18 Valentine's Day Events in DC That Aren't RomCom Cliches

There's no excuse for traditional gifts like chocolates and roses when you're living in DC, one of the liveliest, busiest, most interesting spots on Earth. Whether you're dating, a couple or an adventurous group, switch up the routine, and fall in love with doing something different.

From romantic igloos and a Bowie tribute, chocolate and cocktail-making classes, to playtime with play dough, our guide of 18 non-traditional events will make a Valentine’s Day worthy of envy.

Whatever your relationship status, there's something wonderfully out-of-the-ordinary here for everyone to enjoy on Valentine's Day!

For High-Rollers

Snuggle Up in a Romantic Winter "Igloo"
Indulge in the ultimate luxury--a private Winter Igloo. Get cozy in a private igloo is designed just for two. Enjoy champagne, romantic cocktails and more. Winter Igloos are available for reservations all month long. Rental fee and Food & Beverage minimums vary by reservation time and availability; Watergate Hotel.

Enjoy Dinner with a View
The Observation Deck at CEB Tower in Rosslyn offers 360-degree panoramic views of the D.C. area's most majestic monuments, famous landmarks and most breathtaking natural beauty. Take a stroll along the tower's 12,000 square-foot concourse and look out at the view below through large, floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy champagne or 1 bottle of Prosecco/Veuve and 4 chocolate covered strawberries for two while taking in the breathtaking views. Times and prices vary depending on the experience purchased; Observation Deck at CEB Tower.

For Music Fans

Sing Out Loud So Everyone Can Hear
Had your heart broken? In a relationship with an expiration date? Upset about the general state of things? Want to power out your heart singing emotional ballads and fist-pumping empowerment anthems t? Just like to sing? Start practicing your vocal skills and air guitar for the A People's Choir group sing-along, where everyone sings along to themed songs (not the karaoke version). Come alone or bring friends. Just show up and sing! February 14, 7:30pm at DC9 Nightclub

Enjoy a Night of Music by Emerging DC Jazz Artists
Chill out to the smooth jazz sounds of  Samuel Prather, part of Hill Center's Street Scenes concert series that focuses on new music composed by emerging DC jazz artists. February 14, 7:00 pm at Hill Center.

Listen to LGBTQ Songs of Love & Loss
A Letter to My Ex, the musical. Composer and vocalist Be Steadwell tells stories of love, loss and intimacy with LGBTQ affirming pop music. Following the 2018 release of her album “Queer Love Songs”, Steadwell brings her album to life through theater and performance. A Letter to My Ex is a collage of music, movement and film, narrating one character’s journey through the ups and downs of love. February 14, 7pm at Joe's Movement Emporium

Beyoncé vs Rihanna: Valentine's Day Party at U Street Music Hall
Are you 'Drunk In Love' or 'Drunk On Love'?!?! It's a Beyonce vs Rihanna Valentine's Day dance party battle! It's Bey vs RiRi...Sasha Fierce vs the Barbados Babe...Queen B vs the Caribbean Queen! The Bey Hive vs Rihanna Navy! DJ Mills will be dropping the hottest Beyonce tracks! Ottobar owner Craig B will be spinning the best Rihanna jams! February 14, 10pm at U Street Music Hall

Celebrate a "Modern Love" with David Bowie
Put on your red shoes and let's dance to an eclectic mix of artists celebrating celebrating the music of David Bowie featuring The Jennifers, Sister Ex, Marshall Keith, Capital Offender, Taildraggers and Life on Mars. February 15, 8pm at Villain and Saint

For Foodies

Go on a Distillery Tour and Tasting
Touring and doing a tasting at a distillery puts a fun twist on just getting drinks. One of the most unique spots on U Street is District Distilling Co., a homegrown distillery that produces award-winning spirits and offers a $10 tour on weekdays starting at 4pm and on weekends from noon to 8pm. At Union Market’s Cotton & Reed, visitors can get an inside look at how the white and dry spiced rum are made before kicking back in the front bar and tasting room. Ivy City is also filled with cool distilleries to explore — including Republic Restoratives, a woman-owned distillery offering tours on Saturday and Sunday and cocktail tastings in its cocktail bar, The Ivy Room, from Thursday to Sunday; New Columbia Distillers, the makers of Green Hat Gin, offering free tours and tastings on Saturday afternoon; One Eight Distilling, known for their vodka; and Jos. A Magnus & Co., where you can taste the distillery’s gin and bourbon and go on tours Friday to Sunday. 

Be Your Own Bartender
Nothing warms you like the feeling of love... except for maybe a well-made cocktail. Learn some mad bar skills, like how to craft three outstanding Valentine’s themed cocktails. February 13, 7:00pm at
Via Umbria  

Take a Chocolate Making Class 
​Enjoy creating hand-made truffles with other chocolate enthusiasts. Guided by an expert chocolatier from SPAGnVOLA, your truffles will be crafted from fine cacao hand-picked at the chocolatiers' farm in the Dominican Republic and roasted in Maryland. Our instructor will share their passion for chocolate and knowledge of cacao growing, chocolate history and truffle making.
The 2-hour classes include truffle making and a box of completed Valentine's Day themed truffles to take home as a treat (or give to your Sweetheart). Saturdays and Sundays in February from 11am - 1pm; Watergate Hotel.

For Lovers of Tall Tales 

Listen to Tales of the Heart
Story District's "Sucker for Love" celebrates Valentine's Day with eight hilarious and poignant true tales about the pleasures and perils of romance including stories about sex, love, break-ups, make-ups, crushes, dating, marriage, and more. February 14, Doors at 6:30/ Show at 8:00pm at Lincoln Theatre

For Creative Types

What Would Jackson Pollock Do? 
Whether it's a date with the love of your life or an evening out with a few of your friends, celebrate love in all its forms with a boozy painting event you won't forget. February 14, 6:00pm at
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Unleash Your Inner Child 
Find your inner child for an evening of playing (doh). A fun, cathartic make and smash creative experience. Create art out of play-doh with the help of molds, instruction, and other guides and leave with avant-garde style photos of your creations taken in the Salon Betty lightbox. Plus, endless amounts of wine! February 14, 6:30 pm at Shop Made in DC - Wharf Location

For Lovers of the Great Outdoors (and Art)

Go Ice Skating Among Life-size Art
The National Gallery of Art offers some of the world’s finest works of art, while its sculpture garden serves as the ideal romantic rendezvous. During the winter months, the garden’s fountain turns into a giant ice rink, where you and your s.o. can skate surrounded by large-scale sculptures.Don’t miss Robert Indiana’s famed AMOR and works by Louise Bourgeois, Sol LeWitt, Roxy Paine, Tony Smith, and Roy Lichtenstein. There's a cafe with panoramic views of the Sculpture Garden and a seasonal menu. Days and times vary; skate rink rental is $9 for adults and children age 13 and over and $8 for skaters age 50 and over,plus $4 ice skate rental; National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

For Lovers of the Single Life

Celebrate "Single Awareness" 
For the “happily unattached: this Valentine's Day, celebrate the joys of singledom and make the most of your freedom to make the most of a very fun "Anti-Valentine's Day" event.  The night includes cocktail specials like hot Through the Heart, a $6 tequila shot and a sympathetic ear, and Love Stinks, a half-carafe of (blood) red wine; boozy milkshakes with sprinkles, frosting, Kellogg's Rice Crispies & Chips Ahoy! chocolate chip cookie;s"Love Bites," bucatini with vodka sauce special; and . . . horror movie screenings.​ What can I say, it's complicated. February 14, 11:30 am to 111:30pm at City Tap

For Fans of Pop-Ups

Take a Trip Back to the Future
Check out the "Tunnel of Love" Pop-Up at Iron Gate. For its annual Valentine’s Day pop-up, Iron Gate is celebrating love songs from past and present. Teenybopper decor includes TigerBeat pullout posters and heartthrob cutouts of Drake and Justin Timberlake. Spirits manager Nick Farrell’s lineup of 9 themed cocktails feature lyrical names like “I love you like a fat kid loves cake” (50 Cent) with vanilla infused whiskey, cacao, rinomato, lemon and “I’ve been drinking, I’ve been drinking” (Beyonce) with mezcal, ginger, rakomelo, vanilla, lime, cocoa bitters, and “cigar on ice”. There’s even a nod to Netflix’s hit Bird Box, with a cocktail served in a blindfolded tiki glass. Now thru February 14.

For Fans of Daring Theatre

Enjoy a One Night Affair with John Waters
"A Date with John Waters" is his ever evolving one-man show in which he discusses early artistic influences and his fascination with true crime, exploitation films, fashion lunacy, and the extremes of sexual politics. This joyously, devious and continuously updated monologue is a rally cry against the tyranny of good taste and serves as a call to arms for “filth followers” everywhere. February 14, 7pm at  Baltimore Soundstage

Immerse Yourself In a Unique Theatre Experience
Uncover the truths of one of the darkest choose-your-own-adventure immersive experiences at TBD's "Ouroboros Dawn of the Cabaret." With 30 characters to interact with, you’ll find unique one-on-one experiences and a different mystery every time as you explore the theme of "Gods and Goddesses," a nod to Elizabeth’s love of mythology and art. Discover why DC Metro Theater Arts it's as “…close to sensory overload in the best way.” Dates and times vary; now through March

Have another unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comment section below, or send us a Tweet at @Curious-Caravan.

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