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, if known, as well as what congratulations & greetings the Germans use in their country on this holiday and their meaning. Here, you will also find photos of the attributes of the holiday or the celebration itself and other interesting information.
- Information on the page:
- Celebration dates
- Other names
- Status
- Wishes & greetings
- Traditions and customs
- Origin
- Photos
- Comments and questions
§ 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:
Tuesday 14 February 2023 .
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:
- Monday, 14 February 2022 - St. Valentine's Day 2022Germany Germany
- Tuesday, 14 February 2023 - St. Valentine's Day 2023Germany Germany
- Wednesday, 14 February 2024 - St. Valentine's Day 2024Germany Germany
- Friday, 14 February 2025 - St. Valentine's Day 2025Germany Germany
- Saturday, 14 February 2026 - St. Valentine's Day 2026Germany Germany
§ 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:
- Herzliche Grüße zum Valentinstag! (Heartfelt congratulations on Valentine's Day)
- Ich liebe Dich! (I love you)
- Ich denk an dich (Thinking of you)
- Für Dich (For you)
§ 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:
- sweets,
- greeting cards with wishes and congratulations,
- lunch or dinner together,
- music,
- perfume, jewellery, accessories,
- and more.
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.
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St. Valentine's Day greeting card
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Heart-shaped chocolates
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Heart-shaped cupcakes
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