Chronicle’s annual Valentine courier gives you the ins and outs of when, where, and how to celebrate the month of love. You’ll discover movies, parties, dining and themed events to enjoy with your love and the family you love.
For better or worse, this is the month the Cherry Creek Valley becomes Venus, the Goddess of Love. It’s the sweetest time of year though it can occasionally be a stormy, swooning affair.
But fear not guys and girls, love conquers all. The Chronicle has dimmed the lights and lit candles to help young and old alike make it through all 29 days of partying to commemorate cupid’s holiday.
From Singing Valentine serenades, to a night of dancing and cocktails at a Valentine Prom and scrumptious dining specials, the Valley is definitely spreading love this February.
Here’s our annual lover’s guide to the ins and outs of when, where and how to celebrate:
Art Of Love
Hearts For Art — Show your love for fine art by placing a paper heart on the floor in front of your “artwork crush” at the Denver Art Museum. Dates last year were Feb. 11-15. This year’s dates are to be announced. Information: 720-865-5000.
V Day D’art Reception — Santa Fe art district gallery hosts a reception for two artist exhibition titled Elements Feb. 14, 6-9 p.m. Information: 720-486-7736.
Entertaining Romance
Haflet Hobb Love Party — Sing and dance as talented musicians play a set list of Middle Eastern and North African songs at the Mercury Café Feb. 8, 7:30-9 p.m. Information: 303-294-9258.
Love Letters — Enjoy Vintage Theatre’s Pulitzer Prize nominated play with coffee cocktails and dessert at Cherokee Ranch (6133 Daniels Park Rd. in Sedalia) Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Information: 720-627-7175.
Party & Movie — Theresa Mercado hosts the 35mm film Hell On Wheels (1996) at the Sie FilmCenter on Colfax Feb. 14, 9:30 p.m. Event begins with a “Vicious Valentine Party” prior to the film Information: 720-381-0813.
Tequila Lovers Festival — Winter Tequila Festival connects tequila lovers with great tequila at the Blake Street Tavern Feb. 22, 3-6 p.m. Information: 303-675-0505.
Valentine Prom — Enjoy a night of dancing and cocktails at Mercury Café’s annual prom downtown on California St. Feb. 1, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. The event is a benefit for Flyers for Kids. Information: 303-294-9258.
Valentine’s Weekend With Phil Hanley — Love becomes a laughing matter as you watch the stand-up comedian perform at the Comedy Works in Larimer Square, Feb. 13-16.
Flower Power
Colorado Garden & Home Show — You and your love will enjoy the multitude of fragrances as you stroll through more than an acre of professionally landscaped gardens (11 in all) at the Colorado Convention Center, Feb. 22-March 1. Information: 303-932-8100.
Love Potions From The Vine — Celebrate the month of love with a captivating tour of exotic tropical plants that have inspired myths and tease the senses at the Denver Botanic Gardens 3-4 p.m. Dates are Feb. 7, 8, 9 & 13, 14, 15. Information: 720-865-3500.
Orchid Showcase — Love blossoms as you stroll with your love viewing hundreds of colorful orchid blooms in the Orangery & Marnie’s Pavilion at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Feb. 1-16. Information: 720-865-3500.
Valentine’s Day Blooms — Grab your love and participate in a fun afternoon of flower arranging at Kingman Estates Winery Feb. 9, 1 p.m. Information: 720-560-7270.
Love Bites
BE Loved Dinner — Enjoy a three course Valentine meal for two at the BE Kitchen located at 2364 15th St. Feb. 14, 7-10 p.m. Information: 303-284-6652.
Coohills’ Valentine’s Day Celebration — Restaurant across the creek from the Pepsi Center at 1400 Wewatta St. is offering a six course cupid New York Strip dinner Feb. 14-16, 5 p.m. to close. Information: 303-623-5700.
Date Night Valentine Cooking Class — Sip on vino as you and your sweetie shake up classic Italian cocktails and create a sensual Italian menu together. Cupid event is at Park Coworking on Old South Gaylord Feb. 5, 6-9 p.m. Information: 303-726-6054.
Edge Prix Fixe Dinner — Join Edge Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown of a dinner to fill your heart. Eatery is featuring a three course Prix Fixe menu Feb. 14th alongside the regular dinner menu. Information: 303-389-3050.
Greek & American Specials — In the Greek language cupid is known as Eros, an ancient St. Valentine symbol. The Monaco Inn Restaurant south of Leetsdale on Monaco is offering a menu of Greek (Lamb Shank & Lamb Chops) and American (Prime Rib, Filet Mignon & Lobster Tail) specials Feb. 14, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
Rave Series Valentine’s Day Edition — Enjoy a candlelit four-course dinner and cocktail pairing as live band serenades you at LIBERATI Restaurant & Brewery on Champa St. Feb. 15, 6-9 p.m. Information: 303-862-5652.
Swanky Surprise — The New York French bistro Le Bilboquet in Cherry Creek North’s luxury St. Paul Collection on St. Paul St. is offering a prix-fix V Day menu. The swanky spot will post the surprise special on their website three weeks prior to Valentine’s Day. Information: 303-835-9999.
Valentine Dining Double — Charcoal Bistro on Old South Gaylord is offering their second annual Vegan Valentine’s Day Dinner Feb. 13. They then followed it up with a special price-fixed menu by Executive Chef Amy Brown Feb. 14. Information: 303-953-8718.
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar — The eatery in Glendale’s CitySet is offering a four-course menu with optional wine pairing Feb. 14 beginning at 3 p.m. The happy hour menu will be offered from 3-6 p.m. Raw bar menu with oysters and crab will be available all night. Information: 303-756-6449.
Musical Romance
A Symphonic Valentine — The Colorado Symphony plays the most romantic music in the orchestral repertoire at Boettcher Concert Hall, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
From Venice With Love — Venetian songstress Giada Valenti sings songs from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s at the Lone Tree Arts Center Feb. 15, 8 p.m. Information: 720-509-1000.
Oysterhead Valentine Jam — Jam-band supergroup composed of guitarist Trey Anastasio (Phish), bassist Les Claypool (Primus) and drummer Stewart Copeland (The Police) entertain at Broomfield’s FirstBank Center Feb. 14-15, 8 p.m. Information: 303-410-8497.
Valentine’s Day With The Eli Young Band — One of country music’s most exciting bands with hit singles like “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Love Ain’t” plays the Fillmore Auditorium Feb. 14, 7 p.m. Information: 303-837-0360.
Valentine Serenade — The Sound of the Rockies Chorus will deliver a Singing Valentine to serenade your love by quartets from the local chorus. Information: 303-335-0825.
Runaway Love
The Course Of Love — Couples run together at the 5K, 10K and mile LeCourse de l’Amour at Denver City Park Feb. 8, 8-11 a.m. Information: feetonthestreet.com.
Valentine’s Day 4-Mile — Dress up as your favorite couple for the annual RunDenver Series at Wash Park Feb. 9, 9-11 a.m. Information:runningdenver.com.
V Day Hook-up
Marriage Ceremony — Denver Clerk & Recorder’s Office at 201 W. Colfax Ave. has judges and clergy on hand to perform free marriage ceremonies Feb. 14, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information: 720-913-1311.