When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is always February 2. In 2026 it falls on Monday, February 2, 2026, and in 2027 it's on Tuesday, February 2, 2027. When this page was last updated, on October 12, 2026, there were 113 days to go, which is about 16 weeks and 1 days. The counter at the top keeps ticking down in real time on your device, so it's always current.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 2 | Monday |
| 2027 | February 2 | Tuesday |
A little history
The tradition comes from German immigrants in Pennsylvania who believed that if a badger or hedgehog saw its shadow on Candlemas, winter would last longer. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania held its first official Groundhog Day in 1887.
How people celebrate
Every February 2, thousands of people gather at Gobbler's Knob before dawn to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. Shadow means six more weeks of winter; no shadow means an early spring. His track record is, let's be honest, roughly a coin toss. The 1993 Bill Murray movie made the day famous worldwide.
Closures and practical notes
It's just for fun; schools and businesses run normally. Other towns have their own forecasters, such as Staten Island Chuck and Canada's Wiarton Willie.
Planning tips
It isn't a day off for most people, so the real trick is planning around your normal week. Put a reminder in your phone a week before, and another two days before, so you're not scrambling the night before.
If you're buying anything for it, whether flowers, food, costumes or decorations, shopping a week or two early is cheaper and way less stressful than the last-minute rush.
How the countdown works
We count full calendar days from today's date to the holiday, using the clock on your own phone or computer, so it matches your local time zone. On the day itself the counter switches to the next year's date. Want to count to a birthday or deadline instead? Our days until any date page does that in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
When is Groundhog Day 2027?
Tuesday, February 2, 2027.
What day of the week is Groundhog Day in 2027?
It's a Tuesday (February 2, 2027).
How accurate is Punxsutawney Phil?
Studies of his predictions put his accuracy at around 40 percent.