What Is Galentine's Day? How 'Parks and Recreation' Created a Holiday Celebrating Female Friendships

Galentine's Day 2023 is just around the corner — learn more about the holiday invented by Amy Poehler's Parks and Recreation character Leslie Knope in 2010

"It's only the best day of the year," the day of "uteruses before duderuses" and "ovaries before brovaries."

And the off-screen best friends from NBC's popular sitcom, Parks and Recreation, are almost never caught missing it. Aubrey Plaza, who played notoriously apathetic intern April Ludgate on the show, shared a sweet selfie with former co-stars, Amy Poehler (Leslie Knope) and Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins), celebrating their Galentine's Day together in 2019.

"happy galentines dayyyyyy," she wrote in the post. The trio celebrated in 2018 as well, keeping up the tradition with other members of the cast.

So what exactly is Galentine’s Day?

The iconic celebration is an unofficial holiday that takes place on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine's Day. Its entire premise is that women forget about any significant others for the day — and solely focus on celebrating the female friends in their lives. Contrary to the popular criticism that Galentine's Day patronizes single women, the celebration is meant to be a day of empowerment, and a reminder for women to support and uplift one another.

It's about "ladies celebrating ladies," as Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, would put it.

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Where does Galentine’s Day come from?

We have the legendary Leslie Knope to thank, circa 2010.

During season 2, episode 16, of Parks and Recreation, the world was first introduced to the glory that is Galentine's Day by Poehler's well-loved character. In the episode, Knope explains what Galentine's Day is and arranges for her female friends to "kick it breakfast style," giving out hand-knit presents and essays she wrote about what makes each woman special. Galentine's Day appeared again in a following season.

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How can you celebrate Galentine’s Day?

Since the episode first aired, Leslie Knope's tradition has been popularly adopted, with women all over the world celebrating Galentine's Day. It can be as simple as grabbing a drink or dinner after work, or a movie night (maybe even binge-watching Parks and Recreation) with some favorite snacks at home. Others have thrown full-blown parties, and many restaurants and venues have taken to hosting events. At the end of the day, it's about spending some quality time with incredible women in your life, being grateful for their friendship and empowering one another.

Like Leslie Knope said, "It's wonderful and it should be a national holiday."

How do celebrities celebrate Galentine's Day?

Kylie Jenner/Instagram (2)

Many celebrities have created their own ways to get in on the Galentine's Day fun!

In 2020, Kylie Jenner threw an impressive lunch which she documented thoroughly on her Instagram account.

The beauty mogul and her friends enjoyed piles of fruit, cheese and crackers, plus a selection of Galentine's Day-themed snacks. As a fun on-theme activity, the ladies were given canvases and paint to create their own works of art.

Kylie's pal Stassie Karanikolaou went on to paint a picture of a heart-shaped Chanel handbag while Kylie's daughter, Stormi, then 2, decorated her canvas with her little handprints.

In 2022, Lizzo celebrated the holiday in lilac velvet lingerie as she hosted a "piercing party" for her team.

"HAPPY GALENTIMES TO MY HOES & HOETTES," Lizzo captioned a video on TikTok.

Lizzo shared a video of her first turn in the seat receiving an ear piercing, writing, "My turn. I was scared," although she admitted that it "didn't hurt at all."

This year, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Brooks Nader and her three sisters Mary Holland, Grace Ann and Sarah Jane celebrated Galentine's Day at a Clarin's event in Los Angeles. The soirée was filled with sparkles, flowers, sisterly love and lots of pink.