Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day Celebrations!
February 11, 2021
What a weekend! With the confluence of Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day school holidays, and Mardi Gras, who would have guessed the biggest celebration would be…Galentine’s Day? This joyful made-up holiday caught on after Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) suggested a a celebration for her gal pals. Check out the Galentine’s Day happenings near Aurora—along with some traditional events!
TODAY/TONIGHT, February 11
HOME SCHOOL AT THE AQUARIUM
With more kids being home-schooled right now, events like the Downtown Aquarium’s Home School Day are a reason to celebrate! You and your children receive discounted rates, as well as the opportunity to participate in educational classroom programs. There will be visits from animal ambassadors and exciting programs for various age groups, including Sensational Sharks, Coral Communities, and Radical Reptiles! Advance registration is required.
Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Register: $9.50 – $16
Phone: 303-561-4444
PIRATE LEGENDS ONLINE DISCUSSION
Ahoy, Matey! If your imagination soars at the mention of a pirate tale, you won’t want to miss this colorful Active Minds virtual event all about the real stories behind pirate legends. From the swashbuckling privateers of the Golden Age of Piracy to the modern-day pirates plying the waters off the coast of Africa, you’ll learn more about this strangely-appealing category of anti-heroes.
MCA Online
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
VIRTUAL WINE AND CHOCOLATE PAIRING
If you’d rather stay home this Valentine’s weekend, you can still participate in a tasty wine and chocolate pairing event—online! Your ticket price includes the chocolates and the Zoom link. Wine is sold separately—you can buy 4 wines for $85 or a 2-pack for $45.
The wines for this tasting include Blandy’s Rainwater Madeira, Infantado Ruby Porto, Royal Tokaji Late Harvest, and Ch. Laribotte Sauternes. They’ll be paired with a 5-pack of chocolate bon bons from Miette et Chocolat. Register for your spot, then pick up your wine and chocolates and get ready to taste!
Zoom link through MCA Online
Chocolate pick-up: The Cube, 8371 E. Northfield Blvd., Aurora
Wine pick-up: Mr. B’s, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Register: $15
Thursday-Sunday, February 11-14
FILL OUT YOUR HEART OF GRATITUDE
Show someone how much you appreciate them and contribute to a good cause at the same time! When you fill out a Gratitude Heart for anyone you are are grateful for, you will let them know they’ve made your life better. Just stop by the Trunk Nouveau Boutique at Stanley Marketplace and fill out a Gratitude Heart for Valentine’s Day. A $1 donation to Stanley’s Denver Feed It Forward program is recommended for each heart you fill out.
Trunk Nouveau, Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St. #170, Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Donation: $1 suggested
Friday, February 12
DENVER ZOO SAFARI CAMP
For this Presidents’ Day school holiday, treat your kids to Winter Safari Camp at the Denver Zoo! This all-day adventure includes supervised programming with animal experiences, zoo expedition, and hands-on exploration!
Your young campers will literally have a chance to dig into the world around them, engage their sense of wonder and discovery, and develop connections to animals and the natural world. Camp is divided into the following age groups: Kindergarten-2nd Grade, 2nd-4th Grade, and 3rd-5th Grade.
Denver Zoo, 2900 E. 23rd Ave., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Register: $57-$62
Phone: 720-337-1400
FAMILY PRAIRIE DAY
Learn all about pioneer life on the prairie as a Sod Homesteader, dressing up like they did in the 1800s and exploring the replica sod village on-site. Or maybe your family would rather learn some Cheyenne Games—how the children in the Cheyenne tribe played in the tipi camps, including practicing archery! The final option is Winter Ecology on the Prairie—a chance to learn how different plants and animals survive the harsh prairie winters—including exploring an active prairie dog town.
This fun family adventure is close to home! Choose which option your family would like to explore, then pre-register online. This activity is recommended for families with children ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome. Maximum number of registrants per program is 4. Materials used during the program will be disinfected after each use.
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Register: $30 per household
Phone: 303-326-8380
Friday-Sunday, February 12-14
MARDI GRAS AT HOME
If you’ve always wanted to join in on the fun of a New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, now’s your chance! For three nights, the Birthplace of Jazz will be hosting a pandemic version of the spectacular event online. For three nights, you can catch the online spectacular, Mardi Gras For All Y’All!
Nola.com, TheAdvocate.com, and Nola.com’s Facebook page
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Saturday, February 13
GALENTINE WREATHS AND BREWS
Part of the Galentine’s Day “tradition” is lovingly crafting something for your gal pals. Why not make it a day of crafting together? Your Wreath Kit ticket includes everything you’ll need to make a spring wreath, plus a couple of pours if you want to hang out with your friends on the patio.
If you’d prefer a take-out option, you can take your wreath kit home with a 32-oz. Crowler to-go!
First Draft Taproom & Kitchen, 1309 26th St., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ticket: $40
GALENTINE’S DAY CRAFTING
February 13th is the “official” date of this non-official holiday! Since time spent with friends helps you have a healthier brain and heart, why not have a platonic love-fest today?
Grab a few friends and sign up for this special Galentine’s Day celebration at Ceramics in the City, where you’ll spend some quality time creating some works of art together! Your $5 reservation fee will be credited toward your final bill at check out. Reserved time slots are two hours long.
Ceramics in the City, 5214 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Reservation: $5
ARTS & HEARTS
The city of Aurora joins in the Galentine’s Day theme with a day of creativity at the Arts & Hearts event!
Grab some pals and head down to Town Center where there will be tutorials on hair and makeup from MAC, Sephora, Soleil & S Glam Bar; a fashion show hosted by Blue Diamond Boutique; a chance to learn how to make Valentine-themed cocktails; and an assortment of DIY crafting!
Town Center, Center Court, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-344-9764
GALENTINE’S TEA FOR MAMAS
A subset of gal pals are those very special fellow-mamas! This luxury afternoon tea treats you to some me-time and gives you the chance to make some new mama friends as well as spend some quality time with your dearest colleagues!
You’ll get to indulge in a full tea service, including a delicious assortment of finger sandwiches, miniature scones served with jam, homemade lemon curd and Devonshire Cream, Scottish shortbread, homemade petits fours, and a French macaron. Price includes an unlimited choice of tea. If you would like to purchase bubbly, mimosas, bellinis, wine, or other beverages, you can do that, too!
Babe’s Tea Room, 2401 15th St. (Entrance on Platte St.), Denver
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $55
GALENTINE’S COMEDY NIGHT
This could be the best reason for a holiday like Galentine’s Day—a chance to get together to enjoy this all-female comedian line up, including performers from Comedy Works, The Improv, and more! Featured comedians are Shanae Ross, Georgia Comstock, Salma Zacky from Aspen Laugh Festival, and Katie Bowman from Beast Village Festival.
Tickets for a table for two are $25 and include two drink vouchers. A table for up to four people is also available for $50, and includes four drink vouchers. Reserve in advance—these tickets are sure to go fast!
North Dock, 2801 Tower Rd., Aurora,
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 – $50
Phone: 303-400-5606
Saturday-Sunday, February 13-14
VALENTINE SHOPPING SPECIAL
Need some goodies for your Valentines? Then you’ll love this special 20% discount at a bunch of Stanley boutiques when you show a same-day receipt from a Stanley restaurant on Saturday, February 13, and/or Sunday, February 14! Participants include: Aktiv, Goose & The Goat, June Ruby, Industrial Luxury, Sterre, and True!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Sunday, February 14
VALENTINE’S BEER AND CHOCOLATE
You can head out to the Dos Luces Brewery for a sweet pairing with Cultura Craft Chocolate or you can opt to do it as a to-go venture! The on-premise pairing is available only on Valentine’s Day, and the to-go pairing can be picked up anytime over the weekend starting on February 12. Be sure to reserve your ticket in advance online.
Dos Luces Brewery, 1236 S. Broadway, Denver
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30 per couple
Family-friendly activities in the Southshore area!
There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Southshore! Enjoy Life at the Lake with plenty of cultural and entertainment activities in the surrounding area! Check out the beautiful model homes from Richmond American Homes, Toll Brothers, and Taylor Morrison, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.