Whether you want to split a heart-shaped chocolate cake with your special someone, work on kid-friendly crafts with your whole family or consider the merits of broken heart-inspired artwork, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday in Northern Virginia, both traditional and nontraditional.
Season of Romance at Salamander Resort & Spa
Feb. 1-March 31
Take your partner on a getaway to the Virginia countryside at Salamander Resort. The resort’s Valentine’s Day package, starting at $510 per night, offers one-night accomodations, a $100 credit per room and per night and complimentary sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries. // Salamander Resort & Spa: 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg
Lovers
Feb. 3-26
This exhibit, featuring pieces by DRA members in 2D and 3D mediums, will explore all facets of love. // Del Ray Artisans Gallery: 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Chocolate Lovers Festival
Feb. 4-5
Some people say Valentine’s Day is about love. Others—we won’t name names—argue it’s about the chocolate. This two-day festival celebrates all things chocolate: chocolate soda, beers, milkshakes and more. // Downtown Fairfax City
Skate Date in the Village
Feb. 10-14, 1-9 p.m.
Instead of sitting down to dinner, lace up your skates and hit the rink with your date. There will also be horse-drawn carriages at the Village at Leesburg on Valentine’s Day from 4-9 p.m. // Village at Leesburg: 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE, Leesburg
February Family Friday: Valentine’s Open Studio with Kara Laughlin
Feb. 10, 6:30-9 p.m.
It’s time to make a thoughtful valentine for that special someone. Take the little ones to this event and learn how to make unique, hand-crafted valentines bearing secret messages or interactive, fill-in-the-blank options. // Round Hill Arts Center: 35246 Harry Byrd Highway #170, Round Hill
Wine Lovers 5K
Feb. 11, 9 a.m.
Get active this Valentine’s Day. You and your significant other can work off all those chocolates during this 5K and then reward yourself with a glass of wine afterward. // Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery: 9423 Batesville Road, Afton
Sweet and Sassy: Valentine’s Day Daddy Daughter Dance
Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m.
Celebrate the relationship between a father and daughter at this dance. Your little girl will receive royal treatment with a an updo, makeup, nail polish, rose and crown. Then you can take a limo drive around town. // Sweet & Sassy at Village at Leesburg: 1601 Village Market Blvd., Ste. 124, Leesburg
National Chamber Ensemble’s Vive La France
Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Harpist Melissa Dvorak, violinist Michelle Kim, cellist Sean Neidlinger, pianist Carlos Cesar Rodriguez and violinist Leo Sushansky will perform at this Valentine’s Day concert featuring the music of Camille Saint-Saëns. // Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre: 1611 N. Kent St., Arlington
Sunday Ballroom Valentine’s Day Dance
Feb. 12, 3:30-6 p.m.
Try something new with your partner by taking up this ballroom classic. // The Candy Factory: 9519 Battle St., Manassas
Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro
Feb. 14
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner at Vinifera this year and try the winery’s $50 tasting menu featuring a baby kale salad, salmon, rack of lamb and pomegranate mousse and dark chocolate ganache all paired with a wine of your choice. // Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro: 11750 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston
La Côte d’Or Café
Feb. 14
The Arlington restaurant will offer a three-course lunch for $25 (choices of omlelets, crab quiche, seafood crepes and more) and a dinner for $58 (choices of lobster, snapper, lamb and more). // La Côte d’Or Café: 6876 Lee Highway, Arlington
For Lovers Dinner
Feb. 14
This Valentine’s dinner features courses inspired by six of the world’s most romantic destinations: Bordeaux, Venice, Puglia, Paris, Santorini and—of course—Virginia. Some of your options are Parisian beef tartare, Bordeaux-inspired duck breast and Greek Isle braised lamb shank. // Fyve Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City: 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington
Le Dinner de la Saint Valentin
Feb. 14
For a fancy Valentine’s dinner, head to Bastille for a four-course meal for $89. Yellowfin tuna, baccalau cod and breast of pheasant are just some of your choices. (And don’t forget mousse or carmelized brie for dessert.) // Bastille: 606 N. Fayette St., Alexandria
TenPenh Valentine’s Day menu
Feb. 14
The recently resurrected TenPenh will add Valentine’s Day-inspired dishes to its menu for the holiday, including peking duck and Chinese-style smoked lobster. // TenPenh at Tysons Corner: 7900 Westpark Drive, McLean
Lovers Tasting Menu at L’Auberge Provencale
Feb. 14
Escape to White Post this holiday and treat your partner to this special Valentine’s Day tasting menu. Anyone who stays at the bed and breakfast will also receive a complimentary heart-shaped cake. // L’Auberge Provencale Bed and Breakfast: 13630 Lord Fairfax Highway, White Post
Artwork, Poetry & Music
Through Feb. 18
Love is one of the greatest inspirations behind art, and this exhibit highlights it in all of its forms: visual arts, poetry and music. // Reston Art Gallery & Studios: 11400 Washington Plaza W., Reston
30th Annual Chocolates Galore & More
Feb. 24, 7-11 p.m.
Lansdowne Resort and Spa’s annual fundraiser will offer you the chance to indulge in chocolates, desserts and hors d’oeuvres by the region’s top restaurants, including Coton & Rye and The Wine Kitchen. As you pick and choose your favorites, so will a team of judges. The event doubles as the Best Presentation and Best Taste competition decided by five celebrity chef judges, including Food Network stars. // Lansdowne Resort and Spa: 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Leesburg
