Valentine's Day 2026 in Australia

Valentine’s Day—also known as St. Valentine’s Day or Saint Valentine’s Day—falls on February 14 and is a time to celebrate love and affection in all of its forms.

Is Valentine's Day a Public Holiday?

Even though Valentine's Day falls on Saturday, February 14, 2026, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in Australia.

When Is Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14 in Australia and many other countries. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date falls during summer, lending a warm and summery atmosphere to Valentine’s Day celebrations.

How Do Australians Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

While not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day, for those who choose to, it is a celebration of love and affection shared among romantic partners, family members, friends, and other loved ones. Typical Valentine’s Day activities include:

• Going out for a picnic in the park or at the beach.
• Exchanging Valentine’s Day gifts, such as chocolates, flowers, and jewelry, with loved ones.
• Enjoying a romantic meal at a restaurant or a cozy dinner at home.
• Taking a boat cruise with a special meal is a popular activity in regions with large harbors or rivers, such as Sydney or Melbourne.
• Sharing Valentine’s Day messages via social media and radio announcements.

Some people choose Valentine’s Day as the day to propose to their partners, while others may set February 14 as their wedding day. Charities, non-governmental organizations, or community organizations sometimes host special events, such as Valentine’s Day balls, to raise funds for various causes that support those in need.

Events like Galentine’s Day, which takes place on February 13, are becoming more popular and celebrate friendships among women.

What’s Open, What’s Closed?

Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday, so schools, businesses, organizations, post offices, and stores operate according to their usual hours. Public transport services also run on their standard schedules for that day of the week.

Restaurants are typically open but may be busy, as many people choose to go out for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Since Valentine’s Day isn’t a public holiday, if it falls on a weekday, some may prefer to celebrate it on the weekend instead.

A Brief History of Valentine’s Day

The exact origins of Valentine’s Day are unclear. It likely stems from early Christian commemorations of one or more saints named Valentine, including:

• Valentine of Rome, a priest martyred under Roman Emperor Claudius II.
• Valentine of Terni, a bishop also executed during the 3rd century.

Some later writers have suggested that Valentine’s Day originated in the 5th century, around the time when Pope Gelasius I suppressed the Roman festival of Lupercalia, and a Christian feast honoring Saint Valentine was observed. However, this interpretation is debated among modern scholars and is not strongly supported by historical evidence.

In the Middle Ages, the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem believed to commemorate the first anniversary of King Richard II’s engagement to Anne of Bohemia. However, there remains scholarly debate regarding the accuracy of this claim. This is widely regarded to be the first association between celebrations of romantic love and St. Valentine’s Day on February 14.

Commercial interest in Valentine’s Day surged in the mid-19th century, especially in the United States and later in Australia. Early traditions of handwritten love notes evolved into the mass-produced greeting cards we see today.

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Symbols of Valentine’s Day

• Hearts are the classic symbol of love, often used for Valentine’s Day decorations, cards, wrapping paper, and gift boxes.
• Red roses are said to symbolize romantic love and passion, and are popular flowers to give to a special someone on Valentine’s Day.
• Cupid, the god of love, is often depicted with his iconic bow and arrow.

About Valentine's Day in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.