Whether you’re honoring partnership, friendship or self-love, Valentine’s Day is a good reminder to celebrate care in all its forms. (It’s also an excellent excuse to indulge in extra chocolate, but that’s beside the point.)
As Feb. 14 approaches, there’s more than one way to celebrate the year’s most romantic holiday. Events in Bellingham range from dinners to performances, maker’s markets and even a few family-friendly happenings.
Events and activities
Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, many events happen the weekend before — including the ever-popular Fairhaven Chocolate Walk (Saturday, Feb. 8). Participants collect one-of-a-kind chocolates from 18 stops across Fairhaven, ending up with enough sugar to last them until Feb. 14 (or at least through the weekend).
Simultaneously, the Whatcom Art Center will host Truffles and Treasures from noon to 5 p.m. Fairhaven visitors are invited to make valentines, browse a one-day-only art show and, obviously, eat even more chocolate.
Lydia Place’s annual Hearts for Housing Gala also happens the evening of Feb. 8. This year’s theme is a Valentine’s Masquerade, with proceeds benefiting Lydia Place’s work to disrupt cycles of homelessness.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, Schmexyfest — aka WinkWink Boutique’s pre-Valentine’s Day party — celebrates “love, friendship, and everything in between.” The event includes five-minute boudoir sessions to a BFF necklace-making station, flash tattoos and N/A cocktails.
B’Ham Hop is hosting a Valentine’s Day Swing Dance on Feb. 14 at The Nest Ballroom as part of its weekend-long B’Ham Swing Jam event. No prior experience is needed, and beginner lessons start at 7 p.m.
Date & Paint events are another cute alternative to the traditional V-Day dinner. Upcoming venues include Larrabee Lager Co. (Tuesday, Feb. 11), Chuckanut Bay Distillery (Wednesday, Feb. 12) and El Agave (Friday, Feb. 7 and 14). Brandywine Kitchen and Bar also has a paint party with Tailored Treasures on Wednesday, Feb. 12
Finally, it wouldn’t be a holiday in Bellingham without at least three craft markets. The Bellingham Studio’s Valentine’s Experience Market on Feb. 8 has everything from “build-a-bouquets” to hair tinsel, ear piercings, permanent jewelry, embroidery, flash tattoos, treats and more.
The following day (Sunday, Feb. 9), Birdhouse Market Collective will host its third annual Valentine’s Day Market at The Majestic Ballroom. Elizabeth Station has a Valentine’s Day market and wine tasting from 4–7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.
Music and performances
Indie darlings DeVotchka will play Mount Baker Theatre on Valentine’s Day proper. The Colorado-based quartet was a favorite at the 2022 Northwest Tune-Up festival, and you likely know their music from films like “Little Miss Sunshine.”
There are still tickets available for the Bellingham Circus Guild’s “My Circus Valentine,” with performances happening Feb. 13–16. This year is the 15th anniversary of this beloved February tradition, which “brings together local and regional star-studded acts to speak to our common human need for love and connection.”
Additionally, the Pickford Film Center will screen “The Age of Love” on Valentine’s Day morning. This poignant documentary follows 30 seniors ages 70–90 who attend a speed dating challenge. (On a not-unrelated note, the Bellingham Senior Activity Center has a Valentine’s Day Social from 2:45–4:15 that same afternoon.)
If you prefer rock ‘n’ roll to romance, Make.Shift’s Valentine’s Day Cover Show (Feb. 14 and 15) is now entering its 12th year. What began as an anti-Valentine’s punk show has “since evolved into the very specific genre of ‘whatever you loved to listen to in high school’”: The Mountain Goats, Sonic Youth, Hole, The Cars, Daft Punk, the list goes on.
Dinner, drinks and more
On Feb. 13, head to Galloway’s Cocktail Bar for a Palentine’s Day cocktail pairing. Whether you bring your partner, your friends or just yourself, this three-course cocktail/snack pairing is a great excuse to celebrate love (platonic and otherwise).
Bellingham’s SuperBand is joining forces with the Kulshan Community Land Trust for a one-of-a-kind fundraiser, Love Grows Here, on Feb. 14. Ticket holders enjoy a three-course meal (plus dessert), plus live tunes from the community’s top jazz-funk musicians.
Hotel Leo’s Amendment 21 will serve a plated dinner on Feb. 14, while local band Soul*drift provides the tunes. The following day, Hotel Leo is keeping the Valentine’s vibes rolling with a “Grateful for Love” dinner featuring Grateful Dead cover band CraigO’s Planet Groove.
Restaurants including Bistro at Shuksan, Carnal, B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar and Estelle are offering special prix-fixe menus on Valentine’s Day; call ahead to reserve a spot. Skylark’s Hidden Cafe also has a special Valentine’s Day menu with specialty cocktails and desserts.
For something more hands-on, there’s a Valentine’s Day-themed pierogi-making class at Magdalena’s Bistro on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Participants learn how to make two types of these traditional Eastern European dumplings, then enjoy a specialty pierogi dinner and dessert (cooked by Magdelena herself, of course).
Last but not least, contributor Jessamyn Tuttle’s 2024 date night restaurant roundup is a great resource for couples hoping to plan a special night out.
Kids and families
Activities aimed at little ones include a Valentine’s Day Party on Feb. 8 at Bloedel Donovan Park. From 1:30–3:30 p.m., children in second grade and under are invited to create Valentine’s-themed crafts, play dress-up and make new friends.
The Whatcom County Library System also has Let’s Make Valentine’s craft events at branches throughout the county this February. Check its online calendar to find an event near you.
Finally, the whole family is invited to the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s “I Heart B’Ham” Valentine’s Day celebration (3-6 p.m. Feb. 14). Visitors of all ages can groove to local music, shop for gifts, make Valentine’s Day cards for loved ones and — perhaps most importantly — enjoy as many sweet treats as their heart desires.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
