Virginia is for lovers, and there are plenty of opportunities for romance this Valentine’s Day, including the usual menu specials and bubbly toasts at local restaurants. But if you want something a little more out-of-the-box, try a tandem painting workshop, a wordless production of Romeo and Juliet, a girls’ night out or running in your undies (yes, seriously). You can even say “good riddance” to your ex with a cathartic ceremony that involves fire. Here are some ideas to match your mood, whatever that may be.
Get Crafty
Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Arlington County is hosting Valentines Cards and Boxes, a family-friendly event at which children and adults can make their own love notes and boxes. Dress for a mess (there will be paint) and head to the Arlington Mill Community Center. Tickets cost $8. All attendees, including adults, must register. // 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington (Arlington Mill)
Paint Your Better Half
Feb. 4, 6-7:30 p.m.
Grab your special someone and a smock to create a collaborative masterpiece at a Muse Paint Bar couples art class. Each person will paint one half of a side-by-side panel that together make a whole. Instructors will walk you through the steps during the 90-minute session (which is also open to solo artists, by the way). Tickets are $40/person; food and drinks available at an additional cost. Check the calendar at Muse’s Mosaic District location, too. // Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Shop With Your Gal Pals
Feb. 8, 5-8 p.m.
Pop over to Botanologica in Falls Church for a Galentine’s Day party with drinks, snacks and local vendor pop-ups. Shop handmade totes and accessories in bright, fun colors from Bianca and Jean, get a custom bracelet made by The Good Chie, take home handcrafted chocolates from Scrummy Gorgeous, and grab a bouquet of locally grown flowers from Extraordinary Choices. Also, be sure to bring some spare change for a valentine vending machine from Livingston Letterpress which, in exchange for four quarters, will issue a tiny surprise Valentine’s Day card, now through Feb. 14. Check the store’s Instagram account for upcoming workshops, including a pressed flower class on Feb. 3, 2-4 p.m., and a friendship wreath making on Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. // 817 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Pucker Up
Feb. 8, 5:30-8 p.m.
Make a lip print while snacking, sipping and shopping at Covet’s Will You Be Our Galentine? event. The shop is stocked with sweet but snarky cards, Thulisa Naturals shower steamers in a new cherry blossom scent ($17) and chocolates handmade by New England-based Harbor Sweets ($19-$29). Also check out Blomb Personal Fragrances, a new-to-the-store brand offering perfumes containing natural essential oils ($49.50). // 5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Bluemont)
Ex Out Your Exes
Feb. 9, 5-7 p.m.
Not exactly feeling the love? Say good riddance to whatever is bugging you during this pre-Valentine’s Day workshop at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. The Say Goodbye to Your Exes event invites participants to bid adieu to anyone—or anything—they’re ready to sever ties with (partners, habits, clothes, a way of thinking) by writing farewell letters and wrapping them in sage bundles for burning. Nibbles and tea will be available. This event takes place at the newly opened MoCA Arlington Innovation Studio + Store in National Landing. Tickets cost $15. Note: For those seeking a less flammable experience, MoCA will also host a Valentine’s Day Pop-Up at the same location on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. where participants can make a free handmade gift. // 525 14th St. S., Arlington (National Landing)
Revisit a Timeless Love Story
Feb. 9-March 24
Synetic Theater’s take on Romeo and Juliet may well leave you speechless. Or at least the performance will be. The wordless production tells the tale of the star-crossed lovers’ ill-fated relationship and the downfall of Verona’s two great houses through dramatic choreography, music, lighting and scenery, sans dialog. Tickets cost $35-$65. // 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington (National Landing)
Toast to Friends
Feb. 9, 6:30-10 p.m.
Prefer to spend the holiday with girlfriends? Get your game on at Punch Bowl Social’s Galentine’s Day celebration. A $15 ticket gets you heart-shaped sunglasses (like those in Taylor Swift’s 22 video), a friendship bracelet (probably not from Travis Kelce, sorry) and access to all the games you can play, including throwbacks like Clueless and Girl Talk, plus bowling and karaoke. A live DJ will keep you grooving while you snap pictures of the night’s special pink punch and Insta-worthy cocktails. Register through Eventbrite. // Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Mind Your Manners
Feb. 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
Kiddos can craft personalized valentines during the St. Valentine Craft at Tea with Mrs. B, a woman-owned business offering etiquette and manners classes. Designer Lady Lia will teach children how to add creativity and a personal touch to their artwork while also learning proper table etiquette during high tea. Tickets cost $78. Participants must be at least 5 years old to attend. // 136 W. Jefferson St., Falls Church
Learn About the Birds and Bees
Feb. 10, 1-2 p.m.
“Birds do it,” Cole Porter famously wrote in the timeless classic “Let’s Fall In Love.” Potomac Overlook Regional Park’s G-rated Won’t You Be My Owlentine? event will give youngsters a chance to learn about the mating habits of owls during their breeding season. Kids can pose for a pic with a live bird at the nature center. Tickets cost $7 for all attendees ages 6 and older. // 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington (Donaldson Run)
Feel the Music
Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Love is fierce and two can tango. For its annual Valentine’s concert, the National Chamber Ensemble presents celebrated Arlington choreographer Lucy Bowen McCauley dancing the tango to Four Seasons in Buenos Aires by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. This passionate performance will take place at Gunston Arts Center. Tickets cost $20-$40. // 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
Party Heart-y
Feb. 11, 1-6 p.m.
Feeling hoppy? Shipgarten’s Valentine’s Festival might as well be called a beer and cider festival. Sample both hot and cold beverages from more than 40 breweries and swing by the photo booth to take a pic. Guests can compete for prizes in contests such as the Lovers 3-Legged Race while listening to live music by School of Rock performers and others. For kiddos, there will be face painting, a moon bounce and crafts. // 7581 Colshire Drive, McLean
Have a Cuppa
Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m.
Enjoy hot tea, scones and sweets at the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation’s annual Valentine’s Day Tea. A costumed interpreter will host this event at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse in the City of Falls Church, which dates to the 18th century. Tickets cost $48. Get them through the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks website. // Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church
Treat Yourself
Now through Valentine’s Day, get deals on pampering experiences at Azure Dream Day Spa, a Best of Arlington 2024 winner. For instance, guests can save $50 on the Mi Amor package, which combines a 45-minute premium massage with a 45-minute facial and an aromatherapy scalp massage for $280, or get four 90-minute premium massages for $680 (regularly $740). For more spas and wellness resorts worth a visit, see here and here. //901 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Ballston)
Shop Local
Feb. 14, 12-4 p.m.
Find a gift that hits the sweet spot at this event at George Mason University’s Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market at Van Metre Hall in Arlington. Get handmade goodies from local businesses including Karina Gaull bags, Fast Snail cards, Village Sweet Bakery, Trapillo Art woven containers and Soultry jewelry. // 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Virginia Square)
Watch a Classic Flick
Feb. 14, 7 p.m.
If the idea of skipping out on Valentine’s Day seems inconceivable, get reunited with your true love at a showing of The Princess Bride at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse. Tickets cost $12, and moviegoers must be 21 and up. Grab some grub and a beer, wine or cocktail (at an additional cost) and quote all your favorite lines. // 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Take a Flower
Feb. 15, noon
Inspired by Miley Cyrus’s song Flowers, the Rosslyn Business Improvement District is hosting a Singles Awareness Day Flower Giveaway at Central Place Plaza. And here’s the part that’s even easier to love: You don’t have to pay for these blossoms. Take a free stem from the Rosslyn Trike and enjoy. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Turn Back Time
Feb. 16-18, times vary by day
Here’s a good one for you and your besties: The Cher Show celebrates the life of the titular pop-star, fashion renegade and film icon. Sing along to 35 of Cher’s hits while following the storyline of her six decades of stardom, including two rock-star husbands, a Grammy, an Oscar and an Emmy. Tickets start at $58.50. Want to get dolled up before the show? Nothing in Between nail salon and spa (1590 Capital One Drive, McLean), has a Galentine’s special Feb. 12-18. Enjoy a complimentary glass of Korean rice wine with any service and get 15% off and a free enhancement for couple’s massages and/or facials. // Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons Corner
Run in Your Undies
Feb. 17, noon-4 p.m. (run starts around 2 p.m.)
Ready to set your inner exhibitionist free? Adults 21 and up can join Cupid’s Undie Run, a pants-optional, mile-ish-long dash to raise awareness of neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder. Part party, part fun run, the event starts with music and drinks and then ends with, well, music and drinks. Registration for the run costs $45 and jumps to $50 on event day. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation. // Union Stage at the Wharf, 740 Water St., SW, Washington, D.C.
Save a Life
February is American Heart Month. Consider making yours swell through acts of kindness, such as donating blood through the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross. According to the organization, blood donations are at a 20-year low. Enter your ZIP code at the top right corner of this website to find a blood drive near you. While you’re at it, learn how to keep your ticker healthy through classes at Arlington’s Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington). A board-certified cardiologist will cover heart health basics, including diet.