Valentine's, Galentine's and Anti-Valentine's Day events in London celebrate love in all its forms

Eventbrite, which helps people worldwide find local events or host their own, revealed that searches for Valentine's-related events on its app and website have more than doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year.

The diverse array of events that are listed on Eventbrite reflect a broader cultural move toward celebrating all forms of connection – whether that's friendship, self-love, or a romantic partnership. The unique Valentine’s and Galentine’s events on offer span far beyond traditional romantic dinners, from friendship meetups and singles mixers to self-care workshops and anti-Valentine's celebrations.

The surge in both event variety and demand suggests that Valentine's Day is being reclaimed as an inclusive celebration of love in all its expressions, rather than just an occasion for couples.

This year's offerings heavily feature interactive experiences that foster meaningful connections, with events centred around live music, culinary adventures, creative workshops, and wellness activities. From candlelit piano concerts to cabaret, burlesque and comedy evenings, there’s something to do for Londoners, coupled up or not. Here, Eventbrite has pulled together a few of the quirky events in three categories (event descriptions by the organisers):

Date nights for couples

Forbidden Desires

When: Thursday 13 February

Where: The Camden Club, Chalk Farm, NW1 8AP

Cost: £12-100

What: Step into a world where your deepest fantasies come alive for Forbidden Desires, a sultry, decadent cabaret night that promises to leave you breathless. Set against the seductive glow of The Camden Club, this one-night-only Valentine’s spectacle blends live piano, hauntingly beautiful vocals, and provocative burlesque. Whether you're celebrating love, lust, or a little bit of mischief, Forbidden Desires is the ultimate Valentine’s escape.

Paint N Date Valentine’s Special

When: Friday 14 February

Where: Sway Bar, Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BZ

Cost: £38.62 singles, £76.55 couples

What: A magical evening where love, laughter and creativity collide. Paint a masterpiece with your partner along with amazing music and a wicked host who brings energy and fun.

Valentine's Piano by Candlelight

When: Friday 14 February

Where: St George’s Church, Hanover Square, W1S 1FX

Cost: From £21.29

What: Perfect for couples or friends, this will be an enchanting evening where the flickering glow of candles sets the stage for a captivating musical journey. Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of classical music with a selection of exquisite masterpieces, from the delicate melancholy of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to the gentle raindrop-like notes of Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude.

Galentine’s and Anti-Valentine’s

Galentine’s Party Swiftie Special

When: Friday 14 February

Where: Fabal Beerhall, Druid Street, SE1 2HQ

Cost: £5 per ticket or £18 for four

What: Grab your friendship bracelets, pick your Era, and round up your girl squad to celebrate like it’s 1989 at the Fabal Beerhall. Each ticket includes a table and your first drink from the Swiftie menu of fizz, cocktails and mocktails. This Galentine’s it’s all about Taylor, tunes and total joy and the vibe is simple: bring your besties and hit the dance floor as the resident DJ spins a night full of Taylor Swift.

Luxe Black Women’s Galentine’s Gossip & Games Night

When: Friday 14 February

Where: Bounds Green – secret location until 24 hours before

Cost: £20 - 26

What: The ultimate gathering for black women who love luxury, glamour, and unforgettable girl time. Slip into something sexy, and sultry for an evening of laughter, connection, and celebration. Includes Prosecco, luxurious snacks and playful, interactive games that celebrate friendships and joy, as well as the sharing of hilarious horror Valentine’s stories. A night designed to leave you laughing, glowing and inspired, including glam photo setups to capture great memories.

Galentine’s Sip & Paint

When: Saturday 15 February

Where: LA’CHI, Pennyfields, E14 8HP

Cost: £27.80

What: Grab your besties and unleash your inner artist as you sip on delicious mocktails and paint the night away in a full filled evening of creativity and friendship. No experience necessary. Whether you're celebrating with your best gals or just looking for a unique night out, this event is the perfect way to relax and unwind while creating a masterpiece.

Anti-Valentine’s Comedy Show

When: Friday 14 February

Where: La Pizzica Restaurant, Fulham, SW6 5SJ

Cost: £16.96

What: Dating horror stories, relationships gone wrong, weird sex experiences...and comedy gives the audience a chance to share their stories too. If you’re looking for romance and the usual Valentine’s night out, do not attend! Couples are welcome but are warned they’ll be roasted.

Mums that Rave Galentine’s Party

When: Saturday 15 February

Where: Trailer Happiness, Portobello Road, W11 2DY

Cost: £24.54

What: You’ll never see anyone rave as hard as a mum with an afternoon to herself. A day event from 2pm until 6pm, Mums that Rave from DJ NIKKI Beatnik (Beatnik Records, Ministry of Sound, Kelis Tour DJ) is a life affirming party for women and mamas to dress up, show up, make new friends and thrive. Hop, Rnb, D&B, Classics, House, Garage, Dancehall, Afrobeats will get you dancing.

Singles looking for love

The Big Valentine’s Singles Run, Regent Park

When: Saturday 15 February

Where: Regent’s Park

Cost: £6.13

What: Meet over a shared passion and make connections face to face for genuine connections with real people. The run consists of three to four laps of a 1.5km circuit within Regent's Park. After each lap, you'll have a chance to grab a drink, and you’ll be encouraged to find someone new for the next lap. After the run, everyone heads for drinks in a nearby café and after the event, a form is sent out allowing you to share contact details with anyone who wants to share theirs.

Valentine’s Rooftop Singles – Ages 21-45 – over 300 people

When: Friday 14 February

Where: Madison, EC4M 9AF

Cost: £11.55

What: Join over 300 people at the BIG Valentines 'Red Straw' singles party at Madison in St Paul's. On arrival guests will be given a 'red straw' to drink from to indicate they’re single. Taking place on the outside terrace with spectacular views of St Paul's Cathedral and the London skyline, there is a private bar and seating area. The following day you will be able to contact anyone you met at the event via Date in a Dash’s website.

Valentine’s Lesbian Speed Dating (ages 21-32)

When: Friday 14 February

Where: The Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead Green, SE15 3QQ

Cost: £14.25

What: Lesbian Island Speed Dating: the Valentine’s edition with candlelight, rose petals and burlesque to follow if you want to stay and hang out at the bar. Meet beautiful women in a relaxed and romantic environment and maybe the sparks will fly.