What started as a plotline on “Parks and Recreation” has turned into an actual celebration where female friends celebrate platonic love for one another in advance of Valentine’s Day.
In 2010, Parks and Recreation aired the Galentine’s Day episode for the first time. Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope introduced the viewing audience to the idea of a day for female friends to celebrate their platonic love for each other on the day before Valentine’s Day.
“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas,” was Poehler’s character’s description of the fictional holiday.
And, just like that, Feb. 13 became an actual day of celebration that’s taken on a life of its own. In 2023, Galentine’s Day falls on a Monday night. Some celebrations are happening on the 13th, but many take place a week or so before the actual (unofficial) holiday. These are just 8 of the many Galentine’s Day events happening throughout Pennsylvania.
Galentine’s Day in Cumberland Valley
Cumberland Valley takes Galentine’s Day seriously. Visit Cumberland Valley lays out an entire day’s worth of activities throughout the valley so you can “grab your girlfriends and celebrate your awesomeness on Galentine’s Day.” Spend the day in Camp Hill or Carlisle sipping coffee and shopping, and perhaps getting pampered at a spa. Or, hit the beverage trail with your friends. There are more than 25 breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries in the valley.
Location: Throughout the Cumberland Valley, Cumberland County
Wine & Design: Galentine’s Day Charcuterie at Juniata Valley Winery
Head to Juniata Valley Winery on Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to build a charcuterie board with friends. The Wine & Design includes bamboo plates, all the food items needed to create a charcuterie board for one, and a glass of wine. Tickets to the event are $52 (plus fees) for the event which also includes tips and techniques for styling charcuterie boards and education on pairing charcuterie with wine.
Location: 19175 PA-35, Mifflin, Juniata County
Galentine’s Day Screening of “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” at County Theater
Doylestown’s County Theater invites BFFs to enjoy “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” a 2020 comedy from “Bridesmaids” writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, which never got a proper theatrical debut.
The nonprofit, community-based movie theater is showing the film just once, on Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $13 plus fees. There are several bars within a block or two of the theater, so friends can go for a drink and bite after the movie to keep the fun going.
Location: 20 E State St., Doylestown, Bucks County
Galentine’s Day at Greensburg Event Center
On Feb. 5, Girl Gang Events sponsors the Galentine’s Day vendor event at Greensburg Event Center starting at 11 a.m. Friends can shop local businesses till they drop, enjoy a complimentary mimosa, and have fun in front of the photo wall set up just for the event. Vendors will have jewelry, candles, gourmet treats, specialty coffee and teas, boutique finds, and more for sale.
Location: 1700 Washington St., Greensburg, Westmoreland County
Galentine’s Day Brunch at Deer Creek Winery
On Feb. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Deer Creek Winery will host a Galentine’s Day Brunch. Food, a mimosa station, and games await friends who want to make memories. Tickets are $25 plus fees. If two hours isn’t long enough to celebrate friendship, the winery will be open the rest of the day for wine tastings.
Location: 3333 Soap Fat Road, Shippenville, Clarion County
Galentine’s on the Ave
West Reading is ready to celebrate its 3rd Annual Galentine’s on the Ave on Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. About 20 shops along Penn Avenue will host giveaways, snacks and treats, and more. Shops that choose to get in on the fun will post a Pink and Red Heart Wreath outside to signal their participation in the event.
Shops will have Galentine’s Passports to hand out. Get the passport stamped at every participating shop (even without a purchase), fill out the contact information, and turn it in to win the grand prize valued at $500.
Location: Penn Avenue, West Reading, Berks County
Galentine’s Day DIY in Canonsburg
On Feb. 10, four businesses in Canonsburg will collaborate to make Galentine’s a lot of fun for friends with a Galenetine’s Day DIY. The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. at The Bar Association for a wine flight from nearby Silver Mark Cellars and a full glass of wine. It then moves on to the boutique clothing store So So Trendy for shopping and a free gift with any purchase. The evening ends at The Nook on Pike (where you can BYOB) for door prizes and a workshop with Sugar Sugar Scrub for DIY sugar lip scrub and eyeshadow.
Location: Begins at 26 N. Jefferson Ave., Canonsburg, Washington County
Galentine Cozy Knit Blanket Workshop
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the urban industrial event venue The Barrel House in Chambersburg, celebrate Galentine’s Day by making a hand-knit throw blanket. The event includes a complimentary beer or wine from onsite TBC Brewing Co.
Hammer & Stain will lead the Galentine’s Cozy Knit Blanket Workshop. Each $85 ticket includes the complimentary drink, enough yarn of your color choice to make a throw that measures about 40″ x 60″, and instructions on how to make a blanket that can be completed by the end of the event. Participants are invited to bring their own favorite beverages and snacks to enjoy during the workshop!
Location: 39 N. 3rd St., Chambersburg, Franklin County
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Patrick Berkery Pat Berkery is the senior community editor of The Keystone. View all posts
