7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Love and Friendship on Valentine’s Day in Gainesville and Alachua County
It’s never too early to plan ahead for your valentine, galantine or bromance. Find inspiration to surprise your special someone with our comprehensive guide to Valentine’s Day in Gainesville and Alachua County.
Scroll below to find 7 fun ways to celebrate love and friendship:
- Delicious Dining
- Gift Markets
- Themed Events and Museum Exhibits
- Cocktails and Craft Breweries
- Unique Outdoor Attractions
- Local Accommodations
- Treats for Your Sweet
1. Indulge in Delicious Dining
A Farm Valentine With Chef Charlie Keller Of Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
Saturday, February 10, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Pizza Making Class and Wine Tasting at MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza
Monday, February 12, 6 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Menus Specials at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
Wednesday, February 14, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
(sold out) Valentine’s 5-Course Dinner Menu at The Traveler Wine Bar
Wednesday, February 14, 5 p.m.
Valentine’s 4-Course Dinner Menu at Embers Wood Grill
Wednesday, February 14, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Prix Fixe Dinner at Covey Kitchen and Cocktails
Wednesday, February 14, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Dinner with Chef Frederick Brown at the Herlong Mansion
Wednesday, February 14, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Weekend Menu at Pomodoro Café
Wednesday, February 14 – Monday, February 19
2. Shop Valentine’s Day Gift Markets
Lunar Valentine Market at The AUK Market
Saturday, February 10, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Gifts-Sized Paintings, Mimosas and Treats at A Galentine’s Celebration at Artisans’ Guild Gallery
Sunday, February 11, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
“Valenswine’s and Cowlentine’s Day” Farmers Moo-Ket at Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary
Sunday, February 11, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
3. Themed Events and Exhibits
University of Florida School of Music 2024 Carillon Conference at UF Century Tower
Friday, February 9 – Saturday, February 10
Valentine’s Swing Dance at Santa Fe College
Friday, February 9, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Valentine’s Candle Workshop with Earth Tonix
Friday, February 9, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Galentine’s Print Night at Paradise Press and Print Studio
Friday, February 9, 6:30 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Fresh Flower Workshop at the Harn Museum of Art
Saturday, February 10, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Dark Hearts: A Gothic Valentine’s Celebration at Civic Media Center
Saturday, February 10, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Live on the Lawn Double Feature with Check Please: Take 2 (Live Performance) and The Lady Eve (Radio Play) at the Herlong Mansion
Saturday, February 10, 7 p.m.
Dance Alive National Ballet Presents Love in the Swamp at UF Phillips Center
Saturday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.
Galentine’s Champagne and Charcuterie Spa Day at Sweetwater Branch Inn
Sunday, February 11, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Gainesville Big Band Presents: “Love is in the Air” at Meizon Church
Sunday, February 11, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Valentine’s Champagne and Strawberries Tour at Carson Springs Wildlife
Sunday, February 11, 2 p.m.
Escapology’s Valentines Day Mixer at Celebration Pointe
Wednesday, February 14, 6 p.m.
Swing Your Valentine Soiree at Sweetwater Branch In
Wednesday, February 14, 6:30 p.m.
HeART Wall Happy Hour at How Bazar
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Valentine’s Candle Workshop with Earth Tonix
Friday, February 9, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Valentine’s Night Hike at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Wednesday, February 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
“The Best Little Valentine’s Burlesque Show” at High Dive
Wednesday, February 14, 8 p.m.
Explore Florida’s top museums in the UF Cultural Plaza – The Harn Museum of Art is next door to the Florida Museum of Natural History and Butterfly Rainforest.
4. Cocktails and Craft Breweries
Valentine’s Weekend Small Business Marketplace at Swamp Head Brewery
Saturday, February 10, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Galentine’s Game Day at Swamp Head Brewery
Sunday, February 11, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Date Night at Blackadder Brewing Company
Tuesday, February 13, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Specialty Cocktails and Themed Bites at Gals and Pals Pre-Valentine’s Night at The Traveler Wine Bar
Tuesday, February 13, 6 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Beer and Cheese Pairing at Swamp Head Brewery
Wednesday, February 14, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sip a Craft Brew and Bake a Chocolate Cake at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company
Wednesday, February 14, 8 p.m.
5. Enjoy a Picnic at a Beautiful Botanical Garden or Picturesque Location
Pack a picnic to enjoy at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens a 68-acre facility comprised of 24 major garden collections to include the state’s largest public display of bamboo and the largest herb garden in the Southeast.
Have an outdoor adventure on a canoe trip down the Santa Fe River or on Lake Santa Fe. Rent your water vessels from the Santa Fe Canoe Outpost and DJ’s Kayak Rentals.
Embrace the breathtaking sunsets over Lake Alice while observing the bats emerge on their evening journey from the World’s largest occupied bat houses.
Spend the afternoon in one of Alachua County’s off-the-beaten path, old-Florida towns including Micanopy, Alachua, Newberry and High Springs.
Make a stop at the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park’s Visitor Center and soak in the beauty and vastness of the prairie from a back-porch rocking chair. Ask the rangers how to get to the 50-foot observation tower where you can sit on the porch swing and try to spot wild horses and bison.
Explore over 100 miles of trails at local parks. Discover a 120-foot sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, go birding at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, see the largest live oak in Florida at Cellon Oak Park and use pedal power at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park.
6. Plan a Getaway or Romantic Staycation
Experience local bed and breakfast filled with history and character. Discover beautiful gardens, relaxing fountains, personalized hospitality and impressive home-cooked breakfasts. Explore bed and breakfasts in Gainesville and Alachua County.
Valentine’s Dinner with Chef Justin Langer and Beautiful Rooms at Laurel Oak Inn and Camellia Rose Inn
Wednesday, February 14
Galentine’s Champagne and Charcuterie Spa Day at Sweetwater Branch Inn
Sunday, February 11, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Explore hotels and other places to stay in Alachua County at VisitGainesville.com
7. Treats for Your Sweet
Visit a bakery, chocolatier or cookie shop to bring home that special sweet treat.
Valentine’s Day Menu with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Tiramisu Cream French Rose, Strawberries and Cream Tartelette and more at Uppercrust Bakery
Wednesday, February 14, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Valentine Specials at Le Macaron
Now through Wednesday, February 14
