Valentine’s Day is almost here, and if you’re looking for a way to celebrate that doesn’t involve social media-perfect gift baskets and expensive presents, you’re in luck. There are many events and activities for Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. In fact, you may have a hard time picking and choosing!
We’ve also rounded up a few of our favorite low-key ways to celebrate with your family at home and around town. Whether you’re celebrating family, friendship, romance, or community, there’s something for everyone this Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville!
At A Glance
- The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library has many craft activities and events for all ages to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville.
- Both the YMCA and Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Department are hosting dances for parents and kids.
- Second Street Gallery, Florosa, and Foster Art all have special Valentine’s events on their calendars.
- Families who want a low-key celebration can stop by a craft studio, go out for a sweet treat, make brunch at home, or get out for a Valentine’s walk together.
15+ Charlottesville Valentine’s Day Events
You’ll find plenty of events for Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville, starting the weekend before and going all the way through February 14th. Whether you’re looking for an evening concert, a tea party with sweet treats, a fun (free) craft, or a chance to give back to your community, Charlottesville is full of ways to say “I love you.”
Snow Ball Dance (YMCA)
When: Saturday, Feb. 7th, 5 pm – 7 pm
Where: Brooks Family YMCA
Register: piedmontymca.org
Start your celebration a week early by dressing up for the YMCA’s Snow Ball! The Ball is open to the public, not just YMCA members, and children of all ages are invited to attend with a grown up. Registration is required by Feb. 5th.
VBA Bookmakers: Letterpress Valentines (JMRL)
When: Sunday, Feb. 8th, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Central Library (Charlottesville)
Sign up: jmrl.org
Members of Virginia Book Arts will teach children, teens, and adults how to use letterpress techniques to make beautiful valentines. Materials are provided, and no experience is required. The event is free, but sign-up is required.
Choose Kind for Tweens (JMRL)
When: Monday, Feb. 9th, 6 pm -7pm
Where: Crozet Library
Sign up: jmrl.org
Want to teach your kids the value of loving their whole community? Tweens ages 9-12 can spend an evening at the Crozet Library making valentines for the residents of English Meadows assisted living facility. Art materials and snacks are provided; sign-up is requested.
Valentine’s Crafts & Letter Writing (JMRL)
When: Saturday, Feb. 13th, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Greene County Library
Sign up: jmrl.org
Families can stop by Greene County Library the day before Valentine’s Day for a fun morning of DIY crafts and letter writing. Craft materials and stationary provided as long as supplies last. Sign-up requested for planning.
Galentine’s Day (Pikasso Swig)
When: Friday, Feb. 13th, 7 pm
Where: Pikasso Swig Studio
More info: pikassoswig.com
Celebrate your friends with an evening of crafts and treats at Pikasso Swig. Participants will enjoy a specialty drinks and decadent desserts while designing cake-themed jewelry boxes and unique charm bracelets. There will also be a prize raffle throughout the night. Admission is per-person and non-refundable.
Terra Voce Presents Heart to Heart (JMRL)
When: Friday, Feb. 13th, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Crozet Library
More info: jmrl.org
The Crozet-based musical ensemble Terra Voce will perform a musical valentine at the Crozet Library. The evening will feature a selection of music celebrating love, friendship, passion, and romance. For ages 14+. Registration required.
Valentine’s Day Menu (Birch & Bloom)
When: Friday, Feb. 13th and Saturday, Feb. 14th, 5 pm – 9 pm
Where: Birch & Bloom Restaurant
Reservations: birchandbloomrestaurant.com
Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day menu that includes delicacies such as Cumin Crusted Quail, Lobster a la Plancha, or Lava Chocolate Cake. The regular Birch & Bloom menu will also be available. Reservations required.
Valentine Art Drop-In (JMRL)
When: Friday, Feb. 13th and Saturday, Feb. 14th, 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: Northside Library
More info: jmrl.org
Need something to do in the afternoon? Drop by the Northside Library to make a Valentine’s Day craft! On Friday, materials will be on hand for making felt bookmarks with foam stickers and pompoms. Saturday’s craft will be monster Valentine cards with silly face stickers. One craft per person per day; no registration required.
Father-Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance (Charlottesville Parks & Recreation)
When: Friday, Feb. 13th or Saturday, Feb. 14th, 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Carver Recreation Center
Register: charlottesville.gov
Dads, stepdads, foster dads, uncles, and grandfathers are all welcome to bring their littlest valentines to an evening of dancing! For ages 3-12 plus an accompanying adult. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Valentine’s Tea Party (Florosa)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, seatings at 1 pm and 3 pm; Sunday, Feb. 15th, seatings at 1 pm
Where: Ethos Wine & Tea
More info: byflorosa.com
Celebrate the people you love by booking a tea party, brought to you by Florosa bakery and Ethos Wine & Tea. Choose between two menu tiers; gluten-free and vegan options are available. Reservations needed in advance.
Couples’ Kitten Yoga (Relay Active)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 6 pm – 6:50 pm
Where: Relay Active (Dairy Market)
Register: relayactive.com
Attend a special Valentine’s Day yoga class just for couples, featuring adorable, adoptable kittens! The event is sponsored by local chocolatier Gearharts Fine Chocolate, and all couples will receive chocolates to take home at the end of the class. All mats and props are provided, and no prior yoga experience is needed. Registration is per couple and should be purchased in advance. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Louisa Humane Society.
Valentine’s Day Crafts (JMRL)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Louisa Library
More info: jmrl.org
Kids (and their parents) can stop by the Louisa library branch to make a craft for their special Valentine and hear some Valentine stories! No registration required.
Family Studio Day (Second Street Gallery)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Second Street Gallery
More info: charlottesvillefamily.com
Take the whole family to Second Street Gallery for a creative session with artist Ryan Trott. Trott will be in the gallery showing young artists and their parents how to make paper flower vases. Get creative and use his techniques to make Valentine’s Day cards, paper bouquets, and more!
Palentine’s Day Party (JMRL)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Where: Central Library (Charlottesville)
More info: jmrl.org
Kids and teens can stop by Central Library with their best friends and celebrate together. Make matching crafts, play team games, and enjoy Valentine’s treats. For ages 11-18; registration required.
Honky Tonk Valentine’s Dance (FSBC)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 7 pm – 9 pm
Where: Fry’s Spring Beach Club
More info and tickets: frysspring.org
Fry’s Spring Beach Club is hosting a Valentine’s Honky Tonk Dance featuring Ramona & the Holy Smokes, along with Brandon Wayne & His Lonesome Drifters. No dance experience or partner needed. Doors open at 7:00, and at 8:00 there will be a two-step and waltz dance lesson. Tickets should be purchased in advance.
Love Songs & Breakup Anthems Karaoke (Potter’s)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: Potter’s Craft Cider (Charlottesville)
More info: potterscraftcider.com
Stop by for Valentine-themed karaoke with your friends or partners. Food and drink specials will be available. No registration required.
Lizzie No (The Front Porch)
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 7:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: The Front Porch
More info: aftontickets.com
Lizzie No, folk troubadour and winner of the American Songwriter Magazine Lyrics contest, will present her No Lovers concert, joined by opener Isabel March. The concert is an indoor, seated event. Doors open at 7:00, and seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
Galentine’s Day (Foster Art)
When: Sunday, Feb. 15th, 1 pm – 3 pm
Where: Foster Art Studio
Register: hisawyer.com
Bring a friend to celebrate and get creative! Enjoy an afternoon of art-making and sweet treats. Participants will be able to decorate tapered candles, create string art, or design a charm-filled frame with beads. Tickets should be purchased in advance and are buy one, get one half-off.
Easy Ways for Families to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville
If you want an activity for the whole family that doesn’t require much advance planning, we’ve got you covered. Try one of these low-key ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville, from outdoorsy to indulgent.
Make a Valentine’s Brunch at Home
Getting the whole crew out to a restaurant can feel overwhelming when you have small kids at home (or teenagers who want to sleep in!) Instead, stick to your own schedule and make a Valentine’s Day brunch at home. Our strawberry heart pancake recipe is a crowd-pleasing way to say “I love you!”
Take a Valentine’s Day Walk
If the weather is clear, get out and get your heart pumping with a Valentine’s walk. Charlottesville is full of beautiful trails appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Check out our favorite kid-friendly and pet-friendly hikes, as well as the best walking trails for when you’re pregnant.
Make Valentine Art at a Local Studio
The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system has lots of arts and crafts events scheduled around Valentine’s Day. But if they don’t line up with your family’s weekend schedule (or your kids naps!) you can still swing by one of Charlottesville’s many hands-on art studios to make valentines with the whole family.
Go Out For a Sweet Treat
Keep things simple and sweet by heading out for a treat with the whole family. Some of our favorite are MarieBette for coffee and pastries, Sbrocco’s for donuts and espresso, Vivi’s for cupcakes, or Cake Bloom for cake by the slice. And don’t forget about the best ice cream shops in Charlottesville!
Have a Family-Friendly Valentine’s Day in Charlottesville
No matter what kind of Valentine’s Day you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate in Charlottesville. From library crafts to dances for littles, from teen friendships to sweet treats, enjoy a beautiful, local Valentine’s Day with the ones you love!
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KATHARINE PALJUG is a freelance writer and novelist. She lives in Charlottesville with two busy kids and proudly owns an unreasonable number of books. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.