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Groundhog Day 2027

Tuesday, February 2, 2027 Every year on February 2

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Groundhog Day is on Tuesday, February 2, 2027, as it is every February 2. That morning, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil comes out at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to “forecast” the weather. If he sees his shadow, folklore says winter lasts six more weeks; if he doesn’t, spring comes early.

When Is Groundhog Day?

It’s always February 2. The ceremony happens around sunrise, about 7:20 a.m. Eastern, and news outlets stream it live.

Punxsutawney is a Pennsylvania borough of about 5,800 people, according to the 2020 Census. Visitors arrive by shuttle bus from downtown stops to Gobbler’s Knob.

How Did Groundhog Day Start?

The custom grew out of weather lore tied to Candlemas, a Christian feast held on February 2. In German lore, if badgers and other small animals saw their shadows on Candlemas, winter would last longer.

German immigrants brought the idea to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and 1800s and gave the job to the groundhog.

Punxsutawney’s role

The local newspaper, the Punxsutawney Spirit, printed the town’s first mention of the day in 1886. On February 2, 1887, a group of local men made the first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob, and the groundhog saw his shadow.

History.com credits Clymer Freas, a newspaper editor, with the idea. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club dates its founding to 1899.

How Does Phil’s Forecast Work?

The forecast is a ceremony, not a weather report. Members of the club’s Inner Circle lift Phil from a tree stump and announce whether he saw his shadow.

They wear top hats and run the event in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. They also claim Phil whispers his forecast to them in “Groundhogese.” The fun is the point: the day turns the long wait for spring into a shared tradition.

How accurate is Punxsutawney Phil?

Not very. NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information checked his calls against actual U.S. temperatures. Over the past 10 years, he was right about 30% of the time, so flipping a coin would do better.

He also leans toward winter. The Groundhog Club’s own records list far more shadow years than no-shadow years since 1887. In 2026, he saw his shadow again.

How to Celebrate Groundhog Day

  • Watch the sunrise ceremony: set an alarm for about 7 a.m. Eastern and stream it live.
  • Go to Punxsutawney: the Groundhog Club’s website lists this year’s shuttle stops and fares.
  • Visit the movie town: Woodstock, Illinois, holds its own yearly Groundhog Days festival.
  • Run a shadow test: step outside at sunrise, check for your shadow and compare with your local weather in mid-March.
  • Make it a double feature: stream the 1993 film the night before, then watch the real ceremony in the morning.
  • Teach kids about shadows: trace a toy’s shadow with chalk at different times of day.

The 1993 Movie

The comedy Groundhog Day opened on February 12, 1993. Directed by Harold Ramis, it stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who relives February 2 over and over in Punxsutawney.

It wasn’t shot in Pennsylvania, though. Ramis chose Woodstock, Illinois, because Punxsutawney lacked the kind of town center the story needed. In 2006, the Library of Congress added the film to its National Film Registry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Groundhog Day a federal holiday?

No. It isn’t on the Office of Personnel Management’s list of federal holidays, so schools, banks and post offices stay open.

How old is Punxsutawney Phil?

According to the club’s legend, there has only ever been one Phil. He supposedly stays alive by drinking a magic “groundhog punch” every summer.

Is a groundhog the same as a woodchuck?

Yes. Groundhogs are also called woodchucks or whistle-pigs, according to the American Museum of Natural History.

What does “groundhog day” mean as a phrase?

Thanks to the movie, Merriam-Webster defines it as a situation where the same dull or unwelcome events keep repeating.

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