Valentine's Day 2024: Different ways countries celebrate love on February 14 (2024)

FAQs

How do different countries celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Happy Valentine's Day 2024: Valentine's Day falls annually on February 14. The celebrations for the day of love begin a week before, starting with Rose Day and ending with Kiss Day.

In Colombia and Bolivia, Valentine's Day is celebrated in September instead of February. Traditions of gift giving and festivities are similar to other countries, however, Colombia celebrates on September 20 and Bolivia celebrates the following day on September 21.

Valentine's Day in Mexico

In Mexico, they celebrate El Dia de San Valentin, more commonly referred to as El Dia del Amor y la Amistad. People give chocolates, balloons, and gifts but the emphasis is on celebrating friendships, not sweethearts.

Valentine's Day in Japan is very much centred on confectionery. The day was originally brought to Japan by Kobe confectioners Morozoff, and marketed to overseas residents. In the Japanese version of the day, the general rule is that men receive gifts of chocolate from the women in their lives.

South Africa

South Africans celebrate with flowers and gifts, and some women pin the name of their love interest on the sleeve of their shirt, which ensures that secret admirers don't remain secret for long!

In the Philippines, it is the day when people observe their wedding anniversary and mass weddings of hundreds of couples take place. But in some other countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the day is banned due to the day's conflicting views with the Islamic culture.

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

While similar to American Valentine's Day, Mexico's Día de San Valentín can be celebrated by all the people of Mexico, not just happy couples. That's because it's known as the day of love and friendship.

Germans celebrate Valentine's Day by exchanging gifts of chocolates, flowers and pigs. Yep, you read it right, pigs.

How does Brazil celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Celebrations for Dia dos Namorados in Brazil and those for Valentine's Day in most other countries are similar. Typically, couples exchange romantic gifts, such as chocolates or flowers, and they may also share a "date night". Additionally, beautifying home decorations are common as a part of the celebration.

Valentine's Day in Spain is also usually celebrated in the same way as in the rest of the world: couples go out to dinner or take a tour of the most romantic places in the city where they live and have fun and generally enjoy some quality time with their partner.

Saudi Arabia: Due to religious and cultural reasons, public celebration of Valentine's Day is prohibited. Pakistan: Although some individuals may privately celebrate, it's not widely observed due to cultural and religious sensitivities.

How do they celebrate Valentine's day in Italy? Italian Valentine's Day now diverges significantly from its traditional roots, adopting a more contemporary approach to celebrating love. While candlelit dinners and small tokens of affection remain popular, the quintessential gift in Italy continues to be flowers.

The Chinese Valentine's Day is a time for couples to express their love, which they usually do with an array of elaborate gifts and gestures. Like any romantic holiday, couples spend time together, enjoy a nice dinner, exchange gifts, go to the cinema, etc.

In Mexico, taking romantic partners or close friends out to dinner on this special occasion is a common practice. Mexicans take El Día del Amor y la Amistad very seriously. Restaurants decorate and create an exciting atmosphere by adorning their walls with hearts and the colors red and pink.