Valentine’s Day in Columbus (gifts, dates, and more)

 Whether you have a love in your life, or friends and family that you want to show your love to, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to do something fun to celebrate love. There are lots of events going on around Valentine’s Day in Columbus.

While these all may not be frugal, a lot of people want to splurge on this day for a loved one, so some of the options are on the expensive end.

There will be plenty of activities for Valentine’s Day in Columbus added to the list over the next few weeks, so check back often!

Looking for some free and cheap date options that don’t revolve around Valentine’s Day in Columbus? Check out these posts.

• 50+ Best free and cheap dates in Columbus
• 8 Cheap Date Night Ideas
• Free and cheap events this weekend
• Check out our Calendar page for fun events any day of the week

Please leave a comment or email info@columbusonthecheap if you know of an event for Valentine’s Day in Columbus that you think others will enjoy.

If you plan to dine out (or take out) for Valentine’s Day, here are some great Valentine’s restaurant deals around Columbus, including heart-shaped pizzas, kids eat free, and dinners for two (at all price points).

Unique Gifts for Valentine’s Day in Columbus

Valentine’s Day Market at North Market Bridge Park

Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 9 am – 12 pm 

This can be a date, or idea for gifts, or both! The North Market Bridge Park features vendors selling gifts, merchant specials through the day, meals and ingredients, and more Valentine fun. Details and vendors here.

Columbus Clippers gifts

Looking for a unique gift?  Columbus Clippers has a few gift packages available that include tickets to a game this season, including the option to have Krash and Lou Seal deliver a special gift!

Smith Farm Market Valentine’s Treats

So many Valentine’s Day goodies, including chocolate or fudge covered strawberries, gourmet cookies, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, mini heart cheesecakes, and more. See Facebook page for details.

Call 614-235-2014 to pre-order, or stop in at 3341 Winchester Pike, Columbus, Ohio 43232. 

Groupon Deals

Buy now, redeem when you want! Note: Offers are available at time of publishing, but length of availability unknown.

• Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum – Pickerington
• Noble Cut Distillery Tour – Gahanna
• Gahanna Lanes – Gahanna 
• Ninja Citi Adventure Park – Dublin
• Axe Throwing at Throw Nation – Dublin
• Tickets for Cirque du Soleil: Crystal – Schottenstein Center, April 4-7
• Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Columbus
• Mead Tour Brothers Drake Meadery – Columbus
• Buckeye Lake Winery – Thornville
• Buckeye Raceway Indoor Electric Karting – W. Broad St
• The Escape Game – Easton

Before you read on further, considering sending a Valentine to a St. Jude patient. It’s totally free and takes less than a minute. They deserve some extra love.

Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day in Columbus

COSI After Dark

On select dates, the grown-ups get the run of COSI without kids. Ages 21+ will enjoy exhibits, concessions and cash bar, and fun. Tickets are $14-$20, and there’s an option to add on a food ticket. Plan for February, or buy tickets as a gift for March or April! See details here.

February 8: Renaissance Faire
March 14: St. Patrick’s Day 
April 11: Unsinkable

Easton Valentine’s Day Carriage Rides

February 9, 10, 11, and 14, 2024

Take a romantic trip under the twinkling lights at Easton Town Center with Horse Drawn Carriage Rides for Valentine’s Day. $10 per person; kids under 15 ride free with paying adult. Carriages pick up and drop off outside of Zara on Gramercy Street.

Find details here.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Shadowbox Live!

Book a table at Shadowbox Live for Valentine’s Day. These unique adult-only performances are so much fun for dates! Details here.

Sticky Fingers Ice Cream Parlor Valentine’s Pop Up Shops

Friday February  9 – 11, 2024 from 1-8 pm. Sticky Fingers are open one weekend only in February for Valentine’s Day! 

Plan a date to grab your favorite ice cream flavors + delicious Valentine’s specials! Or check out this years Valentines Cookie Boxes & Charcuterie Platters available for order on the website until Monday Feb. 5. 

5140 Cheshire Rd. Galena, Ohio 43021 (740) 909-4217

Valentine’s Day with Columbus Museum of Art

So many options going on for love at CMA, from free with admission to true splurge date night!

• Sunday, February 11, 2024, 2:00–4:00 PM. My Funny Valentine with the Tony Hagood Quintet
• February 13–18. #HeartsforArt
• February 15, 2024 from 7:00–8:45 PM. The Art and Science of Sexual Attraction
• February 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM. Valentine’s Day at CMA Intimate Dining Experience
• February 16, 2024 7:00–10:00 PM. Valentine’s Day Cocktail Celebration at CMA

If these options don’t work, or it’s too expensive, admission to Columbus Museum of Art is only $5 on Thursdays from 5 pm – 9 pm, and is FREE on Sundays. Find all of the details here.

Columbus Museum of Art Free Sundays, Concerts, Spring Art breaks, discounts, & more

Valentine’s Chihuly Nights at Franklin Park Conservatory

February 14, 2024. This special Valentine’s Day Chihuly Nights is the perfect date night! Open from 7 pm – 10 pm, the Chihuly installations will be professionally lit to create a breathtaking view within the backdrop of the interior Conservatory biomes.

The historic John F. Wolfe Palm House will be illuminated by James Turrell’s Light Raiment II, as you and a date explore the Conservatory’s biomes after dusk and experience the current exhibitions. The Garden Café will serve a limited food menu, beer and wine. Botanica Gift Shop and Chihuly Gift Store will be open as well.

Details here.

Cocktails at the Conservatory

February 22, 2024 – Mardi Gras

Buy tickets for a gift! Enjoy a fun night with friends or a date at Franklin Park Conservatory from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Savor local sips and snacks as you revel in the gardens at golden hour. Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $30 for non-members, $25 for members.

Details here.

The Kitchen Valentine’s season

Plan a date for one of the events at The Kitchen to redefine romance and savory bliss. Note, these are splurge events, but are truly unique. See more details and book on the website.

• Sweethearts at The Studio Dinner Party – 2/14
• Cooking Up Romance | Valentine’s Participatory Dinner Party – 2/14
• Palentine’s Participatory Dinner Party – 2/17
• Valentine’s Thai Yoga Massage Workshop & Brunch with Charles Gibson – 2/18

The Kitchen, 231 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43215

Valentine’s Weekend Wine Tasting at Wine on High 

February 14-16, 2024 various times.

Enjoy a Valentine’s Weekend Wine Tasting with a best friend, Galentine, & wine lover. The guided tasting includes 4 delicious tastes plus desserts from Pistacia Vera. Tickets are $50pp. Tickets here.

They also offer a Wine Club is a unique gift for wine lovers, and we offer gift memberships of 3, 6 or 12 months in-store or through our online shop. Wine Club members choose from exclusive sommelier picked wines each month, and get additional daily, monthly and yearly perks.

Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting at Bristol Republic

Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Experience a romantic evening with your special someone one as you sample a variety of ten amazing wines hand-picked by our sommelier: from white to red, sparkling to sweet, and everything in between. Tickets are $30-$50. 

Annual Valentine’s Day “Nailed it” Date Night at Our Cupcakery

February 13 and 14, 2024 at 6 pm.

Bring your sweetheart, BFF or significant other for a fun night of cake decorating. See if you can replicate Valentine’s themed cake similar to our design, or create your own. Your cake will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate. Cost is $98 for 2 people. Register here.

Gluten free or Vegan options available upon request for these classes for an additional $25 fee.

Fine dining for Valentine’s Day at White Castle

February 14, 2024. Reservations required (seriously – it’s popular!). Dine in at White Castle with tableclothes and a whole romantic vibe. Or, order the White Castle Love Cube for 2 for carryout! See details here!

Love Rocks at Howl at the Moon Columbus

February 16, 2024. Electrifying night of love and rock ‘n’ roll at Howl at the Moon! Nonstop live music (from classic rock hits to modern love-inspired tunes), featured drinks, giveaways and more. $10 cover at the door. Details here.

VASO Valentine Igloos and AC Hotel Columbus Dublin package

VASO, located on the rooftop at AC Hotel in Dublin, was one of the first restaurants to bring dining Igloos to Columbus. They are transforming their outdoor igloos into “love dens” for Valentine’s Day.

Igloos are set up for 8 people, so you can make this a group date night, Galentine’s night out, or just the two of you for a real splurge! There are a limited amount of igloos, so book ASAP!

Want to make it an overnight instead? You can upgrade to a room package which includes a stay at the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, a bottle of wine and a bouquet of roses in addition to your 2-hour igloo reservation. For more information, visit https://www.vasodublin.com/

Melting Pot Valentine’s Day

We haven’t found the specials for Melting Pot at Easton yet, but they do offer Thursdates and BFF Wednesdays, so you can celebrate with your Valentine or Galentine on a different day (and for way less expensive than dining on Valentine’s Day. Details here.

Waffle House 

Each year on February 14, Waffle House offers a special white table cloth dining experience on Valentine’s Day at select locations. Make your reservations – its a popular event!

4140 Marlane Dr. Grove City, Ohio 43123; 614-373-9061
4595 W Broad St. Columbus, Ohio 43228; 513-543-1511

Looking for more Igloo options? Check out our list of Igloo and outdoor dining experiences in Columbus!

Restaurants with Igloos for outdoor dining in Columbus

Family Fun for Valentine’s Day in Columbus

Valentine’s Day Skate Party at Skate Zone 71

Pick from TWO Admission Options:

• Skate & Play $14 – includes Admission, 20 Game Credits & 1 Game of Laser Tag
• Skate Fun $6 – Admission 

$5 Skate Rental. Non-Skating Adults may enter for free. Details. 

Valentine’s Day Skate Party at United Skates of America

February 14, 2024 from 5:00-7:30pm. Come early for a Family Valentines Skate! Treat your sweeties to a Fun evening with Dinner, Games &n More!

$10 Admission includes Skate Rental, One Slice Cheese Pizza & Drink Non-Skating Adults may enter for free. Details here.

Rusty Bucket Family Valentine Day – Kids Eat Free

February 14, 2024 Kids eat Free at Rusty Bucket on Valentine’s Day. Kids ages 12 and under will enjoy a free meal off the kid’s menu. Details here.

Fun Galentine’s Day options in Columbus

Check out our options for Galentine’s Day (or girls night out) for 2023!

Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Columbus with your besties!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Columbus any day

16-Bit Bar + Arcade

Throw it back at 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, which has more than 40 classic games like Ms. Pac-Man, Mario Bros. and more. The bar’s motto? “You drink, you play for free.” There are 3 locations – downtown Columbus, Dublin, and Easton! Details here.

Pins Mechanical Co.

Feeling competitive? Pins Mechanical Co. offers foosball, pinball, bowling, and ping pong along with a variety of local beers, cocktails and punches. Located in Dublin, Downtown Columbus, and Easton. Details here.

Metro Parks Winter Hike Series

Any Day! Take a hike for the Metro Park Winter Hike Series. The hikes aren’t guided this year, but there are a list of suggested hikes for each month. Grab a passport to fill out to earn a Winter Hikes patch! Find full details.

Throw Nation

Land a bullseye this Valentines Day and Throw Axes! Do something AXE-citing this year! Great for a date or the whole family. Several booking options are available. Details here.

Dublin Celtic Cocktail Trail

Make plans for multiple dates with the Dublin Celtic Cocktail Trail. Pick up or print your guidebook. Take your time visiting some of the 18 stops on this boozy beverage route. Try the featured drinks, or your favorite at each stop and get your guidebook stamped. 

Complete 6 trail stops and redeem a commemorative koozie. Complete 12 stops and score an exclusive Celtic Celtic Cocktail t-shirt. 

“Zero-Proof” cocktails are available as designated stops for those who are sober-curious. Redeem stamps from all “ZP” stops and turn in your passport for a t-shirt! Details here.

Gahanna’s Herbal Cocktail Trail

Are cocktails more your beverage of choice? Head to the Herb Capital of Ohio – Gahanna – and visit the 6 stops along the Herbal Cocktail Trail.

The unique herb-infused cocktails at the restaurants and bars on the list celebrate different flavor combinations, and pair well with the host restaurants’ menu offerings. Details here.

Other Fun and Tasty Trails to traverse

Explore with your love (or pal) and complete some of these other fun and tasty Adventure Trails! There are options for coffee, tacos, beer, art, and more!

Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio

Looking for other Dining options for Valentine’s Day? Check out this list of special Valentine’s Day meals and deals.

Valentine’s Day dining deals, $5 Piada, heart-shaped pizza, and more

50+ Best free and cheap dates in Columbus

Looking for more Valentine’s Day date ideas?