Galentine’s Day Ideas: Fun Ways to Celebrate with Friends

Galentine’s Day Activities, Party Ideas & Friendship Fun for February 13

Last Updated September 8, 2026

Grab your besties — Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating the fabulous women who make life better! 💕 Celebrated each year on February 13, this friendship-filled holiday started with a 2010 episode of *Parks and Recreation* and has grown into a popular excuse to gather your favorite gals for good food, big laughs, and plenty of appreciation.

As our favorite park director, Leslie Knope, described it: "Oh, it's only the best day of the year… It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus Frittatas." 

Wondering how to celebrate Galentine’s Day? From brunches and girls’ nights to games, gift exchanges, and group activities, there are plenty of ways to make February 13 extra special. Round up your crew and check out these fun Galentine’s Day ideas and activities for celebrating friendship in style!

20 Ways to Celebrate Galentine's Day

1. Brunch: Who doesn't love brunch? Host a potluck at home (use SignUp to plan a fabulous fête) or reserve a table at your favorite local brunch spot for all your besties.
2. Spa Day: Galentine's is the perfect time to treat yourselves with mani-pedis, facials, and massages. Book an appointment at your local spa or set up pampering stations at home.
3. Galentine's Day Cards: Print SignUp's free Galentine's greeting cards, inspired by Leslie Knope, and hand them out to your girlfriends to share the love!
4. Shopping: For the group of shopaholic girlfriends, hit up the mall with the goal of each finding a new outfit to wear at your next girls' brunch or night out. Make it even more fun by drawing names and picking out an outfit for the friend whose name you drew.
5. Pay It Forward: Give back and spread the love in your community this Galentine's Day by gathering the ladies to volunteer at the local food bank, walk dogs at the animal shelter, or make blessing bags for those experiencing homelessness.
6. Head Outdoors: Are you and your gal pals the active, outdoorsy types? Take a group hike that ends with an amazing view, go kayaking on the nearest river, hit the beach if you're near a coast, or go skiing or snowboarding if you live in a colder climate.
7. Play Indoors: If you and your besties are active but not so outdoorsy, head to the local bowling alley, roller rink, laser tag center, or escape room for some ladies-only indoor fun.
8. Picnic: Pack a lunch and head to one of your favorite outdoor venues to meet up with your girlfriends. Think greenbelt, lake, beach, graffiti park, or wherever your crew loves to gather!
9. DIY Session: For you crafty ladies, a half or full day of DIY fun may be your preferred way to celebrate Galentine's. Invite your besties over to embroider designs on tea towels or wall hangings, make grow-a-boyfriend bath bombs, create your own wine charms, or come up with your own custom G-Day craft.
10. Wine Tasting or Cheese Tasting: If your girl group loves wine or cheese, sign up for a tasting class at your local winery, tasting room, or cheese shop. Or host a tasting party at home with all your favorite nibbles and drinks. PRO TIP: Make it a potluck and use SignUp to coordinate!
11. Paint Night: You don't have to be a master artist to enjoy a paint night with the gals. Get tickets to a local paint night venue or invite everyone over (BYO wine and art supplies) to follow along with The Art Sherpa on YouTube.
12. Game Night: Invite the ladies over for a night of game play. Pick a classic board game like Monopoly or Scrabble, a dice game like Bunco, or a card game (ladies poker, anyone?). Or set up a Galentine's Day scavenger hunt in your neighborhood!
13. Movie Night: Host a girlfriend-themed movie marathon — think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Bridesmaids, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants — or treat yourselves to a night out at the movies.
14. Dance Party: Hit up the dance floor at your favorite club, lounge, or bar with your gal pals, or clear out your living room to host a ladies-only dance party at home. PRO TIP: Check your local venues for Galentine's Day-specific events!
15. Sleepover: You are never too old for a sleepover! Invite your BFFs over to hang out in PJs, catch up, play games you loved when you were younger (Truth or Dare, anyone?), or watch your favorite chick flick.
16. Video Date: If your besties aren't local, schedule time to catch up on FaceTime or Zoom. Make it an official date by planning to brunch or sip champagne and nibble chocolate together during your video call.
17. Self-Love Workshop: Arrange a self-love workshop where you and your friends discuss and practice self-care activities together. Include journaling prompts, a short meditation, and positive affirmations to send each other home feeling recharged.
18. Photo Shoot: Hire a photographer or take turns being each other's photographers for a fun photo shoot. Capture candid and posed moments to remember the day — and have some great new photos for your frames (and your feeds).
19. Book Club Brunch: Pick a book everyone can read in advance and gather to discuss it over mimosas. Keep the reading light — a fun novel, a short memoir, or a book you all loved years ago works perfectly. The discussion is just an excuse to spend time together.
20. Recipe Swap: Ask everyone to bring a printed copy of their favorite recipe — the one they'd make for a friend who needs comfort food or a reason to celebrate. Swap cards, share the stories behind each dish, and maybe even do a little cooking or baking together right there.

However you decide to celebrate this Galentine's Day, SignUp is here to help you plan and organize your girl time. ✨

10 Leslie Knope Quotes to Get You Hyped Up for Galentine's Day

"You shut your mouth, you have all the strengths."

"You know my code: hoes before bros. Uteruses before duderuses… Ovaries before brovaries."

"We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third."

"I am a Goddess, a glorious female warrior."

"I guess some people object to powerful depictions of awesome ladies."

"No one achieves anything alone."

"I care. I care a lot. It's kinda my thing."

"Do it. Fierce. Power."

"You're a beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk ox."

"I love you and I like you."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Galentine's Day?
A: Galentine's Day is celebrated on February 13, the day before Valentine's Day. It originated as a fictional holiday on the TV show Parks and Recreation and has since become a real celebration of female friendships. The idea is simple: ladies celebrating ladies, with food, fun, and appreciation for the women in your life.

Q: What are fun Galentine's Day ideas?
A: Popular Galentine's Day ideas include hosting a brunch or potluck, spa day at home, a DIY craft session, paint night, game night, movie marathon, dance party, or a self-love workshop. For long-distance besties, a video date with champagne and snacks works just as well. SignUp makes it easy to plan any of these gatherings.

Q: How do I plan a Galentine's Day party?
A: Pick your activity (brunch, spa, game night, etc.), choose a date close to February 13, and invite your crew with a fun invite. Use SignUp to coordinate potluck dishes, collect RSVPs, or assign host duties. Keep it low-key or go all out — either way, the point is quality time with the women who matter most.