Love in the Lou
Your STL Valentine's Day Event Guide 2026
Love is literally in the air across the Gateway City this February
...and it's not just because of the chocolate shops working overtime. Whether you're a starry-eyed new couple, a seasoned married duo looking to rekindle the spark, or a family that believes Valentine's Day should be celebrated with sticky fingers and glitter glue, St. Louis and St. Charles County have rolled out a dazzling lineup of events that belong in their very own book.
And that's exactly what we're here to talk about.
Welcome to Love in the Lou, the Valentine's community events guide you didn't know you needed. Think of it as your one-stop playbook for romance, family fun, and community togetherness — all set against the backdrop of the Arch, historic cobblestone streets, and some seriously creative local businesses. Let's flip through the chapters, shall we?
Chapter 1: Romantic Date Ideas for Couples & Married Couples
Nothing says "I love you" quite like a thoughtfully planned date night and St. Louis restaurants, hotels, and attractions have gone above and beyond this year.
Grant's Farm Valentine's Date Night
Picture this: candlelight flickering in the historic Carriage Haus, live guitar music drifting through the room, and a four-course dinner for two that includes everything from Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Bisque to Sweetheart's Steak and Shrimp. Available select nights from February 6–21 with seatings at 6 pm and 8 pm, this $220-per-couple experience also comes with VIP parking and a complimentary photo with a majestic Budweiser Clydesdale. Upgrade your evening with a romantic carriage ride or a cozy Clydesdale blanket to take home — because nothing screams romance like a horse-themed souvenir you'll actually cherish.
Rooftop Love Affair at Hotel Saint Louis
For couples who want their Valentine's dinner served with a skyline view, the Form Skybar at Hotel Saint Louis is hosting an elegant prix fixe dinner on February 14. With two timed seatings (5–7 pm and 8–10 pm), you'll enjoy a multi-course menu starring Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna, Lobster Bisque, and Grilled Filet Mignon with truffle mashed potatoes — all accompanied by live music. It's rooftop dining at its most romantic.
Untamed Hearts Valentine's Dinner at the St. Louis Zoo
Dinner among the animals? Yes, please. On February 13 from 6–9 pm, the Zoo transforms The Living World into a romantic dining venue featuring a three-course meal, hors d'oeuvres, and live music with dancing afterward. Tickets start at $75 per person for Zoo members and $85 for non-members.
Violet's: The Valentine's Pop-Up at Union Station
Running all month long, Violet's has taken over the Train Shed restaurant space at St. Louis Union Station with lush dark florals, deep decor, and a menu of eight specialty cocktails with names like Strawberry Short King, Hollaback Girl, and the Main Character Marg. No reservations needed — just walk in starting at 11 a.m. daily and let the ambiance sweep you off your feet.
More Romantic Highlights Worth Booking
EventLocationDatePriceCasa Don Alfonso L'Amore Prix FixeClaytonFeb 14$175++/person
Le Méridien Café La Vie DinnerClaytonFeb 14$78/person
Love Under the Moon PackageMoonrise Hotel, Delmar LoopFeb 14Package rates vary
Cheshire Hotel Love Story PackageNear Forest ParkAll FebruaryPackage rates vary
Indo Valentine's Handroll ExperienceThe Hill areaFeb 14$175/person
St. Louis Wheel Date Night PackageUnion StationAll FebruaryPackage pricing online
Missouri Botanical Garden DinnerShaw BlvdFeb 14$130/person
Chapter 2: Family-Oriented Events for All Ages
Valentine's Day isn't just for the lovebirds — it's for the little loves in your life, too. St. Louis and St. Charles County are bursting with family-friendly celebrations that make February 14 feel like a holiday the whole household can enjoy.
Once Upon a Valentine on Historic Main Street, St. Charles
This FREE micro-festival on February 7 & 8 (12–3 pm) transforms Historic Main Street into a Valentine's wonderland. Famous lovers and larger-than-life characters roam the cobblestone streets, while families enjoy activities that embrace both the adoration and the playful disdain for Valentine's Day traditions. Local shops get in on the action with Valentine's decor, special dining deals, and unique shopping experiences. It's the kind of event where you can bring the kids, grab some hot cocoa, and make an afternoon of it — all for free.
Daddy Daughter Dances Across the Region
Few Valentine's traditions are more heartwarming than a daddy-daughter dance, and the St. Louis metro area delivers several magical options this year:
New Town Men's Club Daddy Daughter Dance (St. Charles) — February 6, 6:30–8:30 pm. A pink-carpet entrance, a princess appearance, drinks, dancing, and dessert make this a fairy-tale evening. Tickets are $40 for one daughter and her special dude, $15 for each additional daughter.
Father & Daughter Sweetheart Dance (Lake Saint Louis/Wentzville) — February 6, 6:30–8:30 pm at The Lodge at Quail Ridge Park, designed for dads with daughters ages 3–10.
Multiple community center dances across the metro area offer similar themed evenings with dancing, desserts, and photo opportunities for kids ages 2 and up.
Valentine's Day Craft Party at Wild Sprouts (St. Charles)
On February 11 from 9 am–1 pm, Wild Sprouts in St. Charles hosts a hands-on Valentine's craft party for little ones at 3010 N Highway 94. It's the perfect way to channel that pre-Valentine's excitement into glittery, gluey masterpieces.
I Love You S'More: The Valentine's Freak Shake
Kids (and let's be honest, adults too) will flip for the Soda Fountain's seasonal Freak Shake at St. Louis Union Station. Available February 1–14, this Chocolate Toasted Marshmallow Shake comes drizzled in chocolate syrup, rimmed in graham cracker, and topped with a hand-crafted sugar cookie, a full-size Hershey Bar, and whipped cream. It's basically a dessert table in a glass.
SqWires Valentine's Brunch Buffet
Looking for a Valentine's meal the whole family can enjoy? SqWires Annex in Lafayette Square is hosting a brunch buffet on February 14 & 15 starting at 11 am, featuring strawberry French toast bake, smoked brisket, shrimp & grits, and dessert stations. Adults are $44 and children 12 & under are just $19, with a full bar for the grown-ups.
Chapter 3: Community Gatherings That Encourage Togetherness
Some of the best Valentine's experiences aren't about fancy dinners or prix fixe menus — they're about showing up, sharing a laugh, and celebrating your community.
Habitat for Humanity Valentine's Trivia Night (St. Charles County)
On Valentine's evening, February 14, the O'Fallon Elks Lodge hosts the 13th Annual Trivia Night benefiting Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County. Doors open at 6 pm, competition begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $30 per person, $120 for a table of four, or $240 for a full table of eight. Test your knowledge of movies, music, TV, and pop culture while supporting a cause that builds homes and strengthens families. Raffle baskets, 50/50 drawings, and prizes keep the energy high all night. As executive director Michelle Woods puts it, "it's the perfect venue for a date night, a girl's night out, a fun evening with friends or family".
Puppy Love Dog Adoption Event at City Museum
On February 15 from noon to 3 pm, City Museum partners with Stray Rescue to host an adoption event where guests can meet and play with pups ready for their fur-ever homes. It's included with general admission or a membership pass and honestly, what better way to celebrate love than by giving a rescue dog a new family?
Valentine's Karaoke at Blueberry Hill
Grab your friends, your partner, or your boldest solo energy and head to the legendary Duck Room stage at Blueberry Hill on February 14 from 7–11 pm. The rules are simple: breakup songs or love songs ONLY. It's free for adults 21+, and the community spirit in that room is electric.
Monster High Fan Club Valentine's Party (O'Fallon)
On February 7 from 12–3 pm, the Deer Run Library in O'Fallon hosts a free Valentine's Day party for young Monster High fans, featuring card-making and a viewing party. It's a perfect low-key community hangout for kids and the parents who love them.
Valentine's Family Bingo Night
Community centers across the area are hosting Valentine's-themed Family Bingo Nights, complete with pizza, prizes, and plenty of family-friendly fun. Check your local parks and recreation schedule, these events fill up fast!
Tips for Making the Most of Your Valentine's Season
You've seen the lineup — now here's how to make the absolute most of it:
Book early, book now. Events like Grant's Farm dinners and daddy-daughter dances sell out fast. Don't let procrastination steal your perfect evening.
Mix and match. Combine a daytime family event (Once Upon a Valentine in St. Charles) with an evening couples' outing (Violet's at Union Station) for a full day of love.
Embrace the unexpected. A Lion's Choice drive-thru dinner with candlelit paths and servers in bowties? A haunted house date at The Darkness? St. Louis knows how to keep Valentine's Day delightfully weird.
Support local. From Clementine's Ice Cream's Valentine's flavors (Death By Chocolate, anyone?) at their St. Charles Chicken-n-Pickle location to 4 Hands Brewery's chocolate and beer pairings, spending your Valentine's dollars locally keeps the love circulating.
Don't forget the free stuff. Once Upon a Valentine, Valentine's Karaoke at Blueberry Hill, library craft parties, and the Puppy Love adoption event all cost nothing, proving that the best things in love really are free.
Your Valentine's Adventure Starts Here
St. Louis and St. Charles County aren't just places to celebrate Valentine's Day, they're places where love is woven into the community fabric, from historic Main Street festivals to rooftop dinners overlooking the city lights. Whether you're slow-dancing at Grant's Farm, singing power ballads at Blueberry Hill, or watching your daughter light up at her first daddy-daughter dance, these are the moments that make February magical.
So grab your partner, rally the family, call your best friends and dive into everything this incredible community has to offer. Love is waiting for you in the Lou. ❤️
