Gifts and Date ideas for Valentine's Day in Columbus

Whether you have a love in your life, or friends and family that you want to show your love to, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to do something fun to celebrate love. There are lots of events going on around Valentine’s Day in Columbus.

While these all may not be frugal, a lot of people want to splurge on this day for a loved one, so some of the options are on the expensive end.

There will be plenty of activities for Valentine’s Day in Columbus added to the list over the next few weeks, so check back often!

Looking for some free and cheap date options that don’t revolve around Valentine’s Day in Columbus? Check out these posts.

50+ Best free and cheap dates in Columbus
8 Cheap Date Night Ideas
Free and cheap events this weekend
Check out our Calendar page for fun events any day of the week

Please leave a comment or email info@columbusonthecheap if you know of an event for Valentine’s Day in Columbus that you think others will enjoy.

If you plan to dine out (or take out) for Valentine’s Day, here are some great Valentine’s restaurant deals around Columbus, including heart-shaped pizzas, kids eat free, and dinners for two (at all price points).

Unique Gifts for Valentine’s Day in Columbus

Valentine’s Day Market at North Market Bridge Park

Saturday, February 12 from 9 am – noon. This can be a date, or idea for gifts, or both! The market features vendors selling gifts, merchant specials through the day, meals and ingredients, and more Valentine fun.

Bake Me Happy has Valentine-themed items that weekend like conversation heart cookies, PopHearts, cupcakes and more! This is a gluten free bakery, but gluten consuming customers love their sweets too!
The Pit BBQ Grille is offering their Pit Sampler: 3 meats and 3 sides with cornbread. Sharable for 2 people for just $30!
The Little Kitchen will have two special valentines milkshakes: the first is a strawberry raspberry swirl milkshake and the second is a chocolate covered strawberry milkshake.
Black Radish Creamery is offering a Breakfast Sandwich with egg, cheese, and chorizo on local sourdough.

Sip & Stroll: From 11am-1pm, Market Bar + sommelier Megan Faye Dawson are hosting a Valentine-themed walk-around wine tasting during the Valentine’s Day Market at North Market Bridge Park. Sample a variety of 4 unique wines you never knew you loved and stroll around the market. Get tickets here!

Columbus Clippers gifts

Looking for a unique gift? Columbus Clippers has a few gift packages available that include tickets to a game this season, including the option to have Krash and Lou Seal deliver a special gift!

Smith Farm Market Valentine’s Treats

So many Valentine’s Day goodies, including chocolate or fudge covered strawberries, heart-shaped and round cheesecakes, red velvet rolls, gourmet cookies, cake popsicles, hot cocoa bombs, and more. Call 614-235-2014 to pre-order, or stop in at 3341 Winchester Pike, Columbus, Ohio 43232.

True REST Float Spa

Give the gift of rest and relaxation. Get 2 floats for $110. Deal launches on February 5!

Float therapy, typically known as REST – or reduced environmental stimulus therapy – uses a sensory deprivation float pod. Practitioners float in 10 inches of water saturated with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts in a float pod that shields the person from light, sound and gravity. Without a doubt, eliminating external stimuli allows the brain to slow activity and reduce stress. Just 60 minutes at a True REST Float Spa can provide profound relaxation, life-changing pain relief and a better night’s sleep.

Ricart Automotive’s “Sparkle Day” service

This is the perfect gift for busy parents, clean-car fanatics and everyone in between! For $220, Ricart will pick up your loved one’s car, take theirs back to the dealership, fully detail it inside and out and drop it back off when complete.

You can read more here and call 614-836-6300 to schedule a Sparkle Day. Ricart can make any car look as good as new!

Groupon Deals

Buy now, redeem when you want! Note: Offers are available at time of publishing, but length of availability unknown.

Dreamscape at AMC Easton Town Center – Easton
True REST Float Spa – Easton and Powell
Brothers Drake Meadery Guided Mead Tasting – Columbus
Urban Float Columbus – Westerville
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum – Pickerington
Noble Cut Distillery Tour – Gahanna
Ninja Citi Adventure Park – Dublin
Get Air Trampoline Park – Hilliard
Big Bounce – Grove City
Buckeye Lake Winery – Thornville
New Kids On The Block: The MixTape Tour 2022 (Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue and Rick Astley on 6/25_ – Nationwide Arena
National Trail Raceway Exotic Car Driving Experience – Hebron
Mansfield Reformatory – Mansfield
Echo Spirits Distilling Co. Tour – Columbus
All In Adventures Escape Rooms – Polaris

Before you read on further, considering sending a Valentine to a St. Jude patient. It’s totally free and takes less than a minute. They deserve some extra love.

Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day in Columbus

COSI After Dark

On select dates, the grown-ups get the run of COSI without kids. Ages 21+ will enjoy exhibits, concessions and cash bar, and fun. Tickets are $14-$20, and there’s an option to add on a food ticket. Plan for February, or buy tickets as a gift for April!

February 10: The Science of Love
April 14: Super Villains

Valentine Romance at the Southern Theatre
February 10-13. Fall head over heels for love songs performed by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra with vocalists David Pruyn and Carly Thomas Smith at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Get tickets now for in-theatre or livestream performance! Tickets start at $10.

Valentine’s Day with CMA
February 11 at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 PM

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at CMA! Explore the galleries at night, and experience unique, guided activities at your leisure. Connect with loved ones and enjoy a spread of light bites with refreshments. Tickets include a complimentary drink; cash bar available. There will also be live music and a pianist to set the perfect mood for you and your guest.

Tickets are $60 for nonmembers and $50 for members.

If this day doesn’t work, or it’s too expensive, admission to Columbus Museum of Art is only $5 on Thursdays from 5 pm – 9 pm, and is FREE on Sundays

Love Is In The Scare: Valentine’s Horror Experience

February 11-12, 2022. Love getting spooked? You don’t have to wait for Halloween to get a scare! Take your Valentine on a spooky fun date! Experience thrills and chills of the Halloween season with the love and romance that comes with Valentine’s Day. This year’s event will feature double the thrills with 2 massive immersive attractions.

Valentine’s Chihuly Nights at Franklin Park Conservatory

February 11, 12, 14, 2022. This special extended weekend of Chihuly Nights is the perfect date night! Open from 7 pm – 10 pm, all 19 Chihuly installations will be professionally lit to create a breathtaking view within the backdrop of the interior Conservatory biomes.
The historic John F. Wolfe Palm House will be illuminated by James Turrell’s Light Raiment II, as you and a date explore the Conservatory’s biomes after dusk and experience the current exhibitions. The Garden Café will serve a limited food menu, beer and wine. Botanica Gift Shop and Chihuly Gift Store will be open as well.

Free Valentine Photos at Easton

February 11, 12, and 14, 2022. Treat your Valentine to a romantic memory at Easton and visit the Central Park Fountain for a complimentary Valentine photo on February 11, 12, and 14.

Easton Valentine’s Day Carriage Rides

February 11-14, 2022. Take a romantic trip under the twinkling lights at Easton Town Center with Horse Drawn Carriage Rides for Valentine’s Day. $10 per person; kids under 15 ride free with paying adult. Carriages pick up and drop off outside of Zara on Gramercy Street.

Throw Nation Valentine’s Deal

February 11 – 13, 2022. Land a bullseye this Valentines Day and Throw Axes! Do something AXE-citing this year! Receive 15% Valentines Day weekend with code 15AXELOVE at check out!

Downtown Columbus In the Brewery District: https://columbusaxethrowing.com/
or
Dublin: https://thrownation.com/

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Shadowbox Live!

Book a table at Shadowbox Live for Valentine’s Day. Separate groups are seated at separate tables for safety this year, and they won’t be having the Valentine’s Day buffet that they’ve offered in the past.

Best Sex Ever
Fridays – Saturdays 7:30pm.
This new sketch comedy & music show takes a peek at the dirty little secrets we keep between the sheets!

Which One’s Pink
Opens Feb. 3rd; Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm
Shadowbox Live brings its megahit tribute to Pink Floyd back to the stage! This metamedia production uses compelling stories, dynamic video and original dance to celebrate the music of one of the biggest bands of all time.

Valentine’s Weekend Wine Tasting at Wine on High

February 11, 12, or 14, 2022; various times. Enjoy a Valentine’s Weekend Wine Tasting with a best friend, galentine, & wine lover. The guided tasting includes 4 delicious tastes that pair beautifully with cheese from Hubbard Grille. Tickets are $35pp. Health and safety measures will be in places and masks must be worn unless eating and drinking.

Penn & Beech Candle Co. Valentine’s Date

February 11-14, 2022. Enjoy a special date at Penn & Beech Candle Co. (formerly Candle Lab) with your Valentine’s date or Galentine fun. For $60-$90 per couple, each person will get a pour-your-own candle vessel, a glass of wine or beer, and a special sweet treat from a local bakery. Non-alcoholic packages are $10 less for $50 or $80.

The candle pouring experience takes about an hour, and the candles take 2 hours to set up before you can take them home. Go grab dinner, a drink, or catch a movie. You can also return to pick up another day within 2 weeks. It’s a great option to go out with a date, your best friend, or your sister or mom! Single options are available a la carte, if you want to treat yo’self! Reservations are recommended to ensure a spot at your preferred time, but not required.

Balletmet “Giselle”

February 11-19, 2022. Does your love ‘love’ dance and theatre? Get tickets for love story “Giselle” with Balletmet. This timeless ballet, set to Adolphe Adam’s score, features classical elements as it tells the haunting tale of a peasant girl’s quest for love. Liang’s Giselle reimagines and reinvigorates this beloved work, leaving audiences inspired and awed.

Tickets start at $35. Please note – with the exception of the four main characters, dancers will be masked during the performance.

Hocking Hill’s Sweetheart Hike

February 12 from 5-7 p.m.

Bring your love (or your family) to the Ash Cave parking lot for a leisurely stroll to Ash Cave at dusk. The ¼ mile walk will be led by an Ohio State Park Naturalist with a few short stops along the way, and will take about a half an hour.

Once you’re at the recess cave and waterfall, enjoy a cozy fire with free cookies and hot chocolate.

Michael Cavanaugh – Music of the Great Singer Songwriters

February 12, 2022. After sold-out performances with the Columbus Symphony, Michael Cavanaugh is back to sing swoon-worthy songs from James Taylor, Elton John and more at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Attendees get chocolates and a rose! Tickets start at $25

Valentine’s Day at The Big Bang Columbus

February 12, 2022 at 7pm Purchase a Valentine’s Table for $40, and you will receive a reserved table that seats 4, One round of “Love Potion” shots upon arrival, One bottle of champagne for the table, Cover charge *Only one ticket should be purchased per 4 guests. Must arrive by 9pm to hold table. Perfect for double date or girls night out!

Annual Valentine’s Day “Nailed it” Date Night at Our Cupcakery

February 14, 2022 at 6 pm. Bring your sweetheart, BFF or significant other for a fun night of cake decorating. See if you can replicate Valentine’s themed cake similar to our design, or create your own. Your cake will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate. Cost is $98 for 2 people. Register here.

Gluten free or Vegan options available upon request for these classes for an additional $25 fee.

Valentine’s Day Love Cube at White Castle

February 14, 2022. Reservations needed (seriously – it’s popular!). For 2022, White Castle is offering a Love Cube for 2 for carryout or delivery, plus other special offers!

Valentine’s Day at Cherry Valley Hotel

The Craftsman Kitchen & Terrace is now open Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays every week but it will also be open Sunday and Monday, February 13 and 14 for Valentine’s Day! Savor elevated, American-style cuisine crafted from seasonal ingredients featuring various state-of-the-art technics and world trends. Our stylish eatery features an American menu highlighting Ohio-raised beef burgers, brick oven pizza, and fresh pasta. Reservations highly recommended!

Cherry Valley Hotel Igloo reservations for Valentine’s Day Weekend:

Friday & Saturday February 11 & 12
Igloo Hotel Package Includes: Overnight Stay, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Sparkling Wine, Breakfast for Two, Champaign Toast, Igloo Reservation $85 per person (tax and gratuity not included). To reserve a Friday or Saturday Igloo Package, please call (740) 788-1200

Sunday & Monday February 13 & 14
Igloo Dining Only Includes: $85 per person prix fixe menu (tax and gratuity not included), Igloo Reservation, Discount off an overnight room when you book an igloo. To reserve an igloo on February 13 and 14 – click here.

Valentine’s Dinner and a Movie by Homestead Beer Co.

February 14, 2022 from 6-10 pm. Enjoy a special 4 course meal for 2 from Snapshots, drinks from Homestead, and a screening of Couple’s Retreat in the Barrel Room at the Homestead Beer Company Cherry Valley Public House in Granville. Tickets are $60 per couple.

Valentine event with JP’s Barbeque Ribs and Chicken at Bolton Field

February 14, 2022. JP’s is known for their great Valentine event, and they’ve adapted to make sure the event is fun and safe at 2022. Valentine’s Day package is $129 per couple and includes:

Music
Beverages, appetizer, dinner, and dessert
Fun activities and prizes
Photography

Want to make it super special Valentine’s Day? Pick the Discovery Flight package for $259, which includes the Valentine’s event above and the flight with lesson. Advance non-refundable ticket purchased required for both options.

Visit Dublin, Ohio “Couples Staycation”

Plan a staycation courtesy of Visit Dublin, Ohio. Their “Couples Staycation Package” comes with a sample itinerary, associated deals and a handful of hotel discounts at places like AC Marriott and the Hilton Garden Inn. Make sure to check out their Celtic Cocktail Trail, which features 18 Dublin dining spots with Irish-themed craft cocktails. Read more here about Dublin’s Staycation.

VASO Valentine Igloos and AC Hotel Columbus Dublin package

VASO, located on the rooftop at AC Hotel in Dublin, was one of the first restaurants to bring dining Igloos to Columbus. They are transforming their outdoor igloos into “love dens” for Valentine’s Day. Igloos are set up for 8 people, so you can make this a group date night, Galentine’s night out, or just the two of you!

Surprise your sweetie with a unique and stylish night out! Some of the Valentine specials include sexy craft cocktails like the most kissable cocktail, My Lips are Sealed, and gourmet tapas including VASO’s shareable paella for two, inside an intimate snow globe under the stars, complete with cozy fur-covered chairs, dreamy lighting and roses for your Valentine. Enjoy the twinkling lights of the city and sweeping views of the Scioto River. There are a limited amount of igloos, so book ASAP!

Want to make it an overnight instead? You can upgrade to a room package which includes a stay at the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, a bottle of wine and a bouquet of roses in addition to your 2-hour igloo reservation. For more information, visit https://www.vasodublin.com/

VASO Igloo, photo Trent Brown

Melting Pot Valentine’s Day

Monday, February 14, 2022. 5 course meal for two $170-$230, plus extras depending on the package. Every reservation booked on Valentine’s Day will require a valid credit card number to book the reservation. Any cancellations made after February 10th will be charged a $35 cancellation fee per person.

Waffle House

Monday, February 14 The chain offers a special white table cloth dining experience on Valentine’s Day at the Grove City and Columbus locations. Make your reservations – its a popular event!

4140 Marlane Dr. Grove City, Ohio 43123; 614-373-9061
4595 W Broad St. Columbus, Ohio 43228; 513-543-1511
1712 N High St. Columbus, Ohio 43201; 614-353-9384

Looking for more Igloo options? Check out our list of Igloo and outdoor dining experiences in Columbus!

Fun Galentine Options in Columbus

“Galentine” Cookie Decorating with Our CupCakery

February 9 and February 11, 2022. Grab your favorite Gal Pal and create some heart-felt cookies. Our CupCakery’s cookies will be baked (recipe included) and ready for you to focus on decorating 12/person elegant custom sugar cookies using royal icing. Decorating kit to take home. This activity is appropriate for teens and older. Order additional dough to take home to bake more cookies with your family. Book now!

Drag Queen Cookie Decorating: Valentine’s Day

Friday, February 11, 2022 from 7-8 pm at Graduate Columbus. Drag queen Plenty O’Cookies will teach you how to decorate the cutest royal icing cookies. Plus, she’ll provide all the supplies and the laughs. Tickets are $55 and include 6 cookies and a signature cocktail from Graduate Columbus.

Galentine’s BFFF at The Melting Pot

February 28 – March 2, 2022. Enjoy our Best Fondue Friends Forever Menu – 3 courses of cheese, salad, and chocolate, with BFFF dippers for $29.95 per person. With entrée $39.95. Drink specials starting at $9.95!

Check out our full list of Galentine options in Columbus.

Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Columbus with your besties!

Family Fun for Valentine’s Day in Columbus

Valentine’s Pet & Family Photos

February 12, 2022 from 11 am – 3 pm. Fleshman Photography will be at Pet Supplies Plus in New Albany for pet & family Valentine’s Day Photos. A portion of every photo package purchased goes to Saving Grace Cat Rescue!

Valentine’s Day Weekend at Melting Pot

February 12 and 13, 2022. The 5-course dinner is the only menu offered on February 12-13. The price is $65 per person. Kids 5-12 can enjoy a 3-course dinner for $35 per child. It’s the same menu offered on Valentine’s Day, but at a better price and family-friendly. All reservations on February 12 and 13 will be secured with a credit card. A $35 per person cancellation fee will be applied to any cancellations made after 72 hours prior to your reservation.

Valentine’s Day weekend at United Skates of America

February 11-13, 2022
Dinner skate, public skates, and Superbowl Skate

Valentine’s Day and President’s Day weekend at Skate Zone 71

February 11-13, 2022
Multiple parties through the weekend, including Valentine’s Party, Pizza skate, Superbowl Skate discount, and more! See schedule here.

Rusty Bucket Family Valentine Day – Kids Eat Free

February 14, 2022 Kids eat Free at Rusty Bucket on Valentine’s Day. Kids ages 12 and under will enjoy a free meal off the kid’s menu.

Kreations Play Kafe

February 12 and February 19, 2022. Kraft sessions, parents night out, and more. Limited sessions available; book now!

At-Home Valentine Options

Valentine concert with Bill Cohen

Friday, February 4, 2022 at 7:30 pm. To Tell the Ups and Downs of Love: Bill Cohen’s Annual Valentine Concert

With guitar and piano, Bill will sing favorites from the 1940’s through the 1980’s, made famous by John Denver, the Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, Bette Midler, James Taylor, Bing Crosby, the Shirelles, the Eagles, the Beatles, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, and others. While the songs will reflect the ecstasy, warmth, heartache, and pain that love can bring, there will be a lighter side too, as Bill poses trivia questions about famous and infamous couples and love songs throughout the decades.

Ann Fisher will be on hand to add some romantic flute accompaniment on several songs. David Maywhoor will keep the beat on percussion, and Brian Szuch will add extra sparkle on lead guitar.

The online concert is FREE; donations are accepted to help produce the upcoming Central Ohio Folk Festival in May.

To watch the Valentine concert, go to Facebook.com and search for the page titled “Bill Cohen Sings” You don’t need to be a member of Facebook to access that website and enjoy the show. The livestream will be active ONLY JUST BEFORE the program begins at 7:30 pm Eastern Time.

Valentine’s Day in a Box from Cameron Mitchell

Pickup on February 11 or February 13. Staying in for Valentine’s Day? Pick up a complete romantic dinner for two “in a box” this Valentine’s Day from Cameron Mitchell. Enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner for two or four, partially cooked with easy instructions for finishing in the comfort of your own home. Orders placed by Feb 4 at 5 pm.

Looking to dine out for Valentine’s Day? OpenTable has a list of special Valentine’s menus in the Columbus area.

Ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Columbus any day

Melting Pot Month of Romance

January 31 – February 2, February 7-9, February 21-23, 2022. Choice of two 4 course dinners, plus some special touches and gifts. $129-$169 per couple.

Columbus Zoo 1/2 price Winter Admission

Bundle up and stroll hand in hand at the Zoo. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is offering 50% off admission discount through March 11, 2022 to show their appreciation for the great support they received in the last year. They are also offering free admission on President’s Day (Feb 21), in case Monday is a better day for you.

16-Bit Bar + Arcade

Throw it back at 16-Bit Bar+Arcade, which has more than 40 classic games like Ms. Pac-Man, Mario Bros. and more. The bar’s motto? “You drink, you play for free.” There are 3 locations – downtown Columbus, Dublin, and Easton!

Pins Mechanical Co.

Feeling competitive? Pins Mechanical Co. offers foosball, pinball, bowling, and ping pong along with a variety of local beers, cocktails and punches. Located in Dublin, Downtown Columbus, and Easton.

pins mechanical date, Valentine's Day in Columbus

photo: Pins Mechanical

Metro Parks Winter Hike Series

Any Day! Take a hike for the Metro Park Winter Hike Series. The hikes aren’t guided this year, but there are a list of suggested hikes for each month. Grab a passport to fill out to earn a Winter Hikes patch!

Throw Nation

Land a bullseye this Valentines Day and Throw Axes! Do something AXE-citing this year! Great for a date or the whole family. Several booking options are available.

Dublin Celtic Cocktail Trail

Make plans for multiple dates with the Dublin Celtic Cocktail Trail. Pick up or print your guidebook. Take your time visiting some of the 18 stops on this boozy beverage route. Try the featured drinks, or your favorite at each stop and get your guidebook stamped.

Complete 6 trail stops and redeem a commemorative koozie. Complete 12 stops and score an exclusive Celtic Celtic Cocktail t-shirt.

“Zero-Proof” cocktails are available as designated stops for those who are sober-curious. Redeem stamps from all “ZP” stops and turn in your passport for a t-shirt! See other Adventure Trails here.

Cafe Istanbul Celtic Cocktail Trail

Gahanna’s Herbal Cocktail Trail

Are cocktails more your beverage of choice? Head to the Herb Capital of Ohio – Gahanna – and visit the 6 stops along the Herbal Cocktail Trail. The unique herb-infused cocktails at the restaurants and bars on the list celebrate different flavor combinations, and pair well with the host restaurants’ menu offerings.

Other Fun and Tasty Trails to Traverse

Explore with your love (or pal) and complete some of these other fun and tasty Adventure Trails! There are options for coffee, tacos, beer, art, and more!