When is Groundhog Day 2026? Date, Time & How to Watch

America’s Beloved Weather-Predicting Tradition

Groundhog Day 2026 takes place on Monday, February 2, 2026, marking the 140th annual celebration of this lighthearted holiday. Thousands of visitors will gather at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to watch Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his burrow. The tradition centers on a simple question: will Phil see his shadow and predict six more weeks of winter, or will cloudy skies signal an early spring?

This beloved North American tradition has been celebrated annually since 1887. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. However, if there’s no shadow due to cloudy conditions, spring will arrive early. While Groundhog Day is not a federal holiday in the United States or Canada, it remains a popular cultural event that brings communities together each winter.

Quick Facts About Groundhog Day 2026

Detail	Information
Date	Monday, February 2, 2026
Day of Week	Monday
Ceremony Time	6:00 AM Eastern Time (ET)
Location	Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney, PA
Main Groundhog	Punxsutawney Phil
Livestream	Available at groundhog.org
Federal Holiday	No
Celebration Number	140th Annual
Expected Weather	Snow showers
Phil’s Accuracy	Approximately 39%

Understanding the Shadow Prediction

People often get confused about what it means when the groundhog sees his shadow. The folklore is actually backwards from what you might expect. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on February 2, it means the sun is shining, which predicts six more weeks of winter weather.

Conversely, if Phil doesn’t see his shadow, it means the day is cloudy. This cloudy weather is considered a sign that spring will come early. The tradition may seem odd, but it connects to ancient European weather lore about Candlemas Day.

The Rich History Behind This Quirky Celebration

The Groundhog Day tradition stems from an ancient Celtic celebration called Imbolc. This cross-quarter day marks the midpoint between the winter solstice in December and the spring equinox in March. For thousands of years, people in the Northern Hemisphere have used this date to anticipate seasonal changes and plan agricultural activities.

Ancient Europeans believed that badgers and hedgehogs could predict the weather. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania during the 1800s, they adapted this tradition. Since badgers were scarce in America, they substituted the plentiful groundhog, also known as woodchuck or Marmota monax.

Punxsutawney Phil: America’s Most Famous Groundhog

Punxsutawney held its first official Groundhog Day ceremony on February 2, 1887. According to groundhog.org, the event first appeared in the Punxsutawney newspaper in 1886. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club organized the first trek to Gobbler’s Knob in 1887, establishing a tradition that continues today.

Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip and was previously called Br’er Groundhog. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club declared Phil as America’s only true weather-forecasting groundhog in 1887. Members of Phil’s “Inner Circle” wear top hats and tuxedos, and they claim Phil communicates his prediction in “Groundhogese,” a special language only they can understand.

How Accurate Is Punxsutawney Phil?

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle claims Phil’s predictions are 100% accurate. However, according to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Phil’s actual success rate is approximately 39%. That means Phil is wrong more often than he’s right when predicting weather patterns.

Despite the low accuracy rate, Phil remains beloved by millions of fans. Since 1887, Phil has predicted an early spring only 21 times out of roughly 139 ceremonies. He overwhelmingly predicts six more weeks of winter, seeing his shadow about 84% of the time.

Phil’s Recent Predictions (2016-2025)

Planning Your Groundhog Day 2026 Experience

The Groundhog Day 2026 festivities begin at 6:00 AM Eastern Time on Monday, February 2. However, celebrations at Gobbler’s Knob start as early as 3:00 AM with music, entertainment, and food vendors. If you want a good viewing spot, plan to arrive by 5:00 AM when crowds begin gathering.

You can watch Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction via livestream at groundhog.org if you can’t attend in person. Many news channels also broadcast the ceremony live. The actual prediction announcement happens around 7:00 AM, followed by media coverage and continued festivities including a pancake breakfast.

Groundhog Day 2026 Timeline

Time (ET)	Activity
3:00 AM	Festivities begin – music, food, entertainment
5:00 AM	Crowds gather – best viewing spots fill
6:00 AM	Inner Circle officials arrive in top hats
7:00 AM	Phil emerges – prediction announced
7:15 AM	Media interviews and analysis
8:00 AM	Pancake breakfast and celebrations continue
9:00 AM	Event winds down – visitors explore town

How to Celebrate Groundhog Day 2026

You don’t need to travel to Pennsylvania to celebrate Groundhog Day. Many families watch the livestream ceremony together while enjoying breakfast. You can host a Groundhog Day party with groundhog-themed decorations, crafts, and foods.

Children enjoy making groundhog masks, puppets, and shadow art projects. Adults often watch the classic 1993 film “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. Some communities organize local events, parades, and gatherings to mark this quirky American tradition.

5 Ways to Celebrate at Home

1. Watch the Livestream – Tune in at 6 AM ET at groundhog.org
2. Host a Party – Invite friends for a Groundhog Day breakfast
3. Make Crafts – Create groundhog masks, puppets, or cookies
4. Watch the Movie – Stream “Groundhog Day” (1993) with Bill Murray
5. Learn Together – Teach kids about groundhogs, shadows, and folklore

Other Famous Groundhogs Across North America

Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous weather-forecasting groundhog, but he’s not alone. Dozens of other groundhogs make predictions across the United States and Canada. Each region has adopted its own local prognosticator to celebrate this unique tradition.

Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia, Canada makes the earliest prediction due to the Atlantic time zone. Other notable groundhogs include Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, and Staten Island Chuck in New York. These furry forecasters often disagree with each other, adding to the fun and folklore.

Famous Weather-Predicting Groundhogs

The Connection to Candlemas and Imbolc

Groundhog Day coincides with Candlemas, a Christian holiday observed on February 2. Historically, Candlemas Day was when clergy blessed and distributed candles needed for the remaining winter months. The candles symbolized how long and cold the winter would be.

This Christian tradition has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Imbolc. The term “Imbolc” comes from Old Irish meaning “in the belly,” referring to pregnant ewes and the coming spring lambs. This cross-quarter day marked the sun’s halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox.

Weather Forecast for Groundhog Day 2026

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is expected to have snow showers on February 2, 2026. This cloudy, snowy weather means Punxsutawney Phil likely won’t see his shadow. If the forecast holds true, Phil will predict an early spring.

However, the Farmers’ Almanac also predicts that spring won’t truly arrive until several weeks later. The official spring equinox occurs on March 20, 2026 at 10:46 AM Eastern Time. Warmer, spring-like weather typically doesn’t appear in Pennsylvania until late March or early April.

The Cultural Impact of Groundhog Day

The 1993 Hollywood film “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray brought worldwide attention to this American tradition. The movie’s plot, where Murray’s character relives the same day repeatedly, added new meaning to the phrase “Groundhog Day.” Today, people use “Groundhog Day” to describe any repetitive, monotonous situation.

This quirky holiday has become part of American popular culture. It generates millions of dollars for Punxsutawney’s local economy through tourism. The tradition also connects us to ancient customs about seasonal cycles, agricultural planning, and humanity’s relationship with nature.

Travel Information for Groundhog Day 2026

Gobbler’s Knob is located at 1548 Woodland Ave Ext, Punxsutawney, PA 15767, approximately 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The site is about 2 miles from downtown Punxsutawney. Parking near Gobbler’s Knob is extremely limited, but the town provides shuttle buses from downtown starting at 3:00 AM.

Plan to book accommodations several months in advance, as hotels within 30 miles fill up quickly. Nearby towns like Brookville, DuBois, and Clarion offer additional lodging options. Dress warmly, as February temperatures in Pennsylvania are typically below freezing, often ranging from 15-30°F (-9 to -1°C).

What to Bring to Gobbler’s Knob

• Warm winter clothing – layers, insulated coat, waterproof boots
• Hand warmers and blankets – temperatures below freezing
• Flashlight or headlamp – ceremony happens before sunrise
• Thermos with hot beverages – coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
• Snacks and water – limited food available on-site
• Portable phone charger – for photos and livestream sharing

Groundhog Biology and Behavior

Groundhogs, scientifically known as Marmota monax, are burrowing rodents native to North America. They’re also called woodchucks or whistle-pigs. The name “woodchuck” comes from the Algonquin word “wuchak.” These animals typically weigh 5-14 pounds and measure 16-27 inches long.

In reality, groundhogs don’t predict weather—they’re simply emerging from winter hibernation. Groundhogs hibernate from October through March, living off stored body fat. Their February emergence is related to mating season, not weather forecasting abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Groundhog Day 2026

Groundhog Day 2026 falls on Monday, February 2, 2026. Groundhog Day is always celebrated on February 2, regardless of what day of the week it falls on.

The official ceremony at Gobbler’s Knob begins at 6:00 AM Eastern Time. Festivities start as early as 3:00 AM. The actual prediction announcement typically happens around 7:00 AM.

No, Groundhog Day is not a federal holiday in the United States or Canada. Schools and businesses remain open with normal operating hours.

You can watch the livestream at groundhog.org starting at 6:00 AM Eastern Time on February 2. Many news channels also broadcast the ceremony live on television.

According to NOAA data, Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions are accurate approximately 39% of the time. The Inner Circle claims 100% accuracy, but scientific analysis shows otherwise.

If Phil sees his shadow, folklore predicts six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow (cloudy day), spring will arrive early.

Gobbler’s Knob is located at 1548 Woodland Ave Ext, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 15767, about 2 miles from downtown Punxsutawney.

Yes! The event is free and open to the public. Thousands of people attend each year. Arrive by 5:00 AM for the best viewing spots.

February 2 marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. This date has been significant in European traditions like Imbolc and Candlemas for thousands of years.

Yes! Dozens of groundhogs make weather predictions across North America, including Shubenacadie Sam (Canada), Buckeye Chuck (Ohio), and General Beauregard Lee (Georgia).

Data and Historical Records

Conclusion: Embracing an American Tradition

Whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Monday, February 2, 2026 or not, Groundhog Day remains a beloved tradition. This quirky holiday connects us to ancient Celtic and Christian customs while celebrating our relationship with nature and seasonal cycles. While Phil’s 39% accuracy rate suggests he’s not a reliable meteorologist, the joy and community spirit of Groundhog Day transcend weather forecasting.

Mark your calendars for February 2, 2026, set your alarm for 6:00 AM Eastern Time, and join millions of people watching Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his burrow. Whether you attend in person at Gobbler’s Knob or watch the livestream from home, Groundhog Day 2026 promises to be another memorable celebration of this 140-year-old American tradition.

Sources and References

• Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Official Website groundhog
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2026 Edition
• GROUNDHOG-DAY Historical Database
• Pennsylvania Historical Society Archives
• “Broadscale Assessment of Groundhog (Marmota monax) Predictions” Academic Paper

Last Updated: December 22, 2025
Next Update: February 3, 2026 (after Phil’s prediction)
Our free online countdown timer helps you see exactly how much time is left until Groundhog Day 2026.