Valentine’s Day is all about sharing love, and Wichita certainly is sharing the love! There are all kinds of ways to say I love you –and with this wide variety of sweet events and deals to choose from, you can decide how you want to celebrate. Show some love for your friends, family, sweetheart, community, or even yourself!
There are some really unique and unusual options this year to treat yourself and those around you. Some of them are even free!
We’ll be adding to this list as we go, so keep checking back! Do you know of an event we missed? Tell us about it in the comments!
Wichita Valentine’s Day Deals
Visit the Wichita Art Museum Admission is FREE to the Wichita Art Museum on weekends in February, so for Valentine’s Day (either on Saturday or Sunday), you can take a romantic stroll through the museum and enjoy the exhibits.
Stroll the gardens at Botanica Botanica just announced that admission for the entire month of February is just $5, so rather than giving flowers, you can give her the whole garden. Update: It’s brr cold outside, so Botanica is going to be closed on Saturday, February 13. Make a date with your Valentine to ride the carousel some other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spend a Day of Creativity with the library on Saturday, February 13 as part of Wichita’s Big Read event. Pre-registration is required and you’ll want to make note of when to pick up your supplies so you can participate in this fun virtual event.
Whole Foods has announced that its Double Dozen bunch of roses deal is back for 2021. Prime members can pick up two dozen single-color roses for only $19.99 from February 10 to 16, while supplies last.
Red Lobster Now through Saturday, February 13, My Red Lobster Rewards loyalty program members will receive 15% off their qualifying purchase of at least $39.99 for select flower arrangements from 1-800-Flowers.com. Those who take advantage will also earn a FREE Maine Lobster Tail, because it’s just not a Valentine’s Day celebration without flowers and lobster.
Valentine’s Day Restaurant Deals
Free cookie at Firehouse Subs for Valentine’s Day when you use the promo code LOVE in the app
Carrabba’s Italian Grill– Tuesday, February 9 through Monday, February 15, enjoy a Carrabba’s Italian Grill four-course dinner for two for only $50 – available for dine-in and carside carryout. Guests can add a glass or bottle of one of four new wines such as Chloe Pinot Grigio, Aruma Malbec or Allegrini Valpolicella. To find the closest location, make a reservation or place an order, visit https://www.carrabbas.com/.
Related: Get yourself some heart-shaped food to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the ones you love
McCalister’s Deli Kids Eat Free on Valentine’s Day Enjoy an extra special family date night on the cheap at McAlister’s on Sunday, February 14. Up to two kids eat free (from the Kids’ Menu) with adult entrée purchase. If you’re ordering online or via the app, use code BEMINE21 to get the deal. More info
Oh My Sushi – the locally owned Japanese restaurant is hosting Learn How to Roll Sushi sessions on February 13, 14, and 15, 2021. Each session includes an hour-long lesson for two – and it isn’t just for couples. Bring a friend or family member if you prefer. A limited number of two-hour sessions, which include an intimate dinner for two, are also available. Cost is $25 per person for the one-hour class; $50 per person for class plus dinner. For more information and to register, visit the Oh My Sushi Wichita Facebook page.
Chick N Max is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Love Me Tenders deal, and they’re even adding a new sauce flavor, Love Potion (spicy ranch). From Friday, February 12 through Sunday, February 14, you can get 10 of Chick N Max’s signature tenders for $10. The special is available for pick-up, delivery, and dine in at any of its three locations (2350 N Greenwich Road; 3520 N. Maize Road; and 352 S. West St at Maple).
Firehouse Subs fans can enjoy a FREE dessert by entering promo code LOVE in the Firehouse Subs app on Saturday, Feb. 13 or Sunday, Feb. 14. To be eligible for rewards, guests can download the Firehouse Subs app in their device’s app store. **The free dessert reward will expire at the close of business on Sunday, Feb. 14. In addition to in-restaurant ordering, guests can visit FirehouseSubs.com or use the brand’s app to easily order and have it ready for pickup at the Rapid Rescue To Go station inside their nearest location.
Valentines Day Events in Wichita
Looking for a night (or day) out on the town to celebrate Valentines Day? These events fit the bill and they’re all in the lower or middle range, price-wise, for a special occasion. We’ve also added some Valentine’s Day deals here!
Color Me Mine Paint by Candlelight
Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
Color Me Mine, 2441 N. Maize Rd. , Suite 215
$10 studio fee per person, plus the cost of items you paint
Spend a little quality time with your sweetheart at this grown-ups only Valentines Day paint night where you’ll paint personalized items to take home. The fee is for studio time and instruction but doesn’t include the items you paint. You are allowed to bring your own snacks and beverages.
Valentine’s Trivia
Sunday, February 14, 4- 6 p.m.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park
$20 per couple
Valentine’s Day Trivia night at Tanganyika! Put your animal, love-themed, and general trivia knowledge to the test. The winning team will earn a grand prize of an animal experience. There will be a full bar available for drink purchases as well as appetizers. There will also be a photo booth opportunity with one of Tanganyika’s animal ambassadors. They are also offering a Kid’s Valentine’s Day party simultaneously (see below.) Purchase tickets here.
Valentines Day Speed Dating
Sunday, February 14, 6-8 p.m.
Headshots Bar & Grill
$30 (includes food & drink)
This is a 21+ Event. Please have your ID ready upon entry. Dates are usually 6-7 minutes long with a small half-time intermission after half of the dates. All attendees are numbered. Pairs that mark each others number will receive each other’s email addresses. For more information and to purchase your tickets, check out the Facebook event.
Baby Bump painting party (online)
February 1-14, 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Online/virtual
$15 (does not include supplies)
Pick up supplies and turn your date night or girls night into a painting party with ICT Baby Bump Studio. No skills required. $15 Purchase tickets here.
Family Friendly Valentine’s Day
Kids Party at Tanganyika
Sunday, February 14, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
$10 per kid
The kids party will consist of activities such as science experiments, crafts, and even a special surprise from an animal friend! Purchase tickets here.
Winter Ball: Daddy/Daughter Dance
Saturday, February 27, 6-8 p.m.
McAdams Rec Center, 1329 E 13th St N
Fee is $15, Additional daughters are $5 each
Registration deadline is 2/24/21
Feb. 27, Dads (or any father figures) will create special memories with their daughter(s) on this special date night! Get dressed to impress for a memorable evening of dancing, DJ entertainment, snacks, photo area and more. More info here. Register for your Daddy/Daughter Date here.
Color Me Mine: Daddy-Daughter or Mother-Son night
Mother-Son Night of Fun: Feb. 2, 4-5:45 p.m. or 6-7:45 p.m.
Daddy-Daughter date night: Feb. 4, 4-5:45 p.m. or 6-7:45 p.m.
2441 N. Maize Rd. #215
$10 per person studio fee plus the cost of the item you paint (starting at $16)
Bring your son(s) or daughter(s) for a fun night of painting together. Paint something special for mom, dad or for each other. Pick up and pay for your items the night of the event. Sweet treat & drink included. Receive your items back in time for Valentine’s Day. Get more info here.
Singing Princess Telegrams
Weekends in February
$40
Go beyond the basic Valentine’s Day card and book a singing telegram for someone you love. Happily Ever After Parties will send a princess to sing to your Valentine. More info here.
Budget-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Wichita
Some folks believe being “cheap” or frugal on a holiday like Valentine’s Day is a negative. But what’s more romantic than penny-pinching so you can hit the cap on your retirement fund contributions this year? (Nothing says ‘I want to grow old with you’ better than that.) So don’t be afraid to celebrate in a way that makes you just as happy tomorrow as it does today. Here are some frugal, budget-friendly ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day that are also (we think) romantic.
Related: Budget-friendly Wichita Date Ideas
It probably goes without saying, but Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be celebrated on February 14. Since it’s on a Sunday this year, more people will likely celebrate on Friday or Saturday night.
Go out for dessert. Maybe Valentine’s Day is the day you splurge and go out for dinner, but restaurants are likely to be a max capacity and discounts could be hard to come by. If you have a favorite sweet shop, coffee shop or bar, that might be more fun – and probably less expensive. Plan a nice meal at home, then head out.
You can also pick up sweets ahead of time. Wichita has some great sweet shops, and they’re planning for Valentine’s Day in a big way. Not all of them will be open at night (especially Sunday night!), so picking up a special dessert in advance is a good way to go.
Make a playlist. It’s old-school, and maybe hopelessly dorky, but I can’t imagine anyone not liking that their significant other took the time to make a playlist for them. And it’s extremely inexpensive – and maybe even free if you’ve got a digital music subscription. (Amazon Prime members can also make use of thousands of songs Prime provides for free.) If you yourself are old-school and don’t have any digital music, burn a CD or play some records. 🙂
Pick up roses or other flowers from the floral department of the grocery store. Whole Foods has brought back its Valentine’s Day roses deal for Prime members, and you can also usually find a deal on flowers at Aldi or Dillons. You have to DIY the bouquet, vase and ribbons, but that’s no step for a stepper. You can do this. You have Google and YouTube.
OR opt for a bouquet of balloons if that’s something your loved one will appreciate. You can find them relatively inexpensively at Party City – ask about any sales or coupons they have. Dollar Tree is another place to find inexpensive foil balloons. A bunch of these can have a big impact.
Get a deal on a card. Speaking of Dollar Tree, check there first for greeting cards. We’ve found some really nice ones – sometimes after perusing shelves for hours at other stores. And they are so much less expensive. (Obviously, if you can’t find what you want, head over to a different store.)
Set the stage. If you are celebrating part or all of Valentine’s Day at home, remember to clean the house, light some candles, start the playlist, and maybe toss a red or pink throw on the sofa for cuddling. This is basically free, and the effort is 100% worth it. Valentine’s Day surrounded by laundry, bills, and your coffee cups from this morning just won’t feel special.
Remember your library. It has movies, books (including cookbooks), audiobooks, and even events. For example, on Saturday, February 13 this year, you can participate in an entire Day of Creativity as part of the Big Read in Wichita. They’ll have you making pots, planting seeds, and writing stories. Doesn’t that sound like a great bonding experience? (This is a virtual/online event. Be sure to plan ahead for this one; you need to register in advance and pick up supplies from the presenters.) It’s also completely free!
Put together an inexpensive charcuterie board from Aldi. This has become all the rage. The bargain grocery store is known for it’s fantastic selection of amazing cheeses, and at my Aldi the other things for a charcuterie board – like jams, olives, sweet cherries, smoked sausage – are directly opposite the cheese section. Fresh meats are right next to it. Within a few minutes you can have delicious savory and sweet items together. Pick up some crackers and fresh fruit and you have a special Valentine’s Day charcuterie.
