Galentine’s Day 2020: The best UK events to celebrate your female friendships

From film screenings to life drawing, here’s how you can honour Galentine’s with your nearest and dearest

When February comes around, it is virtually impossible to escape the saccharine, cheese-filled observance of Valentine’s Day, regardless if you are in a relationship or not.

A plethora of hearts seem to follow you, whether in the form of bunting, cakes or innuendo-heavy pork sausages.

However, Valentine’s Day is not the only significant celebration of love to take place during the second month of the year.

On 13 February, another important event is observed across the globe. We are, of course, talking about Galentine’s Day.

Popularised by Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope in a 2010 episode of US sitcom Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day is a celebration of female friendship – “Ladies celebrating ladies”, as Knope puts it.

From bottomless prosecco and cake tasting to a nipple tassel making workshop, there are numerous events taking place across the UK that you can go to with your closest friends to commemorate the occasion.

Here are some of the best events taking place across the nation to mark Galentine’s Day:

Night at the movies

Throughout the history of cinema, certain films have stood out for producing female characters that are beautifully multifaceted, complex and an authentic representation of women in the real world.

Such characters have stood the test of time, becoming cult favourites across generations.

Celebrate the best characters cinematic “herstory” has to offer this Galentine’s Day by heading to a screening of one of your favourites.

On Thursday 13 February, the Left Bank Leeds arts centre is hosting a screening of Mean Girls for £11 per ticket, with all money raised going towards the Left Bank Leeds Charitable Trust.

Everyman Cinemas are showing screenings of the 1991 classic Thelma and Louise at several venues including Harrogate, Horsham and York, while Bridesmaids is being screened at the Clapham Grand in London for £5 per ticket.

For more information, click here for the Mean Girls screening, click here for the Thelma and Louise screenings and click here for the Bridesmaids screening.

Fabulous food and drink pairings

What goes together better than cake and prosecco? Perhaps beer and doughnuts? Or wine and chocolate?

This Galentine’s Day, you can take your pick from the best food and drink events taking place across the nation, indulging on delicious nibbles and tasty tipples whichever you choose.

For £20 a ticket, you can enjoy five different beers with five various doughnuts at the Brewery Taproom in Dalkeith, Scotland on Thursday 13 February.

Meanwhile, on Sunday 16 February over in Tunbridge Wells, Kent you have the option to partake in a classy wine and chocolate tasting event at The Wine Cellar, which will see you pair six wines with six distinct chocolates.

If you’re based in the capital, for £25 you can enjoy an unlimited supply of prosecco with cake from 7pm to 9pm on Galentine’s Day at Konditor in Borough Market. What more could you ask for?

For more information, click here for the beer and doughnut event, click here for the wine and chocolate event and click here for the prosecco and cake event.

Embrace your artistic side

Fancy showcasing your artistic talent in the presence of an uplifting, positive group of women?

On Sunday 16 February, you can do so at The Feminist Bookshop and Café in Brighton with a life drawing class.

For £13.52, you’ll have around two hours to produce artworks using a variety of mediums at your disposal.

Your ticket will include the class, art materials and a hot drink, with snacks also provided.

The class is open to all levels, so feel free to go along regardless of your experience.

For more information, click here.

Cheeky crafts

Being artistic isn’t just about creating classical-style paintings or carefully constructed clay pots.

It can also be about showcasing your mischievous creativity, such as with a nipple tassel making workshop.

On Thursday 13 February from 7.30pm you can participate in a nipple tassel tutorial at Cafe Reves in London, with a complimentary glass of bubbles provided.

Tickets for the event, which is being organised by Wild at Art, are available for £25.

For more information, click here.

Master the art of mixology

While you can head to a cocktail bar with your friends on Galentine’s Day, why not take your plans up a notch by learning how to make your own beverages?

For £20 per person, you can learn how to make two cocktails each with the Miss Mix Alot Galentine’s Cocktail Masterclass in Oswestry Shropshire.

The event on Friday 14 February includes “fun and games throughout”, in addition to a glass of prosecco each on arrival.

For more information, click here.

Connect with coders

On Thursday 13 February, a networking event is taking place in Birmingham for women working in the digital sphere.

Hosted by Girl Code in partnership with the Digital Cake agency, the event will feature appearances from individuals including Kerry George, digital product manager at GymShark; Laura Hogan, owner of JellyBean digital marketing agency; and Banwo Idowu, delivery lead at School of Code.

So, if you are interested in meeting like-minded individuals who could help open up doors in your career down the line, look no further.

The event is free to attend, and is being held at the Digital Cake office on Northwood Street.

For more information, click here.

Bring out the books

When you find yourself engrossed in a book, unable to tear your eyes away, it can be incredibly heartwarming to share your passion for the story at hand with a fellow bookworm.

On Friday 14 February, you can do so at Sebby’s Cafe Deli in Leeds, where a night of cocktails, mocktails, book swaps and conversation is being held.

The Galentine’s Day Party and Book Swap has been organised in partnership between Leeds Women’s Aid, Sebby’s and Leeds Feminist Bookclub, with tickets costing £16.22 per person.

The event will also help raise money for a worthy cause, with 10 per cent of each ticket sale being donated to Leeds Women’s Aid.

For more information, click here.

Shower yourself in self-love

While it is tradition on Valentine's Day to shower others with love and affection, it is just as important to remember to take care of your own wellbeing.

On Sunday 16 February from 2pm to 5pm, The Curve Catwalk is hosting a Galentine’s event focused on self-love.

The event, which is being held at the Benk and Bo Yoga Studio in London, will feature activities including a hip hop yoga session, a writing class, movement therapy and a sister circle where attendees can “share and connect with other women”.

“It can be so easy to put self-care on hold. Whether you’re a mother, daughter, friend, single, married, divorced- no matter your status, come celebrate how powerful and important YOU are,” the event’s organisers state.

Tickets cost £27.54 per person.

For more information, click here.