A Guide to Valentine’s Day Events

Whether you'd rather celebrate Valentine's Day with a luxurious hotel room or by helping others, we've got the event for you.

And for all your restaurant needs, be sure to check out the Best Bites blog listing of restaurants that still have reservations for February 14th.

Free Love: Gratis Events

Even if you're in a relationship, you can celebrate your freedom.

Love is a learning process, so why not take a lesson? The National Zoo's visitor center offers a free lecture, "How Do I Love Thee? The Science of Love and Attachment," given by C. Sue Carter, director of the Brain and Body Center at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Phillip R. Shaver, psychology professor at the University of California, Davis. Listen to the experts discuss the biology and psychology of love and attachment in humans and other mammals, then join the speakers for a free wine and cheese reception following the lecture.
Time: Thursday, Feb. 8. Lecture at 7 p.m. Reception to follow lecture.
Location: National Zoo Visitor's Center 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Contact: For reservations, visit the site, or call (202) 633-4085. If you can't make it, catch a live web broadcast here.
Cost: Free

Put your dancing shoes on for the Black Cat's 8th Annual Valentine's Day Rock-N-Roll Dance Party with DJs Glenn, Max, and Handsome B. Wonderful. The free dance features 50s and 60s rock, blues, doo-wop, and R&B.
Time: Feb. 14th, 10 p.m.
Location: 1811 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009
Contact: (202) 667-7960
Cost: Free

Get a Room

Celebrate Valentine's with an in-town getaway at a local hotel.

Is your love as insatiable as your sweet tooth? If so, book a room through the Ritz-Carlton Washington's "Be My Chocolate Valentine" special. Find an in-room chocolate presentation when you arrive, stay the night and make your own "chocolate bath" using chocolate soap, bath salts, and other items. In the morning, nibble on a chocolate-lover's breakfast in bed. Overnight Deluxe Guest Room or One Bedroom Suite accommodations available.
Time: Offer available from February 9 – February 18, though rooms are subject to availability.
Location: 1150 22nd St., NW Washington, DC 20037
Contact: (202) 974-5512. Ask for Kate McGinnis.
Cost: From $449 per night.

If the Ritz is all things chocolate, the Omni Shoreham is all things champagne. The "Sparkling Encounter Package" at the Omni Shoreham Hotel includes a bottle of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne, a champagne truffle sampler, and champagne-scented bath salts, body cream, and massage and body oil. If champagne is not your cup of tea, reserve a $69 room or a $169 package that includes a room and a five-course dinner for two.
Time: Sparkling Encounter Package available February 13-15; $69 rooms and $169 package available for February 14.
Location: 2500 Calvert Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Contact: (202) 234-0700
Cost: $69 for one king-size or two queen-size beds; $169 for a five-course dinner in Robert's restaurant; $254 for the Sparkling Encounter Package.

Cheers

Celebrate your love with a drink of bubbly or chocolate.

Whether you're flying solo or attached at the hip, Professionals in the City gives everyone a reason to toast to Valentine's Day. Join the group for a Pre-Valentine's Day Champagne Tasting at Mei N Yu. In addition to all the bubbly, including selections from Janisson & Fils "Tradition Brut" and Piper Heidsick Brut, complimentary appetizers will be provided.
Time: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: 3125 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
Contact: Call (202) 686-5990 for tickets.
Cost: $10

Sprinkle some Swiss flavoring on your Valentine's Day at the Taste of Switzerland. The International Club of DC hosts this event at the Embassy of Switzerland. Party-goers can expect Swiss wine, Swiss chocolate, Swiss hors d'oeuvres, and chocolate fondue.
Time: Wednesday Feb. 14, 7:00 p.m.
Location: 2900 Cathedral Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Contact: For directions, contact (202) 677-7000.
Cost: $90, or $75 if you buy online. Cocktail attire requested.

Love to Help?

Make Valentine's Day all about helping others.

The Arlington Young Democrats will host their annual Valentine's Day Date Auction at CarPool restaurant. Half the proceeds go to the Arlington Academy of Hope, which funds a school in Uganda. This public event includes a raffle for select items.
Time: Thursday, Feb. 8, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Location: 4000 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203
Contact: Bree Raum at (301) 606-6060
Cost: Free

The Foundation Fighting Blindness will hold its fifth annual "For the Love of Sight" Valentine's Day Party. Olympic figure skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan will be a special guest.
Time: Wednesday, Feb. 14. Reception starts at 6:00 p.m.; dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Contact: Dina Baumont at (202) 530-4672
Cost: Call to inquire.

For Loves Lost

Being single on Valentine's Day doesn't mean not having fun.

Voodoos Valentine's will supply all the dolls and pins needed to make your ex pay for making you hate the day of love. The Voodoo Valentine's Day party will be at Home nightclub with an open bar.
Time: Saturday. Feb. 10, Open bar from 10:00-11:00 p.m.
Location: 911 F Street NW, Washington, DC
Contact: RSVP here
Cost: Free admission before 11:00 p.m. if you RSVP; $20 after midnight.

The Palace of Wonders gives anti-love viewers reasons to laugh at the "Evil Hate Monkey's Hatentine's Day All-Hate Revue."
Time: Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:00 p.m.
Location: 1210 H Street, NE, Washington DC, 20002
Contact: (202) 398-7469
Cost: $10

Read your breakup stories aloud at F.W. Thomas Performance's First-Ever Breakup Slam. A professional violinist will be on-hand to add extra pathos to your woes, and F.W. Thomas artist-in-residence Mike Lowery and fiction writer Matthew Summers-Sparks will pepper the slam with their art. If you're still bitter, try one of the free conversation hearts to sweeten the blows.
Time: Monday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Warehouse Theater, 1017-1021 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Contact: (202) 783-3933
Cost: $5.