Celebrate Groundhog Day 2026—and its ancient origins—at the popular Western Pa. event where you can catch a glimpse of the world’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
One of Pennsylvania’s biggest annual celebrations is almost here.
For more than 130 years, Punxsutawney, Pa. has been the site of a strange weather tradition. You probably know the holiday just by the name “Punxsutawney,” as the town shares its name with the hero of the day, the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil.
Groundhog Day is most famous at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, the site where Punxsutawney Phil leaves his burrow on the morning of Feb. 2 to predict whether we will have an early spring. If Phil sees his shadow, he gets scared and hurries back into his burrow to hibernate, predicting six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow and remains outside, we’ll get an early spring!
What you may not know is that Groundhog Day originated from early holidays celebrated in Europe and that the modern celebration is derived from traditions brought to the US by the German-speaking Pennsylvania Dutch.
To get you set for this year’s event on Monday, we’re taking a look at the history of Groundhog Day, and previewing what to expect this year
What’s the origin of Groundhog Day?
The ancient Celts, tribes of peoples across Europe, marked the turning of the seasons with celebrations and festivals—many of which were Christianized when Europeans converted. One of these ancient holidays was Imbolc, which celebrated the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, anticipating—and predicting—the beginning of spring. Imbolc shares much in common, including an early February date, with the Christian holiday of Candlemas, which commemorates the purification of Mary after the birth of Jesus.
But many early Christians still practiced predicting the weather on Candlemas, usually assuming that sunny days meant a longer winter and rainy, dark days signaled an early spring. One proverb, recorded in 1678, read: “If Candlemas day be fair and bright / Winter will have another flight / If on Candlemas day it be showre and rain / Winter is gone and will not come again.”
Where does the groundhog fit into these celebrations?
Germans celebrating Candlemas infused their own folk traditions into the holiday. They also referred to Candlemas as “Badger Day” because they would look to the badger to predict the coming of spring. If the badger saw the sun on Candlemas—and thus its shadow—it would return to its burrow to hibernate, signaling a long winter. Sound familiar?
When they left Europe, the Pennsylvania Dutch brought their traditions to the US with them. And with a scarcity of badgers in the state, they simply substituted the groundhog.
As groundhogs typically live 6 to 8 years in the wild, and up to 10 years in captivity, there obviously hasn’t been a single “Punxsutawney Phil” appearing at the gobbler’s Knob celebration year after year. But the Punxsutawney Ground club likes to play up that myth by stating each year that Phil drinks a secret “Elixir of Life” at their summer picnic to live forever.
What is Phil’s prediction record?
This year Punxsutawney Phil will make his 130th weather prediction over 138 years.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that Phil has made 129 predictions since 1887 when the first Groundhog Day was celebrated.
With those 129 predictions, the NOAA states that Punxsutawney Phil has a 35% accuracy rating. NOAA states that Phil has seen his shadow, or predicted six more weeks of winter, 108 times, or 84% of the time, including in 2025.
That also means Phil has not seen his shadow 21 times and predicted early spring. As weather forecasts this year for Punxsutawney include possible morning snow showers, which could reduce sunlight and make a shadow less likely, an early spring prediction is possible.
There were also 10 years when there was not a record of a prediction (1886, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894,1895, 1896, 1897 and 1899) and one year in 1943 when the event was canceled due to World War II.
How can I celebrate Groundhog Day 2026 in Punxsutawney?
While there are a handful of local celebrations of the holiday, the most well-known Groundhog Day event takes place on Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney. The Groundhog Day celebration is organized by the “Inner Circle” of the town’s “Groundhog Club.” These tuxedoed men in top hats conduct the annual event and take care of the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil all year round.
And you can join the people of Punxsutawney for the 2026 Groundhog Day ceremony at Gobbler’s Knob! Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebration is free to attend, but you’ll need to prepare for the crowded, cold, early morning event.
How do I get to Gobbler’s Knob?
Gobbler’s Knob is where Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day ceremonies take place. If you want to attend, note that you cannot drive to Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), as roads are closed to most vehicles while buses transport visitors to Gobbler’s Knob.
You can catch the bus, which costs $5, at three sites: The parking lot of the Aldi at West Mahoning Street and Route 36 in Punxsutawney, Punxsutawney’s downtown Barkley Square, and the parking lot of the Walmart on Route 119 in Punxsutawney. Parking is available at all of these locations but is limited in downtown Punxsutawney. Buy your bus pass by paying $5 (cash only) at any of the three bus stops starting at 3 a.m., when the buses start shuttling people to Gobbler’s Knob. Once the ceremony ends—around 7:30 a.m.—your bus ticket will get you back to your car. The bus is free for children 12 and under.
What can I expect at Gobbler’s Knob?
Many people arrive at Gobbler’s Knob quite early on the morning of Feb. 2. The natural slope of the site allows great views of the “stage” where Punxsutawney Phil will make his appearance. But the wooded area does not have seats or any places (besides a bonfire) where you can get warm. You’ll be standing in the cold—and sometimes the snow—for hours. But in addition to Phil’s prediction, you can enjoy multiple entertaining shows at Gobbler’s Knob during the morning of Feb. 2, including a fireworks display. The stage shows begin at 3 a.m. and include music, performances, and surprise guests throughout the morning. The fireworks display launches around 6:30 a.m.
Phil makes his prediction around sunrise, which is expected in Punxsutawney this year sometime between 7:07 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 2.
What should I bring to Gobbler’s Knob?
You should dress for winter weather! The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, which handles the Punxsutawney forecast, is calling for a partly sunny Feb. 2 with the high temperatures reaching only near 23 degrees.
Be sure to wear warm socks, warm boots that can traverse through snow (if necessary), a hat, gloves, and any other accessories you need to keep warm. You can also bring snacks with you, though you can purchase light snacks and hot drinks at the visitor’s center at Gobbler’s Knob. Note that alcohol is not permitted.
What else can I do in Punxsutawney?
As the most famous Groundhog Day celebration in the world, you might be able to assume that the ceremony at Gobbler’s Knob is not the only event Punxsutawney hosts for Groundhog Day. Indeed, there will be numerous events and activities throughout the week leading up to 2025 Groundhog Day, like brewery parties, a talent show, and a bar crawl. Note that some of these community events require tickets!
Plus, the visitor’s center and gift shop at Gobblers Knob is open all year round in addition to Groundhog Day, so you can visit before the ceremony to garner groundhog lore as well as some souvenirs. You can also check out the Weather Discovery Center, a downtown museum focused on the history and science of weather.
After the Groundhog Day ceremony at Gobbler’s Knob, you can head back downtown and keep the party going at community vendor markets, kids’ activity booths, and festive breakfast and lunch events.
How can I watch the celebration from the comfort of my own home?
Rising well before dawn to watch a furry rodent in the freezing cold is not everyone’s thing. So if you’d like to watch the Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebration from the comfort of your own home, you have options:
- PCN TV will carry the event live beginning at 6 a.m., and streaming it as well
- VisitPA’s website will livestream the event beginning at 6 a.m.
Find more options for watching the event live here.
