Erin MaxwellThis Valentine’s Day, don’t just settle for dinner and chocolates when you have a plethora of options in the City of Angels that include floating on a lake in a luminescent swan, taking a walk among the stars, and even communing with the undead. The sky’s the limit as LA offers a unique sampling of fun frolics that will titillate the senses and more.
Astra Lumina Los Angeles: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars
(Courtesy of Fever)
Explore the beauty of the night sky at eye level with a loved one by your side at Astra Lumina Los Angeles, where the sprawling 87-acre botanical garden creates a breathtaking experience perfect for couples. Featuring nine thematic areas, 25 different night walks, and a lifetime of memories, the immersive experience brings the glory of the galaxy down to earth, creating an impossibly romantic jaunt through the very stars themselves. Share the beauty of the universe with a loved one this Valentine’s Day and make Astra Lumina your new annual tradition.
Open now until March 9, 2025. Ticket prices start at $29.
South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
astralumina.com/los-angeles
Take a Night Ride On an Echo Park Swan Boat
(Courtesy of Wheel Fun Rentals)
Known to locals and featured in the occasional film, the Swan Boats of Echo Park are as much a part of Los Angeles as Dodger Stadium and the trolley at The Grove. At night, the Swans become a vessel of charm and beauty as they light up on the water, casting a magical glow that screams romance. Explore Echo Park Lake in an adorable pedal boat of your own in this unique and fun activity that will be a stand-out date memory.
Event available year round, weather permitting. Reservations required for pedal boats. Please make sure to reserve your boat prior to arrival. Adults are $13+ per person, children are $7.50+. Must be at least 18 years old to rent. Illuminated night rides begin at 5 p.m.. Street parking available.
Echo Park Lake, 1149 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
wheelfunrentals.com/echo
Valentine’s Day Aboard The Queen Mary
(Courtesy of The Queen Mary)
Experience the finer things in life with a touch of history aboard the iconic Queen Mary. Treat your partner to a romantic evening featuring exquisite cuisine and unforgettable entertainment. Enjoy a four-course plated meal paired with the dazzling show Love is in the Air, transforming the Queen Mary into a Los Angeles-style Love Boat for an enchanting night.
Valentine’s Dinner and Show “Love is in the Air”: Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Single admission is $129, couple admission is $250. Ages 21+ only.
For those celebrating friendship instead of romance, the Queen Mary presents a special Brushes & Bubbly: Galentine’s Day Edition on February 13. Sip wine, paint, and create your own masterpiece with guidance from expert instructors in a fun and inspiring atmosphere.
Brushes & Bubbly: Galentine’s Day Edition: Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.
And for those of you who like a non-traditional outing with their valentine, the Queen Mary also offers a Paranormal Date Night, where guests can learn about the sordid, spooky history of the great ship as they explore the whispers of paranormal happenings that lurk behind every dark and creepy corner. On February 14 and 15, a special limited VIP paranormal tour will be offered, including an intimate three-course pre-fixe dinner. However, do not fret if you miss out, as the Queen Mary offers a few other paranormal attractions and haunted tours to take your valentine on for a spirited outing.
Paranormal Date Night: Feb. 14 and 15 beginning at 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets begin at $155+ a person. Visit the Queen Mary’s official site for a full schedule of their Paranormal Attractions and Haunted Encounters available on or near Valentine’s Day.
All tickets are nonrefundable; Some areas of the ship may not be accessible to guests with mobility restrictions. Parking is $10 with validation.
The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway Long Beach, CA 90802
queenmary.com/seasonal-events.htm
Love Will Tear Us Apart: A Valentine’s Day Dance Party at Harvard & Stone
(Courtesy of Jared Javier; IG @JJ.Mp3)
In love? In lust? Single? Don’t care? Well, if you need the perfect place to escape this “Mad World” where the music is “Just Like Heaven,” Club Decades offers a special Valentine’s Day dance party at Harvard & Stone to either celebrate or condemn the Hallmark holiday. Love Will Tear Us Apart: A Valentine’s Day Dance Party offers the best in alternative music DJs, multiple bars, vendors, and go-go dancers galore in a strange soiree. But for this party, eventgoers are encouraged to shed their usually black frocks for a more lively red before they take to the dance floor. So before you “Kiss Off” the holiday completely, give this dark gathering a try.
Event on Feb. 14. Tickets start at $12+; Doors open at 10 p.m. No refunds. Proper ID required. Ages 21+ only.
Harvard & Stone, 5221 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
club-decades.com
Candlelight Concert Series in Los Angeles
(Courtesy of Fever)
The Candlelight Concert series is a worldwide phenomenon that merges music with the warm radiance of candlelight to create an exceptional experience of sight and sound. Candlelight Downtown LA: Valentine’s Day Special featuring the music of “Romeo and Juliet” and classics from composers Tchaikovsky, Mancini and more, as well as contemporary artists such as Adele and Celine Dion. Create a musical memory that will last a lifetime.
And for those who like their romance with a side of rock, there is also the Candlelight Downtown: Bowie to Pink Floyd – Rock Ballads Tribute available. Featuring the music of the Beatles, Aerosmith, Oasis, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, U2, and more, enjoy celebrated pop artists of the era under the gentle glow of candlelight with a loved one.
Tickets start at $47.63; Please check the site for performance times. Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Venue is ADA compliant.
The Biltmore Hotel 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
candlelightexperience.com
Sultry Sweet Burlesque Valentine’s Day Celebration
(Samuel H. Prudencio; IG @shphotgrafia)
Put the va-va-voom in your Valentine’s Day with the help of the lovely ladies from Sultry Sweet Burlesque as they roll out the red carpet and put their finest foot forward in a show just for the day of love. Featuring a live burlesque orchestra, the two-hour event offers an evening of provocative entertainment for adults-only eyes. Hosted by Claire The Loon, Sultry Sweet Burlesque promises to tantalize Angelenos on the most seductive day of the year.
February 14 at 9 p.m. PST, doors open at 8 p.m. PST; Tickets start at $30+. A two-drink minimum is required for each person attending a show. Parking is available below Ovation Hollywood for a fee. Please visit the site for additional information.
The Kookburra Lounge, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, #4th floor Los Angeles, CA 90028
sultrysweetburlesque.com
Go for a Garden Stroll at Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
(Owen Jiang Photography)
Walk hand in hand with a loved one in a hidden paradise just a few minutes outside of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Created by Kinzuchi Fujii in the 1930s for Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns in Pasadena, the small and intimate Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a hill and pond-style stroll garden featuring two picturesque waterfalls, koi ponds, numerous bridges, and a formal teahouse designed by Fujii himself. A true part of Los Angeles history that meshes Japanese culture with contemporary America, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a buried treasure worth unearthing this Valentine’s Day.
Open Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer, and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the winter, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 on Sundays, and $15 on Friday and Saturday. Children aged 12 and under are free. No reservations required.
270 Arlington Drive Pasadena, California 91105
japanesegardenpasadena.com
Discover An ‘LA Romance’ At Clifton’s Republic
(Courtesy of Clifton’s Republic)
The multi-storied, former cafeteria Clifton’s Republic has been a staple of historic downtown Los Angeles since the 1930s. Once the place to grab a little grub on the way to work, it has been reimagined into a captivating space that whisks patrons away to different eras, locales and whimsical worlds. This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love with a touch of adventure at Clifton’s Republic with their special event LA Romance: A Love Letter To the City Of Angels, an experience that utilizes every part of the vast nightclub. Escape to the tropical elegance of the hidden tiki bar Pacific Seas and dine in an exotic location, bask in the opulence of the Jazz Age at the Brookdale Ballroom, or uncover the hidden wonders of the Shadowbox Cabaret. Experience an evening of endless enchantment this Valentine’s Day at Clifton’s Republic, a true Los Angeles charmer.
Tickets start at $33+ for general admission; Prices vary depending on Valentine’s Day package selected. Age 21+ only. Please visit the ticket site for additional details, package pricing, and availability.
Clifton’s Republic, 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
eventbrite.com/e/la-romance-a-love-letter-for-the-city-of-angels-tickets-1156248383039