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Sunday will mark Philadelphia’s first Valentine’s Day during a pandemic, and this Feb. 14 will obviously look different than years past.
Happily, lots of local folks have created cool gift packages and are hosting fun virtual events to fill your weekend with love. Even if you’re single (or think the holiday is a capitalist ploy, no judgement), you can consider this one an opportunity to safely support local businesses.
Here are a dozen ways to celebrate the heart-filled holiday, from food to art to music and more.
If you want to eat
Decorate fresh-baked shortbread cookies
What: Pre-order this kit from Lil Pop Shop and you can pick up a dozen shortbread cookies, two bags of frosting and sprinkles ready for a day of decorating.
When: Pick up Saturday, Feb. 13 or Sunday, Feb. 14
How much: $25
Learn to cook from Reading Terminal Market vendors
What: Reading Terminal Market vendors will be live-streaming delicious classes throughout the day, teaching skills like making fudge, pairing desserts and mixing cocktails.
When: All day Friday, Feb. 12
How much: Free
Taste chocolate and beer with a side of Quaker history
What: The folks at Arch Street Meeting House will deliver a bunch of craft beer and chocolates to your door the day before the event, then guide you through a tasting and a presentation on how Quakers used to enjoy them.
When: Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
How much: $50 general admission, $60 VIP tickets
If you want to jam
Listen to silly love songs from a new performing arts group
What: This musical YouTube stream promises silly love songs brought to you by the new Philly performing arts group Gemini Voices Co.
When: Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
How much: Free, with a suggested donation to their GoFundMe
Tune in to Philly musicians playing love songs on Facebook
What: A Philly band called The Starlene Bey Experience is going live on Facebook on VDay, teaming up with some other Philly musicians to play RnB, jazz and blues love songs.
When: Sunday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.
How much: Free, with a suggested $12 donation
… if you want to do both
Eat three courses with a side of Philly opera
What: This event offers the chance to pick up a three-course meal from any of the Pistola’s restaurants — cocktails optional — and enjoy it at home while listening to a performance from the East Passyunk Opera Project. Bonus: virtual Q&A with the performers after the show!
When: Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
How much: $75 for dinner and the show, add drinks for an extra $20; $25 for just the show
If you want to move
Connect with your partner via movement
What: South Philly’s Flaunt Fitness is offering a discounted virtual option for their class focused on connecting with a loved one through the therapeutic technique bodywork — including lots of stretching and massaging.
When: Saturday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m.
How much: $25 per couple for virtual option
Open your heart with yoga
What: Start your Valentine’s Day with some movement geared toward self-love. This Philly yoga instructor is offering a virtual class designed to open the upper back, chest, and shoulders.
When: Sunday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m.
How much: $25
If you want to create
Craft your own Valentine’s Day cards
What: Fun for the whole fam, PAFA is hosting an online VDay card-making workshop. BYO paper, scissors, colored pencils and glitter.
When: Sunday, Feb. 14 at 10:30 a.m.
How much: Free
Paint and sip with your partner
What: Create a Valentine’s Day-themed painting with virtual instruction and tunes. You can pick up the painting supplies at Sippin’ Pic’s Painting Parties on Wednesday in Wynnefield Heights.
When: Sunday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m.
How much: $40
If you want to embarrass someone you love
Crash their Zoom party with a singing Valentine
What: Only available to Penn students, the Penn Glee Club is willing to crash your loved one’s Zoom class to sing them a love song. If that’s too much for you, you can also have a musical greeting delivered via email instead.
When: Saturday, Feb. 12 through Monday, Feb. 15
How much: $10 for a recorded Zoom Valentine, $12 for an emailed Valentine
