11 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in BC

Flowers and chocolates are optional with these creative approaches to a special Valentine’s Day

Surprise your sweetheart with a romantic activity this Valentine’s Day

Whether you like to celebrate Valentine’s Day for romance, friendship or family, BC offers a unique array of options for warm and fuzzy excursions surrounded by backdrops guaranteed to set your heart aflutter.

Take a Romantic Stroll through Cathedral Grove’s Old Growth Forest

Located in MacMillan Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, Cathedral Grove is an 800-year-old forest of massive Douglas firs that will transplant you to a magical elfin paradise. Take a romantic stroll through the towering trees and spend some quiet moments in this sacred setting.

Indulge in Vegan Sweets

Drop by Vancouver’s Yoga in Daily Life this February 13 for compassionate vegan delights at the Vegan Sweets Sale—Cruelty-Free Valentine’s Day. Enjoy free chai while you peruse the vegan cookies, chocolates, biscotti, muffins and other treats for sale. Bring some sweetness home for friends and family and spread the love. Proceeds go to India’s Animal Refuge.

Learn to Lap Dance and Striptease

Bring sexy back this Valentine’s by learning lap dance and striptease moves. Gather your girlfriends, a bottle of wine and some clothing to shed and check out Pole Dance Studio Inc. for a 90-minute lap dance and striptease workshop on February 13, or head to Tantra Fitness on February 5 for a spicy 2-hour Valentine’s lap dance workshop—wine included.

Dine Atop Grouse Mountain

While nothing can equal the beauty of your sweetheart, the view from the top of Grouse Mountain is a fitting setting in which to enjoy it. Sip cocktails in the chic Altitudes Bistro, sample award-winning cuisine at The Observatory, or if you’re trying not to break the bank this year, have a self-serve bite in the simple yet sleek Lupins Café.

Pamper Your Precious at Tigh-Na-Mara Spa & Grotto

Nestled in the trees beside the ocean on Vancouver Island, Tigh-Na-Mara Spa is a hot spot for luxurious Valentine’s Day pampering with spa treatments like body wraps, massages, scrubs, pedicures, manicures, and facials made from pure West Coast natural ingredients.

But Tigh-na-Mara’s real gem is its natural stone grotto—2,500 square feet of warm water pools with natural detoxifying minerals, complete with waterfall and glacial plunge cascade. Afterward, enjoy some antioxidant cuisine at Treetop Tapas & Grill.

Join Vancouver’s Largest Singles Anti-Valentine’s Day Party

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Meet Market Adventures is hosting a huge anti-Valentine’s Day bash this year at Century House, where Vancouver’s hottest haters and daters will convene for an evening of networking, flirting, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, prizes, DJs and good clean(ish) anti-Valentine’s Day fun. ?

Party at W2: Love in the Time of Andalusia

On February 12, experience the sensual arts of the past at W2’s Love in the Time of Andalusia. This three-room party will feature performances by three bands: Flamenco Alcala—a Spanish ensemble, Tzimmes—Sephardic love songs from the Iberic Peninsula’s golden age and The Serwan Yamolky Trio—classic music from the Middle East.

A dance room will feature the music of DJ Marc Fournie, DJ Azura and DJ Michael Laycock, and a sensual room will serve up tapas, mint tea, art, projections and sensual gifts.

Take a Valentine’s Dinner and Dance Cruise

Float your love boat on The Pride of Vancouver for a night of gourmet food, candlelit romance, spectacular views and dancing cheek to cheek. Cruises launch on February 13 and 14. ?

Paint Romantic Musings on Pottery

Round up the kids for some Valentine’s Day crafting this year at Vancouver’s U Paint, I Fire. Choose your own pottery or ceramic pieces to decorate for as little as $10 including glazing, instruction and firing. Bring along some Valentine’s Day treats to make it a party.

Go Snowshoeing by Moonlight in Whistler

Ever snowshoed through Whistler’s backcountry under a starlit sky? Natural Trekking brings you the Magical Moon Tour—a snowshoe trek through the pristine Callaghan backcountry followed by fondue and hot beverages for an over-the-moon Valentine’s Day adventure with your loved ones.

Turn up the Heat at Ainsworth Hot Springs

Ainsworth Hot Springs is a natural wonder located in the Kootenays just outside Nelson. The source of its hot mineral water is a horseshoe-shaped cave replete with ornate stalagmites and stalactites. Sit back and lounge with a loved one and enjoy the pristine view of Kootenay Lake. Curious? Check out the virtual tour.

Get some creative Valentine's Day gift ideas. And check out our Weekend Getaway Guides for more ideas on romantic escapes.