Jazz up date night (or Galentine’s Day) this weekend with card-making, a live concert, or a glamorous ball. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate, or a romantic evening out on the town for Valentine’s Day, we’ve compiled a list of events to add to your plans:
Valentine’s Scratch, Sip & Paint
Share your admiration for art and music with your lover or bestie at this hip-hop-themed paint night. Words Beats and Life will guide participants through a hands-on graffiti-making workshop complemented by lessons on how to deejay on turntables ($65).
Valentine’s Ball at the Embassy of Italy
Get glammed up in your best ball attire for a romantic night in Verona. Waltz with your date across the ballroom floor, and then view a Roméo et Juliette opera performance. After the show, you can continue dancing to top 40 hits played by a DJ, and dine on Italian cuisine, including cannoli at the dessert buffet ($106+).
Galentine’s Day Drag Dinner
Local drag star India Larelle Houston lights up Unconventional Diner this Valentine’s weekend with a lively performance for gals and pals. In addition to the show, there’s a buffet dinner with dessert and a chance to play bingo for prizes ($60).
Love Songs of the 15th Century
Take your date to an enchanting concert at Folger Theatre where you can hear The Folger Consort play some of the most popular love songs of the 15th century hailing from France and Burgundy ($20+).
Africa, With Love at the Smithsonian
Browse the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art after hours with your boo. The event is a love-inspired celebration of African music and creativity featuring a live performance by Chopteeth, and opportunities to make your own crafts (free, but registration required).
Paper Hearts Club
Whether you’re on a first date, or out on the town with a group of friends, you can head to Atlas Brew Works’ newest location in Anacostia to celebrate Valentine’s Day with card-making and beer ($15).
Tony Sands as Frank Sinatra
Dig the tunes of Ol’ Blue Eyes? Snag tickets to see singer Tony Sands live at the Hamilton for his annual Valentine’s tribute to Frank Sinatra. The cover vocalist will perform classics from Sinatra’s love song repertoire, accompanied by a nine-piece big band ($17+).
Venus: A Galentine’s Dance Party
Celebrate Galentine’s Day in a pink, rose-inspired outfit as a nod to the love goddess Venus at the Black Cat. Partygoers can dance the night away to live DJ sets, watch pole performances by Yooji and May Day, and take part in more fun ($13).
The Pink Line Party
This chill Galentine’s party invites friends and neighbors to kick back over sweets and drinks at Metrobar. You can decorate cards, craft friendship bracelets, and groove to live beats by DJ Nah FR (free).
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
