The Holiday Collection
The short answer: The main February holidays are Valentine's Day on February 14 and Presidents Day, officially Washington's Birthday, on the third Monday of the month. Presidents Day is the only federal holiday in February. In 2027 it falls on Monday, February 15, the day after Valentine's Day.
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February also includes Groundhog Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and Black History Month.
Plan February's celebrations and spending with the Budget Planner Printable ($5.99) or the Annual Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99).
I love each season's little details, and February's cozy celebrations are a sweet reason to gather people around the table.
February 2027 holidays at a glance
| Date | Day | Holiday or observance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| All month | Black History Month | National observance | |
| February 2 | Tuesday | Groundhog Day | Traditional |
| February 6 | Saturday | Lunar New Year | Cultural |
| February 8 | Monday | Ramadan expected to begin | Religious |
| February 9 | Tuesday | Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) | Religious and cultural |
| February 10 | Wednesday | Ash Wednesday | Religious |
| February 12 | Friday | Lincoln's Birthday | State holiday in some states |
| February 14 | Sunday | Valentine's Day | Cultural |
| February 15 | Monday | Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday) | Federal holiday |
| February 22 | Monday | George Washington's actual birthday | Historic |
Federal holidays in February
February has 1 federal holiday. Federal law names it Washington's Birthday, and it falls on the third Monday of February. Most people call it Presidents Day. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's holiday list confirms the date each year.
On Presidents Day, post offices, federal offices and most banks close. Many schools close or take a mid-winter break around it. Most stores stay open and often run sales.
What's open and closed on February holidays
| Holiday | Post offices | Most banks | Schools | Most stores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidents Day | Closed | Closed | Many closed | Open, often with sales |
| Valentine's Day | Open (closed Sundays) | Open (closed Sundays) | Open | Open |
| Lincoln's Birthday | Open | Open in most states | Varies by state | Open |
| Mardi Gras | Open | Open | Closed in some Louisiana parishes | Open |
Local closures vary, so check your school district and bank before you make plans.
Religious and cultural holidays in February
- Lunar New Year (February 6): the Year of the Goat begins. Celebrations last 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival. See our Lunar New Year guide.
- Ramadan: the month of fasting is expected to begin around February 8, 2027. The exact date depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon.
- Mardi Gras (February 9): the last day of feasting before Lent, famous for parades and king cake.
- Ash Wednesday (February 10): the first day of Lent, 46 days before Easter on March 28, 2027.
Fun February days
- Groundhog Day (February 2): tradition says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
- Valentine's Day (February 14): a day for cards, flowers, chocolates and time with the people you love. In 2027 it lands on a Sunday, so it's easy to plan a slow brunch or a cozy dinner.
- Leap day: 2027 isn't a leap year, so February has 28 days. The next February 29 is in 2028.
February observances
| Observance | What it's about |
|---|---|
| Black History Month | Honors the achievements and history of African Americans; the national Black History Month site shares exhibits and resources |
| American Heart Month | Raises awareness of heart health |
| National Wear Red Day (first Friday, February 5) | Wear red to support women's heart health |
Budget-friendly ways to celebrate February holidays
February holidays can add up fast, between Valentine's gifts, a Lunar New Year meal and a Presidents Day weekend trip. A few ideas that cost little:
- Cook a special dinner together instead of going out on Valentine's weekend.
- Make homemade cards. A handwritten card is often more meaningful than a pricey gift.
- Plan a game night with card games and snacks for the long weekend.
- Set a February budget for gifts, dining out and travel before the month starts.
Plan your February
Writing down every February date and expense keeps the short month from getting expensive.
- Budget Planner Printable ($5.99): set a monthly plan for Valentine's gifts, meals and travel.
- Annual Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99): see how holiday spending fits your whole year.
- Household Binder ($6.99): keep the family calendar and important dates together.
Browse all our Printables and Spreadsheets.
More calendars and holiday guides
Planning the month before? See our guide to holidays in January.
For February 14 specifically, use our Valentine's Day on a budget guide for date and gift caps.
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Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
What are the February holidays? The main February holidays are Valentine's Day on February 14 and Presidents Day on the third Monday of February. Groundhog Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and Black History Month also fall in February.
How many federal holidays are in February? There is 1 federal holiday in February: Washington's Birthday, better known as Presidents Day. It falls on the third Monday of February, which is February 15 in 2027.
When is Presidents Day 2027? Presidents Day 2027 is Monday, February 15. The federal holiday, officially called Washington's Birthday, always falls on the third Monday of February.
Is Valentine's Day a federal holiday? No, Valentine's Day is not a federal holiday. Offices, banks, schools and post offices stay open on February 14. In 2027, Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday.
When is Lunar New Year 2027? Lunar New Year 2027 is on Saturday, February 6, and begins the Year of the Goat. Celebrations traditionally last 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival.
When is Mardi Gras 2027? Mardi Gras 2027 is on Tuesday, February 9. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is always the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
When is Ash Wednesday 2027? Ash Wednesday 2027 is on Wednesday, February 10. It marks the start of Lent, 46 days before Easter Sunday on March 28, 2027.
When does Ramadan start in 2027? Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around Monday, February 8. The exact start depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon, so it can vary by a day between communities.
When is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is on February 2 every year. In 2027, it falls on a Tuesday. Tradition says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter will last 6 more weeks.
Is Lincoln's Birthday a holiday? Lincoln's Birthday on February 12 is not a federal holiday, but a few states observe it as a state holiday. The federal holiday in February honors George Washington.
Are banks closed on Presidents Day? Yes, most banks are closed on Presidents Day because it is a federal holiday. Post offices and federal offices close too, while most stores stay open.
How can I keep February holiday spending under control? Set a February budget for gifts, dining out and travel before the month begins, and track it as you go. The Budget Planner Printable ($5.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. gives you a simple monthly plan, so Valentine's Day and the long weekend don't strain your budget.
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Sources
- Cornell Law School LII: 5 U.S. Code § 6103, Holidays law.cornell.edu
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays opm.gov
- Black History Month (Library of Congress and partners) blackhistorymonth.gov