Gather your closest friends and celebrate the women who lift you up with a fun and unforgettable Galentine’s party. Whether it’s over heart-shaped waffles, a round of karaoke, or a cozy movie night, this day is all about cherishing friendships. No matter your style, hosting a Galentine’s Day celebration is the perfect opportunity to spread love and laughter while creating new memories.

What is a Galentine’s party?

A Galentine’s party celebrates friendship and love among women.

It’s typically held on or around February 13th, the day before Valentine’s Day.

The concept originated from the TV show Parks and Recreation in a 2010 episode where the character Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) coined the term while hosting a brunch for her closest friends.

Described as “ladies celebrating ladies,” it’s become a widely recognized event celebrating female friendships, fun, and empowerment.

Collaborating with Your Friends

While Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating your friendships, it’s also a perfect opportunity to share the fun of planning the event with your closest friends.

From organizing food and drinks to deciding on party themes, collaboration helps make the process easier and more enjoyable.

You could ask each friend to take on a small task, whether it’s bringing decorations, managing the playlist, or leading an activity.

By working together, you’re not just throwing a party — you’re creating memories and strengthening the bond between you all.

Location and Venue Ideas for Galentine’s Day

The location you choose for your Galentine’s party sets the tone for the entire celebration. Whether you prefer the comfort of hosting at home or the excitement of a rented venue, selecting the right spot can help bring your theme to life and create a memorable atmosphere for your guests.

Hosting at Home: A Budget-Friendly and Cozy Option

Hosting your celebration at home offers a warm and intimate setting that makes your friend group feel welcome.

Your space is a reflection of your unique style, allowing you to add personal touches like specific decor or a curated playlist to set the mood.

With the freedom to control the atmosphere and timing, you can create a cozy environment where your friends can truly relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Plus, hosting at home can be more budget-friendly, giving you the flexibility to splurge on fun activities or treats that your friends will love.

A venue for every vibe

Renting a venue can turn your celebration into an epic Galentine’s Day party, offering a polished and professional atmosphere with minimal effort on your part.

Many venues provide setup, cleanup, and even catering options, allowing you to focus on enjoying the event with your friends.

From chic cafes to elegant event spaces, renting a venue ensures a picture-perfect backdrop that complements your theme.

It’s an excellent choice if you’re planning for a larger group or want to treat your friends to something truly special without the stress of hosting at home.

Outdoor and public locations

If you’re looking to blend fresh air with your celebration, outdoor and public locations like parks, botanical gardens, or even a beach are perfect for setting a relaxed, nature-inspired vibe.

A DIY picnic is a great way to make the most of these spaces—spread out a blanket, set up some cozy pillows, and prepare a basket filled with your favourite fresh snacks and drinks.

To create a more laid-back vibe, you can add a few personal touches, like string lights or a portable speaker for music.

Outdoor settings provide plenty of room for games, group photos, and conversation, making it the perfect place to celebrate your friendship.

Tips for aligning location with your theme

The location you select can enhance your Galentine’s party theme, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for your guests.

If you’re hosting a vintage-inspired gathering, an elegant venue with old-world charm, like a tea room or historic building, might be the perfect backdrop.

For a boho-chic theme, an outdoor location such as a park or beach with natural, earthy surroundings can complement the laid-back, free-spirited vibe.

Alternatively, a cozy home setting is ideal for a spa night or self-care theme, providing a relaxed atmosphere for pampering and conversation.

Whichever location you choose, ensure it aligns with your theme to create a seamless, fun experience for everyone.

Best Galentine’s Day party themes

Choosing the right theme for your Galentine’s Day party sets the tone and creates an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Whether you want a cozy night of pampering or a lively celebration full of fun activities, a well-thought-out theme will bring your vision to life, making the event feel cohesive and extra special.

How to choose a theme that reflects your group

Knowing the personalities and preferences of your girl group is the first step in creating the perfect theme for your Galentine’s Day party.

Think about what brings your friends together—do they love dressing up, getting creative, or enjoying a relaxed, cozy atmosphere?

Whether your group leans toward a glamorous night of cocktails or a laid-back movie marathon, tailoring the theme to the vibe ensures everyone feels comfortable and excited to join in.

The key is to pick something that resonates with the group’s shared interests and makes them feel celebrated.

Theme Ideas to get you started

A unique theme can take your Galentine’s celebration to the next level, making it fun, stylish, and unforgettable. Here are some easy ideas to inspire your event:

  • Relaxed and Cheerful:
    • Sunday Brunch and Bubbles: Serve mimosas, pancakes, waffles, and fresh fruit for a bright morning gathering.
    • Afternoon Tea Party: Offer tea, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats with a vintage-inspired setup.
  • Cozy and Entertaining:
    • Movie Night: Create a comfy space with blankets and pillows, and maybe include a popcorn bar or chocolate fondue fountain.
    • Game Night: Think classic board games or trivia tailored to your group for a lively evening.
  • Pampering and Indulgent:
    • Spa Retreat: Provide DIY face masks, nail kits, and relaxing music for an at-home spa experience.
    • Chic Cocktail Party: Set up a DIY cocktail station and serve stylish hors d’oeuvres.
  • Fun and Interactive Classes
    • Wine Tasting Class: Discover wine pairing, sample a variety of wines, and learn about their origins.
    • Cooking Classes: Get hands-on with a professional chef or host a DIY cooking session of your favourite cuisine.
    • Pottery Classes: Craft unique keepsakes to remember the celebration.
    • Candle-Making Workshop: Take home a beautiful handmade creation that’s unique to each of your guests.

Creating the perfect atmosphere

Set the tone for the ultimate Galentine’s Day party with the right decor and ambience.

Consider elements like vibrant colour schemes, cozy lighting, and creative table settings. They can transform any space into an inviting haven for any occasion.

Whether you’re keeping it simple or going all out, these tips will help you create an unforgettable atmosphere for your guests.

DIY decor ideas that won’t break the bank

Creating a beautiful and welcoming space for your type of party can be simple and affordable.

Focus on DIY decor that makes a big impact, like a DIY photo booth backdrop made from streamers, heart balloons, or a fabric sheet.

Use budget-friendly items like mismatched plates and mason jars as drinkware for table settings, or ask your guests to bring their favourite cup or plate. This unique touch is a great conversation starter and adds personal flair.

Add another personal touch with handwritten name cards or cute invitations, and themed confetti to tie it all together. 

Choosing a colour scheme for your celebration

Incorporating a color scheme is an easy way to make your Galentine’s Day party look stylish and cohesive.

The classic hues of pink, red, and gold are perfect for creating a warm and celebratory vibe, but don’t shy away from other colour combinations that suit your theme. Whether you prefer soft pastels or bold contrasts, coordinating your decor around a thoughtful palette will instantly elevate the atmosphere.

Use these palettes across your outfits,  decorations, table settings, and even invitations to make the theme evident.

  • Pink, Red, and Gold: A timeless blend for a classic Galentine’s vibe.
  • Blush, White, and Rose Gold: Soft and elegant with a contemporary touch.
  • Coral, Mint, and Gold: Playful and fresh with a summery feel.
  • Berry Tones: Deep and sophisticated for a statement look.
  • White, Silver, and Champagne: Chic and neutral with a hint of glamour.

Lighting for ambience

Lighting can completely transform the ambience of your Galentine’s Day party, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

Soft, warm lighting works well to set a relaxed and intimate tone, while brighter, coloured lights can add a playful vibe and can be helpful during activities.

  • Fairy Lights
  • Candles
  • LED Lights or Lanterns
  • Neon Signs

Perfect Party Menu Ideas

No party is complete without a delicious selection of food and drinks to keep your guests satisfied and in good spirits.

Whether you’re planning a sit-down meal, a grazing table, or signature cocktails, the right menu will elevate your own Galentine’s Day.

Focus on a mix of crowd-pleasers and fun, themed options to make the experience extra memorable.

Creative Grazing and Snack Ideas

A grazing table, themed snacks, and creative desserts are the perfect additions to any event.

A grazing table can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it, offering flexibility to suit any budget. Whether you opt for budget-friendly items like seasonal fruits, crackers, and dips, or go all out with gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, and intricate desserts.

Alternatively, a theme charcuterie board can be a fun way to tie the food to your theme.

Think heart-shaped cookies, theme-coloured cupcakes or brownies, a candy bar or chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Festive Drinks for the Occasion

No catch-up with your best gal pals is complete without some beverages. Whether you’re serving cocktails or mocktails, hot beverages or cold, there’s something to suit everyone’s preference.

Whether you create a single signature drink or offer a full menu, you can align the flavours and presentation with your party’s theme.

Kathleen’s top signature drink picks:

If you need more inspiration, 101 Girls’ Night Cocktails and Mocktails is packed with recipes perfect for any occasion

Catering to Dietary Needs and Preferences

It’s also important to accommodate dietary restrictions so everyone feels included and can enjoy the celebration.

Offer a variety of foods and clearly label each dish to help guests navigate the spread with ease.

Don’t hesitate to ask your friends in advance about specific dietary needs—they’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness.

If you’re having trouble accommodating all the requirements, consider asking everyone to bring something. 

Entertaining Ways to Celebrate Together

Activities and entertainment are the heart of any successful Galentine’s Day party, ensuring your guests are engaged and having fun.

Whether you plan lively games, hands-on crafting, or a cosy movie night, the right activities will set the tone for an unforgettable celebration.

Games That Will Bring the Laughs

Games are a fantastic way to keep the energy lively at your celebration.

Classic games like trivia, charades, or karaoke can bring out everyone’s playful side and spark plenty of laughs.

You can even tailor the games to suit your group—think friendship-themed trivia, romantic movie charades, or a karaoke playlist of empowering anthems.

Add a fun twist with blind or surprise karaoke; each participant performs a randomly chosen song for added laughs and excitement.

DIY and Craft Activities

Tap into your creative juices by setting up a craft station or two.

Vision boards are always a meaningful creative activity. Sharing and reflecting on your goals, aspirations and dreams can spark deeper conversations among your guests.

A unique way to create a new masterpiece is to select a sample image and have everyone recreate it in their own style.

You could also use your get-together to make something for a charity, like knitted beanies for newborns or care packages for those in need.

Movies and Music for Every Mood

One of the best Galentine’s Day ideas is catching up over a movie. Whether it’s a new movie at the cinema or a classic iconic friendship movie at home.

Movie theatres often have events for new-release chick flicks or throwback screenings of popular movies.

Pick a movie based on what you and your friends like. My top picks are:

If music is more your scene, ask your guests to share their favourite artists to create a mega playlist that has something for everyone.

Thoughtful and Affordable Favors

Party favors are a wonderful way to show appreciation and make your Galentine’s Day celebration even more memorable.

They don’t have to be expensive to feel thoughtful, and with a bit of creativity, you can craft personalized, meaningful gifts for your guests will actually take home.

Decor as favors

A better way to get more use out of the decor is to give your guests a keepsake, by offering decor items as favors. 

Think of fresh flowers from your centrepieces, candles, or even the fun photo booth props.

Budget-Friendly Party Favors

You don’t have to break the bank to show your appreciation for your guests.

Mini self-care kits filled with inexpensive yet thoughtful items like: 

  • face masks
  • lip balm
  • bath bombs
  • candles or wax melts

These DIY kits can be easily personalized with your favourite scents or colours, or matched to your theme.

You might also invite your friends to bring their favorite things to share.

Celebrating Friendship, Anytime

Valentine’s Day season is the perfect time to plan a Galentine’s party. But you never need an excuse to get together with your best friends to celebrate each other.

Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering at home or going all out with a fun venue, the focus should always be on the joy of connecting, making memories, and lifting one another up.

With creative themes, thoughtful decor, and delicious food and drinks, your Galentine’s party is sure to be an unforgettable celebration of friendship.