Valentine's Day in Australia

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Upcoming holidays in Australia

Holidays in Australia 2023

Holidays in Australia 2024

Many people in countries such as Australia celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving flowers, chocolates, jewelry or other presents of all shapes and sizes to their loved ones or those they admire. This event falls on February 14 each year.

Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

A reef, shaped like a heart, in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia.

©iStockphoto.com/Andrew Robins

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day, is a day that many Australians celebrate with someone they love. Typical Valentine’s Day activities include:

Some people choose Valentine’s Day as the day to propose to their partners, while others set February 14 as their wedding day. Some charities, non-government organizations, or community organizations hold special events, such as a Valentine’s Day ball, to raise funds for various causes that help others in need.

Valentine’s Day is an observance but it is not a designated nationwide public holiday in Australia. Restaurants, theatres, coffee shops, and shops selling Valentine’s Day related products may be particularly busy on this day. Those wishing to eat out on Valentine’s Day may need to book with their restaurant of choice in advance.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. The origins of Valentine's Day are not clear but many sources believe that it stems from the story of St Valentine, a Roman priest who was martyred on or around February 14 in the year 270 CE. Valentine’s Day has become increasingly popular in Australia over the years, particularly during the late 20th century, and it continues to be observed among many Australians today.

The most common symbols of Valentine's Day are heart shapes, which are used to decorate many things, including cards, trees, wrapping paper, cookies and gift boxes. Other symbols associated with Valentine’s Day are pairs of birds, cute teddy bears, Cupid and his arrows and couples kissing or embracing. The colors red and pink are often associated with Valentine's Day.

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.