Whether you are single, dating or somewhere in the in-between zone, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Skip the box of chocolates and flowers and spice things up with a fun night out in Downtown Indy instead. Single? No need to miss out! Many of these events make for a great friends night out.
For more ideas, see our 50 Date Ideas for Less Than $50.
Dine out, dance or do both
Rock step, quarter turn, pivot… Grab your dancing shoes and head to the historic Fountain Square Theatre Building on Feb. 12 for Friday Night Swing Dance. Take a dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. then stay for live entertainment from 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. with some of the hottest swing bands around. The dance lesson is $12 and dancing only is $10.
Friday Night Swing Dance at Fountain Square Theatre Building.
Get up and groove after dinner at Love is All You Need Dinner Dance at The Rathskeller on Saturday, Feb. 13. This event includes a three-course meal starting at 6 p.m. followed by a performance from First Time Caller Band from 8 p.m. – midnight. Tickets are $90 per couple.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with treats from the tropics including chocolate and coffee, all while enjoying the candlelit romantic atmosphere of the Conservatory at Garfield Park. Sweets for Your Sweetie takes place on Sunday, Feb. 14 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and 8 – 9:30 p.m. and costs $10.
Escape the cold and enjoy a romantic evening inside the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Chef JJ’s culinary team will prepare fresh dishes made to share for Valentine’s Day Night on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 and include beer or wine tasters, a five-course dinner and a sweet treat to take home. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Weber Grill is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu Feb. 12 – 14. The meal includes a choice of cedar planked salmon, surf and turf or New York strip plus a strawberry salad, shrimp bisque and chocolate dipped strawberries. Make the night extra special and add red roses to the table for $30.
Have a soulful evening at Georgia Reese’s. Make reservations on Valentine’s Day and enjoy a special menu: an appetizer (salad or alligator gumbo), entree (shrimp creole & grits, home-style meatloaf or Nashville hot chicken) dessert and a bottle of wine for $100.
Treat your date to a fire-inspired Valentine’s dinner at Weber Grill.
Other date-worthy dinner destinations:
Bluebeard
Harry & Izzy’s
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy
Milano Inn
Spoke & Steele
St. Elmo Steak House
Tastings
Shows and performances
Listen to a tribute to one of the most influential artists of all time – Frank Sinatra. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will play tribute to the 100th birthday of Sinatra during Sinatra Centennial at Hilbert Circle Theatre Feb. 12 & 13. Tickets are $15 – $61 or $10 for students and expected to sell out.
On Feb. 14, bring your date the Indiana Repertory Theatre to see The Mystery of Irma Vep – a hilarious mash-up of chilling Gothic horror and passionate Victorian bodice-ripper. Use promo code LOVEIRMA and save $14 off each ticket and receive a chocolate on your seat. This promotion is good for the 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows.
You and your date will be sure to LOL during the performance of The Mystery of Irma Vep at the IRT.
Groove to live music at Old National Centre. Catch R&B musician and Hoosier native Babyface on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.
Visit one of Downtown’s museums
Watch a pre-Valentine’s Day screening of the iconic love story Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The film, part of the Winter Nights Film Series, plays on Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. in the Toby. While visiting the IMA, explore Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens, the 26-acre estate that is just as beautiful in the winter, and snap an Instagram-worthy photo in front of the LOVE sculpture. Be sure to give yourself extra time to browse Gustave Baumann, German Craftsman–American Artist before it closes Feb. 14.
Cozy up inside the Toby at The Indianapolis Museum of Art for Winter Nights Film Series.
The Indiana State Museum hosts the 13th annual Indiana Art Fair on Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. More than 60 artists from 28 of Indiana’s counties will be represented. For those looking to celebrate with girlfriends, the Indiana State Museum is hosting Galentine’s Art Night on Feb. 12 from 6 – 9 p.m. Meet and mingle with the Indiana artists from the Art Fair and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while shopping. A select number of guests can paint their own masterpiece.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends? Shop art from 60+ local vendors at the Indiana Art fair at the Indiana State Museum.
Get active
Couples who sweat together… stay together? Participate in the Be My Valentine 5K Run/Walk at the Athenaeum on Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. Registration is $30 and includes a medal, souvenir tumbler of coffee or hot chocolate and fleece blanket. For a more relaxing workout, couples can attend Valentine’s Candlelight Hot Yoga at The Hot Room on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. or Partner Yoga & Massage at Invoke Studio on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.
Gift it
For the sports fan, arrange a surprise gift from Rowdie. On Feb. 11 & 12, the Indianapolis Indians mascot will hand deliver a gift package of an Indians t-shirt or Rowdie Doll, four box seat ticket vouchers and four Gigi’s cupcakes. The package costs $95 (Rowdie-less packages will also be available for pick up for $75). Colts fan? The Indianapolis Colts Mascot, Blue, will also be making deliveries. Visits from Blue Surprise include confetti, flowers, chocolates and Colts gear. This package costs $150 and is available Feb. 8 – 12.
Stop by Silver in the City on Mass Ave for a unique piece of jewelry, including many options from local designers. If you’re taking the diamond route, be sure to visit Windsor Jewelry for diamonds, gold and precious stones. Now through Valentine’s Day, receive $50 off any purchase of $150 or more.
Find sterling silver jewelry and other funky gifts at Silver in the City on Mass Ave.
Start your Valentine’s Day weekend with a wine tour and tasting at Easley Winery. Complimentary tours begin at noon on Saturday and Sunday and tastings cost $5. While you’re there, share a chilled bottle of Kauffman’s 76 Brand or grab a bottle to go – it will be on special for $8 per bottle.
Complement you wine with a box of chocolates for a match made in heaven. Give your partner the best chocolate in town plus score big points with a box of sea salt caramels or your choice of assorted truffles from The Best Chocolate in Town.
Sweeten up the holiday with sea salt caramels from The Best Chocolate in Town.
Stick with a classic: it wouldn’t be a proper Valentine’s Day gift without a bouquet of flowers. JP Parker Flowers is offering free delivery Feb. 1 – 8 with any pre-order.
Get a room
Why not celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend long and stay at one of Downtown’s many hotels?
- Book the Valentine’s Day Package at the Hilton Indianapolis and receive a five-course meal for two, a rose, a champagne toast, complimentary valet parking and overnight accommodations.
- The Alexander’s Win Their Heart with Art package includes a $25 credit in Plat 99, prosecco and chocolate covered strawberries, brunch for two in Market Table, a late check-out at 2 p.m. and overnight accommodations. Book their package benefitting Horizon House and receive a $25 credit to Plat 99, a <3INDY shirt, an in-room amenity and complimentary self-parking.
- The Omni Severin’s Retreat to Romance package includes a $100 cuisine and cocktail credit, a bottle of Chandon sparkling wine, romantic turndown service, concierge pre-call, a late check-out of 1 p.m. and overnight accommodations.
- The Conrad’s is offering a girl’s getaway weekend. The Galentine Day Package includes chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, $10 gift card per person to Tastings, an AVEDA styling session at Evan Todd Spa & Salon and overnight accommodations.
Make an entire weekend of Valentine’s Day and enjoy an overnight stay with your significant other at The Alexander. Bonus: your steps away from Plat 99.
