Alternative Valentine’s Day Events in Los Angeles

Love is in the air - or is that the smell of fresh, warm donuts? Now through February 16, participating Randy’s Donuts locations are offering a Chocolate Raised Ring Donut topped with red, pink and white sprinkles; and Heart-Shaped Donut decorated with festive red, pink and white sprinkles. Plus, during the Valentine’s Day promotion, guests will receive a FREE Valentine’s Round Donut with the purchase of any hot or iced specialty drink—the perfect way to share (or keep all to yourself)!

Give the gift of sweet donuts to someone you love cherry much! California Donuts is featuring a Valentine's Box Set with exclusive donuts made with PINK dough. Discount priced at $38, the box of one dozen donuts includes flavors like Mon Chéri (white chocolate on edible rice paper), XOXO (white chocolate, Valentine's sprinkles, "XOXO" candy letters) and Chocolate Sprinkle (x2) with chocolate icing and Valentine's sprinkles.

California Donuts is also offering a DIY Valentine's Decorating Kit ($25) with 8 heart-shaped donuts (also with pink dough), 3 icings in dip containers (vanilla, pink strawberry, hot pink strawberry), Valentine's sprinkles mix and an assortment of holiday toppers.

Pre-order at the California Donuts website.

"Love is in the air" with Orbic Air, which is offering unforgettable Valentine's Day Packages from February 8 to 16. All packages include complimentary champagne, guaranteed private flight, a rose for that special someone, an assortment of chocolates, desserts and berries; and a souvenir photo to remember the experience.

Orbic Air boasts the closest views of the iconic Hollywood Sign with its ten-minute Lovers Tour, which includes bird's eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.

Other packages include the exclusive Downtown LA Rooftop Landing, romantic Ultimate Sunset Tour and 30-minute Cupid's Tour.

One of LA's most romantic attractions, Pacific Park at the landmark Santa Monica Pier is celebrating love from February 11 to 17. Throughout the week, Pacific Park's iconic Pacific Wheel will glow with 174,000 LED lights in red, pink and white, with lighting patterns including hearts, romantic messages, and love emojis, setting the stage for a magical, romantic evening. Photo ops include the giant, flower-covered heart; and heart-themed souvenir photos at the Ferris Wheel. Snackville is offering Valentine’s-inspired treats: Strawberry Cheesecake Churro and Sweetheart Sundae from Churrita Churros; Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt from Dippin Dots and Scoops Creamery; and Heart-Shaped Cookies from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

On Valentine's Day, the whole family will enjoy a Lego Build Event at 4pm; and couples can spend a creative evening at Paint & Sip - guests will paint an 8x10 canvas while enjoying two specialty cocktails. Pricing for Paint & Sip is $50 per person, which includes supplies, aprons and drink vouchers.

Valentine's Weekend highlights include romantic violin performances from 6-9pm at the Pacific Wheel; fresh bouquets at Cupid’s Cart of Flowers; and Prosecco, Sparkling Rosé and the "Be My Basil" Smash at Patio 66.

Perched on the 36th floor of the Moxy Downtown LA, Level 8's Gallery Thirty Six presents Love Above All on Friday and Saturday, February 14-15. Taking place from 6pm to midnight on both nights, Love Above All is an immersive Valentine's themed experience with stunning views of the City of Cupids.

The 90-minute experience includes: welcome drink⁠, 10+ Valentine's themed interactive activations, live music, dance performances, professional photography set & props, and contemporary artworks for sale.

Tickets to Love Above All start at $49 and all proceeds benefit A New Dawn Foundation.

Clifton's Republic presents An LA Romance, a film noir themed extravaganza featuring dinner and live performances throughout the spectacular Downtown LA venue: "This Valentine’s Day we've crafted experiences to capture the City’s heart as a love letter not just to our fabled town, but to the extraordinary people who built it and will rebuild it."

Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite, with numerous options from General Admission to a romantic "Dinner Cruise" in the Pacific Seas tropical speakeasy; Noir Romance in the Brookdale Ballroom; and a Champagne Table for Two in the Shadowbox Underground Cabaret. Elevated cocktail attire is required.

On Valentine's Day, South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho headlines Ravel & Brahms at Walt Disney Concert Hall with a performance of Ravel’s joyful Concerto in G. The Wall Street Journal describes Cho as poised to take his place among the greats of the past “not only for his bulletproof technique, but also for his artistic voice [and] his sense of drama.” GRAMMY Award winning conductor Paavo Järvi leads a Brahms quartet lovingly orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg.

Arrive early for Valentine's Drinks in the Garden! Mix and mingle with fellow concertgoers over a free glass of wine and take home a personalized poem, crafted on the spot by typists from the Melrose Poetry Bureau.

A Club Called Rhonda once again takes over the legendary Catch One with Rhondavous, a Valentine's Day extravaganza with 18 DJs, 5 Rooms, 2 Floors and a few thousand of your closest friends. A portion of all proceeds are going to benefit It's Bigger Than Us, a community-driven organization dedicated to direct support of underserved communities at the frontlines of fire relief efforts. Tickets at Resident Advisor.

Don your favorite overalls and join Bob Baker Marionette Theatre for a Valentine Day’s Hoedown! The event includes a special performance of BBMT's farm-themed marionette show, Something to Crow About; line dancing with instructors Michelle and Charlie (and puppets) walking you through the steps; delicious burgers off the grill from LA Burg popup; plus drinks, treats and more. Tickets at the BBMT website. Something to Crow About and Farmcore costumes encouraged. Yeehaw!

Echo Park favorite Bar Flores is hosting Always and Florever on Valentine's Day, featuring Dave Salvaje spinning romantic vinyl all night; and tacos on the patio from Valendez Foods.

In honor of the late, great David Lynch, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a 35mm screening of one of his most romantic films, Wild at Heart, in the David Geffen Theatre. Recipient of the Palme d’Or at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival and starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, Wild at Heart has lost none of its raucous energy and rebellious, romantic spirit in the 35 years since its original release.

Experience a magical Valentine's Day at Houston Hospitality's Black Rabbit Rose, a hidden gem in the heart of Hollywood. The Magic of Love features performances by a trio of magicians, signature cocktails and live jazz.

Tickets are on sale at SevenRooms with two options. $75 includes admission to the 9:30pm magic show, cocktail, champagne toast and red rose. The $275 Couples Package includes two tickets, a two-course dinner, two cocktails for each guest, champagne toast, dessert and roses. Jazz starts after 11:30pm. Upscale attire is encouraged.

Join Las Tóxicas últimas, Raiza Licea and Sierra Santana, for Las Tóxicas LIVE - an evening of sketch, improv, stand-up and special guests galore! The best chismosas in comedy will answer the age-old question, “Were we born tóxica, or was toxicity thrust upon us?” Las Tóxicas LIVE is a love letter to the Latinas who made us, shaped us and changed us, for better and for worse.

Quentin Tarantino's indie movie theater, the New Beverly Cinema, presents a matinee screening of Before Sunrise on Valentine's Day. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Before Sunrise is the first film in Richard Linklater's Before trilogy. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star as two young people who meet and whose lives are forever changed on a train from Budapest to Paris. They may have only one night, but when soulmates find each other, anything can happen "before sunrise."

Embark on an unforgettable evening aboard the legendary Queen Mary with its paranormal expert, Officer Paul Jacek, affectionately known as "Officer Spooky." Taking place on Friday and Saturday, February 14-15, Haunted Hearts is an exclusive two-hour tour that will take you deep into the ship’s most haunted areas, where chilling tales of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena come to life. Officer Jacek's captivating storytelling and paranormal expertise will guide you through the ship’s eerie corridors, shadowy decks, and infamous hotspots, setting the perfect atmosphere for a night of thrills.

After your spine-tingling exploration, enjoy dinner in an intimate setting with your guide and group, complete with a specially curated menu to conclude your haunted date night in style. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, this one-of-a-kind experience promises to be a night to remember.

Book your Paranormal Date Night now—if you dare!

Bollywood in Hollywood (BIH) presents the annual Love Aaj Kal: Bollywood Valentine's Party on Saturday, February 15 at Ka'teen. Whether you're single and ready to mingle, or already attached, Love Aaj Kal is the Bollywood-style Valentine's party of your dreams. BIH notes there's a special dress code: red (taken), black (available) and white (it's complicated).

Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite, with options for groups and VIP tables.

On Saturday, February 15, the Philosophical Research Society presents Juraj Herz’s fantasy-horror masterpiece, Beauty and the Beast (1978).

This vivid reimagining of the classic fairy tale follows the innocent Julie, the daughter of a poor and destitute merchant, as she travels into the haunted wood to find her missing father. There she finds a decaying castle inhabited by strange creatures, ruled over by Netvor - an imposing and frightening being that is part bird, part serpent, part man. Though held under Netvor’s watchful eye, Julie’s love for him unexpectedly grows, even as he is torn between his growing affection for her and his animalistic urge to kill.

Tickets are $10 and on sale at Eventbrite.

On Saturday, February 15, Skate Oddity presents the Love Witch Skate Date, taking place from 5pm to 9pm at the LA Kings Burbank Sports Center.

Inspired by the dreamy aesthetics of The Love Witch movie, the Love Witch Skate Date is an enchanting evening of skating, spells and swoons. Channel your inner love witch or go goth-glam in black lace, Victorian vibes, or retro roller disco attire. Your hosts and DJs, Brynna Ashley and James David Bowie, will spin a mix of goth, post-punk, 80s, new wave, synth-pop and rock 'n' roll to get you moving on the rink.

Tickets to this all-ages party are on sale at Eventbrite.

On Saturday, February 15, Esters Wine Shop & Bar will host a Val/Gal-entine's Day Flower Workshop from 2pm to 4pm with local florist Krystal Chang. Guests will work with the best flowers the season has to offer— ranunculus, anemones, roses, tulips, sweet peas, and flowering branches; with a focus on locally sourced blooms. All flowers, vases and tools will be provided, and each participant will take home their own floral arrangement. And to top it all off, the workshop includes a complimentary glass of wine from Esters!

Tickets are $160 and 100% of proceeds will be donated to wildfire relief.

On Sunday, February 16, the historic Grand Central Market welcomes food and beverage illustrator Marianna Fierro for Sip and Sketch, a community gathering that combines the calming effects of coloring with the joy of eating, drinking and meeting new people. Whether you're bringing a date, a friend, or just yourself, everyone is invited to enjoy a fun afternoon of sipping and sketching. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite - all coloring materials, a drink of choice, snacks and surprises are included!