Like Festivus and Friendsgiving, Galentine’s Day has gone from fictional sitcom holiday to a real-life cultural event worth celebrating. The brainchild of Leslie Knope, a character on Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day was created to celebrate female friendship. In her words, “Every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
Since that 2010 episode, Galentine’s Day has migrated to the real world, with a dedicated shopping section at Target and events popping up tailored to girlfriends celebrating each other. What’s not to love? In celebration of women empowerment, we wanted to share our ideas for celebrating Galentine’s Day with your own lady friends, from casual to glamorous:
Spa Day
What better way to celebrate you and your gals by pampering yourselves with a trip to the spa. We recommend Toccare Day Spa, Charlotte’s top destination for custom treatments (go big or go home, right?). Located in Myers Park, this retreat specializes in organic beauty products, non-invasive treatments, and advice for at-home skin care.
Fun & Games
Go for a casual girls’ night out in the Gold District. Make plans with your friends for Thursday and start with dinner at one of Charlotte’s hottest new restaurants, Bardo. Order cocktails and a variety of plates to share—don’t skip the sunchokes and the aged ribeye. Then head across the street to Max & Lola Bodega for trivia at 8 p.m.
Upscale Evening
For a fancy evening, go all out with reservations at La Belle Helene, Uptown’s upscale French restaurant. Grab one of the private dining rooms or a large booth in the gorgeous brasserie. Don’t skip dessert here—you deserve it.
