Valentine's Day is always 14 February and is known as the lovers' holiday. The day has its roots in an old Christian fasting day, but in Denmark it's a relatively new tradition, which really only took off in the early 1990s.
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Every year the question pops up as the calendar nears February: when exactly is Valentine's Day, and why do we celebrate it? Here you'll find the date, the story behind it and a few ideas for how to make the evening a bit extra cosy at home.
The short answer: Valentine's Day is 14 February
Valentine's Day always falls on 14 February, no matter what day of the week it is. The day goes by the name of the lovers' holiday and is today mainly used to show love for a partner, but also for friends and family. The date has been fixed ever since the holiday was introduced many hundreds of years ago, and that's one of the reasons it has spread to so many countries, Denmark included.
Dates and weekdays in the coming years
Because the date is always 14 February, it's only the weekday that changes from year to year. Here you can see which day of the week Valentine's Day falls on in the coming years.
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 14 February | Sunday |
| 2028 | 14 February | Monday |
| 2029 | 14 February | Wednesday |
The history: Saint Valentine, Pope Gelasius and the legend
Valentine's Day was originally a Christian fasting day honouring the martyr Saint Valentine. The holiday was introduced by Pope Gelasius in the year 496 and named after the Roman priest Valentine. Who he really was is still uncertain, but legend has it that he defied Emperor Claudius II, who had forbidden his soldiers to marry.
It wasn't until the 1700s that some countries began using the day to express love with flowers, sweets or cards. That custom has since spread and developed into the Valentine's Day we know today.
Valentine's Day in Denmark: a relatively new tradition
Compared with many other countries, Valentine's Day is a relatively new tradition in Denmark. It's been known here since the early 1990s, when you could buy Valentine's cards for the day at cafés. Since then, the day has slowly become part of the Danish calendar, though without carrying quite the same weight as, for example, Christmas or Shrovetide.
How to celebrate the day
There's no fixed recipe for how Valentine's Day should be celebrated, but the most common ways are a card with a greeting, a bunch of flowers, a bit of chocolate or a cosy dinner at home. It's often the small things that mean the most, and an evening at a table set with candles can easily replace an expensive restaurant visit.
If you want to make the table a little festive, a candlestick like the Croissant candlestick can add a playful detail to the evening, while a Sardin ceramic candlestick suits a more subdued mood nicely. If you'd like to read more about how to create a romantic evening at home, you'll find inspiration in the article about romantic decor.
- Write a personal card instead of a standard one
- Lay the table with something you don't use every day
- Light candles and dim the rest of the lighting
- Make the food together as part of the experience
Tip: use plates with a touch of colour, like Citron stoneware plates, to make the table festive without it looking overdone.
Find candlesticks that set the mood for Valentine's evening.
See candlesticksIf you want to give a gift
If you're also after a gift, you'll find concrete ideas and inspiration in the article Valentine's Day gift: Surprise your partner, where there are suggestions for how you can surprise your partner on the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day is always on 14 February, regardless of which day of the week the date falls on.
What is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day is known as the lovers' holiday and is used today to show love to a partner, friends or family.
Where does Valentine's Day come from?
The day originates from a Christian feast day honouring the martyr Saint Valentine, and was established as a holiday by Pope Gelasius in the year 496.
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day on 14 February?
The date was set when the holiday was named after Saint Valentine, and it has remained fixed ever since.
Do people celebrate Valentine's Day in Denmark?
Yes, but it's a relatively new tradition here at home, known since the early 1990s.
How do people celebrate Valentine's Day at home?
Many choose a card, flowers, chocolate or a cosy dinner with a laid table and candles.
Summary
Valentine's Day always falls on 14 February and has roots going back to a Christian feast day for Saint Valentine, established by Pope Gelasius in the year 496. In Denmark, the day is a relatively new tradition from the early 1990s, and it's most often celebrated with a card, flowers, chocolate or a cosy dinner at home.
Read also
- Valentine's Day gift: Surprise your partner
- How to create cosiness with candlelight
- Romantic decor: Set the mood at home
- Table setting: How to lay a beautiful table
Make the evening a little extra special
Whether it's a card, flowers or a homemade dinner, the right details can make Valentine's Day something special. Browse the selection and find what suits your evening.
See gift ideas