Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Long Beach!
Valentine’s Day is more than just hearts and flowers! Unconventional choices abound – from Valentine’s Dive Night at Aquarium of the Pacific, to a Valentine-themed comedy show or smooth jazz concert, a wine & pie tasting, chocolate making class, and even a bonnie Scots Festival! Of course, if you are looking for a more traditional romantic experience, we’ve got you covered – many LB restaurants are offering Valentine’s Day specials. Or spend the day on the water with a Gondola Getaway. With or without an SO, you’ll find a cupid’s quiver full of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day when you live in Long Beach!
Smooth Jazz Valentines Concert Terrace Theater 300 E Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 14 For the lover in you, Rainbow Promotions presents a Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Concert for Lovers and Friends, featuring Will Downing and Boney James. Be dazzled when you enter the Terrace Theatre via the Long Beach Performing Arts Center’s main plaza, as you pass a dazzling fountain display featuring multiple water columns of ever-changing colors. Inside the Terrace’s 3-story glass-walled lobby, spacious suspended staircases ascend to the upper levels of the theater. Enjoy the show – outside and within!
My Funny Valentine Long Beach Laugh Factory 151 S. Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 14 Roses are red, violets are blue, be my funny valentine boo. Show your Valentine the funniest date they will ever have! The Laugh Factory is transforming their world famous stage to a Valentine themed night. Who is your favorite comedian from Netflix, Hulu, HBO or from your favorite comedy films or TV shows? Chances are you are going to see them during the All-Star Comedy show, featuring the best comedians in the world.
Valentine’s Day at Shoreline Village 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 14 Celebrate Valentines Day at one of the most romantic places in Southern California! Shoreline Village is offering dining specials, a special harbor cruise, live music and beautiful harbor views. You’ll also find Love Locks available for purchase at the Beach House, located between Sugar Daddies & Louisiana Charlie’s. Shoreline Village launched Love Locks with the Jewett’s, a couple that met and married at Shoreline Village 30 years ago. Celebrate Valentine’s Day everyday by locking in your love at this new installation, inspired by European cities. Love Lock Bridge is located directly in front of Village Hat Shop.
Valentine’s Night Dive Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 14 Grab your significant otter or your single squid squad for Valentine’s Night Dive! It’ll be a fin-tastic night featuring live music, art, food trucks, DJs, and more. Watch four local artists paint 4×8 murals in theTropical Pacific Gallery. Catch a bite to eat from one of the food trucks parked on the front plaza of the Aquarium. Trucks include Coastal Coffee & Desserts, Cocina Fresca, The Tropic Truck, Slamin Sliders, and The Deli Doctor. Wash it all down at the Rosé Bar: Rosé all day (and night). One question, sparkling or flat?
February 13 is Galentine’s Day
We’re quick to shower our significant others with gifts and treats on February 14, but the day prior was designed to celebrate other equally important relationships in our lives – our gal pals! Galentine’s Day was the creation of the beloved fictional deputy director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie Knope. Feb 12 Network and celebrate Galentine’s Day with the Trailblazer community at Waters Edge Winery of Long Beach. Treat yourself with a complimentary wine tasting, light eats, and an optional brief massage from Bob The Chiropractor masseuse.
Queen Mary Scots Festival The Queen Mary 1126 Queens Hwy. Long Beach, CA, 90802
Feb 15 & 16 Bust out your kilt and bagpipes — it’s haggis time! Queen Mary’s Scots Festival returns for its 27th year celebrating the bonnie ship’s Scottish heritage. This two-day festival would make William Wallace feel right at home, with tons of music, dancing, food (mince and tatties, anyone?) and athletic competitions straight from the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands alike. Marvel as modern competitors face off in ancient feats of strength (hammer throwing!), then sample some whisky and scotch, watch collies herd sheep, and more.
Wine is My Valentine Waters Edge Winery of Long Beach 217 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 14 Make Wine Your Valentine has something for couples and singles alike. Couple can enjoy a 5 course meal with wine pairings, while singles can party downstairs with wine and a buffet spread of delicious bites. There will be a fire pit on the patio for singles to burn those old love letters and pictures! Live music from 7-10pm.
Wine & Pie Tasting The Pie Bar 450 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 14 All you need is love…..and wine…..and pie. Grab your sweetie pie or your best friend and join in for a fun evening pairing wine with pie. You’ll sample 6 different wines paired with 6 different sweet pies. Reserve your spot. Limited to 20 guests. Age 21+
Feb 13 Enjoy a night of frivolity on the canals of Naples Islands! Gondola Getaway offers one of the most fun and unique wine tastings available this side of the Grand Canal! Actually, they don’t even do it there. Gondola Getaway has teamed up with the world class family-owned winery, Seven Angels. You will board the large Gondola, The Caorlina, that is set up with a custom charcuterie and wine tasting table. Two gondoliers and a wine expert from the winery will taste you on at least 5 wines from their vineyards, while you nibble on an Italian style charcuterie selection. Each of the 5 bridges that you pass beneath will signal the opening of the next unique wine.
Chocolate Making Workshop Romeo Chocolates 460 Pine Ave Long Beach, CA 90802
Feb 15 This sweet workshop covers all the fundamental science and technique of tempering chocolate and making a variety of dipped and molded candies. Following the demonstration, students will temper chocolate by hand and learn proper techniques for dipping with the right chocolate tools. The class will cover how to use professional polycarbonate molds to make the fruit bars or roasted mixed nuts bars. Each student will be sent home with 4 – 1 oz chocolate bars they create and wrap in class.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Image courtesy of Romeo Chocolates
Photo #2: Image courtesy of Rainbow Promotions
Photo #3: Image courtesy of Laugh Factory
Photo #4: Image courtesy of Shoreline Village
Photo #5: Image courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific
Photo #6: Image courtesy of National Today
Photo #7: Image courtesy of Queen Mary Scots Festival
Photo #8: Image courtesy of Waters Edge Winery
Photo #9: Image courtesy of The Pie Bar
Photo #10: Image courtesy of Gondola Getaway
Photo #11: Image courtesy of Romeo Chocolates