Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day History

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and affection. Traditionally, this observance brings joy and warmth to the middle of winter and is symbolised globally by hearts, flowers, chocolates and messages of enduring affection. Often, lovers will exchange cards, gifts and sentiments while single people may also use this occasion to express adoration to people they secretly admire. Over time, Valentine's Day has evolved into a significant cultural, religious, and commercial holiday with its roots originating in ancient Roman and Christian traditions.

Specific to the European Union, Valentine's Day brings an interesting mix of traditions and customizations. The day's history weaves tales from St Valentine, a Catholic saint believed to have secretly wedded young lovers, thereby defying a Roman Emperor's edict. Some narratives also attribute the day to Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival. Today, Europeans often exchange Valentine notes known as ‘valentines’, expressing affection in written form. These traditions have expanded beyond romantic relationships, with many Europeans sending Valentine’s Day wishes to friends and family members.

In the European Union, the observance of Valentine's Day varies among countries but remains unified in its expression of love. In countries like Italy and France, the celebration can be rather intimate with couples setting up romantic dinner dates. In countries like the United Kingdom and Germany, a wider group of individuals including school children, teachers, friends and family exchange greetings. Valentine’s Day takes place annually on February 14.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Valentine's Day in the EU

• The skull of Saint Valentine, adorned with a floral wreath, is permanently displayed in a glass reliquary at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome, while other significant relics of the martyr are preserved in the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin and the Church of San Antón in Madrid.
• The city of Verona hosts the annual Verona in Love festival from February 14 to 16, featuring a heart-shaped market known as the Market Cuore in the Piazza dei Signori and the Romeo & Juliet Half Marathon that winds through the historic Shakespearean setting.
• In Denmark and Norway, a whimsical 18th-century tradition continues where admirers send anonymous, intricately cut paper letters called gaekkebrev containing humorous poems signed only with dots, requiring the recipient to guess the sender's identity to earn an Easter egg later in the year.
• The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is launching a major sensory exhibition on February 13 titled Yellow. Beyond Van Gogh’s Favourite Colour, which explores the emotional and symbolic power of the artist’s signature hue through his masterpieces and a new light installation by Olafur Eliasson.
• A highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of Wuthering Heights directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi is scheduled for release on February 13, bringing a provocative new vision of the classic gothic romance to European screens.
• After a seventeen-month renovation, the Musée de la Vie Romantique in Paris will celebrate its grand reopening on Valentine's Day with the inaugural exhibition Facing the Sky: Paul Huet in His Time.
• For residents of Finland and Estonia, the day is officially celebrated as Ystävänpäivä or Sõbrapäev, meaning Friend's Day, where the cultural focus shifts from romantic partners to expressing appreciation for close friends and neighbors with small gifts and cards.
• Sustainable gift-giving has become a defining trend for 2026 under the theme Sustainable Sweetheart, with a significant rise in the use of biodegradable packaging, dried floral arrangements, and eco-conscious experiences over traditional high-ticket jewelry.
• In the village of Saint-Valentin in the French region of Indre, couples can participate in a dedicated festival that includes the Tree of Eternal Hearts, where they can hang engraved hearts or even receive a certificate of love from the local mayor.
• The 2026 observance is expected to see a surge in weekend travel and "affordable luxury" dining experiences across the European Union because the holiday falls on a Saturday, encouraging longer getaways to cities like Prague, Seville, and Bruges.

In the News and Trending in the EU for Valentine's Day

Top things to do in the EU for Valentine's Day

• Send someone you care for a Valentine's Day card. Take the time to write a small note or love poem inside. Sign it, from your Valentine.
• Remember other important people in your life, such as your parents, grandparents and old friends. Send them a small card or gift to remind them of how much you care.
• Go on a romantic walk in Paris: Often referred to as the "City of Love", Paris is a popular destination for couples. Visiting the Eiffel Tower or relaxed strolls along the Seine river can be a memorable experience.
• Attend a Valentine’s Day Concert, Vienna, Austria: The Vienna Philharic Orchestra offers a special Valentine's Day concert featuring romantic pieces from well-known composers.