When is National Girlfriends Day 2025? Meaning, history, and ways to celebrate with your besties

National Girlfriends Day, celebrated on August 1 each year in the US, is a day dedicated to recognizing the women who provide unwavering support, friendship and strength in our daily lives. As the day approaches, more people are making intentional plans to honor the women who lift them up, be it a friend, coworker, sister, or mentor.

Unlike romantic celebrations, National Girlfriends Day focuses on both platonic and romantic aspects of sisterhood and emotional connection.

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It’s a reminder to slow down and invest time in friendships that often take a back seat to busy schedules. Many people use the day to thank those who help carry life’s emotional load offering support at work, at home, or during life’s more difficult moments.

Origin of National Girlfriend’s day

The holiday is believed to have emerged organically from social media, where hashtags and relationship content helped popularize the observance.

However, the exact origin is somewhat unclear and debated, but several sources attribute its creation to Mistress Susan around 2004, who established the day as a way for girlfriends to express gratitude to one another.


Another claim credits Allie Savarino Kline and Sally Rodgers for creating the day in 2006 through their now-defunct website Sisterwoman.com. Additionally, some sources suggest the day may have been formally announced as early as 2002 by authors Kathleen Laing and Elizabeth Butterfield.

How people celebrate the National Girlfriends Day

Women across the country are planning casual meetups to mark the occasion, think brunches, wine nights, or even group pottery and dance classes.

Some are hosting cozy self-care nights or home-cooked dinners. Long-distance friends are also staying connected through virtual calls, shared playlists, handwritten notes, or even mood board nights.

While often associated with platonic bonds, National Girlfriends Day is also celebrated in romantic relationships.. It now stands as a moment to reflect on all kinds of meaningful connections, old or new, personal or professional.

Some may also use the day to remember friendships that have changed or been lost over time, showing that even quiet reflection can be a meaningful way to observe the occasion.

Business promotions

Brands and local communities are also joining in. Companies like 1-800-Flowers are offering special bouquets for the day.

In Wellington, Colorado, a curated downtown experience invites women to explore women-owned businesses, from markets to restaurants, offering a shared way to celebrate community and connection.

In the days before August 1, more businesses are expected to roll out friendship-themed deals and group activities.