Whether your partner likes sipping wine, pairing chocolate with bacon strips or watching a show on the stage, Valentine’s Day is the time of year you should treat them to it – and enjoy that activity with them.
Here are 14 romantic Valentine’s Day events that will make your partner swoon.
Romantic activities to do together
Book a massage at Azuridge Estate Hotel
Cost: $250 per couple
Unwind with your partner at your side. You’ll both be able to relax with a 90-minute couples massage in the hotel’s spa. Stick around afterward for a romantic meal. Over Valentine’s Day weekend, there’s a jazz trio playing in the Oyster Bar while you dine ($135 per person) and there’s the option to add wine pairings. Or, go all out and book a getaway for you and your partner. Rooms start at $348 per night and include a 24-hour on call butler, breakfast and complementary drinks.
Azuridge Estate Hotel, 178057 272 St. W., 403-931-0100, azuridgehotel.com
Bacon and Chocolate Pairing
Date: Thursday, February 11
Cost: $45
Treat your date to something deliciously unexpected this Valentine’s Day. Willow Park Wines and Spirits brings back its popular bacon pairing class just for this romantic holiday. Join a team of experts to learn how to pair sweet and savoury treats together – bacon and chocolate is just one pairing you’ll try.
Willow Park Wines and Spirits, 10801 Bonaventure Dr. S.E., 403-296-1640, willowpark.net
All’s Fair in Love and Wine
Date: Thursday, February 11
Cost: $32.40
Take your date to Truv Wines – a beautifully designed, romantic venue on its own – and sample some wines. You’ll taste six wines, including demi bottles, bubbles and ross. There will also be some charcuterie and chocolate treats included. After the tasting, pick your favourite wine to enjoy at home on February 14.
Truv Wines, 104, 422 11 Ave. S.E., 403-265-4030, truvewines.com
Paint a couple’s heart at Vin Gogh
Date: Saturday, February 13
Cost: $45
Act fast if you want to paint here with your beloved this Valentine’s Day. (The afternoon class is already sold out.) Join the 10 a.m. class and paint a couple’s heart. You can both work on one canvas, or paint on two canvases and join them together afterward. The price includes coffee and tea.
Vin Gogh Paint and Sip, 7004 Macleod Tr. S.W., 403-475-4644, vingogh.ca
In the Heat of the Night
Date: Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 1
Cost: From $90
This annual event at the Calgary Zoo begins with a meal in the Enmax Conservatory, followed by a presentation on courtship in the animal kingdom. At intermission, take your take to the Las Vegas-themed photo booth. This year’s menu includes Northridge Farms roast beef, Bowden Farm chicken portofino and chocolate fountains, with plenty of fruit and marshmallows for dipping.
Calgary Zoo, 1300 Zoo Rd. N.E., 403-232-9300, calgaryzoo.com
Cheese, Chocolate and Champagne
Date: Sunday, February 14
Cost: $75
Win your partner’s heart all over again by treating them to an evening of cheese, chocolate and Champagne pairings. And just like true love, you’ll learn that when it comes to your taste buds, opposites also attract. Think dark chocolate and blue cheese and Champagne and brie.
Janice Beaton Fine Cheese, 1017 16 Ave. S.W., 403-229-0900, eventbrite.ca
Couples Therapy
Date: Sunday, February 14
Cost: $50
This Valentine’s Day, treat your date to an oyster shucking lesson at Rodney’s Oyster House with Rodney Clark himself. Each couple registered in the course will learn the essential skills to properly shuck and oyster. The price of tickets also include two glasses of Champagne, two pints of beer, an oyster knife and 18 oysters to take home.
Rodney’s Oyster House, 355 10 Ave. S.W., 403-460-0026, rodneysoysterhousecalgary.com
Checkmate, My Sweet Valentine: Fort Calgary Valentine’s Dinner Theatre
Date: Sunday, February 14
Cost: $90
Check Mate Dating Services has been open for 10 years now. To celebrate a decade of successful love matches, Lisa and David have invited its previous clients to a dinner party. But of course, there’s a twist to the typical, ‘happily ever after” ending. This dinner theatre event at Fort Calgary begins with cocktails and is followed by the delivering clues and dinner. Attendees watch the mystery unfold from 9:30 p.m.
Fort Calgary, 750 9 Ave. S.E., 403-290-1875, eventbrite.ca
Beso de Tango: Tango Amore
Date: Saturday, February 20
Cost: $15
There’s nothing wrong with celebrating Valentine’s Day a little late, especially when it involves dancing. Celebrate the day by taking your partner out for an evening of tango dancing and music. The price of admission also includes wine, dessert and door prizes.
Mount Royal Station Hall, 2317 10 St. S.W., besodetango.com
Performances to take your sweetheart to this Valentine’s Day
The Garter Girls present Mr Gorgeous
Date: Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13
Date: Tickets from $43
Valentine’s Day calls for a burlesque performance. And the Garter Girls are celebrating Valentine’s Day this year with two special shows at Arts Commons. This year, there’s a special star performing with them: the King of Burlesque, Mr Gorgeous. There will also be special appearances by The Garter Girls corps members and the burlesque dancer Yaretza.
Engineered Air Theatre, Arts Commons, thegartergirls.com
Romeo and Juliet and Rachmaninoff with Pavel Kolesnikov
Date: Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13
Cost: Tickets from $20
Alberta Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet in March, but you can get a feel for the story at Valentine’s Day, too. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presents Pavel Kolesnikov, the 2012 Honens Prize Laureate, who will perform a suite from Romeo and Juliet with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, among other songs.
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons, 403-571-0849, calgaryphil.com
Southern Stardust Big Band Valentine’s Dinner and Dance
Date: Saturday, February 13
Cost: $65
Enjoy an extravagant buffet dinner before an evening of dancing to the music performed by the 18-piece big band. You can foxtrot, waltz, rumba, tango and swing all night long with your Valentine’s Day partner. And there’s a cash bar.
Austrian Canadian Cultural Centre, 3112 11 St. N.E., southernstardust.ca
Cinnamon Heartbreak Cabaret
Date: Sunday, February 14
Cost: From $25
This is an evening of cabaret and cinnamon hearts. Spend Valentine’s Day evening watching a cabaret performance from The Rhinestone Affair and listening to rockabilly music from the trio Stickshift Suicide. And you’ll get a sneak peek at Theatre Encounter‘s upcoming performance of The Lesson.
Distortion, 3828 Macleod Tr. S., brownpapertickets.com
Valentine’s Day Comedy Dinner Extravaganza
Date: Sunday, February 14
Cost: $49
Share a few laughs with your partner this Valentine’s Day. As well as performances by 3 FunnyFest headliners, the evening includes a full dinner menu, the chance to win prizes, and chocolates and a rose.
Nicastro’s Public House, 2820 Centre St. N.E., 403-228-7888, eventbrite.ca