Whether you’re looking for a romantic date idea or the most fun girls’ night out, here are 30 suggestions for V-Day happenings in the Orlando-area.
Gallery by Melissa Perez-Carrillo and Sierra Williams
Casablanca at Garden Theatre
160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
If you’re going the classic route, why don’t you take it all the way with Casablanca? You can’t get much more “classic romance” than that.
Photo via Garden Theatre“Down the Rabbit Hole”
Mead Botanical Garden, 1300 South Denning Drive, Winter Park
A theatrical walk-through experience based on Alice in Wonderland brought to you by the people behind last year’s Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens and Bright Young Things downtown. It’s scheduled through March 14 and likely to be extended, if you can’t get tickets for Valentine’s Day.
Photo via Creative City ProjectMoulin Rouge: The Ballet
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.
A ballet based off of young love in Paris — how much more Valentine’s Day can it get? The show will be running from Feb. 11-14. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time!
Photo via Orlando Ballet Company and School/WebsiteSpill Wine Bar
1196 Tree Swallow Drive, #1314. Winter Springs
If you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to the Spill Wine Bar for a cookie making event hosted by The Baking Shiba. Make your own sweet designs while you sip on the house wine! Spots are limited.
Photo via Spill Wine Bar/InstagramTapa Toro
8441 International Drive, Suite #260
Take your chocolate box gift idea up a notch with Tapa Toro’s Smashing Heart Box — sort of like a romantic pinata. Use the mini-mallet to crack open the box and enjoy your sweet surprises!
Photo via Tapa ToroGalentine’s Day with Ouch. Plants that Hurt. and Echoes of Retro
Echoes of Retro, 627 Virginia Drive
Celebrate Galentine’s Day on Feb. 13 from 2-5 p.m., surrounded by cute plants, vintage clothes, and complimentary cocktails.
Photo via Ouch.Plants that Hurt/InstagramOrlando Brewing Valentine’s Day pie and beer pairings
1301 Atlanta Ave.
Pie and beer — the second most important love story this Valentine’s Day. Peanut chocolate, strawberry rhubarb, and pear, raspberry and ginger pies, courtesy of the Winter Park Pie Company will be available alongside some tasty ales, lagers, and IPAs. Make sure to purchase your tickets online beforehand.
Photo via Winter Park Pie Company/Facebook”I’m Sweet on You,” Icon Park Wheel
8375 International Drive
With this package, you can reserve a capsule for you and your sweetheart, complete with sweets and keepsake!
Photo via Icon Park/FacebookGinger Minj’s “Gal”-entine’s Day Show
Hamburger Mary, 110 W. Church St.
Enjoy the hilarious Ginger Minj with your friends on Feb. 14 with some dinner and a show. Make sure to reserve a spot beforehand!
Photo via Ginger Minj/FacebookHorse-drawn carriages in Winter Garden
104 S. Lakeview Drive, Winter Garden
Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage through Orlando’s historic district of downtown Winter Garden. No glass slippers required.
Photo via Soul Haven Ranch/Instagram Credit:Photo via Soul Haven Ranch/InstagramPizzeria Del-Dio
3210 E. Colonial Drive
Del-Dio’s heart-shaped pizza is a simply perfect way to spend your Valentine Day in — just add wine!
Photo via Pizzeria Del-Dio/ InstagramVictor Bokas art show at Mills Gallery
1650 N. Mills Ave.
Enjoy a socially distanced pop-up art show at Mills Gallery on Feb. 14 from 4-7 p.m., featuring the works of Orlando-based fine-art painter and mixed-media artist Victor Bokas.
Photo via Golden Grove Media/InstagramThe Tea Room Experience
420 E. Church St.
The Tea Room Experience is hosting a special Valentine’s Day menu Feb. 12-14 at $35 per person. The price includes unlimited loose-leaf tea and a welcome mimosa — a perfect date for your Gal- or Val-entine!
Photo via The Tea Room Experience/InstagramOrlando Shakes: “Kiss Me, Shakespeare!”
812 E. Rollins St.
For a sweet and classic Valentine date, look no further than Orlando Shakes’ Valentine cabaret, “Kiss Me, Shakespeare!” To be performed at their new outdoor performance center Feb. 12-14, the show features Shakespeare’s most romantic scenes and Broadway’s most romantic songs.
Photo via Orlando Shakes/FacebookSouthern Hill Farms Drive-In Movie
16651 Schofield Road, Clermont
Southern Hill Farms has your strawberry and sunflower picking covered, and Feb. 12 they have Valentine’s Day covered too! Stop in for their drive-in movie, “Dirty Dancing,” at 5:30 p.m., or come by earlier to start your day in the sunflower fields.
Photo via Southern Hill Farms/InstagramDr. Phillips Frontyard Festival: “Beauty and the Beast”
445 S. Magnolia Ave.
For something a little more family-friendly this Valentine’s Day, check out “Beauty and the Beast” at Dr. Phillips’ Frontyard Festival. This love story is a classic — “a tale as old as time,” as it were — perfect for a family outing!
Photo via Dr. Phillips Center/SOURCEApril Fresh’s Comedy Brunch at Southern Nights
375 S. Bumby Ave.
Start your Valentine’s Day with a $10 brunch plate, unlimited mimosas, friends, and the lovely April Fresh.
Photo via April Fresh/FacebookBen Rosenblum jazz trio at Timucua
2000 S. Summerlin Ave.
Enjoy the live music of Ben Rosenblum, a renowned jazz pianist, accordionist, and composer. The recent grad from a joint program at Columbia University and Juilliard School of Music will play two sets in the Timucua Arts House on Feb. 12.
Photo via Ben Rosenblum/FacebookThe Abbey: “Sweets & Songs”
100 S. Eola Drive, Suite 100
If you enjoy sweets, drinks, and decadent music, swing by the Abbey’s “Sweet & Songs” event on Feb. 13. Enjoy luscious snacks while the Celebration Theatre Co. serenades you at this Valentine “Carb”-eret.
Photo via The Abbey/Google MapsColiseum of Comics
9700 International Drive
Thousands of graphic novels and comic books will be available for purchase at this free admission event from Feb. 12-14. There will be temperature checks, mask requirements, and one-way travel down the aisles enforced in order to keep everyone safe this Valentine’s Day weekend.
Photo via Coliseum of Comics/FacebookBubbles from around the world
26 E. King St.
Enjoy a champagne tasting at the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen House & Culinary Garden. For a $49 add-on, enjoy Italian food courtesy of James Beard Award-nominated chef Kevin Fonzo.
Photo via Edible Education Experience/FacebookAromatherapy and botanical perfume making workshop at Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave.
Make your own custom perfume using essential oils and botanical flowers on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and enjoy a stroll through Leu Gardens after the workshop.
Photo via Leu Gardens/FacebookSwan Boats at Lake Eola
Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.
Take a nice — uh, paddle around the beautiful fountain at Lake Eola Park. Try to get there a little early, because they don’t take reservations.
Photo via Joe Shlabotnik/FlickrFrank Sinatra Matinee in Deltona
1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Deltona
This one might be a little further out of your way, but worth the drive if you’re a Sinatra fan. The Center at Deltona will have a matinee showing of “Through The Years with Frank Sinatra,” a Vegas-style revue featuring Charlie Russo. Enjoy the show, champagne and dessert. Tickets are limited, and only sold ahead of time.
Photo via The Center at Deltona/FacebookPlant walk at Mead Botanical Garden
1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park
Enjoy a two-hour guided nature walk on Feb. 13 and discover edible and medicinal plants that grow in Mead Gardens.
Photo via Mead Gardens/FacebookCorsets & Cuties at HAOS on Church
123 W. Church St.
Join HAOS on Church in welcoming the Corsets & Cuties team to their stage! The burlesque-style troupe performs two special Valentine’s Day shows on Feb. 13 — one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:30 p.m. Whether you’re single or taken, this isn’t a show you want to miss.
Photo via Corsets & Cuties/InstagramYoga in the Mennello Museum sculpture garden
900 E. Princeton St.
Start your Valentine’s Day morning with a relaxing lakeside yoga class from 9-10 a.m. Make sure to bring your own mat and purchase admission in advance or pay with a card, as cash isn’t being accepted at this time.
Photo via Mennello Museum/InstagramPick-A-Chick: Find your valentine at Southern Nights
375 S. Bumby Ave.
Come find your valentine at Southern Nights on Feb. 13. If you see someone you fancy, choose their number and write them a secret note. Temperature checks and masks are required upon entry.
Photo via Southern Nights/FacebookSuper Awesome Cool Pottery
6100 S. Orange Ave.
Enjoy a romantic, creative day out with Super Awesome Cool Pottery. Their Valentine’s Special — create two bowls and a clay heart keepsake for $75 a couple — is available from Feb. 10-15.
Photo via Super Awesome Cool Pottery/ Google Maps PhotosThe Swirlery Wine Bar: “Love Notes”
1508 E. Michigan St.
At only $10 a person, the Swirlery’s “Love Notes” Wine and Music festival will be an affordable way to have a good time this Galentine’s Day! Swing by on Feb. 13 to enjoy music, food and, of course, wine!
Photo via Swirlery Wine Bar/InstagramPasta from scratch workshop at Orlando Brewing
1301 Atlanta Ave.
Learn how to mix, cut, and cook pasta from scratch on Feb. 13 from 4-6 p.m. Face masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be put in place.
Photo via Orlando Brewing/FacebookSAK Comedy Lab
29 S. Orange Ave.
SAK is bringing you a Valentine’s Day improv show “for couples.” If you’re wanting a good laugh for your sweetheart, bring them downtown for a 90-minute show sure to leave you both in stitches.
Photo via SAK websiteSpill Wine Bar
1196 Tree Swallow Drive, Winter Springs
If you want to get the best of both worlds — a nice Valentine date, but COVID-safe — look no further. This is a virtual wine tasting event; just pick up your kit from Spill Wine Bar earlier in the day, and then hop on the link at 6 p.m. The kit includes 4-oz samples of four boutique wines, plus themed delicacies. Enjoy the experience, all from the comfort of your home (or someone else’s).
Photo via Spill Wine Bar/Instagram