A leap year with a host of long weekends — that’s 2024 for you. The year’s calendar is dotted with concerts, politics-altering events, and an extra day: February 29. While for most of us, it’s an added cockcrow to work towards our goals or unwind, there are nations in the world that eagerly await this day with time-honored traditions, and some are even wary of it due to superstitions. From Leaper Day celebrations in the US to Bachelors’ Day in the UK and Ireland, we round up the most unique Leap Day traditions from around the globe.
Leap Year customs, traditions, and celebrations across the world
Birch ribbons and promises of love: Leap Day in Germany
In the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, the age-old custom goes that on the eve of May Day, men must decorate a birch tree with paper ribbons and place it in front of the homes of their girlfriends, wives, or crushes. Thereafter, on the forthcoming Leap Day, women can return the favour (and declare their love!) with the same sweet gesture.
Get your copy of La Bougie du Sapeur newspaper in France
France celebrates Leap Year with its once-in-four-years publication, La Bougie du Sapeur newspaper, which translates to The Sapper’s Candle. Successfully running since 1980, this satirical newspaper is named after a leapling character, Sapper Camember, from an old French comic strip. Distinguished as the world’s least-selling newspaper, La Bougie du Sapeur is available on the stands in France, Luxembourg, and Belgium — and went on to sell 2,00,000 copies in the preceding leap year.
Ireland and the UK celebrate Bachelors’ Day
According to legend, the Irish tradition of Bachelors’ Day was born when St. Bridget and St. Patrick struck a deal, allowing women to propose to men every four years. It is believed that this tradition helped balance conventional male and female roles, just as the leap day helps balance the calendar. And so, every leap year on February 29, Bachelors’ Day is celebrated, a fun-filled tradition where women propose to men.
Historically, this tradition can turn out to be a costly affair in Ireland. If a man turns down a proposal, he must compensate the woman — ideally in the form of a silk gown, fur coat, or gloves — to make up for the disappointment.
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Scotland joins the bandwagon
It was not long before the tradition of Leap Day proposals reached Scotland. Queen Margaret turned it into law in 1288, mandating additional rules such as women wearing a red petticoat while proposing. Failure to comply resulted in monetary fines or fine gifts, akin to those in Ireland.
Finland follows suit with ‘Naistenpäivä’
Following the footsteps of Ireland and the UK’s Bachelors’ Day, Finland dedicates its leap day to women’s empowerment. Celebrated as ‘Women’s Day’ or ‘Naistenpäivä’, women are encouraged to propose to men on this day.
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Texas raises a toast to leapers
Leap Day babies unite! Anthony, Texas, celebrates the once-in-a-blue-moon birthday with the grand Anthony Texas Festival. This three-day revelry features live music, culinary stalls, and craft shops. Interested leapers can RSVP on the website, while curious visitors from around the world can buy tickets to join the celebration.
Pig Trotter Soup in Taiwan
In Taiwan, there’s a superstition that the leap year may bring ill fortune to the elderly. To counter this belief, married daughters return home to prepare pig trotter soup, believed to bring good luck and long life to their parents’ homes. This soup is served throughout the month, specifically on February 29.
Ringing in Leap Year with a cocktail
Conceived in 1928 at London’s famed Savoy Hotel, the Leap Year cocktail was concocted by bartender Harry Craddock for the hotel’s February 29 celebrations. Made with gin, sweet vermouth, Grand Marnier, and lime juice, this cocktail is the colourful cousin of the Martini. Even if you’re not in London this Leap Day, you can celebrate by crafting your version of the cocktail or get the original recipe from The Savoy’s Cocktail Book.
(Feature Image Credit: MR.Frost/Shutterstock)
Related: Chinese New Year: Legends, Traditions, And Taboos To Know
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Is it true that women can propose marriage during a leap year?
Yes, leap year traditions in countries like Ireland, the UK, Finland, and Scotland encourage women to declare their love and propose to their potential partners on Lead Day.
– What is the origin of the Leap Year proposal tradition?
It is believed that the Leap Year proposal tradition was born when St. Bridget and St. Patrick struck a deal, allowing women to propose to men every four years.
– Are there any other leap year customs besides proposals?
Apart from proposals, there are several other Leap Year traditions such as the French satirical newspaper La Bougie du Sapeur, which is published once every four years, Texas’ grand leaper festival, and decorating birch trees with ribbons in Germany, among others.
– Are there any specific foods or drinks associated with leap years?
While daughters in Taiwan prepare pig trotter soup for the well-being of their parents, London’s Savoy Hotel celebrates with its iconic Leap Year Cocktail, which was conceived by bartender Harry Craddock for the hotel’s February 29 celebrations.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Senior Digital Writer - Growth, TravelWriter by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has ..Read More
