Things to do in Tampa Bay for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance. It’s a day to pamper yourself, dance, eat good food, hang out with friends and have some fun. Here are a few ways we’ve found to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Tampa Bay area.

Valentine’s Clay Date: Experience the thrill of trying your hands on the pottery wheel. Book a one-hour private “try it” session with your honey. Instructors walk you through the steps of making a simple pot. Includes a finished piece to be fired and glazed and digital images of the session. $75 two. Sessions available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 14. Practically Pikasso, 6850 Central Ave., St Petersburg.

Volentines: Show some love for Mother Earth on Valentine’s Day and volunteer with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Free. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Feb. 14. Davis Island Dog Beach, 864 Severn Ave., Tampa. 813-221-8733.

Valentine’s Day Kids Party: Socks are required for one of three Valentine’s Day-themed play and learning sessions. $18.95 (registration required at littleexplorers.pike13.com). Sessions at 9 and 10:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. Feb. 14. Little Explorers, 35225 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor. 727-286-6896.

Shop and Sip Valentine’s Day: Sip on discount drinks and munch on some snacks as you shop for items to dress up for your fancy night out. No cover. 10 a.m. Feb. 14. Way Classy Consignment, 10528 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. 352-666-5510.

Valentine’s Day Sensory Play: An outdoor, nature-based class that allows children to discover more than five safe and creative sensory stations to make Valentine’s Day-themed creations. $15. 10-11 a.m. Feb. 14. George C. Mcgough Nature Park, 11901 146th St. N, Largo. 727-518-3047.

Valentine’s Day Step by Step: A 1.5- to 2-hour instructed painting class for couples. $38. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Joe’s Palette, 900 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-289-6033.

Valentine’s Day Tea: Single women can celebrate themselves at this tea party with numerous flavors of tea, sweet and savory treats, a rose and fellowship. Free (registration on Eventbrite required). 1-3 p.m. Feb. 14. Riverbend Retreat, 10200 Elbow Bend Road, Riverview. 727-421-9512.

Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony: Ken Burke, clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, unites multiple couples in his 17th annual mass Valentine’s Day wedding ceremony. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. 727-582-2100.

Valentine’s Day Tea Party: The Florida Orchestra Guild and Patchingtons wants to help you lift a tired wardrobe with spring color at the “Glamour and Accessorize” fashion show. $55. 2-4 p.m. Feb. 14. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-896-5097.

Creation Station: Valentine’s Day: Gather with friends to make a Valentine’s Day-themed craft. Free. 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Clearwater North Greenwood Public Library, 905 N Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave Clearwater. 727-562-4970.

Valentine’s Day with Ella: A Valentine’s Day-themed book reading for kids. Every child leaves with a gift. Free (registration required on Eventbrite). 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Joyful Notion, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-461-7557.

Valentine’s Day Island Sunset: Spend Valentine’s Day doing something romantic and rejuvenating. Couples and singles alike, join in on a paddle to Shell Key with a special sunset setup and snacks waiting. An additional guided meditation will be offered at 5:30 p.m. $25-$80. 5-7 p.m. Feb. 14. Shell Key Preserve, 2187 Oceanview Drive, Tierra Verde. 727-336-9595.

“Like Water for Chocolate” Narrated Dinner: Listen to excerpts from the romantic novel about the love, passion, eroticism, sadness, madness and rebellious nature of a woman distilled through her life in the kitchen and through the food she cooks. Then, enjoy a five-course dinner of an updated interpretation of the food described in the book. $100 per person. 6 p.m. Feb. 14. Southern Brewery, 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-238-7800.

Valentine’s Day Wine and Dine: Couples ages 18 and older can learn how to make calamari, asparagus, porterhouse steak and a dessert in this demonstration-style cooking class. $70. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Publix Aprons Cooking School of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. 813-926-4465.

Valentine’s Day Dance Extravaganza: Jerry LeNoir performs live for dancing or your listening pleasure. Also, dance instructions, Valentine’s Day games and prizes. $28. 6:30- 9:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The Way 2 Dance, 6520 US 301, Riverview. 813-966-4788.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise: Dance the night away as you enjoy a three-course meal aboard a yacht with the Tampa skyline as a backdrop. $79.95-$189.95. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Yacht Starship, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-223-7999.

Valentine’s Vows: The Right Rev. John Bell (also known as Tampa Theatre president and CEO John Bell) invites married couples to participate in a mass vow renewal written especially for an audience well-versed in romantic movie quotes. Includes a champagne toast to “happily ever after.” A screening of Buster Keaton’s silent rom-com “Seven Chances” follows. $14.50, $10.50 members. 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa. 813-274-8981.

An Evening of Love: Immani Love brings us an evening of food, romance and an erotic poetry performance. $100 couple. 7-10 p.m. Feb. 14. Zoie’s, 2245 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-855-6990.

Valentine’s Day with the Opera: Meet and mingle with Maestro Mark Sforzini and enjoy live performances, piano music, buffet and open bar. $75. 7-11 p.m. Feb. 14. Casa Canale, 3519 N Circle, Largo. 212-744-0083.

Valentine’s Day Couples Guided Stretch: Spend a romantic evening cultivating inner peace and loving intentions with your partner! The Guided Stretch for Couples is a floor-based assisted stretching sequence with its roots in yoga, meditation and bodywork. You’ll learn how to guide your partner through a gentle flow of stretches directed to ease their mind, body and spirit. $99 couple. 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Yoga Village, 2760 Daniel St., Clearwater. 727-712-1475.

Valentine’s Dance: Bring your sweetheart to dance to live country music by Brett Baker. $12. 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Tampa East RV Resort, 4630 McIntosh Road, Dover. 813-659-2504.

Traffic Light Party: Wear red if you’re in a relationship, yellow if you’re hesitant and green if you’re available for this 21-and-older-only matchmaking party. Free. 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Yard of Ale, 260 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-822-2027.

Tribute to Sade Valentine’s Day Party: Enter a speakeasy for a welcome glass of wine before dinner and a musical tribute to Sade by DJ Lyndon UY. $75. 7 p.m.-midnight Feb. 14. District Lounge, 1572 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 786-483-0917.

Valentine’s Day Loving Care and Touch Workshop: A Valentine’s Day workshop for partners or friends to practice intimate tender loving care and enjoy sensory delights. Indulge in a heart-activating cacao ceremony and enjoy the tastes of plant-based charcuterie snacks. $66-$111. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The Collective St. Pete, 327 11th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-453-9069.

Valentine’s Day Comedy Show: Laugh with your loved one with comedy by Kandyce August, Ginger Kelly and Kye Saunders. $19.90-$64.90. 7:30-9 p.m. Feb. 14. Snappers Grill and Comedy Club, 36657 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. 727-938-2027.

Valentine’s Day Paint and Sip: Paint a “Gulf Coast Love Affair”-themed piece of art in this guided session. Includes two drinks and appetizers. $50. 6-9 p.m. Feb. 16. Sea Sea Riders Restaurant, 221 Main St., Dunedin. 727-734-1445.

Andrea Bocelli: Known as “the world’s most romantic voice,” the multiplatinum selling Italian tenor performs a Valentine’s Day concert with the Opera Tampa Chorus. The performance features arias, crossover hits and famed love songs. Starting at $83.75. 8 p.m. Feb. 16. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

Valentine’s Dance Social: A black-and-white “bling” party with Latin and ballroom dancing. $10. Dance lesson starts at 7:15 p.m. Open dancing 8 p.m. Feb. 17. Studio 131, 11803 104th St., Largo. 727-386-9639.

Black Love V-Day: A night of live music, poetry, Valentine’s Day-themed games, R&B and hip-hop. $5.55-$75. 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Urban Drinkery Wine Bar, 2184 Ninth Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

Romantic Comedy Trivia: A Valentine’s Day-themed night of trivia questions based on romantic comedy films. Free (registration required on Eventbrite). 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Original Westshore Pizza, 4802 W Bay Court Ave., Tampa. 813-832-5331.

Galentine’s Glam and Glow: Grab a cocktail, bubbly drink or mocktail and something to eat as you shop and check out spa stations. $30. 6:30-8:30 Feb. 23. Zydeco Brew Werks, 1902 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-252-4541.