Groundhog Day 2026: What is Groundhog Day, how to watch livestream from Punxsutawney, how to watch Bill Murray film
Today is Groundhog Day - but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we will be reliving the same 24 hours over and over again.
The famous 1993 Bill Murray film has somewhat taken over the long-standing American tradition in the popular consciousness. But today - Monday, February 2 - is Groundhog Day and this what it means.
What is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is a traditional folk holiday in the United States and Canada, observed every year on February 2. It is best known for a simple piece of weather folklore: whether a groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow is said to predict how much winter remains.
According to tradition, if the groundhog comes out of its burrow and sees its shadow, it becomes frightened and returns underground, signalling six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, it is said to be a sign that spring will arrive early. Like St Swithin’s Day on July 15 in the UK (a day on which rain is said to presage 40 more wet days) the belief has no scientific basis, but it remains a popular annual ritual, particularly in the north-eastern United States.
The holiday’s origins can be traced back to European weather lore, especially from Germany. Similar traditions once used animals such as hedgehogs or badgers to predict the coming of spring. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, they adapted the custom to local wildlife, choosing the groundhog which was common in the region.
What is a groundhog?
A groundhog, also known as a woodchuck or whistlepig, is a large North American rodent from the squirrel family, known for hibernating; they are stout, burrow-dwelling creatures with strong claws for digging and a diet of plants, famous for their high-pitched warning whistles when alarmed.
Where is Groundhog Day observed?
The most famous Groundhog Day celebration - also the setting for the film - takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil has been “predicting” the weather since 1887. Each year, crowds gather at a site known as Gobbler’s Knob in the early morning hours to watch Phil’s appearance. A group called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club interprets Phil’s behaviour and announces the prediction to the public, often with theatrical flair.
Although Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous groundhog, many other towns across the US have their own local groundhogs and celebrations. These events often include festivals, music, food and community activities.
How to watch Groundhog Day live
There is a livestream of the event set up by the Visit Pennsylvania tourist organisation. It is due to start at 6am local time, which is 11am in the UK. You can watch it here.
What does Groundhog Day mean in popular culture?
After the film’s success, the term Groundhog Day became divorced from the winter tradition and, because Bill Murray’s character had to relive the same day repeatedly, started to be a shorthand for routine and repetition. It means that the term Groundhog Day is now commonly used to describe situations that feel monotonous.
How to watch the movie Groundhog Day
At present the 1993 film Groundhog Day is not available to stream for free, unless you are able to take out a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime TV. Customers of Apple TV, Sky and Amazon Prime can watch it, and it is also available on some other streaming platforms such as Rakuten.