Your Guide to Galentine’s Day Fun Around DC - Washingtonian (2024)

Things to Do

Celebrate friendship with flower crowns, melted brie, sex stories, and more!

Written by Jade Womack | Published on

Cuddle with kittens. Photograph courtesy of Crumbs & Whiskers.

Well hotties, it’s another Galentine’s Day in Washington, DC where we’re reminded that the best ships are friendships and dating apps are terrible—and yes, we question why our swamp is ranked the best city for dating. Here’s a list of ways to celebrate the season of besties.

Classic Galentine’s Day

Flower crowns and photoshoots. 💐 Jungle & Loom is teaming up with Buffalo & Bergen for a boozy flower crown-making workshop. Enjoy complimentary co*cktails and a festive photoshoot while adorning your floral masterpieces. (Feb 4, $95, Union Market)

Upgrade your valentine’s. 💝 Join Good Letters for a Valentine’s-themed hand lettering workshop at Three Stars Brewing Company. Enhance your card making by learning the fundamentals of composition and make some valentine’s! (Feb 10, $45, Lamond Riggs)

Brie skillet for two. 🧀 Indulge in molten brie and wine flights with Immigrant Food. Patrons will choose from wine flights highlighting female winemakers from around the globe. (Feb 9-16, $, Downtown)

A rooftop co*cktail class. 🥃 While drinking bottomless rosé, learn about bourbon from the Lady Bird Bar’s lead mixologist. The co*cktail class will take place on the rooftop bar of the Banneker hotel, which recently opened last summer. (Feb 11, $35, Dupont Circle)

Charcuterie board + co*cktails. 🍸 Morris American Bar will be serving a “Hugs & Kisses” co*cktail tasting experience featuring drinks such as “Beautiful Stranger” with tequila, pomegranate and champagne or “Lover’s Rock” with gin, fino sherry, and pineapple. The experience comes with a charcuterie board. (Feb 14, $75, Convention Center)

Something A Little Different

🎶 You’re My Best Friend 🎶 Take a note from Queen and head to to Black Cat for a Valentine’s Day Rock & Roll dance party (Feb 14, free, 14th St.) Or, for those of us who did not get tickets to the “When We Were Young Fest,” enjoy, or shall we say angst, at the Heartbreak Edition: Emo vs. Pop-Punk Dance Party (Feb 12, $15, 14th St.)

Bookstore (Galentine’s) Date Night. 📚 Lost City Books is opening up their bookstore after hours for a romantic candlelit date night “all scented with the romance of books.” Although you may be surrounded by couples, we argue this is in fact the perfect Galentine’s date: wine, catered amuse bouches, live music, and books. (Feb 14, $60 ($30 towards a book purchase), Adams Morgan)

Cuddle with kittens. 🐈 Listen to breakup songs, pet adoptable kittens, and enjoy sweet treats at Crumbs and Whiskers’ annual Galentine’s Day event. Surely to be cuddly and purr-fectly insta-worthy. (Feb 13, $45, Georgetown)

A ‘Galentine’s’ pop-up market. 🛍 Enjoy hot chocolate cherry cider while picking out the perfect present for your besties at Lost Boy Cider. Sign up in advance with Creative Chaos to get your ears pierced! (Feb 13, free, Alexandria)

Something Very Different

Read your diary entries on stage. 👀 That’s the premise of Mortified DC “where adults share their embarrassing childhood and adolescent diary entries, sappy poetry, and love letters.” This sounds like a much needed cathartic experience after reading dating app entries of Trader Joes, pizza topping debates, and not taking ourselves seriously. (Feb 18, $20, 14th St.)

Violent-ines Day Massacre Drag Show. 🩸 The tag line for this drag show is: “some days, love hurts….Valentine’s Day is no exception.” For those looking to get as far away from the lovey-dovey nonsense of Valentine’s Day, this theatrically fake blood-filled show is sure to fit the bill. (Feb 11, free, NOMA)

Run in your underwear for a good cause. 🩲💕 The Cupid’s Undie Run returns to raise money to find a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). Participants are welcome to join the fun run and after party in their undies or any costume as long as its PG-13. (Feb 12, $35 to register, Penn Quarter)

Maybe NYC dating is worse than DC. 😳 Watch NYC’s funniest storytellers and comedians relive their most awkward sexual experiences at “Awkward Sex…and the City.” (Feb 11, $20, 14th St.)

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Your Guide to Galentine’s Day Fun Around DC - Washingtonian (1)

Jade Womack

Jade Womack is an energy economist by day, and an events blogger by night. She started her blog, Clockout DC, when she was moonlighting as a bartender in 2019. She grew up in Arlington, and currently lives in Adams Morgan with her dog.

Your Guide to Galentine’s Day Fun Around DC - Washingtonian (2024)

FAQs

What is the dress code for Galentine's Day? ›

There's obviously no strict dress code for Galentine's Day— it's all about however dressed up or casual your friends want it to be. So whether you're looking for the best pair of sweatpants, or a fun sparkly-skirt outfit, we have some ideas for you.

What is the secret Cupid for Galentines Day? ›

Secret Valentine or Secret Cupid is just like Secret Santa. You and your friends write down your names and throw all the papers into a hat, a basket, a pan, whatever. Then each of you draws a name and gets a gift for that person. It's important that no one knows who drew who.

What do people do for Galentines Day? ›

This day, as the name suggests, is usually dedicated to honoring friendships between women. You get to spend it however you like with your galentines—by going out, taking a trip, enjoying a cozy night at home, or simply showering each other with gifts and affection the same way you would a partner.

What are the rules for Galentines Day? ›

Grown out of the success of Galentine's Day to include everybody, there are no rules or particular customs, it's just a day to appreciate platonic love and the friends in your life by spending time together and doing things you like.

What is the color for Galentines Day? ›

Dress it up

You can never go wrong wearing a dress on Valentine's Day. Red is definitely the go to color for this day of love. If red is not your gam, don't worry, because I have something for everyone.

What does wearing black on Valentine day mean? ›

Black: Healing from a Rejected Proposal

Black might be a favourite of many, but on Valentine's Day, it symbolizes rejection. You just got your heart broken because of a rejected proposal. Wear a black outfit to portray your state of mind. It's alright to take time off and heal.

Who made up Galentine's day? ›

What are the origins of Galentine's Day? We have the cult-favorite sitcom "Parks & Recreation" to thank for the unofficial holiday. Protagonist and feminist icon Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, invented the holiday in Season 2, episode 16 of the series, aptly titled 'Galentine's Day.

What is the bro version of Galentine? ›

What Is Malentine's Day? Malentine's day is a day for men to meet up and celebrate their amazing friendship. It is a happy, celebratory day, the male equivalent of Galentine's day.

Is Galentines day for single people? ›

Nope. Despite its name, anyone and everyone can celebrate Galentine's Day. At its gooey heart, Galentine's Day is a celebration of friendship and the people who stick by your side as romantic relationships come and go.

How do you throw a fun Galentines party? ›

  1. Get excited about a theme. Sleeper Party Pajama Set with Detachable Feathers. ...
  2. Arrange your own flowers.
  3. Make fondue.
  4. Plan a "my favorite things" product swap. ...
  5. Pick a signature co*cktail.
  6. Invest in (themed, duh) balloons.
  7. Make personalized goodie bags.
  8. Host an at-home mani-pedi night.
Feb 9, 2024

What is a Galentine slang? ›

Just as one can be someone's valentine on Valentine's Day, so one can be a galentine on Galentine's Day, e.g., “Will you be my galentine?” As such, a galentine is a playful, affectionate term for a close friend.

Do guys have Galentines day? ›

The term Palentine originates from the combination of the words "pal", which is another word for friend, and "valentine". Palentine's Day emerged as a gender-neutral version of Galentine's Day, which focuses on women's friendships.

How do you throw the best Galentines? ›

Tips for a Galentine's Day Party with a Favorite Things Theme
  1. Make a Guest List.
  2. Send Pretty Invitations.
  3. Use Festive Serving Dishes.
  4. Decorate with Galentine's Day Decor. Balloons. ...
  5. Set Pretty Table Settings.
  6. Have a Small Gift for Each Gal Pal.
  7. Be Prepared for Photo Opps.
  8. Plan a Leslie Knope Approved Menu.
Jan 9, 2024

How do you host a Galentines day? ›

Make a Photo Backdrop

To capture some memories, have your Galentines over to take pictures in front of a festive photo backdrop (think pink balloons, sparkly streamers, fun props). Add a few simple snacks, drinks and some music, and you have yourself a low-key party.

Is Galentines Day only for singles? ›

Is Galentine's Day only for girls and singles? Galentine's Day is definitely NOT for just the singles and girls. While the name has gal in it, anyone and everyone can celebrate Galentine's Day.

What do you wear to Ladies day? ›

Ladies' Day is all about glamour and showing off your personality through your fashion choices. Whether you're looking for a classy, floral maxi dress with a delicate fascinator or you want to make heads turn with a vibrant, form-fitting midi dress, the Race Day outfit combinations are endless.

What is Galentine's Day Party? ›

A night set apart for celebrating the gals in your life. A party that my husband just patiently, lovingly obliges to with an “o*key dokey”, as our house is taken over by my shenanigans in the form of all things pink, valentine, and girly. A reason to indulge in delicious food, sugar, and good company…

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