The warmth of spring and love is in the air with Valentine’s Day right around the corner on Friday, Feb. 14. Here’s a list of local Gainesville businesses gearing up to help you celebrate the holiday with markets, dances, cake decorating, concerts and exclusive menus.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Fill-a-Bag clothing sale
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Human Society of North Central Florida thrift store, 4205 NW 6th St.
Snag your Valentine’s outfit while helping pets in need. Fill the provided bags with all the clothes you can fit for just $3 to $5. Visit the Paw-fect Match adoption event at the shelter next door and give an animal the ultimate Valentine’s gift—a forever home. Adoption fees for adult cats and dogs five months and older are $14 thanks to a generous grant from ASPCA.
AUK Market Valentine’s Day Market
When: Noon-5 p.m.
Location: The AUK Market, 2031 NW 6th St.
Check out interactive experiences, tasty treats and desserts, handmade gifts, food truck offerings, plants, maker goods, vintage wares, tarot, chair massage and more. There will be a fashion runway show debut from Liddy Dow, a Lovers Tarot by Sage Sorcery Tarot, a chair massage by House of Yin, tunes by DJ Cam, food trucks and tasty drinks.
Valentine’s Day Cake Decorating Workshop with Nancy’s Bake Shop
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Pinspiration Gainesville, 1132 NW 76th Blvd.
A fun beginner-level class designed for adults and kids 8 and up focused on a vintage heart cake for Valentine’s Day. Your $55 ticket includes one 6-inch, two-layer vanilla cake to use as your base, instructions on different decorating techniques and styles, a bakery box to transport your masterpiece, and mimosas or juice of your choice.
Sunday, Feb. 9
Valentine’s Market
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: 4th Ave Food Park
Grab a Valentine’s Day gift for someone special or yourself. The market is held at the 4th Ave Food Park so grab some food from local restaurants while you shop. There will be vintage items, hand-made goods, jewelry and more.
Friday, Feb. 14
Special dinner at Germain’s
When: 6 p.m.
Location: Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches, 220 NW 8th Ave #10
The Valentine’s Day meal will offer appetizer lobster strudel (lobster, chicken mousse, mushroom medley, phyllo dough) for $22 and main dishes of half herb chicken (herb roasted chicken, rustic potatoes) for $22, parm crusted ribeye (ribeye crusted parmesan, cream spinach, rustic potatoes) for $35 and gnocchi and mushroom (creamy wine sauce, parmesan, lemon) for $18. Dessert will be strawberry brule toast (creme brule filling, strawberries, vanilla ice cream, orange zest) for $12.
Valentine’s Day 6-course prix fixe meal
When: 5-10 p.m.
Location: Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, 4860 Steve Spurrier Way
Tickets for this six-course meal can be purchased online for $125 each, not including gratuity.
UF carillon studio Valentine’s Day concert
When: 6:15 p.m.
Location: Century Tower Carillon, 375 Newell Dr.
A free, annual event.
IndepenDANCE Studio Presents: “Love Is In The Eras: A Parents’ Night Out Evening Dance Camp”
When: 5:30-9 p.m.
Location: 13537 NW 1st Ln, Newberry
Love is in the ERAS, and it’s time for parents to shake it off and enjoy a wildest dreams date night while the kids are having the time of their lives. They’ll dance, play and make crafts while you get to enjoy a well-deserved night on the town. There will be an Eras Tour choreography class, friendship bracelets, music video production, pizza dinner and prizes for the best Eras outfit.
The Great Newberry HeART Hunt
When: 10 a.m.
Location: Downtown Newberry
A collection of handmade art hearts by local environmental artist Ramey Vogel with special offers from local businesses will be hidden around town. Find a handmade Art Heart and take a photograph, share and tag @dirtybirdartco #newberryhearthunt on social media.
Flip Factory Zone Valentine’s Day special
When: 2-10 p.m.
Location: 7400 W Newberry Rd.
Buy one, get one extreme package that includes trampoline, sky coaster, laser tag, leap of faith, rock wall, jungle gym or ropes course and bumper cars. See the website for pricing.
Depot Village Valentine’s Dance Party with Dj A-Train
When: 6-11 p.m.
Location: Depot Village, 404 SE 2nd St.
Join for a dance party for all ages where the music hits hard and the energy is electric. Whether you’re rolling in with your partner, your crew, or flying solo, DJ A-Train will keep the dance floor alive with nonstop Valentine’s favorites to make this a night you won’t forget. Tickets can be purchased online.
Public and General oyster pop-up and wine-tasting
When: 3-7 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.
Location: Public and General, 1000 NE 16th Ave., Building H
Eva Martin of Oysters To You will be bringing in fresh, local oysters from Indian River Oyster Company in New Smyrna from 3-7 p.m. From 5-9 p.m., Public and General Wine Director Hollie will help you select the perfect wine pairing. All bottles of wine will be 15% off when you purchase at least a dozen oysters. No need to purchase a ticket but be sure to hit “going” as it helps staff and order accordingly. Oysters can also be purchased to take home at $150 for 100 oysters. The wine tasting will be $25 to sample six wines from around the world.