. Valentine's Day in Germany: dates, celebration, conventional congratulations, greetings, traditions and customs on the St. Valentine's Day

On this page you will find a description of the St. Valentine's Day festivities in Germany. Celebration dates by year, customs and traditions common for Germany on the St. Valentine's Day, a description of the origin, congratulations & greetings.


  Dates for the St. Valentine's Day celebration in Germany

The date of the St. Valentine's Day celebration in Germany remains unchanged every year and falls on 14 February.

The St. Valentine's Day celebration date in Germany:
Wednesday 14 February 2024 .

Below is a list of dates for celebrating the St. Valentine's Day in Germany by year, provided that in previous and subsequent years the present practice and time of the holiday celebration is preserved:

  Other names of the holiday

Holiday name in German: Valentinstag.

We are not aware of any other names for the St. Valentine's Day in Germany.

  Holiday status in the territory of Germany

St. Valentine's Day is not an extra non-working day in Germany.

  Wishes and congratulations, greetings on the St. Valentine's Day in Germany

Usually congratulations and wishes are written in postcards, among the popular are as follows:

  Description of the St. Valentine's Day celebration: customs and traditions:

Traditionally, in Germany, as in many other countries, lovers, spouses give each other gifts. In Germany, in most cases, flowers are given, as well as the other gifts like:

However, at least half of the Germans and other residents of Germany do not give anything to their beloved on this day. The main symbol of the holiday is a heartlet, heart-shaped greeting cards - valentines.



  The origin of the St. Valentine's Day holiday

The exact origin of the holiday is not clear; there are several versions with regard to it.

The holiday may be a continuation of celebrating the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia - a holiday of purification and fertility in honour of the god Lupercus, which used to be held on February 15. Under Christianity, in the 5th century AD, this holiday was banned, and over time, St. Valentine's Day was set to become a replacement for the above celebration. As for Valentine himself, he is believed to have lived in the third century and secretly married lovers, despite the emperor's ban. As a consequence, he was executed on the 14th of February. In the Middle Ages, his story became famous and resulted in this day celebration.

This holiday came to Germany only after World War II and was first celebrated in 1950, yet, it has become popular just in recent decades.

  Photos, pictures for the holiday

To enlarge and view the picture, click on it with the mouse button.


RU-GELD.DE Team

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