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Groundhog Day

Ready to find out if spring is coming early? Don't miss out on Groundhog Day - join us for the fun, festivities, and predictions of the season!

Tuesday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFebruary 2

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYSeasonal

SUBCATEGORYWeather

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2! This festive holiday is based on an old European tradition from the 1800s and has been celebrated in Pennsylvania since 1887. The legend of Groundhog Day states that if a groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If no shadow appears, then spring will come early!

TIMELINE

Groundhog Day Timeline

European Tradition

Old European tradition that inspired Groundhog Day was brought to the US. The initial custom involves animal predictions on February 2.

First Official Groundhog Day

The first official Groundhog Day observed in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, centered around a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.

Spread Across North America

The tradition of Groundhog Day spreads to various other regions across North America, making it a widely observed event.

"Groundhog Day" Movie Release

The release of the film "Groundhog Day", starring Bill Murray, brought more popularity and awareness to the holiday internationally.

Live Media Coverage

Live media coverage of Punxsutawney Phil's prediction begins, attracting a larger audience to the event.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Groundhog Day

Watch a Groundhog Day movie

Gather up your friends and family and watch the classic Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day. Enjoy the laughs and join in on the fun.

Go to a Groundhog Day celebration

Many small towns have groundhog festivals now. These are usually events with food, music, and of course, groundhogs! It's a great way to celebrate this holiday with friends and family.

PLAN

Plan a Punxsutawney Phil party

Invite all your friends over for some Groundhog Day fun. You can make delicious treats that feature groundhogs, like dirt cupcakes or cookies shaped like Punxsutawney Phil. Have a costume contest or play games that are related to Groundhog Day.

LEARN

Learn about groundhog folklore

Take some time to learn about the history of this holiday and its traditions. You can read books or watch documentaries about groundhog folklore and superstitions.

VISIT

Visit a groundhog sanctuary

There are many sanctuaries dedicated to the conservation of groundhogs and other animals. Spend some time at one of these sanctuaries to learn more about these animals and their habitats.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Groundhog Day

It promotes conservation

By celebrating Groundhog Day, we are raising awareness for our natural environment as well as the creatures living within it. This helps encourage people to take more action in conserving our planet and protecting its wildlife habitats which benefits everyone!

It's a fun tradition

Groundhog Day is a fun tradition that has been celebrated in the United States since the late 1800s. It involves looking to an iconic animal (the groundhog) for clues about upcoming weather patterns and is full of old superstitions, folklore, and local culture.

It's a great excuse to spend time outdoors

What better excuse to get out and enjoy nature than Groundhog Day? Whether you're waiting for the groundhog to emerge or just exploring your local area, it's a great way to add some adventure to your day and get away from technology for a while.