I have such fond memories of Valentine’s Day growing up.
In elementary school, exchanging Valentine’s cards with friends and classmates was the highlight of every February. Cards often featured Care Bears, Disney characters, Looney Tunes, or even Michael Jordan, and they almost always came with a sweet treat or those heart-shaped candies stamped with love notes.
In high school, Valentine’s Day brought a new kind of excitement with “crush grams.” These were notes or small tokens you could send to friends - or maybe to that one special person you hadn’t yet worked up the courage to talk to. I’m not going to lie, those were the days - filled with equal parts fun and butterflies.
Valentine’s Day may look different for me now, but its charm hasn’t faded. It’s still a time to celebrate love in all its forms, whether through cherished traditions or creating new ones. From romantic date nights to family road trips, indulging in foodie adventures, or unwinding with spa days, there are endless ways to make the day/month special and meaningful.
While February often highlights and celebrates couples, let’s not forget that love is for everyone, no matter your relationship status. These days, we’re constantly bombarded with an “ideal” version of love: happy couples, picture-perfect lives, and fairytale romances, all curated and filtered on social media. But life isn’t always like that. For many, this time of year can stir up feelings of sadness, especially if they’ve experienced heartache, lost a loved one, or feel left out of all the "love" festivities.
That’s why I believe Valentine’s Day should be about celebrating love in all its beautiful forms. Whether you’re single, taken, or somewhere in between, take this time to honor the love you share with yourself, your friends, your family - even the kindness you extend to strangers. Love is universal, love is powerful, and most of all, love is what keeps this world spinning.
Whether you stopped by to find Valentine’s Day events or fun ways to wrap up winter in style, you’ve come to the right place. I can’t get enough of Reno and this amazing life we’re all lucky to live. If sleep weren’t a necessity, I’d probably skip it just to soak up every bit of what life has to offer. Life is beautiful, full of discoveries waiting to be made, and here in Reno, life is truly something special.
-Kat
P.S. I may have hit publish a bit quickly on this post because I didn’t want anyone to miss out on even a sprinkle of magic. Rest assured, I’ll be back to fine-tune and update this guide with anything I missed or that pops up later. Businesses, friends, and future friends - please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s something you’d like me to add.
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| BEST BET MOTORLODGE, MIDTOWN |
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| Nothing to It Calendar, Reno. |
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| Starting February 1, 2025 |
We’re so lucky to have so many amazing and unique local coffee shops that add so much character to our city. These places are run by passionate people who genuinely love what they do and aim to brighten your day. With all the different styles and flavors to choose from, I can’t help but feel spoiled.
5150 Mae Anne Ave, Ste.213,
Reno, Nevada 89523
This Saturday, January 18th, at 9:00 AM, we’re exploring Chickadee Ridge with a 2.3-mile out-and-back snowshoe hike.
🌟 Details:
Enjoy a guided hike through the beautiful snowy trails.
Free Trailhead Medium Roast coffee (thanks to @Coffeebar) served 15 minutes before we begin!
👟 Need Snowshoes?
There is a limited supply available, or you can bring your own.
📅 RSVP Required: Secure your spot today via the link in bio!
Don’t miss this chance to connect with nature and enjoy the winter wonderland."
This year, be part of our BioBlitz:
🌿 Clean up the habitat.
🦋 Identify flora and fauna—no expertise needed!
A BioBlitz helps us document species and understand the ecological health of the area. Every observation makes a difference!
Register now through the link in our bio and join us for a meaningful day of service in honor of Dr. King’s legacy." -Description from Instagram
Tickets are just $10, and 100% of the proceeds will go toward California fire relief efforts. Let’s come together for a night of laughs and make a difference! Ticket link in bio. 🔗 See you there ❤️"
Come join residents DJ Andrew and DJ Sax One, along with special guest DJs Mark Sexton and Ivan The Terrible to celebrate Reno's longest running dance party!
Celebrate the 1 year anniversary at Lo-Bar, originally established in 2008 - Hard guess.
FREE SHIRT GIVEAWAY! Supplies are limited. Be there when the first needle drops to secure yours!
Soul, Funk, RnB, Latin and 60’s
All Vinyl 45s All Night Long"
"Join us for an exciting day of culture, creativity, and celebration as we welcome the Year of the Snake with performances, crafts, and festive activities for the whole family. Hosted in partnership with the Reno Chinese Dance Club, Carson Valley Chinese Cultural Group, and Reno Chinese Cultural Group, this event promises a vibrant blend of tradition and community.
Event Highlights
Date: February 1, 2025
Location: Nevada State Museum & Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Admission: Activities in the Dema Guinn Concourse are free. Admission to the Museum galleries is $10 for adults and free for members and children 17 and younger.
Schedule of Events
- 9:30 AM: Family Crafts in the Museum Auditorium
- 10:00 AM: Carson Valley Chinese Cultural Group Performance in the NSM Dema Guinn Concourse
- 11:00 AM: Lion Dance Procession from NSM to CMNN
- 11:30 AM: Reno Chinese Cultural Group Performance on the stage at CMNN
- 12:30 PM: Carson Valley Chinese Cultural Group Performance on the stage at CMNN
Enjoy four captivating performances by the Reno Chinese Dance Club, showcasing the grace and vibrancy of Chinese dance. Additional performers may be announced soon.
Light refreshments will be served.
Come celebrate this rich cultural tradition with us! Together, let’s honor the Year of the Snake in a way that brings the community together with joy and shared experiences.
Interested in sponsoring the event or supporting performer honoraria? Reach out to us for more details."
-Description from website
Outside the center, you'll find beautifully preserved and restored wetlands thriving with wildlife and a scenic dirt trail complete with fun bridges to cross.
Be sure to watch for their annual event, "Carpe Diem," where the community is invited to help fish out invasive carp to keep their population in check. It's a unique way to support the ecosystem while having a great time.
📍Classes will be held at our South Creek location, 15 Foothill Rd.
💃 Only 25 spots are available per class, so don't wait!"
The Generator is an expansive venue where artists come together to create, collaborate, and showcase their work. It also hosts some of the most exciting events in Reno. If you're familiar with the Third Thursday Markets at The Generator, it will now be held on a new date and time under a fresh name. This space is perfect for all ages, uniting the community around a shared love for art and entrepreneurship. At the market, you'll find a wide variety of unique items, from art and tote bags to crocheted stuffies, baked goods, clothing, and so much more - featuring 100% local talent.
Savories:
- Brie, Apple, Roasted Walnuts, Jam, Microgreens
- Puff Pastry Strip with Herbs de Provence Roasted Zucchini, Caramelized Onions, Crème Fraîche
- Creamy Parmesan Polenta with Bell Pepper Sautéed Shrimp (warm)
- Garlic Bread with Meatball and Marinara (warm)
Bread: House-made Rosemary Focaccia served with Fresh Burrata, Artichoke Heart Bruschetta, and Eggplant Caponata
Desserts:
- Dark Chocolate Mousse Cup
- Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Shaped Bonbon
- Vanilla Bean Macaron
- Mini Raspberry Cream Puff
Beverages:
- Bottomless pot of Tea
- Includes one glass from our selection of wine, sparkling wine, or cocktail/mocktail of the month
Price is inclusive of tax and gratuity.
Tickets are Non-Refundable.
"Get ready to laugh your heart out at our Valentines Day Comedy event!
Join us at Midnight Coffee Roasting for a night filled with hilarious stand-up performances guaranteed to make your Valentine's Day unforgettable. Grab your sweetheart or round up your friends for a night of laughter and good vibes. Don't miss out on this special event - mark your calendars now!"
-Description from Eventbrite
"Join us at the Lake Mansion for a free community art festival hosted by Arts for All Nevada! From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, you and your family can attend for a fun-filled day of creativity! We will have a wide variety of exciting activities and organizations to make this a memorable event for all ages!
Event Highlights:
- Explore the open doors of the Lake Mansion
- Enjoy several art stations with hands-on crafts for all age groups
- Free books for every child, courtesy of Spread the Word
- Meet local historian and Lake Mansion expert – Patty Cafferata
- Grab a bite from Zucker Donuts Food Truck
- Sing along with Music Together: Biggest Little City
- Paint a rock to leave in our community rock garden for Youth Art Month
No RSVP needed – just bring your friends and family, and we’ll see you there!"
-Description from website
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| 40 minute guided tour. Buster was such a knowledgeable and down to earth guide. |
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| Sand Harbor is the most popular beach in Lake Tahoe. |
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| Delicious Hot Cocoa |
Heavenly Village is the perfect spot to celebrate Valentine's Day, or really any day you want to make special. Life, atmosphere, views, and charm... the village is definitely one of my favorite places to hang, despite being located in a touristy area. One big reason - the VIEWS & VIBES are unlike anything else.
Some ideas for an ideal trip: a scenic gondola ride (with or without skis and snowboards, $$$), a delicious dinner and magic show at The Loft, ice skating, Heavenly Village Cinema, and live entertainment (Base Camp Pizza has daily performances). And of course, you'll want to enjoy some amazing food, drinks, and dessert, and peruse one of the many cool shops in the village along the way.
If you're looking to go all out, staying at the village is an amazing experience. I’ve stayed at Grand Residence Club in the past, and it was unreal. Walking around the village with no time limit made me feel like I was truly on vacation - I even stayed up all night to soak up the magic, LOL. Another time, my brother stayed at Marriott’s Timberlodge, and it was just as incredible. Their outdoor pool is huge and awesome, plus they’re connected to Fire & Ice Grill, a fun hibachi buffet-style restaurant. If you want to be right in the heart of all the action, this is the spot for you, with the back entrance leading straight into the village.
Dessert options:
- Champagne & Chocolate
- The Baked Bear for ice cream sandwiches
- Rocket Fizz candy shop
- Creative Crepes
