A UK holiday countdown
Valentine's Day is getting closer.
Valentine's Day falls on 14th February. Some mark it with a card, flowers, or a small gesture; others simply use it as a reason to show someone they care.
Dates for 2026 to 2028 are listed below
Valentine's Day
People mark Valentine's Day in many ways, from handwritten messages and flowers to shared meals or time together. The occasion is not limited to romantic partners.
About Valentine's Day
The day is named after an early Christian martyr, and Pope Gelasius I set a feast for Saint Valentine on 14 February in the late fifth century. Its link with romance is usually traced to Geoffrey Chaucer and later medieval poets, and exchanged cards became popular in Victorian Britain. In Japan, it is traditionally women who give chocolate, with men returning the gesture a month later.
When is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day is fixed on 14 February in every region listed, so the weekday changes each year and no public holiday is attached to it.
| Calendar | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All calendars | Saturday 14 February 2026 | Sunday 14 February 2027 | Monday 14 February 2028 |
Planning around Valentine's Day
Restaurant tables are in high demand, so book a fortnight ahead, and order flowers early because delivery prices and availability tighten sharply in the days before the 14th. Work out shifts and childcare cover with the free shift planner, or browse every holiday countdown.
Valentine's Day questions
How many days until Valentine's Day?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until the next Valentine's Day, using the time zone you choose. The dates for 2026 to 2028 are in the table above.
When is Valentine's Day in 2027?
Valentine's Day falls on Sunday 14 February 2027 in the United Kingdom.
Who was Saint Valentine?
Several early Christian saints and martyrs share the name Valentine, and historians cannot say for certain which one inspired the day. The best-known stories link him with Rome, but the details are uncertain.