Valentine's Day 2024: Different ways countries celebrate love on February 14 (2024)

FAQs

How do different countries celebrate Valentine's day? ›

In Colombia and Bolivia, Valentine's Day is celebrated in September instead of February. Traditions of gift giving and festivities are similar to other countries, however, Colombia celebrates on September 20 and Bolivia celebrates the following day on September 21.

In Mexico, they celebrate El Dia de San Valentin, more commonly referred to as El Dia del Amor y la Amistad. People give chocolates, balloons, and gifts but the emphasis is on celebrating friendships, not sweethearts.

Valentine's Day in Japan is celebrated by women giving gifts of chocolate to the men in their lives. Romantic partners or interests receive special chocolates known as honmei-choco, while male friends and colleagues or classmates receive obligatory giri-choco.

South Africa

South Africans celebrate with flowers and gifts, and some women pin the name of their love interest on the sleeve of their shirt, which ensures that secret admirers don't remain secret for long!

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

While similar to American Valentine's Day, Mexico's Día de San Valentín can be celebrated by all the people of Mexico, not just happy couples. That's because it's known as the day of love and friendship.

But in some other countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the day is banned due to the day's conflicting views with the Islamic culture. Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine's Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine's Day) are banned in Iran.

Germans celebrate Valentine's Day by exchanging gifts of chocolates, flowers and pigs. Yep, you read it right, pigs.

Do Canadians celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Canada. Canadians consider Valentine's Day to be an opportunity to express their love, both for their romantic partners and their friends and family. School children, in particular, are likely to make cards for their parents and friends.

Celebrations for Dia dos Namorados in Brazil and those for Valentine's Day in most other countries are similar. Typically, couples exchange romantic gifts, such as chocolates or flowers, and they may also share a "date night". Additionally, beautifying home decorations are common as a part of the celebration.

It's Valentine's Day, Quirkyalone Day, National Library Lover's Day, International Book Giving Day, National Ferris Wheel Day… and much more!

So some form of Valentine's Day is common across this massive landmass. Some countries focus their love-related holiday on a different Catholic saint. Other countries add their own practices to the traditional holiday.

The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record St. Valentine's Day as a day of romantic celebration in his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules,” writing, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

How do they celebrate Valentine's day in Italy? Italian Valentine's Day now diverges significantly from its traditional roots, adopting a more contemporary approach to celebrating love. While candlelit dinners and small tokens of affection remain popular, the quintessential gift in Italy continues to be flowers.

The Chinese Valentine's Day is a time for couples to express their love, which they usually do with an array of elaborate gifts and gestures. Like any romantic holiday, couples spend time together, enjoy a nice dinner, exchange gifts, go to the cinema, etc.

In Mexico, taking romantic partners or close friends out to dinner on this special occasion is a common practice. Mexicans take El Día del Amor y la Amistad very seriously. Restaurants decorate and create an exciting atmosphere by adorning their walls with hearts and the colors red and pink.

In France, couples gift each other flowers, chocolate, macarons from Laduree or Pierre Herme and lingerie as we would in the States. It is often the perfect time to organize a special outing to a museum, romantic restaurant or a brunch in a special cafe. French restaurants often propose a special Valentine's Day menu.