Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so it is time to start thinking about what you and your special someone are going to do this year to celebrate this day of love. Here are a few ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Ottawa.
For more ideas, also see Things to do this weekend in Ottawa.
Valentine’s Day Dinner
This Valentine’s Day, capture hearts in Ottawa with a culinary adventure. Skip the kitchen and choose from the city’s vibrant restaurants, offering an exciting fusion of traditional and contemporary flavours for a memorable dining experience.
- Valentine’s Day Dinner specials at 30 restaurants
- Sala San Marco’s Valentine’s Dinner Dance: Sweep your special someone off their feet at Sala San Marco’s Valentine’s Dinner Dance! Indulge in a gourmet multi-course dinner, sway to live music, and dance the night away in an elegant, romantically decorated ballroom.
- The Grand Ice Bar: Visit the Grand Pizzeria and Bar, and chill out at Ottawa’s Ice Bar, in the ByWard Market. Enjoy live music, & warm up around the fire pits with some hot chocolate or some cozy cocktails.
Valentine’s Day Gifts
- Find the perfect local Valentine’s gift at the historic Aberdeen Pavilion. Choose from seasonal produce, artisanal baked goods, meats, cheeses, and hot meals. Sundays 10:00AM – 3:00PM @ Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park
- Gift your sweetheart a cartload of beautiful plants, or you can even get tickets for a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner. @ 4228 Navan Road, Navan
Winterlude Love
Sparks Street in Ottawa will be alive with interactive light features, beautiful ice sculptures and performance art zones for all tastes. Or you can head to Snowflake Kingdom and zoom down the super slides, and the mega zip line.
Until February 16, 2026
Various Venues, Ottawa- Gatineau
Mostly free
Candlelit Concerts
Walk into one of Ottawa’s historical buildings where the walls will be flickering by candlelight to create a magical atmosphere. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with these most treasured masterpieces!
Various Dates in February
Various Venues, Ottawa
$30 & up
Escape Together
Thrill your group with an escape room adventure Feb 13-15 at Escape Manor locations! Tackle the “Mend the Broken Heart” challenge by collecting and assembling 4 puzzle pieces, hunt for hidden chocolates, and snap cute photos under romantic balloon arches. Details
Dangerous Curves Burlesque
Celebrate love with a spectacular burlesque show! Join Dangerous Curves Burlesque’s 10-year anniversary featuring powerhouse Viva Van Diva (naughty, international performer) and award-winning Helvetica Bold (sensual comedy tease, plus-size advocate).
Enjoy glamorous, empowering performances perfect for a spicy, romantic night out.
Friday February 13, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Fourth Stage, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa
$39 /ticket
Live Theatre
If you and your loved one like live theatre, your options for the week include:
- The Piano Teacher: Share an intimate, award-winning play: The Piano Teacher. Witness Erin rediscover love, friendship, and music after tragedy through tender piano lessons at home. A moving story of healing and new beginnings—ideal for a romantic, soul-stirring Valentine’s date. @ Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington St. West, Ottawa
- The Drowning Girls: Experience The Drowning Girls: Three drowned brides surface to expose their seductive killer-husband through haunting memories of love and betrayal. A gripping, dark romance mystery, perfect for a thrilling, unconventional Valentine’s theatre date @ The Ron Maslin Playhouse, 1 Ron Maslin Way, Kanata
- August: Osage County: Experience the Pulitzer-winning dark comedy August: Osage County. A fractured family reunites in Oklahoma heat, unleashing razor-sharp wit, buried secrets, betrayal, and explosive dysfunction. Hilarious yet harrowing—perfect for couples who love intense, honest drama and twisted family dynamics. @ The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
- Undercurrents Festival: The lineup at Undercurrents explores a vast landscape of theatre work in storytelling, political movements, and clowning. In February, dive into stories of love, racism, climate change, cultural identity, and more! @ Arts Court Theatre
Live Concerts
Pick your vibe for live music, sing-alongs, guitar mastery, and unforgettable shared moments:
- Matt Andersen: Share an intimate, soul-stirring evening with Matt Andersen’s The Hammer & The Rose Tour featuring Mariel Buckley. Enjoy tender folk and heartfelt soul songs from his poignant latest album, delicate reflections on love and life delivered with decades of raw, powerful stage presence. Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 8:00 PM @ Southam Hall, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa
- The Piano Men: Rock out together at this ultimate tribute concert to Billy Joel and Elton John! Full band featuring Jeff Brewer as the incredible vocalist/pianist belts out timeless hits. Sing along interactively to your favorite anthems in a high-energy, feel-good celebration of legendary music. Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 2 PM & 8 PM @ Harold Shenkman Hall, 245 Centrum Boulevard, Ottawa
- Kim Mitchell & David Wilcox: Rock out with your special someone at an electrifying Canadian rock night! Catch legends Kim Mitchell and David Wilcox live, shredding guitar mastery and timeless hits with unstoppable energy. Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM @ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa
Yuk Yuks Comedy
Enjoy a Valentine’s Day to remember with a 3-course dinner, followed by laughter at Yuk Yuk’s comedy show with Simon Cotter AND Shannon Laverty Details
February 14, 2026 | Early Seating: 5pm Dinner | 7pm Show
Late Seating: 730pm Dinner | 10pm Show
Biagio’s Kitchen + Catering, 1394 Richmond Rd, Ottawa
$104.65 per person
Dinner & a Movie
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dinner-and-movie experience. Enjoy an adults-only evening with dinner, drinks, and dessert served at your seat in the theater, or in the licensed VIP lounge. Signature cocktails and specialty food elevate your movie night.
Daily
Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne & VIP, 325 Marché Way Unit 107, Ottawa
Varies
My Funny Valentine
Laugh your way through Valentine’s with My Funny Valentine, a hilarious stand-up comedy night hosted by Ottawa’s Pierre Brault. Catch headliner Rick Currie (Just for Laughs, The Debaters) plus top local comics. Perfect for couples, friends, or solo, bring your sense of humour for heartwarming, side-splitting fun! Details
Friday February 13, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Ottawa
$24.25
Igloofest
Checkout this new music festival. From global icons to local talent, Igloofest Gatineau’s lineup includes Steve Aoki, Kaskade, and BUNT. Local and international artists will perform over the three-day festival, entertaining the audience amidst Winterlude festivities.
February 12 to 14, 2026
Place des Festivals Zibi, 60 Jos-Montferrand St, Gatineau
$39.00 + taxes & up
Breakfast & Paint
Celebrate creatively with a Breakfast Buffet & Guided Paint experience! Enjoy a hearty buffet, made-to-order omelettes, waffle/pancake/crepe station, desserts, and beverages, plus a relaxing 11 AM–1 PM step-by-step painting session (no experience needed).
Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 11 am to 1 pm
KS on the Keys Restaurant, KS on the Keys Restaurant, Ottawa
$70 & up
Valentine’s Day at Speakeasy Tapas Lounge
Choose your vibe at Speakeasy Tapas Lounge! For couples: a romantic 5–9 PM candlelit three-course dinner with live music by Alyssa Hope and Nick Gummeson—think duck confit or vegan eggplant cannelloni, ending with Earl Grey crème brûlée. Or go solo/friends for the 10:15 PM–3 AM Singles Soirée: cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, burlesque, raffle, and DJ dancing.
Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Speakeasy Tapas Lounge, 55 York Street Ottawa
$10.52 & up/139.91 with dinnet
Butterflies in Flight
Enjoy a day at the Nature Museums and enter a world of brilliant, live butterflies. Experience the beauty of nature up close as these delicate creatures soar freely in our Solarium. A warm tropical paradise welcomes dozens of new pupae from Costa Rica and the Philippines every week.
Friday to Sunday | 9:30 am – 4 pm
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa
Regular Admission
Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting & Charcuterie
Celebrate love daytime-style at the winery! Sip 5 glasses of wine, savour a Valentine’s-themed charcuterie board, receive a rose on arrival, and enjoy front-row seats to soulful Claudia Caird and country star Jacob Sweeney blending timeless love songs and modern hits.
February 14, 2026 | 3:30 pm to 6 pm
Domaine Perrault, 1000 Perrault Road, Ottawa
$71.03 & up
Art Battle Ottawa
Enjoy an Art Battle event together. Step into a world where imagination comes to life! Watch as talented artists transform blank canvases into breathtaking masterpieces in just 20 electrifying minutes per round. Feel the energy in the air as creativity flows and the crowd cheers them on.
Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Overflow Brewing Company, 2477 Kaladar Avenue, Ottawa
$25.50
Maple Tree Tapping
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by tapping a maple tree together at Vanier Museopark’s urban sugar shack, just minutes from downtown Ottawa! Experience the tradition of maple syrup production with passionate volunteer producers eager to share their knowledge. Explore Richelieu Forest trails—snowshoes optional! This engaging, family-friendly event is open to all, making it a perfect way to connect with nature and the Vanier community. Don’t miss this sweet opportunity to be part of a cherished local tradition!
Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Vanier Museopark, 300 Pères Blancs Avenue, Ottawa
Free
Puck n Putt
Add a playful Canadian twist to your winter romance at Puck-N-Putt! Skate or stroll the Rideau Canal skateway and play a fun 9-hole mini putt course built right on the ice beside Canal Ritz. Quick 25-30 min adventure—perfect for couples, families, or a lighthearted date full of laughs and winter charm.
February 13 to 16, 2026
On the Rideau Canal, 375 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa
$19.99
Cook Together
Who cooks together stays together! Online you can find many cooking classes offered by local cooking schools and restaurants, where you not only prepare a delicious meal together but also learn something new.
Go for an enchanted skate
Credit: RiverOak Ice Skating Trail
There are so many skating trails in and around Ottawa.
Skate through forests, orchards, golf courses, and skateways lit with colourful lights, all within 1 to 2 hours of the city.
- Rideau Canal Skateway (If you or your date do not know ice skating, you have the option to walk. The walking lane is set along the edges of the skate track, between Waverley and Bank.)
- Countryside Adventures, 16495 Sixth Rd, 16495 Sixth Road, Moose Creek
- Icelynd Skating Trails, 6865 Fernbank Road Ottawa
- Parc nature Eco-Odyssée 52, chemin des Sources, Wakefield
- River Oak, 2900 York’s Corners Road, Ottawa
Go for a walk
Plan a day trip to locations inside or outside the city this weekend. Take-in waterfalls, snow-draped landscapes, see winter birds and more!
- 15+ Waterfalls to Visit in and Around Ottawa
- 15 Scenic Lookouts In and Around Ottawa
- 25 Must-Visit Nature Attractions and Nature Hotspots in and Around Ottawa
Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing
Credit: SJAM Winter Trail
If the weather is favourable, plan a night out snowshoeing in Gatineau Park or explore SJAM Trail.
Other fun multi-use trails include the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail and Rideau Winter Trail.
Visit Camp Fortune
Enjoy skiing? Then, both of you will want to visit Camp Fortune. This resort has operated for over 100 years and has plenty of excellent downhill ski runs. Get your blood pumping as you race down the slopes at Camp Fortune!
Or visit Calabogie Peaks Resort, the tallest public ski resort in Ontario.
See animals at Parc Omega
Breathe in the fresh air at the Parc Omega. Drive through the nature park and observe wild animals from the northern hemisphere, like wolves, elks,and deer – all from the comfort of your vehicle.
Plan a day Trip to Nearby Towns/Cities
If you want to escape the cacophony of Ottawa downtown, plan a day trip to nearby cities: