Timing: Most Planning Begins in February
According to the Medill Spiegel Research Center, about three out of five (60.7%) Valentine's Day celebrators begin planning in February, with 41.8% planning during the week leading up to Valentine's Day .
Planning Timeline:
Planning Start | Percentage |
|---|---|
December or earlier | 4.8% |
January | 29.0% |
First week of February/week before | 41.8% |
Week of Valentine's Day | 18.9% |
On Valentine's Day | 5.5% |
Participation Trend: Valentine's Day participation has declined by an average of 0.29% annually over the past 15 years, with 54.6% of U.S. adults planning to celebrate in 2026 .