Things To Do

42 Awesome Things to do This Valentine’s Day Weekend in L.A. [2-12-16 to 2-14-16]

February 11, 2016 by Christina Champlin

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome. Since time is precious in this fast paced city, we decided to curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles every week end that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This Valentine’s Day weekend (February 12 to February 14) includes a floating library in Echo Park, Street Food Cinema at Grand Central Market, a Bulldog beauty contest, a cake maze, the LA Marathon, a ScotsFestival, and much, much more to choose from.

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So grab some friends or go at it alone, but most importantly have fun and enjoy yourself!

[RELATED: The Best Way to Find Discount Events in Los Angeles]

1st Street Bridge Los Angeles

Exploring the 1st Street Bridge. Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

[REMINDER: In some cases We Like L.A. does receive revenue when visitors click on ticket links and make purchases, however we maintain complete editorial control over the events we suggest. Basically, it only makes it on to the website if we think it is cool!]


Friday February 12th, 2016

1. Dinner and a Movie Lady and the Tramp Style

In honor of Valentine’s Day, El Capitan guests can celebrate Valentines Day February 12-14 with a candlelit dinner and Disney’s animated classic “Lady and the Tramp”. The pre-movie meal will be catered by Miceli’s (LA’s oldest Italian restaurant) at the El Capitan Theatre, seating is limited, and reservations for dinner are required. Dinner will include your choice of spaghetti with marinara sauce or spaghetti with meatballs with a garden salad, Miceli’s famous dinner rolls and mini cannoli for dessert. Get discount tickets to the movie via Godstar so you can splurge on the dinner!

2. The LA Art Book Fair

Come experience an incredible variety of books, art catalogs, monographs, periodicals, zines, and more at the 2016 LA Art Book Fair, taking place at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA from February 11-14.

3. Floating Library on Echo Park Lake

In conjunction with the book fair, you might also want to check out the floating library installation that’ll be on display at Echo Park Lake over the same 4-day period (Thursday to Sunday).

4. Reservoir Pop-Up

This Friday through Sunday save 70% on brands like Opening Ceremony, Equipment, and Rag and Bone at Reservoir’s Winter sample sale pop-up. Shoppers can get an additional 10% off if they post about the sale on social media. Sale runs from 11:00am – 6:00pm both days.

Location: 154 S Robertson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048

5. #KPCClove Trivia Night 2016: Hopelessly Devoted (to News)

Join KPCC this Friday for their second annual Trivia Night. Hosted by KPCC’s Erika Aguilar and Jed Kim, the night will be an evening of music, tasty food, trivia, prizes and a cash bar! Bar opens at 7:00pm and trivia begins at 7:30pm.

6. The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Devil Wears Prada

A favorite tale of a basic-to-fierce transformation of a fashion magazine assistant is retold in this hilarious musical. There will be plenty of cattiness, back-stabbing and of course makeover magic. All happening at The Rockwell where you can grab a bite and have a cocktail during the show (girls night anyone?) There are only a few discount tickets on Goldstar left, better grab yours soon for this weekend’s performances.

7. IMLI Indian Street Food Pop-Up

There’s a Indian street food pop-up that’s taking place this Friday and Saturday (7:00pm – 11:00pm). It’s popping up behind Daily Dose Cafe at a walk up window that Daily Dose owner Sarkis Vartanian operates, called The Kitchen on 7th. IMLI is an Indian street food concept that will open in Spring at 4th and Main in DTLA. It’s the brainchild of husband and wife Nish and Ashwini Jhaveri, their friend, celebrated Indian food blogger Nikhil Merchant, and Himanshu Barjatiya. Their goal with IMLI is to introduce LA to REAL Indian street food, from all over the continent, highlighting the incredible diversity of street food there. We’ll be there at the pop-up this Friday stop by and say hi!

8. Sip Cocktails, See The Sights With The Historic Hollywood: Stars & Bars Gang!

Get a taste of Old Hollywood and sip on classic cocktails as an awesome guide share history tidbits, celebrity stories and more on Urban Adventures tour of Historic Hollywood. For more information and discount tickets check out our friends at Goldstar.

9. Museum of Neon Art 

Head to Glendale and check out the Museum of Neon Art. Just recently they held a grand opening and now it’s open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday during winter.

10. N.Y.L.A. Showroom Sale

Save up to 60% on past season samples during the N.Y.L.A. showroom sale this Friday (10:00am – 6:00pm). In addition the sale will host several giveaways, raffles to win vintage pairs from the vault, a live DJ,  food trucks and complimentary wine and beer.

Location: 4833 Everett Ave Vernon, CA

11. Escape Reality at Magicopolis

Husband-and-wife duo Steve Spill and Bozena Wrobel perform a vaudeville-style magic show that’s fun for the whole family. Expect optical illusions, levitation, mind reading, disappearances and a nail-biting Houdini-type escape called the Table of Terror! Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

12. Rhondavous at Union Nightclub

Rhonda dreamed up a sexy Lover’s Ball at new mega club Union. The party takes place Friday and the musical lineup includes Bonobo, Guy Gerber, The Martinez Brothers, and more. This event is 21 and up, couples, singles, minglers anybody who loves a good rave is welcome.

13. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show

The Completely Different Late Show is a hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company. Audience shout suggestions throughout the night for improvisational scenes performed by some of the best in the business. It’s also a testing ground for brand new material for the Groundlings’ main show. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

14. Free Museum Day at The Long Beach Museum Of Art

The Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday!

15. Pan African Film and Arts Festival

Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a non-profit dedicated to racial tolerance through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression. This year’s L.A. festival will happen over a span of 11 days (February 4-15) and will feature hundreds of new films plus numerous special events and panels.

Saturday February 13th, 2016

16. ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXIII at The Queen Mary

Experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine in ode to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy. The ScotsFestival will take over the ship for two grand days. Get more information and discount tickets for both Saturday and Sunday via Goldstar.

 

17. Street Food Cinema hosts a Screening at Grand Central Market & Million Dollar Theater

This very special edition of SFC coming to Grand Central Market and the Million Dollar Theater begins with a stop by GCM to purchase food from an amazing list of vendors. Then you bring your grub with you inside the Million Dollar Theater located next door where you can also snap pics at a Hannibal Lecter photo booth and listen to a DJ spinning tunes until the feature presentation of the 25th anniversary of Silence of The Lambs begins.

18. Break Bread

There’s a giant cake installation at Think Tank Gallery it’s a collaboration between artists Scott Hove and Baker’s Son. Walk through a dizzying cake chamber (7,500 sq. ft.) maze installation as high as the ceiling. The show also features a collaboration with and performances by Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity. The Break Bread exhibition opens this Saturday with a public reception from 8:00pm to 1:00am at gallery and will remain active for 30 days through March 14.

19. Sex & the City Zoo

On Saturday the L.A. Zoo will host “Sex and the City Zoo,” an adults-only evening with wine, snacks and a provocative presentation on some of the most fascinating and unusual mating rituals in the animal kingdom and how they compare with human courtship. At the end of the presentation guest get to sit down to a three-course feast from Reggie’s Bistro inside the zoo.

20. FREE Public Star Party At The Observatory

See the Sun, Moon, Planets and constellations magnified for your pleasure with the powerful telescopes at the Griffith Observatory. Their popular (and free) monthly Public Star Party happens from 2:00 pm to 9:45 pm this Saturday outside on the lawn of the Observatory.

21. Free After-Hours Exhibition Walkthrough at the Pasadena Museum of California Art

Curator Kirby Brown leads a walkthrough of the exhibition “Of Cottages and Castles: The Art of California Faience” as part of the PMCA 123 program. There will be free museum admission at 4:00pm in conjunction with the program! The docent tour begins at 5:00pm.

22. Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival

The Golden Dragon Parade, returns for it’s 117th installment to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The festival will run along North Broadway in Chinatown with almost two dozen floats, multiple marching bands, government officials, various dignitaries, entertainers, local business leaders and cultural groups taking part in the Golden Dragon Parade starting at 1:00pm.

23. Andaz Taste: Curated by local coffee roaster, Bar Nine

Curated by the experts of Culver City’s local coffee roaster, Bar Nine, guests and neighbors will enjoy a complimentary cupping of flavorful hot and cold brews at the hotel’s first “Andaz Taste” event, a monthly series highlighting local flavor and innovators. Learn about the coffee brewing process, insightful pairing recommendations, and taste the complex flavors of roasts from around the world as Bar Nine’s own coffee expert leads the tasting. Following the sampling, guests of the event will receive a 20% off voucher for bottomless brunch at Andaz’s Riot House Restaurant. This event is open to all guests and locals free of charge and will take place at 10:00am at Andaz West Hollywood. Discounted valet parking will be available for $7.

24. 29th Annual Vintage Fashion Expo

Score some vintage gems this weekend at the Vintage Fashion Expo taking place at The Reef in DTLA. Over 50 vintage clothing, jewelry, and accessories vendors will be on hand this Saturday and Sunday.

25. The Artsy Flea

The Artsy Flea is an arts and flea market that takes place every Saturday from 10:00am –  3:00pm. The Artsy Flea features 145 booths, food trucks, music, kids attractions and more. Located at 2930 Fletcher Ave at the Van de Kamp Bakery Building in the Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. Parking is free and general admission is 1$. For more info, visit theoddmarket.com/artsyflea

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26. Grand Park’s PROUD Love

The third installment in Grand Park’s series of intimate, festive events invites the Los Angeles LGBTQ and ally community to kick off the three-day Valentine’s Day weekend with a free dance party open to all. Grand Park’s PROUD Love will feature line and square dancing where everyone can have a great time, with no partner necessary. The event also includes line and square dancing lessons, free style dancing, DJ, food trucks and photo booths to capture memories of the day. Guests can also bring picnics to enjoy around the Grand Park gardens and historic fountain.

Location: Grand Park 200 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Between Grand Avenue and Hill Street)

27. John Waters Presents This Filthy World: Dirtier & Flirtier

See acclaimed filmmaker John Waters of such cult classics as Serial Mom, Hairspray and Pink Flamingos at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex this Saturday for his, monologue-style comedy show, This Filthy World: Dirtier & Flirtier.

28. Fake Prom

Wished you had a re-do for your high school prom? Here’s your chance! Relive teen romance at Unique’s 4th annual Fake Prom this Saturday in DTLA. Your ticket includes an open bar, after-school snacks, DIY corsages and boutonnieres, and a prom style photo shoot. This year’s inspiration theme is Pretty in Pink!

Sunday February 14th, 2016

29. The Most Magical Valentines Day at Magicopolis

Husband-and-wife duo Steve Spill and Bozena Wrobel perform a vaudeville-style magic show full of optical illusions, levitation, mind reading, disappearances and a nail-biting Houdini-type escape called the Table of Terror! In addition to the magic show, guests will be treated to a magic class, a souvenir bag of magic tricks and more. Glasses of champagne or sparkling cider will be handed out to toast your special someone. Get more information and discount tickets via Goldstar.

30. Angel City’s Broken Hearts Circus

Grab your GF, BF or even BFF and head to the circus at Angel City Brewery from noon to 8:00pm. Angel City will again host its anti-Valentine’s, pro-fun day of carnival delights. Inspired by Mardi Gras, freak shows and vaudeville, the Broken Hearts Circus will feature roaming stilt walkers and dancing clowns, aerialists and acrobats, face-painting and tarot or reiki readings, a photo booth, live bands, festival food and more. Admission to the event is free!

31. 12th Annual Bulldog Beauty Contest

Get an extra does of cuteness this Sunday morning at the Bulldog Beauty Contest in Long Beach. Free to attend for all ages, guests will see over 500 bulldogs in attendance competing in 19 contests, some of which might include other dog breeds. Enter your dog in the contests for $10 per entry. Festivities will run 9:30am – 3:00pm.

32. Valentine’s Day “Free Play” At Neon Retro Arcade

Get your gaming on and chill at Pasadena’s Neon Retro Arcade, which is offering $10 for “Free Play” games (no tokens or quarters) on Valentines Day from 11:00am until midnight. Bringing a date? Don’t worry, they’ve got multiplayer games, too.

33. Farmer John x Oinkster Giving Away FREE Bacon Cupcakes!

Spend the most romantic day of the year with a bacon cupcake. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Guess what… the cupcake is also FREE. Farmer John and The Oinkster in Hollywood is teaming up to bake bacon cupcakes and hand them out from noon until they run out this Sunday. The free cupcake sounds super decadent it’s made with premium chocolate, salted caramel buttercream frosting and features Farmer John’s Thick Cut Bacon.

Location: The Oinkster in Hollywood, 776 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA

34. Los Angeles Marathon

Running 26+ miles to celebrate Valentines Day? It may not sound like the most romantic idea, but even if you don’t participate you can still come out and cheer on your fellow Angelenos as they test their endurance at the 31st Los Angeles marathon.

35. Tinder Ball At Beelman’s Pub

Single, but tired of online dating? Take the online dating into a real-life sexy good time at the second annual Tinder Ball at this Downtown L.A. pub. Swipe right for this party’s kissing booth, a live date auction, and cocktails with names like “D.T.F.” and “Hearts on Fire.” The good times run on Valentine’s Day from 8:00pm until 2:00am.

36 Pay What You Can Day At Craft And Folk Art Museum

Every Sunday it’s pay what you can day at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.

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37. Scavenger Hunt At Malibu Country Mart

If you’re feeling competitive, Malibu Country Mart is holding its third annual Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt. On Valentine’s Day at 11:00am, couples can be on the hunt for hidden jewelry boxes, vying for the chance to win the grand prize: $2,150 Vintage Malibu 18k yellow gold diamond pendant from the Kwiat Diamond. Other prizes include Malibu Country Mart giftcards. Sign up is from 10:30am to 11:00am. For more information and the full rules on how to participate visit this Facebook post from the country mart.

38. Birds Cafe/Bar’s Annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day” Party

Not feeling the love? Birds in Hollywood has you covered with its annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day” party, which already has sarcastic, un-romantic heart decorations hanging from the ceiling. In the past, the bash has featured voodoo dolls and pinatas to let you take aggression out on your ex. Reservations required.

39. Valentines Day BOGO Drinks at Coffee Bean & Tea leaf

On Sunday, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will treat coffee and tea lovers to a sweet Valentine’s Day BOGO deal, inviting couples to sip on two of their favorite beverages for the price of one. From 12:00pm – close, guests who order any beverage will receive another drink of equal or lesser value for free!

40. Free Day At Museum of Latin American Art

The Museum of Latin American Art has free admission every Sunday!

41. Valentine’s Day Curling Lesson

Looking for an active and unusual Valentine’s Day date night? Take your sweetie to the L.A. Kings Valley Ice Center to learn the art and strategy of curling. The special one-night package includes curling rock chocolates and a rose. Get more information and discount tickets ($30 for a two-person package) via our friends at Goldstar. If tickets are sold out you can get regular priced tickets by visiting: http://hollywoodcurling.org/event-2129946

42. Big Sunday’s Fourth Annual Valentine-Making, Bingo-Playing Community Breakfast

Show some love by doing some good. Big Sunday will host a morning of making Valentine cards, playing a rousing game of bingo, and a breakfast. The Do-Good bus will distribute those Valentines all around Los Angeles. The fun runs from 10:00am until 1:00pm on Sunday.

Need more Valentines Day ideas? We got you covered with our 21 Fun Things To Do for Valentines Day post which includes events and special menus from some of L.A. best restaurants. Enjoy!


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