As you are likely aware, Valentine’s Day is in February, as is Presidents’ Day—a day on which we recognize POTUSes past and present. There’s also Groundhog Day, when we wait to find out whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, and Super Bowl Sunday, where the top professional football teams battle it out for top honors. But did you know that there are also days set aside during the month to celebrate Golden retrievers, eat ice cream for breakfast, fly a kite, and read to your child? There are several celebrations throughout the month honoring the Boy Scouts of America, as well as Black women in the arts. The entire month of February is also a time to bring awareness to many important causes, like American Heart Month, Black History Month, and marijuana awareness. There are also certain weeks during the month of February dedicated to causes, like Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Random Acts of Kindness Week. Ready to learn all about the holidays and observances in February 2023? Read on!
What major holidays are in February?
The month of February has several popular holidays, namely Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. Also known as Washington’s Birthday, President’s Day falls on Monday, February 20, 2023, and is the only federal holiday during the month. That means that most businesses will be closed, including the banks and post office, and the kids will have a day off from school!
Does February 2023 have a Leap Day?
No, the year 2023 is not a Leap Year, so there is no February 29 on the calendar. Leap Years occur when the year’s number is divisible by four, which the year 2023 is not. Leap Years generally occur every four years—but there is an exception when it comes to century years. A century year must be divisible by 100 and 400 in order to be a Leap Year!
February 2023 Daily Holidays and Observances
February 1
Candy-Making Day Car Insurance Day Change Your Password Day Dark Chocolate Day Decorating With Candy Day G.I. Joe Day Global School Play Day (first Wednesday in February)Hula in the Coola Day International Day of Black Women in the ArtsInternational Face & Body Art Day National Baked Alaska Day National Freedom Day National Get Up Day National Girls & Women in Sports Day (first Wednesday in February)Robinson Crusoe Day Serpent Day Spunky Old Broads Day World Hijab Day World Read Aloud Day (first Wednesday in February)
February 2
Ayn Rand Day Bonza Bottler Day California Kiwi Fruit Day Candlemas Crepe Day Groundhog DayGroundhog Job Shadow Day Heavenly Hash Day Marmot Day (in Alaska) Rheumatoid Awareness Day Self-Renewal DaySled Dog Day Tater Tot Day World Play Your Ukulele Day World Wetlands Day
February 3
American Painters Day Bubble Gum Day (first Friday in February)Doggy Date Night Elmo’s Birthday Feed the Birds Day Give Kids a Smile Day (first Friday in February)Golden Retriever Day National Carrot Cake Day National Carrot Day National Cordova Ice Worm Day National Missing Persons Day National Patient Recognition Day National Wear Red Day (first Friday in February)National Wedding Ring Day National Women Physicians Day Take a Cruise Day The Day the Music Died Working Naked Day
February 4
Barber Day (first Saturday in February)Facebook’s Birthday Homemade Soup Day Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (first Saturday in February)International Pisco Sour Day (first Saturday in February)Liberace Day National Hemp Day National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of every month)National Stuffed Mushroom Day National Thank a Mailman Day Quacker Day Rosa Parks Day (in California and Missouri)Take Your Child to the Library Day (first Saturday in February)Torture Abolition Day USO Day World Cancer Day
February 5
Adlai Stevenson Day Disaster Day Dump Your Significant Jerk Day (first Sunday in February)National Chocolate Fondue Day National Fart Day National Weatherperson’s Day Scout Sunday (first day of Boy Scout Week)Shower With a Friend Day Western Monarch Day World Animal Reiki Day World Nutella Day
February 6
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation International Frozen Yogurt DayLame Duck Day National Chopsticks Day Pay a Compliment Day Ronald Reagan Day (in California only)
February 7
African American Coaches Day (first Tuesday in February)Ballet Day Harry Potter Book Night National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day National Fettuccine Alfredo Day National Periodic Table Day Rose Day (beginning Valentine’s Week)Send a Card to a Friend Day Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
February 8
Boy Scout Anniversary Day Laugh and Get Rich Day Molasses Bar Day National Kite Flying Day Opera Day Propose Day
February 9
Giving Hearts Day (in North Dakota and Minnesota)National Bagels and Lox Day National Develop Alternative Vices DayNational Pizza DayNational Stop Bullying Day Read in the Bathtub Day
February 10
Cream Cheese Brownie Day International Winter Bike to Work Day (second Friday in February)National Flannel Day National Home Warranty Day National Umbrella DayNo One Eats Alone Day (second Friday in February)The Inbox Day (second Friday in February)World Pulses Day
February 11
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day Get Out Your Guitar Day Grandmother Achievement Day International Day of Women & Girls in Science National Inventor’s Day National Make a Friend Day National Shut-in Visitation Day Peppermint Patty Day Pro Sports Wives Day Satisfied Staying Single Day White T-Shirt Day
February 12
Autism Sunday (second Sunday in February)Darwin DayOglethorpe Day or Georgia Day (in the state of Georgia)Hug Day International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers Lincoln’s Birthday NAACP Day National Freedom to Marry DayNational Lost Penny Day National Plum Pudding Day Safetypup DaySuper Bowl SundaySuper Chicken Wing DayWorld Marriage Day (second Sunday in February)
February 13
Clean Out Your Computer Day (second Monday in February)Desperation Day Dream Your Sweet Day Employee Legal Awareness Day Galentine’s DayInternational Epilepsy Day (second Monday in February)International Natural Day Kiss Day National Break Up With Your Carrier Day National Cheddar Day National Football Hangover Day (day after Super Bowl)National Internet Friends Day National Tortellini Day National Wingman’s Day Oatmeal Monday (second Monday in February)Self-Love Day World Radio Day
February 14
Extraterrestrial Visitor Day Frederick Douglass Day International Book Giving Day League of Women Voters Day Library Lovers Day National Call in Single Day National Condom Awareness Day National Creme-Filled Chocolates Day National Donor Day National Ferris Wheel Day National Have a Heart Day National Women’s Heart Day Pet Theft Awareness Day Read to Your Child Day Safer Internet Day (second Tuesday in February)Singles Awareness Day/Singles Appreciation DayValentine’s DayWorld Cholangiocarcinoma Day World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day World Sound Healing Day
February 15
International Angelman Day International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day Love Reset Day National Gumdrop Day National Hippo Day National I Want Butterscotch Day Remember the U.S.S. Maine Day Susan B. Anthony Day
February 16
Do a Grouch a Favor Day Fat ThursdayInnovation Day National Almond Day
February 17
National Cabbage Day National Cafe Au Lait Day National Caregivers Day (third Friday in February)National Indian Pudding Day National PTA Founders Day Random Acts of Kindness Day Who Shall I Be Day World Human Spirit Day
February 18
Drink Wine Day National Battery DayPluto Day Thumb Appreciation Day World Whale Day (third Saturday in February)
February 19
Coast Guard Reserves Birthday International Tug-of-War Day Iwo Jima Day National Chocolate Mint Day National Lashes Day Prevent Plagiarism Day Vet Girls RISE Day
February 20
Clean Out Your Bookcase Day Daisy Gatson Bates Day (in Arkansas)Love Your Pet Day National Cherry Pie Day National Muffin Day Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February)Shrove Monday (48 Days before Easter)World Day for Social Justice
February 21
Card Reading Day National Grain Free Day National Pancake DayNational Sticky Bun Day Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras (a state holiday in Louisiana)
February 22
Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent)Be Humble Day Scout Founders DayInconvenience Yourself Day (fourth Wednesday in February)National Cook a Sweet Potato DayNational Margarita Day National Wildlife Day Recreational Sports & Fitness Day Single Tasking Day Walking the Dog Day Washington’s BirthdayWorld Thinking Day
February 23
Digital Learning Day (last Thursday in February)Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Thursday of National Engineer’s Week)National Banana Bread DayNational Chili Day (last Thursday in February)National Dog Biscuit Day National Rationalization Day National Toast Day (last Thursday in February)Pinocchio Day Play Tennis Day Tootsie Roll Day World Understanding and Peace Day
February 24
Forget Me Not Day International Stand Up to Bullying Day (last Friday in February)National Dance Day National Tortilla Chip Day National Trading Card Day Twin Peaks Day World Bartender Day
February 25
International Tongue Twister Day (last Saturday in February)National Chocolate Covered Nuts Day National Clam Chowder Day Quiet Day Rubber Ducky Day
February 26
Carpe Diem DayNational Bacon Day National Personal Chef’s Day National Pistachio DayTell a Fairy Tale Day
February 27
International Polar Bear Day National Kahlua Day National Protein Day National Retro Day National Strawberry DayPlay More Cards Day (last Monday in February)Pokémon Day
February 28
Floral Design Day International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day National Chocolate Souffle Day National Public Sleeping Day National Science Day National Tooth Fairy Day Rare Disease Day (last Day of February)World Spay Day (last Tuesday in February)
Weekly Observances for February 2023
Catholic Schools Week (January 29 - February 4)Solo Diners Eat Out Week (February 1-7)Women’s Heart Week (February 1-7)African Heritage and Health Week (February 1-7)National Children’s Mental Health Week (February 5-11)National Crime Prevention Week (February 5-11)Boy Scout Anniversary Week (February 5-11)Burn Awareness Week (February 5-11, 2023)Dump Your Significant Jerk Week (February 5-11)National School Counseling Week (February 6-10)Tinnitus Awareness Week (February 6-12)Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7-14)International Week of Black Women In the Arts (February 7-15)National Entrepreneurship Week (February 11-18)International Flirting Week (February 12-18)Jell-O Week (February 12-18)Celebration of Love Week (February 12-18)Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week (February 5-11)Children of Alcoholics Week (February 12-18)Heart Failure Awareness Week (February 12-18)National Hero Week (February 12-18)Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 12-18)Freelance Writers Appreciation Week (February 12-18)Great American Pizza Bake (February 12-18)Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week (February 13-19)Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (February 17-19)National Engineer’s Week (February 19-25)National Pancake Week (February 20-26)National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 20-26)Jewish Book Week (February 25 - March 5)America Saves Week (February 27 - March 4) Read Across America Week (February 27 - March 3)
February Monthly Holidays and Observances
American Heart MonthBake for Family Fun MonthBlack History MonthCancer Prevention MonthCat Health MonthCholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month Creative Romance MonthDog Training Education MonthFinancial Aid Awareness MonthHot Breakfast MonthHumpback Whale Awareness MonthInternational Friendship MonthInternational Month of Black Women in the ArtsInternational Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
Library Lovers MonthLow Vision Awareness MonthMarfan Syndrome Awareness MonthMarijuana Awareness MonthNational Cherry MonthNational Children’s Dental Health MonthNational Parent Leadership MonthNational Patient Recognition MonthNational Pet Dental Health Care MonthNational Self Check MonthNational Senior Independence MonthNational Snack Food MonthNational Wise Health Consumer MonthNational Women Inventors MonthPet Dental Health MonthSpay/Neuter Awareness Month Sweet Potato MonthTeen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention MonthUnchain a Dog MonthVegan Cuisine MonthYouth Leadership Month
Next, get your family ready for Black History Month with these activities for kids.