Valentine’s Day in Houston: A Guide
February is the shortest month of the year, but potentially the most anxiety ridden. Why? Valentine’s Day. Fear not, whether you’re happily coupled up or single in the city, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday, so there are plenty of weekend options for ample ways to celebrate. Our below list is full of activities no matter your interest, budget, or relationship status.
Looking for a V-Day dining breakdown? Checkout our recent Valentine’s Day dinner guide.
THE OUTDOORSY PAIR
Love the great outdoors? Houston has no shortage of green spaces and parks for you to visit and explore. For an early celebration, check out the Valentine’s Day Houston Hot Air Balloon Festival on Feb. 9. The event includes a beautiful hot air balloon display, along with wine tasting, live music and polo matches. How about dinner and a cruise with your loved one? Hermann Park invites you to enjoy a romantic dinner at Pinewood Café, followed by a pedal boat ride all starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required and the price for the event is $60 which includes dinner, pedal boat ride, train tickets and discount ticket for a future visit to Pinewood Café. Join Bayou City Outdoors and bike the White Oak Trail. The 15-mile ride is a perfect way to kick off a day of indulgence and also a great opportunity to join the Bayou City Outdoors activity group.
THE ART AFICIONADOS
Where to begin? With its world-class performing arts district and internationally recognized museums, Houston has a vast array of choices for couples who love the arts.
Take a twilight tour at the Rienzi for a Valentine’s Day date night! Enjoy a glass of wine, listen to the sounds of strolling artists from Ars Lyrica Houston while discovering the romantic narratives in the galleries. “Jazz on Valentines” at MATCH is always a good bet. Sit back and relax as The Raquel Cepeda Jazz Quartet serenades you with timeless American, Brazilian and Latin love pieces. From Feb. 14 – 16, theatregoers can go enjoy “Now That You’ve Seen Me Naked…Relationships Uncovered” at Ovations Night Club. The musical comedy for those in and out of love promises to be “the most fun you’ll have with your clothes on.” If you enjoy painting or just want a quirky, good time, you must participate in Painting with Cats at El Gato Coffeehouse. Participants can enjoy the company of cats while painting or penciling a picture of cats in love.
THE FUN FAMILY Let’s be honest, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Your kids deserve some Valentine’s Day love too and there are plenty of fun activities to show them how much you care. From Feb. 7 – 13 it’s Eat, Play, Love Wonderweek at the Children’s Museum of Houston. Kids will have a chance to create fun gifts for their Valentine while learning about healthy eating and playing games. Celebrate Valentine’s over the weekend with the Houston Zoo’s Family Nature Club outing on Saturday, Feb. 16. This month’s outing will take place at Oyster Creek Park where you can look for local wildlife like turtles and even alligators! Westminster United Methodist Church is gearing up for an incredible Valentine’s Day weekend by showing “Incredibles 2” at their Movies Under The Stars event. The movie will be screened on Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. For more kids’ activities, just browse our Things To Do With Kids Guide
THE BUDGETERS OR BIG SPENDERS
MFAH‘sYoga For Couples: Exploring Self-Care, Love and Social Support is a free program on Feb. 13 for you and a partner—whether a significant other, family member, or friend. The class teaches how self-care, kindness, and compassion can strengthen your relationships. For a casual night with no cover charge, head to EQ Heights coffee shop for a night of Bringing the Love with live Celtic and folk music. This Valentine’s Day, Enjoy Dinner and Dancing Featuring Broken Spokes for a free show at Goode’s Armadillo Palace. Guests can make their reservations at the dance hall for a romantic, fun dinner and dancing date night. For the big spender, Moody Gardens is hosting Sea of Love: A Romantic Dinner Under the Sea with Your Valentine. Tickets to the event cost $200 and include a three-course dinner, aquarium admission, a biologist meet and greet, diver chats, souvenir photo, a rose for your sweetheart, a bottle of champagne or wine, and more.
THE SINGLE IN THE CITY
Grab your girls (and guys) on Feb. 10 for Galentines Day at Karbach Brewing Co. Karbach will be hosting a Galentines Shop Local market complete with a DJ and showing of “Bridesmaids” at 6 p.m. Another fun option is the Mixology Class at Poitin. Learn to craft the perfect cocktail at this interactive two-hour class. On Friday, Feb. 15, Howl At The Moon will be hosting its Naughty or Nice Valentine’s Day Party with games, drink specials, live music and more. Not feeling Valentine’s Day? Then laissez les bon temps rouler and skip V-Day by celebrating Mardi Gras! On Saturday, Feb. 16, Saint Arnold Brewing Company will be hosting its Mardi Gras Pub Crawl at 2 p.m.
AUTHOR: KATHLEEN LANDRY
lshah@visithouston.com