Local restaurateurs and merchants make it easy to treat your sweetie 

In the midst of bitterly cold February days, there’s a special holiday that celebrates love. And what better way to show your love than at your favorite local businesses and venues? Regardless of whether you’re coupled up, making time to spend with friends, or cuddling the kiddos or your fur babies, get your creative juices flowing with this list of Valentine’s Day gift and activity ideas. Check the web links provided for details on times, pricing and reservations.  

• Valentine Dinner and a Show, Feb. 10-11, Troy-Hayner Cultural Center: Share this community Valentine with your very favorite someone or your very best friend. After a lovely meal, join us in the Ballroom for the hilarious comedy of  Rik Roberts. https://www.troyhayner.org

• “A Soldier’s Play,” Feb. 14-19, The Loft Theatre: The Human Race Theater Co presents this 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning thriller by Charles Fuller. In 1944, on a Louisiana Army base, two shots ring out. A Black sergeant is murdered. And a series of interrogations triggers a gripping barrage of questions about sacrifice, service, and identity in America. Broadway’s Norm Lewis leads a powerhouse cast in the show Variety calls “a knock-your-socks-off-drama,” directed by two-time Tony® winner Kenny Leon. https://humanracetheatre.org 

• Valentine’s Gift Guide, multiple locations: The Downtown Dayton Partnership takes the guesswork out of planning your Valentine’s Day activities with a comprehensive gift guide. Search for merchandise, dinner and drinks, experiences, and more! Don’t forget to download a free digital Valentine to share! https://downtowndayton.org/valentine  

• Valentine’s Evening Under the Stars, Feb. 11, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery: Enjoy a romantic evening in our planetarium featuring amazing visuals set to music and timeless constellation love stories while journeying through our solar system and beyond. Complimentary treats from our Eco Eatery will be provided; optional cash bar. https://boonshoft.org 

• Date Night Sweetheart Stroll, Feb. 17, Charleston Falls Preserve: Take your sweetheart on a stroll down a lighted luminary path in the woods while enjoying Winans coffee and Bake House Bread’s brownie bites as you learn about the wonderful world of animal courtship. https://www.miamicountyparks.com 

• Valentine’s Portrait with Your Pet, Feb. 6, Trolley Stop: Pick a time slot and bring your favorite furry friend in for a Valentine’s Day portrait! A suggested donation of $15 will benefit Purrfect Additions & HALO K9 Behavior Consultation, both nonprofits that support animal welfare. https://www.facebook.com/trolleystopdayton 

• Ricky Scaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Feb. 11, Kuss Auditorium: Fifteen-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs was recently awarded membership into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame, the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and country music’s greatest honor, the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts for his contributions to the American music industry. https://pac.clarkstate.edu 

• ValenWine Day, Feb. 9, Schuster Center: Taste over 30 wines using your souvenir tasting glass, sample specialty chocolates, and find out why wine and chocolate pair together so well. Upgrade to a VIP ticket to gain access to specialty wine selections. Enjoy live music and light snacks provided by Bernstein’s Catering and delicious, single- origin chocolate from Peace on Fifth. https://www.daytonlive.org 

• 85th Diamond Anniversary, Feb. 10-12, Victoria Theatre: Dayton Ballet welcomes its 85th season and celebrates the 95th year of the Dayton Ballet School with a sparkling affair that preserves Dayton Ballet’s tradition of presenting mixed repertory performances and spotlighting acclaimed choreographers from across the country and around the world. https://daytonperformingarts.org 

• Sweetheart Skate, Feb. 10-12, RiverScape MetroPark: Bring your Valentine or Galentine to the MetroParks Ice Rink starting the weekend before Valentine’s Day for our sweetheart deal! You can get two rink admissions and skate rentals, plus two cups of hot chocolate and a box of Winans Chocolates for only $20 (while supplies last). https://www.metroparks.org/ice-rink 

• Grimmz Fairy Tales, Feb. 11, Schuster Center: Meet two modern-day hip-hop street performers, Jake and Will, who bring the stories of the Brothers Grimm to life with a contemporary urban spin, as they and a few of their friends turn records and dance circles around some of the most beloved and well-known fairy tales collected by the famous German brothers of old. Sensory-friendly performance on Feb. 12. https://www.daytonlive.org 

• Valentine Dog Social, Feb. 19, Charleston Falls: Dog Socials allow you and your pup to meet new friends while spending time outdoors. Join our naturalist at Charleston Falls to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We will have heart shaped dog treats for participating pups. https://www.miamicountyparks.com