19 Valentine's Day activities before, on and after the holiday around Springfield
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, which means it is the season of flower bouquets, boxed chocolate and heart-shaped treats.
The News-Leader compiled a list of 19 different Valentine's Day events before, on and after the holiday, including romantic dinners, dances and crafting events.
Sweetheart Hoya Galentine's Day Plant Party
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8
Where: Artistree Pottery at 1423 E. Cherry St.
Artistree Pottery and Grow For Good 417 are partnering to host a Galentine's Day Plant Party ahead of Valentine's Day. Each participant will receive a planter to paint at the event, which will be available for pickup, alongside a houseplant, a week later. Tickets are available on the Grow For Good 417 website for $33.
More: Grow For Good 417 loses entire inventory — around 300 plants — to below-freezing weather
Cookie Decorating Class with Star Cakes Bakery
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8
Where: Star Cakes Bakery at 1332 E. Republic Road Suite E
Star Cakes Bakery is hosting cookie-decorating classes in time for the Valentine's holiday. Each participant will receive one dozen cookies, frosting tips and sprinkles. The class is $60 per participant. To reserve a spot, email springfieldstarcakes@gmail.com.
Love in the Wild at Wonders of Wildlife
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9
Where: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium at 500 W. Sunshine St.
Wonders of Wildlife is hosting Love in the Wild, a one-night event for the Valentine's Day season. Couples may enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner for two (salad, entrée and dessert), digital photo opportunities and tours around the aquarium. Tickets are available for $250 per couple on the Wonders of Wildlife website. Registration closes Wednesday, Feb. 7.
More: Buc-ee's fans are going wild over $25 Valentine's Day tumblers. Here's what it's all about
Valentine's at Houlihan's
When: Feb. 9-14
Where: Houlihan's at 2431 N. Glenstone Ave.
Throughout Valentine's week, Springfield's Houlihan's is offering three-course meals for $60 per couple. The meals include champagne, one appetizer, two entrees and a dessert. Reservations should be made on OpenTable, an online reservation service.
Parkview Lassies Valentine's Market
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
Where: Parkview Christian Church at 1362 S. Campbell Ave.
Alumni of the Parkview Lassies, an all-female drum and bugle corps at Parkview High School, are hosting a Valentine's Market to raise funds for new drums. There will be over 50 vendors at the market, selling items like permanent jewelry, baked goods, home décor, clothing, candles and soaps, crochet plushies and crystals.
More: Alumni organize Valentine's Market to help fund new drums for Parkview Lassies
The Avalon Studio's Pretty in Pink
When: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
Where: The Avalon Studio at 1739 S. West Bypass Unit A
Photography studio, The Avalon Studio, is hosting mini Valentine's Day-themed do-it-yourself photo sessions before the holiday. Four Valentine's Day sets will be available for photos. Macrons by Nat, Caffeinate with Kate and LaLa Links Jewelry will be at the studio offering treats and services, too. 30-minute reservations are available for $10. Registrations can be made on The Avalon Studio website.
Valentine's Day Boutique Crawl
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
Where: Various Springfield boutiques
Springfield's Valentine's Day Boutique Crawl features six different boutiques: Bree's Little Closet, A Likely Story Boutique, Jade Tank, Baglady Boutique, Artistic Works by Lu and CC Boutique. Participants can stop by any of the boutiques to pick up a punch card. Visit all six boutiques to be entered into a giveaway. Six giveaway winners will be announced at 4 p.m.
Painting with a Twist: Mommy or Daddy & Me
When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
Where: Painting with a Twist at 3444 S. Campbell Ave.
Ahead of Valentine's Day, Painting with a Twist is offering a family-friendly painting event intended for children eight and up. Children and parents will paint two canvases that can be put together to create one larger piece of work. Tickets are available on the Painting with a Twist website for $35.
Early Valentine's Day Date Night at Creative Escape Glass
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
Where: Creative Escape Glass at 1700 S. Campbell Ave.
Ahead of Valentine's Day, Creative Escape Glass is hosting a date night, in which participants will create fused glass projects together. Participants will choose between making one large plate or tray or two smaller separate projects. Finished projects will be available for pick-up a week or two later. Registration is available on the Creative Escape Glass website for $125 per couple.
Painting with a Twist: Lovers Moonlit Mountain
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
Where: Painting with a Twist at 3444 S. Campbell Ave.
In time for Valentine's Day, Painting with a Twist is offering couples painting evenings. During class, couples will paint two canvases that can come together and make one illustration. Tickets are available on the Painting with a Twist website, starting at $42.
My Bloody Valentine at 4 By 4 Brewing
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13
Where: 4 By 4 Brewing Company at 2811 E. Galloway St.
Taking a bit of a different approach, 4 By 4 Brewing is going full 2000s emo for Valentine's Day. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best emo attire for a costume contest.
Valentine's Package at BigShots Golf
When: Feb. 14-18
Where: BigShots Golf at 1930 E. Kearney St.
BigShots Golf's Valentine's Day package is available for for five days, including appetizers, two entrees or a heart-shaped pizza, dessert and 90 minutes of golf. Tickets are available on the BigShots Golf website for $99.
Valentine's Day at The Ozark Mill
When: Feb. 14-17
Where: The Ozark Mill at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
The Ozark Mill is hosting three nights of Valentine's Day dinners, featuring risotto fritters, short rib pasta or roasted salmon, and green tomato cake or chocolate brûlée. Registration is available on the Finley Farms website for $40 per person.
Lonely Hearts Rooftop Party
When: 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Feb. 14
Where: Vantage Rooftop Lounge at 321 S. Robberson Ave.
Vantage's Lonely Hearts Rooftop Party is intended for both couples and singles to enjoy cocktails and live music. DJ Alpha Girl and DJ Lovesick Nick will be spinning beats between 7-11 p.m. There is no cover for the party.
Dogwood Canyon Valentine's Day Dinner
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14
Where: Dogwood Canyon Nature Park at 2038 W. State Highway 66 in Lampe
Throughout Dogwood Canyon's Valentine's Day dinner, guests will enjoy a four-course meal, featuring a Caprese salad, rigatoni a la vodka, beef tenderloin or chicken Florentine, and chocolate lava cake. Tickets are available on the Dogwood Canyon website for $114 per person. Registration closes on Feb. 12.
Valentine's Dinner with Ira Edelman at Cellar + Plate
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14
Where: Cellar + Plate at 2916 S. Lone Pine Ave.
Cellar+ Plate's Valentine's Day dinner will feature live music by local musician Ira Edelman. To make a reservation, call 417-368-1739.
Cheesey Candlelight Dinner at Druff's
When: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14
Where: Druff's at 331 Park Central East Suite 101
Located right off the Square, Druff's is accepting reservations for Valentine's Day. The restaurant is offering $55 dinners for two, which includes an appetizer, sandwiches, soup and dessert. To make a reservation, call 417-719-1719, email info@yumdruffs.com or message the restaurant on Facebook or Instagram.
Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special
When: 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14
Where: The Old Glass Place at 521 E. St. Louis St.
Following their success last year, Candlelight concerts are returning to Springfield. Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special ft. "Romeo and Juliet" and More will feature several songs performed by the Listeso String Quartet, surrounded by hundreds of candles. Tickets are available on the fever website, tickets for each concert are $31.
Valentine's Dinner & Dance at Pythian Castle
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14
Where: Pythian Castle at 1451 E. Pythian St.
Pythian Castle's annual Valentine's Dinner & Dance features dinner (seasonal salad, chicken, vegetables, potatoes and dessert), slow dance lessons, open dancing and a champagne toast. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 417-865-1464.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Celebrate Valentine's Day with these 19 Springfield activities
