St. Skeletor’s Day

St. Skeletor’s Day is observed annually on February 15. This anti-Valentine’s holiday serves as a humorous alternative for those who are single, recently heartbroken, or simply exhausted by the commercial pressures of the previous day’s romantic celebrations. Named after the iconic antagonist from the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe franchise, the day celebrates independence and the freedom of being uncoupled through a lens of 1980s pop culture nostalgia.

History of St. Skeletor’s Day

The holiday was created in the late 1990s by Richard Herring, a British comedian and writer. Herring introduced the concept as a way to provide a lighthearted “corrective” to the sugary sentimentality of Valentine’s Day. He chose Skeletor as the patron saint of the day because the character is literally a skeleton—devoid of a heart, skin, or the physical capacity for romantic entanglement. The idea originally gained a following through Herring’s website and columns, eventually spreading across the early internet as a cult tradition among comedy fans and those who found traditional romantic holidays alienating.

Since its inception, the day has evolved from a niche comedy routine into a broader internet subculture event. While it lacks official status, it has been embraced by various social media communities that use the day to post memes featuring the villain’s most “insulting” quotes and over-the-top evil laugh. The day has also been championed by the “Singles Awareness Day” crowd as a more colorful and theatrical version of that observance. By the mid-2020s, the holiday had become a staple of digital counter-culture, often trending on platforms where users share their delight in “villainous” independence.

Why is St. Skeletor’s Day important?

This day is important because it provides a necessary psychological vent for people who feel excluded by the intense marketing of romantic love. By using a cartoon villain as its mascot, the holiday turns the potential sadness of being single into a source of humor and communal fun. It validates the idea that one does not need a romantic partner to be happy or entertained, promoting self-sufficiency through irony and playfulness. It serves as a reminder that the day after Valentine’s Day is a fresh start where the societal pressure to perform romance is finally lifted.

The holiday also serves as a tribute to 1980s nostalgia and the campy storytelling of Saturday morning cartoons. For many participants, the day is as much about celebrating the character of Skeletor—with his high-pitched voice and creative insults—heartfeltly as it is about being single. It fosters a sense of community among “outcasts” and fans of retro animation. In a world where emotional transparency is often expected, St. Skeletor’s Day offers a refreshing opportunity to be unrepentantly cynical and silly, allowing for a healthy release of seasonal frustrations.

• It offers a humorous alternative for those who find Valentine’s Day overwhelming.
• The day celebrates the joys of being single and independent.
• It keeps the legacy of 1980s pop culture and classic animation alive.
• The occasion provides a space for community building through shared irony.
• It serves as an “emotional palate cleanser” after the intensity of February 14.

How to Celebrate St. Skeletor’s Day

The most common way to celebrate is by watching classic episodes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, specifically focusing on Skeletor’s failed schemes and witty dialogue. Fans often host “anti-Valentine” parties where the decor is more “evil lair” than “romantic bistro,” featuring purple and black colors instead of red and pink. On social media, the primary activity is sharing Skeletor-themed memes, often accompanied by his famous catchphrases like “I am not nice!” or “I don’t like to feel good, I like to feel evil!”

For a more practical “reset,” many people use the day to indulge in hobbies that their “romantic” friends might have ignored the day before, such as gaming, reading, or solo travel. Since it falls on the day that Valentine’s Day candy typically goes on clearance at a 50% discount or more, a popular tradition is to buy the discounted chocolate for oneself—claiming it as “plunder.” The day is essentially about reclaiming one’s time and resources for individual pleasure, all while maintaining the dramatic, over-the-top persona of a cartoon overlord.

• Watch a marathon of 1980s cartoons featuring Skeletor.
• Buy half-price Valentine’s candy as your own “villainous plunder.”
• Post your favorite Skeletor insults or memes on social media.
• Host a gathering for single friends with a “Castle Grayskull” theme.
• Engage in a solo hobby that makes you genuinely happy without a partner.

St. Skeletor’s Day Dates Table