The best Valentine’s Day date ideas in NYC

Follow your heart to the Cloisters for a special after-hours Valentine's Week event — on Thursday, February 12 from 6-9pm, you and your artsy beau can stroll the galleries and enjoy intimate gallery chats with curators, listen to medieval love songs performed live by Alkemie, and explore a fragrance experience created by Mythologist Studio, inspired by the scents of the Middle Ages. The evening is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages, and you can get creative yourself with  hands-on activities, from making medieval manuscript–inspired Valentines to crafting wire rings to gift someone special.

Give your Valentine's celebrations an immersive edge at Mercer Labs, which will be commemorating the lovey-dovey holiday with special limited-time packages from February 12 through 16. For couples and friends celebrating Galentine’s Day, the tech-forward museum will offer a romantic bundle ($156) that includes admission for two guests, two glasses of prosecco, two chocolates and two roses. Families can opt for the for-four package ($250), which features entry for two adults and two children, along with four chocolates, two plush monkeys and two roses. During this period, the museum will also feature Valentine’s-themed scenes and elements throughout its current exhibition on display, Maestros and the Machines.

Valentine's Day and chocolate is an obvious pair, but this intimate in-store atelier hosted by La Maison du Chocolat is digging deliciously deep into that sweet connection. 

Want to tie the knot at the Crossroads of the World? You actually can. The Times Square Alliance is once again holding its "Love in Times Square" wedding event, where couples can register for for a chance to get hitched on Valentine’s Day in a romantic — and, yes, very public — ceremony right in the heart of Times Square. Lovers will also get to surprise their partners with marriage proposals under the iconic Everest (formerly American Eagle) screen, or renew their vows on the Red Steps. These real-life love stories will unfold in front of a new sculpture presented by Times Square Arts.

Whether you're coupled up or a solo jazz lover, all Valentine's Day revelers are welcome to this romantic evening of music and dance at Flushing Town Hall. On Saturday, February 14, kick off the festivities with live lessons frpm ballroom dance instructor Jacqueline Babek, who will introduce participants to the rhythms and steps of bolero, the sensual, slow-tempo Latin music that originated in Cuba. (Dancers of all levels are welcome to join in the fun.) Latin band Miramar will then take to the stage, "performing a nostalgic blend of Latin bolero love songs, psychedelic rock, bossa nova, funk, and jazz," per organizers. In honor of the holiday, you can upgrade your ticket to a $100 table for two with wine and crudités—a perfect set-up for wooing. 

On February 5, Morrison Hotel Gallery will celebrate the opening of its newest exhibition,  Romance: A love letter to the Douglas Kirkland Archive, a loving tribute to the late, legendary photographer known for his intimate and indelible snaps of Hollywood's most iconic figures. Kirkland's photos of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Faye Dunaway and more will be on view at the event, which will also serve as a book signing — the exhibition coincides with the US release of Kirkland's posthumously published new photo book Romance, with his wife Françoise Kirkland on hand to sign copies. 

Because not everybody loves February 14th.

Kick off Valentine’s Day weekend with a night built for fun, freedom, vibes and a little harmless mischief. Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn, is hosting a pre-V Day party for all lovers, whether you’re boo’d up, situationship-ed, single or truly embody the status of “it’s complicated.” No matter how you define the relationship, this is your night to dance, drink and not take love too seriously. DJ Price Is Right will be setting the tone for a night of fun and flirting, with R&B slow burns, hip-hop party classics and afrobeats. And, if you need a break from the dance floor, we've got a lineup of signature cocktails just for the party. 

The party starts at 7pm on Friday, February 13. The party is free, so come shake it off with your boyfriend or your bestie (or your boyfriend's bestie). We won't tell.

Register here. 

This Valentine's Weekend comedy night at City Vineyard features a unique twist: The entire comedy lineup is presented “blind date” style, meaning the audience won’t know who’s performing until each comedian steps on the stage. Hosted and curated by Miss Lissa and Jasmine Dorothy Haefner, the February 13 show will blend interactive audience moments, flirty games and a social atmosphere with pre-show happy hour specials (from 5:30-7pm) and festive V-Day decorations. Even if you don't spark a new flame, you'll surely fall for the punchlines.

Here's no more classic date than dinner-and-a-movie and Metrograph is taking care of both for Valentine's Day. On February 14, you'll find a four-part series of "carnal, combustible films": Gus Van Sant's Mala Noche (35mm) at 4:40pm, Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch Drunk Love (35mm) at 6:30pm, Leos Carax's The Lovers on the Bridge at 8:30pm, or a late-night 11pm showing of Andrzej Żuławski's Possession (35mm). To go along with those romantic flicks, the theater's Commissary will be offering a special V-Day prix fixe, with three courses (options include beef carpaccio, beet salad, spaghetti pomodoro, roasted chicken, red velvet cake and brownie à la mode, among others) plus a complimentary glass of prosecco for $85 per person. Reservations are available on Resy. 

For a sweet, low-key and family-friendly alternative to your usual Valentine's festivities, Minuto Bauli is hosting free Romeo & Juliet-inspired puppet shows out of the bakery's Union Square location (866 Broadway) on February 7 and February 14 beginning at 3pm. In "Stories from Verona," the classic Shakespeare romance — famously set in Verona, Italy, the birthplace of Bauli — has been playfully retooled for the kiddos using hand puppets. Each performance is free with any same-day in-store purchase, such as the café’s signature Italian sweet buns.

On February 13, Time Out Market New York, Union Square is teaming up with Brooklyn Craft Company for a voodoo doll–making workshop that’s made to be surprisingly therapeutic. Whether you’re stitching with intention, laughing your way through a breakup or imagining your ex, your ex-boss, or that one politician who you can't escape, this workshop is all about creative release with a downtown edge.

As you design and assemble your doll, guests can enjoy complimentary prosecco and a thoughtfully curated charcuterie spread, because making art is always better with snacks and bubbles. All materials are provided. You bring the curiosity. 

Tickets are $35 per person. Come with friends or fly solo—Union Square is good like that. Reserve your spot here. 

Big-voiced Svetlana and her Big Band will be bringing the love on Valentine's night with three sets at Zinc Bar on February 14. With seatings at 7pm, 8:45pm and 10:30pm, the show will blend "the idealism of classic swing-era big bands with thrilling modern arrangements" via a romantic, dynamic set of love songs, from jazzy classics to movie-soundtrack selections to the performer's own uplifting originals. The space itself will be very V-Day ready (think lots of red velvet, gold accents and the like), and each patron will sweetly be gifted chocolates.

From chosen fragrance to natural pheromones, smell is important in a relationship, acting as a substantial and often subconscious marker of attraction and compatability. And this Valentine's Day dating show is tapping right into that fact, using scent as the ultimate matchmaker. Taking the stage at Caveat at 9:30pm on February 14, "Smells Like Love" is the brainchild of comedian, matchmaker and perfume expert Emma Vernon, and updates the classic dating game with an on-the-nose twist. With each round, the stakes grow higher and the smells stronger as contestants vie for a shot at love, all based on how they smell. Apply here by Feb. 5 if you'd like to participate; if you'd rather just watch, there will be perfume giveaways galore.

The Drunk Texts is kicking off its 2026 season at The RAT NYC with a little Valentine’s Day gift: (Not Another) Romeo + Juliet on Friday, February 14. From 9-11pm, bring your sweetheart to hear how the Bard’s classic tale of star-crossed lovers gets the Drunk Texts treatment. That means drinking games, improvisation and audience participation peppering a live performance of William Shakespeare’s most famous romance. "Celebrate Valentine's Day like the Groundlings of the Bard's day would have — rowdy and under the influence!" organizers promise. But rest assured: the bar won’t be serving any fast-acting, relationship-ruining poisons up in here!

Skip the apps this Valentine's Day and experience Brooklyn's most exciting singles event: The Match.Box Valentine's Party at Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn. Designed for singles in their 30s and 40s, this curated matchmaking night will use real conversations and Match.Box's algorithm to pair you with people who actually click. 

Here's how it works: when you arrive, you'll check in and grab your Match.Box card. There, you will answer a few fun questions to spark compatibility. Throughout the night, you'll mingle in small groups guided by our matchmaking hosts. By the end of the night, you'll find your No. 1 match. 

The event will be held on February 12. Tickets are $28. Register here. 

Valentine’s isn’t just a time to shower your romantic partner with love. Spread those lovely vibes to your best buds, too, with a Galentine's Day floral design workshop hosted at LilyFête. On Saturday, February 7 with two sessions from 1-3pm or 4-6pm, head to the Brooklyn-based bloom studio for a fun, festive, and, of course, floral afternoon celebrating your favorite friendship. When you’re not learning the basics of flower care, sustainable mechanics, and design techniques to create your own arrangements, you’ll be indulging in a delicious charcuterie spread and libations supplied by a local wineshop. Take home your very own arrangement and floral shears, along with new skills and memories to cherish!

"It's like Sex in the City with a Muslim spin," says organizers of HALALish, a one-woman show written, produced and starring Pakistani-American actress Rudaba Zehra Nasir. Taking the stage at the Tank for four dates this February (Feb. 14, 15, 21 and 22), the deeply personal show chronicles the journey of the Muslim immigrant and sex-deprived hopeless romantic through love, loss, labels and (potentially) getting laid on Valentine's Day. Over chai and memories, Rudaba invites the audience into her living room and bares it all with humor, heart, music and more. 

LoveNotes! — the storytelling event created and hosted by author Heather Christie, based on her popular book of the same name — will return to New York for its third year this Valentine's Day, with three shows set for Saturday, February 14 (at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm) at Symphony Space. A mix of memoir and music, the live show will feature performers like Neeta Agarwal, Mitch Applebaum, Carolina A. Cardona, Suzanne Christie and Carl M. Banks, among others, as they recite real stories about romantic love in all of its incarnations — we're talking first kisses, last loves, unexpected reunions and all of the messy and magical stuff in between. 

Get ready to turn up the love and the beats!

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with a little dance party at Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn. DJ LSJ and special guests will be spinning the best R&B and hip-hop, setting the perfect vibe to dance, groove and feel the love. Next to curated sets all night long, you can sip on love-inspired drinks and capture the most memorable moments with your friends or that special someone in our photobooth. We are also giving away swoon-worthy prizes, including a magnum of prosecco, two $35 Time Out Market gift cards, two ice skating tickets at Time Out Market, Union Square, and—the ultimate prize—a one-night stay at a luxurious hotel. Looking to win for your sweetie? All you have to do is enter our raffle.  

The party goes down on Valentine's Day, February 14, from 9pm to 1am. Come celebrate love, music and good vibes in the heart of Brooklyn. 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a soulful celebration of the best of R&B at this loved-up New York Pops concert. Taking place at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Friday, February 13, the show will feature timeless love songs, empowering anthems and enduring hits made famous by Barry White, Al Green, Carole King, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, and many more. Led by conductor Steven Reineke, the orchestra will be joined by singers Aisha Jackson (Broadway’s The Great Gatsby) and Avery Wilson (Broadway’s The Wiz) for romantic renditions of “Let’s Stay Together”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Ordinary People”, “I Have Nothing” and more.

You might not think a fish market is the most romantic setting for an intimate Valentine's Day experience but the Fulton Fish Market is here to change that. On February 14, the 203-year-old seafood emporium opens its doors after hours for "Absinthe & Oysters: A Forbidden Valentine’s," a one-night-only immersive dining experience staged directly on the market’s working selling floor.

Hosted by culinary historian Justin Fornal, the aphrodisiac-filled evening will feature overflowing seafood towers, Hidden Fjord salmon and paella, live Latin jazz, bountiful wine pours, and a guided absinthe ritual inspired by New York’s historic waterfront. Get chilly while dining in the refrigerated 400,000-square-foot space? Opt for a premium experience ($1,900) for up to 4 guests, with drinks and dining in a heated hot tub.

The most romantic day of the year is almost here. But looking past the commercialism of it all, the tragically large Teddy bears, fake roses and chalky candy hearts that are downright disgusting (my opinion, of course), we want to bring Valentine's Day back to the basics—celebrating the day with the one you love. If you are looking for a casual night out with a touch of romance, Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn, is here for you and your sweetheart.  

On Valentine's Day, Time Out Market is bringing the love: a section of the Market will be sectioned off for you and your sweetheart, made more intimate with candlelit tables and music from award-winning violinist Mapy, the Violin Queen. Guests can sip on complimentary glasses of prosecco and dine on a variety of delicious options found in the Market.

Tickets are $6 and include one glass of prosecco. Seats are limited, so be sure to RSVP today.

Looking for a low-key date where you can laugh out loud? Try a round of bumper cars on ice at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. 

Bumper cars on ice return from January 9 through February 28, letting visitors bump, spin and slide across the rink in 10-minute sessions that feel more like a carnival ride than a traditional skate (plus you're already seated, so no embarrassing tumbles). Winter Village is open through March 1.

Think pink at Watermark, the classic American restaurant on Pier 15 by the Seaport, which is turning into an immersive pink wonderland this month. It's just in time for the peak of New York winter and for Valentine's Day celebrations.

The 10,000 square-foot outdoor bar and restaurant will be lit up in pink hues and be decorated with red flowers, heart installations and mesmerizing twinkling lights. Pink Pier will be open from January 9 until March 1.

For a truly sweet date night, Museum of Ice Cream is the place. Ice cream is at the center of this 20,000-square-foot museum that'll make the cold treat even more fun (who knew it'd even be possible?). Across 13 multi-sensory installations, visitors can interact with fun elements like a three-story indoor slide and the all-pink Celestial Subway.

Even better: The sweet treats along the way. Yes, we're talking about unlimited ice cream throughout the museum. For adults, check out some fun themed cocktails as well.