The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a What is Groundhog Day? People flock to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 2 every year to be a part of the celebrations revolving around Punxsutawney Phil's winter forecast. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. by 3 of 15 | . FILE - The groundhog saw his shadow, Feb. 2, 1954, as the sun peeked through an overcast sky at Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee, Wis. The arrival of annual Groundhog Day celebrations Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, will draw thousands of people to see celebrity woodchuck Phil at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. — an event that exploded in popularity after the 1993 Bill Murray movie. Crowds as large as 30,000 have turned out to Punxsutawney for multi-day Groundhog Day festivities, which the state calls a significant tourism boost for the town of fewer than 6,000 people. Groundhog Day has been celebrated in the United States since at least February 2, 1886. Starting in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with its now-famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, the tradition spread throughout America. It is now celebrated all over, and not just with groundhogs. Celebrate Groundhog Day with us! Join our family-friendly walk at 10 am to learn about its history and nature. Enjoy crafts, music, and a live animals presentation from 11 am to 12 pm at the Visitor Center. Don't miss the Groundhog Shadow Reveal at 12 pm! Most of us know the tradition: on February 2, our old friend the groundhog will emerge from hibernation, come out of his den, and predict whether winter will deliver more cold weather this year. If the groundhog sees his shadow, the story goes, cold weather will persist another few weeks. If not, warm weather is around the corner. If you like the folklore of holidays, you may be interested to Over time, the Groundhog Day tradition integrated with local customs, creating a unique celebration that persisted through the years. The American tradition has a big focus on Punxsutawney Phil. The event is organized by the “Groundhog Club,” who communicate with Phil in a language known as “Groundhogese” to interpret his prediction Punxsutawney Country Club 408 N Main Street, Punxsutawney, PA, United States The Groundhog Ball from 7:00pm-11:00pm At The Punxsutawney Country Club Our traditional formal attire event, the Groundhog Ball will feature [] Celebrate the magic with us at these unforgettable events with Groundhog Day festivities kick off in Woodstock!: 📅 Jan 30, 2025 Children’s Groundhog Storytime @ Old Courthouse Center Welcoming of the Groundhog @ Old Courthouse Center 📅 Jan 31, 2025 Groundhog Day Movie Memorabilia Open House Groundhog Day Dinner Dance “Groundhog Day” the Movie Groundhog Day the Musical @ Woodstock The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Day tradition originated is called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A big celebration is still held in the town to this The Hummelstown Groundhog Day celebration in Dauphin County is a charming, small-town event that highlights community spirit and Pennsylvania’s beloved Groundhog Day tradition. Every year on Groundhog Day Menu Toggle. What is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day Events Menu Toggle. Groundhog Day Schedule & Info; Community Events; Annual Groundhog Banquet; The Inner Circle’s Groundhog Ball If you’re looking for something a little different to break the monotony of the winter season, here are some fun and unique ways to celebrate Groundhog Day. 1. Watch Groundhog Day—and Live It Like Bill Murray! Let’s be honest: Groundhog Day (the movie) is as synonymous with the holiday as the actual groundhog. Bill Murray’s comedic Every February 2, on Groundhog Day, Willie takes part in the local Wiarton Willie Festival. His role is to predict whether there will be an early spring. Although the original Wiarton Willie died in 1999, the Wiarton groundhog day celebrations continue each year with the original Willie's successors, referred to as "Wee Willie." Looking for a Groundhog Day celebration to attend on Groundhog Day 2025? We've compiled a list of 64 Groundhog Day 2025 events, which you can find below. This list is still being updated, so check back again soon. If you think we've missed something, shoot us an email! The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a With so many of Phil’s fans now devoted to the celebration, the Inner Circle hosts additional events and gatherings throughout the week leading up to Groundhog Day, including the Groundhog Ball and the Groundhog Banquet.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.