Martin Berger kisses his bride Sonia Farina at their wedding in the Capitol rotunda on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025. “We met in Austin so we thought it was appropriate to get married at the Capitol,” Farina said. “Valentine’s Day is perfect.”
Jay Janner/American-Statesman
Valentine’s Day is here — and it falls on a Saturday this year, making it an easy excuse to plan something special. Whether you’re headed out for dinner, planning a picnic or just grabbing a last-minute card, here’s what to know about the holiday — Austin keeps ranking as one of the best places to celebrate.
When is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is always celebrated on Feb. 14.
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In 2026, it lands on a Saturday, giving couples, friends and families more flexibility to mark the occasion.
Fox 7 Austin meteorologist Adaleigh Rowe plays archery tag in Zilker Park on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, while filming a segment ahead of Valentine’s Day for the station’s “Good Day Austin” weekend morning show. The segment featured Austin-based party rental company Freedom Fun USA.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
What is the history of Valentine’s Day? Why do we celebrate?
Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, though historians say there were multiple Christian martyrs with that name.
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One popular legend claims Valentine was a priest who secretly married couples after Roman Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for soldiers. Another story credits him with sending the first “valentine” — a letter signed “From your Valentine” — before his execution.
Some historians believe Feb. 14 was later chosen to align with Lupercalia, a pagan fertility festival held in mid-February.
By the Middle Ages, people in France and England believed birds began mating around that time of year, reinforcing the connection to romance.
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According to Hallmark, the first American valentine was sent in 1849 by Esther Howland of Worcester, Mass., and Hallmark began producing the cards in 1916. Hallmark says approximately 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged on the holiday (not including those prepackaged valentines exchanged in elementary school classrooms).
Victoria Hernandez and her boyfriend, Jeremy Clark, celebrate Valentine’s Day with a picnic on the great lawn in Austin’s Zilker Park on Feb. 14. The Austin City Council is considering requiring all new commercial, industrial and office projects in Austin to pay a parkland fee.
Jay Janner/American-Statesman
Austin is the best Texas city for Valentine’s Day
If you’re celebrating locally, you’re in good company.
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WalletHub ranked Austin the top city in Texas — and the 12th-best in the country — to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2026. It’s the second year in a row Austin topped Texas’ V-day rankings.
The study compared 100 of the nation’s largest cities based on budget considerations, available activities, gift accessibility and weather forecasts.
The top cities in the U.S. were:
San Francisco
San Diego
Las Vegas
Atlanta
Seattle
Denver
Pittsburgh
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Portland, Ore.
Washington, D.C.
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Other Texas cities on the top-100 list included:
Houston (No. 23)
Plano (No. 25)
Dallas (No. 36)
Fort Worth (No. 37)
San Antonio (No. 43)
El Paso (No. 74)
Corpus Christi (No. 76)
Arlington (No. 84)
Lubbock (No. 87)
Irving (No. 89)
Laredo (No. 92)
Garland (No. 93)
How much do people spend on Valentine’s Day?
WalletHub estimates the average person spends about $200 on Valentine’s Day.
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The analysis compared 100 of the nation’s largest cities based on budget considerations, available activities, gift accessibility and weather forecasts.
Garland and Plano ranked among the five cheapest cities for a three-course meal for two. Garland had the fewest florists per capita in the study and ranked near the bottom for chocolate shops, along with Laredo and Lubbock.
Is Valentine’s Day a federal holiday in 2026? Is mail delivered on Valentine’s Day?
No. Valentine’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States.
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Federal offices, banks, schools and post offices remain open on Feb. 14, and there are no changes to government services. While many businesses offer Valentine’s Day promotions or special events, the day is not officially recognized by the federal government.
Is Valentine’s Day a holiday in other countries?
In most countries, Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday, even though it is widely celebrated.
Government offices, banks and schools typically remain open on Feb. 14 in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and most of Europe. The day is generally treated as a cultural or commercial celebration rather than an official holiday.
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Some countries observe Valentine’s Day differently or celebrate love on other dates. For example, Brazil celebrates Dia dos Namorados on June 12, while South Korea and Japan observe Valentine’s Day with unique gift-giving traditions spread across multiple dates.
-Austin American-Statesman staff writer Alexis Simmerman contributed to this report.