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. 10 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. 11. 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 Tuesday, 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.
Does your special someone love to grill? Chef JJ’s is hosting Grill & Swill Friday, Feb. 10 for $70 each which includes six wines paired with six courses. Chef JJ’s Valentine’s Date Night is Feb. 11 complete with a five-course dinner and treat to take home for $75. Or try a Seafood Class Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. for $60 each. Enjoy four medium-plate courses, beer tastings and more.
Weber Grill is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu Feb. 10 – 14. The meal includes a choice of cedar planked glazed salmon, surf and turf or New York strip plus a strawberry salad, shrimp bisque and chocolate dipped strawberries. Make your night out extra special by adding red roses to your table for $30. (Put in your request when making reservations.)
Treat your date to a fire-inspired Valentine’s dinner at Weber Grill.
Other date-worthy dinner spots:
Bluebeard
Harry & Izzy’s
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy
St. Elmo Steak House
Tastings
Cerulean
Nada
See the full list of Downtown restaurants here.
Shows and performances
The Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti returns to Hilbert Circle Theatre with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and performs renditions of popular standards as well as original compositions from his hit albums Feb. 10 & 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $21 – $97 or $10 for students.
Younger Valentines can enjoy Valentine’s Cabaret at Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio Feb. 10 – 14. Marionettes include magical music boxes, a dancing ostrich, butterflies and more. Tickets are $13 and FREE for children under two.
Take your Valentine under the sea with Broadway’s The Little Mermaid at Old National Centre Feb. 7 – 12. See Ariel, Sebastian, King Triton and all of your underwater favorites. Tickets start at $28.
Spend the night under the sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Nothing says Valentine’s Day better than Monster Jam. Take your fan to Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday, Feb. 11 to witness Grave Digger, Monster Mutt, Max-D and many more at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. VIP Pit Party available from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. for an additional $15.
Catch the play The Cay at Indiana Repertory Theatre through Feb. 26. Based on an award-winning children’s novel, The Cay tells a heartfelt story of a privileged young white boy and a resourceful old black man trapped on a tiny island in the Caribbean. Overcoming hardship and prejudice, this tale of struggle and survival reminds us that friendship has no boundaries. Stick around after the play to listen in on a post-show discussion.
Find love-ly art
The Indiana State Museum is hosting the 14th annual Indiana Art Fair Feb. 11 & 12 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday showcasing an array of art made in Indiana. More than 60 artists from 28 of Indiana’s counties will be represented. Art fair is included with museum admission.
Shop art from 60+ local vendors at the Indiana Art fair at the Indiana State Museum.
Indulge in a floral paradise with Orchids: Cultivating Beauty at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Experience these enchanting blooms throughout the IMA campus. Discover orchid watercolors collected by the Lilly family and visit the Pop up Shop to take home your own orchid. Exhibit is included with museum admission. Those seeking a unique date night can spend an evening sampling wine and desserts inspired by the exhibition Feb. 24 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. with Toast to Tastings: Edible Orchids. Tickets are $25; $20 for members.
Escape the winter at IMA’s Orchid exhibition
Get active
Couples who sweat together… stay together? Participate in the Be My Valentine 5K Run/Walk at the Athenaeum Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. For a more relaxing workout, couples can attend Candlelight Hot Yoga Vinyasa at The Hot Room Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. or Partner Yoga & Massage at Invoke Studio Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Share the Love
Stop by the Indianapolis City Market on Valentine’s Day for a wedding vow renewal ceremony, officiated by IndyStyle’s Tracy Forner. The celebration will include cake, punch, a picture station, live entertainment, coupons to City Market merchants and a special pop-up shop from Haven Paperie and Southern Sky Design. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and couples are welcome to hangout afterwards.
Gift it
For the sports fan, arrange a surprise gift from Rowdie. On Feb. 13 & 14, the Indianapolis Indians mascot will hand deliver a gift package of an Indians t-shirt, four box seat ticket vouchers and four Gigi’s cupcakes. The package is $100 (Rowdie-less packages will also be available for pick up for $75). All deliveries must be within a 20-mile radius of Victory Field.
Colts fan? The Indianapolis Colts Mascot, Blue, will also be making deliveries. Surprise visits from Blue include confetti, flowers, chocolates, a gift card from Tyler Mason Salon and Spa and Colts gear. Deliveries are $150, available Feb. 9 – 14. The deadline and payment for all entries is Feb. 6.
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.
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, grab a bottle of your sweetheart’s favorite.
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.
Make a weekend of it
Why not celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend long and stay at one of Downtown’s many hotels?
- Book the Lovebirds Package at the Hilton Indianapolis and receive a cooked-to-order breakfast for two from 120 West Market Fresh Grill, $150 credit to indulge in a luxurious beauty treatment from the Gent Spa, as well as complimentary valet 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 to assist with special touches, a late check-out of 1 p.m. and overnight accommodations.
- The JW Marriot is offering a Romance Package. Amenities include a deluxe view room looking over White River State Park and Downtown, a bottle of champagne with chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, VIP turndown service, breakfast for two at Osteria Pronto and late checkout at 1 p.m.
- The Alexander’s Dolce Romance Package includes a $50 credit to any of its food and beverage outlets including Plat 99 and Market Table, deluxe accommodations and a late check-out at 2 p.m.
Make an entire weekend of Valentine’s Day and enjoy an overnight stay with your significant other at The Alexander. Bonus: you’re steps away from Plat 99.
