Each year, 52% of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day.
For business owners and event organizers, Valentine’s is a profitable day, as the average American spends $192.80 for the most romantic day of the year.
Want to cash in on some of that market share? The best way to reach your audience and spread the word about your event is through eye-popping social media posts.
At Eventbrite, we’re clued up on seasonable events, serving thousands of event organizers, and want to help you spread the love this year. Browse these social-worthy examples for inspiration on how to promote your event and get everyone in the mood for love!
15 Valentine’s Day Party Ideas
1. Pop-up cinema movie night
2. Fondue party
3. Valentine’s brunch party
4. Romantic cooking class
5. Valentine’s Day singles party
6. Galentine’s party (on February 13th!)
7. Valentine’s co*cktail class
8. Paint and sip party
Valentine’s treats, decor, and activities
9. Valentine’s Day charcuterie board
10. Strawberry heart garnishes
11. Romantic photo booth
12. Themed V-day desserts
13. Heart-shaped party favors
14. V-day games and activities
15. Paper heart garland
How to plan and promote the perfect Valentine’s Day party
Break free of the traditional mold for V-day and host a night to remember! To plan, execute, and promote your next cutesy get-together, consider these tips.
Hone in on your audience
Couples are the obvious target for a Valentine’s Day party. But singles’ events, mixers, and Galentine’s Day parties are also getting popular. Whatever route you choose, your event will benefit from a clearly defined audience.
From there, target your audience using paid social media ads or Eventbrite Ads. Or, find local Facebook groups where you might be able to promote your event for free.
Select the perfect venue
If you own a venue, hosting a Valentine’s Day party can help boost revenue after the hype of Christmas and the New Year.
If you’re renting a venue, start first by considering which spaces may be under-utilized on Valentine’s Day. A brunch restaurant may rent space in the evening, for instance. If Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday, many traditional event spaces and community centers may also have space available for rent.
Bear in mind the number of tickets you intend to sell at your event, as you’ll need a facility that can hold your attendees. Then, run the numbers to see which venues fall within your event budget.
Other factors to consider are legal restrictions (capacity, liquor licenses, etc.) and the venue’s overall vibe. If you want a romantic atmosphere, you don’t want to completely redecorate before the event.
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Plan activities
Activities should definitely be on your party planning checklist to get people trying something that they haven’t done before.
Games, casual competitions, and dance-offs are all on the table below. Team activities are a good option that allows couples to feel comfortable in each other’s presence while mixing with other event attendees.
Art projects, cooking activities, and co*cktail mixing stations are other creative ways to add some spice to the event.
Prepare refreshments
Depending on your ticket price point, you may want to provide a full meal or just drinks and light bites. Everyone appreciates at least some nibbles and refreshments at an event. Go for quality over quantity here, and keep to your theme with heart-shaped cookies or red and pink co*cktails. Aphrodisiac foods, like chocolate, figs, and oysters, are some classic suggestions to aid your event catering, too.
Plan out your marketing strategy
Consider your target attendees and how you’ll reach them. You won’t be the only event on Valentine’s Day, so you’ll need to put on your thinking hat to stand out from the competition.
At Eventbrite, we can help you market an event with Eventbrite Ads to receive 14X more visibility on your homepage, and use real-time analytics to help you make informed decisions for your marketing strategy.
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Select a theme (and consider the competition)
Themed parties are a lot more fun for everyone, and candlelight dinners and dance events are unoriginal and repetitive every year. Your theme might be to encourage couples to dive into a workshop or encourage singletons to show their friends all the love in the world.
There are lots of V-Day party theme ideas in the guide below to help you with your theme. If there are lots of boozy events in your area, consider running a sober-friendly event for Valentine’s Day. Or maybe you create kid-friendly Valentine’s Day parties for the parents.
Love-themed party ideas inspired by social media
Don’t miss out on the power of social media to promote your Valentine’s Day party. These Valentine’s party ideas are suitable for those who are first up on the dancefloor or those who want to keep V-Day a bit more laid back.
Valentine’s party themes
Plan a fun and memorable evening with these creative ideas that are suitable for couples, friends, and singletons.
1. Pop-up cinema movie night
Venue flexibility: ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Cost to set up: 💰💰
Single-friendly: ✅
Dinner and a movie, anyone? You can host pop-up cinema nights with romantic movies almost anywhere. Restaurants, bars, and art galleries are popular venue options, but feel free to head outdoors, too, if the weather permits. For refreshments, keep things simple with light snacks and drinks.
For independent event creators, partnering with a venue that would normally be closed on Valentine’s Day evening can be a great option. Think about your local art gallery, wine bar, or even a community space.
Movie nights can work for both a romantic evening and for a singles/friends event. PodMobb™ plans pizza, wine, and movie nights for ladies on Valentine’s Day, while Bacari Restaurants hosts romantic movie nights complete with multi-course meals. You could even consider running a movie marathon, with the option for guests to come and go as they please.
2. Fondue party
Venue flexibility: ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Cost to set up: 💰
Single-friendly: ❌
Fondue is always a romantic affair. With a themed party, you can offer a wider variety of fondues. Consider partnering with a local restaurant or bringing in a small catering company or private chef.
@charcuterie.chick how to make a Valentine’s Day fondue board @harryanddavid #valentinesday #fondue #chocolatefondue #harryanddavid #fyp ♬ original sound – Liv l That Charcuterie Chick
Fondue isn’t just for eating, either 😉 Take inspiration from Eventbrite creator Fetish.A.E, who organizes fondue spa parties. These relaxing events feature chocolate massage, facials, exfoliation, and more.
3. Valentine’s brunch party
Venue flexibility: ♥️
Cost to set up: 💰
Single-friendly: ❌
Restaurants and cafe owners have a good opportunity to maximize V-Day revenue by opening early for brunch. Even if you’re not typically open that early, consider hosting a special brunch party between 10am and 2pm or so.
To stay on-theme, think about creative ways to present both the food and the menu itself. Deliver your guests their menus in a cute sealed red envelope to kick things off — then serve heart-shaped delicacies like waffles, pastries, or soufflés.
If you’re hoping to host a full-scale brunch party, this party idea does best at an actual restaurant. While catering at a separate venue could work, restaurant facilities are better equipped to handle delicious foods that may be temperature-sensitive.
4. Romantic cooking class
Venue flexibility: ♥️♥️♥️
Cost to set up: 💰
Single-friendly: ✅
Hosting a Valentine’s Day cooking class party can be a ton of fun. Take Eventbrite creator Get in the Kitchen, for example. The Chicago-based venue hosts a variety of fun cooking classes with crossover entertainment, like comics and drag performers.
@yungskitz Date Ideas: couples cooking class #fyp #foryoupage #dateideas #dateidea #cooking #essentials #dailyvlog #viral ♬ hold on – .
Kitchen space can be a hot commodity on V-Day. Consider approaching a nonprofit or church that may have kitchen space available to rent or host a class on the weekend before or after Valentine’s Day.
5. Valentine’s Day singles party
Venue flexibility: ♥️♥️♥️
Cost to set up: 💰
Single-friendly: ❌
Stand out from all the couples-themed events with a Singles Party!
There are two broad approaches here: Parties to celebrate being single and parties to help singles meet potential dates. Speed dating or casual mixers are good options here.
This type of party can be hosted almost anywhere, but bars, taprooms, and small music venues are a good option. Take inspiration from the Stupid Cupid Singles Party at Jack’s Kanata. The event has “Unhinged Bingo” cards to help attendees meet and mingle and even a color-coded system for folks to mark whether they’re single or not!
6. Galentine’s party (on February 13th!)
Venue flexibility: ♥️♥️♥️
Cost to set up: 💰
Single-friendly: ✅
Galentine’s Day is typically celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day. It’s a time to celebrate all the gals in your life — friends, sisters, mothers, and more!
@readingwithnilab LIVE LAUGH LOVEEEEE ❤️🔥❤️🥰👠☎️🌶️☎️🍎💌🍝💄💋🌹🎈❣️🎁‼️🍷🍒 #galentinesday #valentinesday #galentines #fyp #readingwithnilab #heartpizza #galentinesparty #howilovebeingawoman ♬ its a wrap sped up – xxtristanxo
You can host Galentine’s Day at just about any venue. Just be sure to provide lots of themed refreshments and perhaps a relaxing party activity like a mini spa. Aura Day Spa hosts Galentine’s Day parties with chocolate strawberry facials, freshly pressed juices, and pop-up clothes shopping.
7. Valentine’s co*cktail class
Venue flexibility: ♥️♥️♥️
Cost to set up: 💰💰
Single-friendly: ✅
Celebrate with fancy hand-crafted co*cktails (or mocktails!) at any venue with a commercial liquor license.
This can be a very fun event for couples and singles alike, and it makes a good “first stop” for an evening out. On that note, earlier times may work better here — think a 5 or 6pm start time, so couples can still snag a dinner reservation after.
@blocque6 🍹Mix and Mingle at the Valentine’s Day Mixology Class, Tuesday 2/14. Purchase tickets at https://www.blocque6.com/registration #cedarhilltx #desototx #duncanvilletx #events #mixology #valentinesday #valetines #co*cktails #mixologyexperience #fyp ♬ Drank in My Cup (Instrumental) – Kirko Bangz
For some fun co*cktail party ideas, take inspiration from the Greenfire® Loft at Melrose Market. The loft hosts “Mad Scientist” themed co*cktail and mocktail workshops complete with glass beakers and lab coats!
8. Paint and sip party
Venue flexibility: ♥️♥️♥️
Cost to set up: 💰
Single-friendly: ✅
Paint and sip parties can work for couples, singles, and friend groups alike. At the Wine and Watercolor events hosted by Shop Made in DC, attendees receive two complimentary glasses of wine with admission, and follow along with a themed painting for the evening.
There’s tons of venue flexibility, too. Small community spaces, art galleries, and event spaces are all good choices here.
For timing, consider selecting a time slot that’s either before dinner (4–6pm) or firmly after dinner (8–10pm). Or go virtual, offering a way for couples to enjoy a relaxed evening at home.
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Valentine’s treats, decor, and activities
Spice up any V-Day party with these ideas for decoration, activities, and tasty-themed Valentine’s Day treats!
9. Valentine’s Day charcuterie board
Charcuterie boards are relatively simple to put together or order pre-made. This makes them perfect for self-catered events. Make sure to elevate the experience by creating festive shapes, like hearts and Cupid’s arrows! Or, satisfy the sweet tooth in all of us with a sweet charcuterie board.
@thebakermama Heart Shaped Strawberries add a special touch to any dish! 🍓❤️ Here are two ways to make them ⬇️ ❤️Heart Halves❤️ 1. Using a small, sharp knife, slice the strawberry in half lengthwise. 2. Place the strawberry half, sliced side down, on a cutting board. 3. At the top center of each strawberry half, cut a small V-shape. 4. Perfect the heart shape by trimming the strawberry with the sharp knife, if necessary. ❤️Heart Slices❤️ 1. Using a small, sharp knife, cut a V-shape into the top of the whole strawberry, removing the stem and the V-shape. 2. Trim the tops with the knife to make the edges more rounded, if necessary. 3. Slice each strawberry into 3-4 thin slices, each about 1/8 inch thick. Click the link in my bio for all the details and more Valentine’s Day inspiration! 🥰 #TheBakerMama #BasicsByTheBakerMama #valentinesday #valentinesdayrecipe #strawberry #strawberryhearts #strawberries #valentinesdayparty #heartshaped #valentinesdaybreakfast #breakfasttreat #breakfastidea ♬ Happy – Yojo Summer
10. Strawberry heart garnishes
Garnish drinks, desserts, table settings, and more with festive strawberry hearts. This simple Valentine’s Day decor idea is perfect for just about any celebration.
11. Romantic photo booth
Spice up your event with a themed photo booth, complete with conversation hearts! Connect with a local photo booth rental company, or set up your own photo station with a live photographer.
@littleblogofvegan Puff pastry is definitely a life hack to these Valentines Strawberry Cream Danishes 🍓❤️ Recipe: Click the link in my bio or visit thelittleblogofvegan.com #puffpastry #valentinesday #valentinesbaking #pastry #pastries #vegan #puffpastryrecipe #easyrecipe ♬ I Think I'm in Love – AWS
12. Themed V-day desserts
Sweeten your lovebirds’ days with love-themed desserts. Feeling extra festive? Consider making dessert decoration stations so that party guests can get involved.
13. Heart-shaped party favors
Heart-shaped everything fits in well with any Valentine’s Day party. Prepare fun goodie bags for your guests (and don’t forget to drop in a business card or link to your Eventbrite page).
@analiengame 2022 Valentine’s Day #Valentinesdaygames #Ideas #positivityonly #positivealien #alienpinay #pilipino ♬ Love Yourself – Justin Bieber
14. V-day games and activities
Keep the fun flowing with themed activities and games.
Many date-night couple’s activities can be scaled up for a crowd, adding an element of fun competition to the evening. You can even have special prizes for the winning couples! Social games designed to help people mingle can also work great for singles parties.
15. Paper heart garland
Heart garlands are fun and relatively easy to make. If you want a hands-on activity for guests, you could set up a station to make your own heart garland. It’s not just garlands – any heart-shaped party decorations are a good fit for V-Day gatherings!
How to attract attendees and sell tickets to your Valentine’s Day event
So you’ve chosen the perfect Valentine’s Day-themed bash — now it’s time to get people through the door!
For a one-day event like a Valentine’s Day party, short-term marketing strategies are your best bet. That means organic social media marketing, paid advertising, and cross-promotion.
Start by listing your event on Eventbrite, the largest events search platform in the world. Then, use Eventbrite Ads to promote to your ideal audience.
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Social media is the next place to head for your event promotion efforts. First, create an event page for your upcoming event. Eventbrite integrates with Facebook, making it very simple to post your events on FB. Next, run ads targeting people in your target demographic. You can also promote to your existing community — see these event social media post examples for some inspiration.
Cross-promotion can also help get your event in front of more people. If you’re renting venue space, ask the venue owner to share your upcoming event on their social media and website. You can also cross-promote with any event partners and vendors, like performing artists or even caterers. Influencers can also help promote your event — consider offering a local influencer free admission in exchange for promotion.
Plan a night to remember — and share the love on social!
Get cracking with these Valentine’s Day party ideas today because V-Day is right around the corner.
Creating eye-catching elements and stunning scenes helps make your party memorable. Plus, it gives you tons of material to promote your events on social media and get your attendees posting Insta-worthy content.
All this requires careful planning. Eventbrite’s all-in-one event management software has all the tools you need to plan and promote your Valentine’s Day party.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an event enthusiast and expert in event planning, I have extensive knowledge and experience in organizing various types of gatherings, including Valentine's Day parties. With a deep understanding of the market and consumer behavior, I can provide valuable insights and tips to help you plan and promote the perfect Valentine's Day event.
Valentine's Day is a highly profitable day for business owners and event organizers, with 52% of Americans celebrating and spending an average of $192.80 on this romantic occasion. To tap into this market and attract attendees to your event, it is essential to utilize effective marketing strategies, particularly through eye-catching social media posts.
At Eventbrite, we cater to thousands of event organizers and have expertise in seasonal events. We are here to assist you in spreading the love this year by offering inspiration and examples of social media posts that are sure to capture your audience's attention.
The following are 15 Valentine's Day party ideas that are social media-worthy and can serve as inspiration for promoting your event:
- Pop-up cinema movie night
- Fondue party
- Valentine's brunch party
- Romantic cooking class
- Valentine's Day singles party
- Galentine's party (on February 13th!)
- Valentine's co*cktail class
- Paint and sip party
- Valentine's Day charcuterie board
- Strawberry heart garnishes
- Romantic photo booth
- Themed V-day desserts
- Heart-shaped party favors
- V-day games and activities
- Paper heart garland
To plan and promote your Valentine's Day party successfully, here are some essential tips:
-
Hone in on your audience: Define your target audience clearly, whether it's couples, singles, or a specific group. This will help you tailor your event and marketing efforts to their preferences.
-
Select the perfect venue: If you own a venue, hosting a Valentine's Day party can be a great way to boost revenue. Consider under-utilized spaces on Valentine's Day or explore partnerships with other venues.
-
Plan activities: Include engaging activities in your party to make it memorable. Games, competitions, art projects, and cooking classes are all great options to consider.
-
Prepare refreshments: Depending on your ticket price point, provide either a full meal or drinks and light bites. Consider incorporating aphrodisiac foods and sticking to your theme with heart-shaped treats.
-
Plan out your marketing strategy: Identify your target attendees and develop a comprehensive marketing plan. Utilize paid social media ads, Eventbrite Ads, and real-time analytics to reach your audience effectively.
-
Select a theme: Themed parties are more fun and engaging. Consider unique themes that can cater to different groups, such as workshops or kid-friendly events.
-
Utilize the power of social media: Don't miss out on the opportunity to promote your event through social media. Create an event page, run ads, and cross-promote with partners, vendors, and influencers to maximize your reach.
By following these tips and incorporating eye-catching elements into your event, you can create a memorable Valentine's Day party and generate buzz on social media. Eventbrite's all-in-one event management software can assist you throughout the planning and promotion process. Get ready to spread the love and make your event a success!
