It’s Friday the 13th. Some people are booking ghost tours. Some are dropping their kids off for three uninterrupted hours. Some are printing their own letterpress cards. Some are actively avoiding anything heart-shaped.
Whether you want childcare and a break, cookies and crafts with kiddos, a hands-on date night, a girls' night out, or something mildly unhinged and very Austin, there are a lot of genuinely fun things happening February 13 through 15. I put together a quick guide, check it out!
Jump ahead to: Gal Pals | Kids & Family | Date Night | Anti-Valentine's
What it is: Enjoy cocktail specials and succulent sweets celebrating the season of love, more info here.
When: Monday 2/9–Sunday 2/15
Where: Hotel San Jose | 1316 South Congress Ave, 78704
What it is: Indulge in hot and iced teas paired with savory tea sandwiches and decadent desserts. Upgrade with champagne or caviar service. More info here.
When: Fridays-Saturdays, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM.
Where: Goldie's (Located in the Proper Hotel) | 600 W 2nd St. Austin, TX 78701
What it is: Celebrate love by bringing a date, a friend, a partner, or going solo. Join organizers Local Queer ATX for a 3-mile walk: fun, inclusive, and active. More info here.
Cost: Free
When: Monday, 2/16 (every Monday) 7:00 PM
Where: Lady Bird Lake | Austin, TX 78701
Good to know: Stay connected to Austin’s queer scene by following @localqueeratx on IG. Proudly trans founded, Local Queer ATX is Austin's largest social org for sapphic and gender expansive identities. You can find all sorts of events they host, like virtual art classes, game nights, book clubs, drag events, and more!
What it is: Connect with your ATX community, meet to scream, release, and reset. More info here.
When: Sunday, 2/15, 6:00 PM (every Sunday)
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages encouraged (we could all use a reason to scream in public TBH)
Where: Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge | Austin, TX 78701
What it is: A Valentine's kid-friendly cookie-making event. More info here.
When: Friday, 2/13, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free for members, $12 for non-members
Where: Toybrary Austin | 2001 Justin Lane, 78757
What it is: Story time, sensory play, card making, plus a real ballerina performance! More info here.
When: Saturday, 2/14, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Cost: $20
Where: Toybrary Austin | 2001 Justin Lane, 78757
What is it: Explore art and enjoy a full day offamilyfun: interactive tours, hands-on activities, music and more for all ages! More info and tickets purchased here.
When: Saturday, 2/14, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
Cost: Kids 5 & under FREE, Kids 6-17 $10, Adults $20, Members are free.
Where: Blanton Museum of Art | E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
Good to know: Discounts for UT ID holders, Military, K-12 Teachers, Museum reciprocal, and seniors do NOT apply.
What it is: A themed, hands-on STEM workshop. Participants will build circuits to create a glowing Valentine’s card and code an Ozobot to navigate the circulatory system. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, coding, and biology. More info here.
When: Saturday, 2/14, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM (select Saturday's)
Cost: $35
Ages: 4th–6th graders
Where: Girlstart STEM Center, 1400 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
Good to know: This is a drop-off program. Registration is required; you can register through their site here. You can save that link for information on future events, camps, and conferences.
What it is: Little Moon Oyster Ranch pop-up & sparkling wine specials, more info here.
When: Friday 2/13-Saturday 2/14, 3:00 PM–7:00 PM
Where: Hotel San Jose | 1316 South Congress Ave, 78704
What it is: A wild night featuring 3 live DJ's, colored glowsticks, and a silent disco. Open to couples, singles, and the in betweens, this is a great and social way to meet someone! More info here.
When: Saturday 2/14, 10:00 PM–2:00 AM
Where: The Belmont | West 6th St. Austin, TX
Ages: 21+
Cost: $23.96+ tickets can be purchased here.
Good to know: Everyone receives a set of wireless headphones upon arrival. Blue: Hip-hop/R&B, Green: EDM/Top 40, Red: 80s, 90s, 2k
What it is: A Friday the 13th paranormal experience at a historic Austin site. Equipment provided to facilitate interactions with the world beyond our five senses. Join guide Namara and harness the energetic changes created by symbolic time. More info here.
When: Friday, 2/13, 7:00 PM–9:30 PM
Where: Pioneer Farms | Austin, TX
How to book: Tickets are required and can be purchased here. Expect limited capacity.
What it is: Find various comedy and entertainment shows over Valentine's weekend at Cap City Comedy Club, a true ATX staple. More info here.
Where: Cap City Comedy Club | 11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Good to know: You can catch the next open mic night on February 17th.
What it is: Design & print your own Vday cards on a real letterpress setup. Very keepsake, very Austin. More info here.
When: Friday 2/13, Saturday, 2/14, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Where: The Press Room | 3908 Avenue B, Austin, TX
Cost: $120 per person, or $170 per couple (package discount)
Age: 21+
Good to know: Spaces are limited, check availablity. The Press Rooms hosts several letterpress workshops, you can find more information on their story, services, and unique workshops here.
What it is: Break up with VDay: loud music, heavy eyeliner, and zero emotional stability required. The show will be indoors, join for an intimate F-U to Vday! More info here.
When: Friday, 2/13, 8:00 PM–10:00 PM
Where: The Belmont | Austin, TX
Cost: $59.75+
How to book: Tickets required, can be purchased here.
What it is: The 4th annual Dachshund Dog Race features ATX's chunkiest, fastest, and cutest dachshunds! There will be a costume contest, dog kissing booth, pup cup station, vendors, and drinks for the humans. More info here.
When: Saturday, 2/14, 2:00 PM
Where: The Jackalope South Shore | 1523 Tinnin Ford Rd., Austin South
Cost: $59.75+
Ages: 21+
Good to know: To sign up your daschund for the contest, email quinciejackalope@gmail.com
If you want to lean into the Friday the 13th vibe, plenty of studios do flash events. These change fast, and the details are usually posted on Instagram the week of, so check before you go!
What it is: A fan-favorite fundraiser that turns heartbreak, shade, or sweet revenge into conservation action by symbolically naming a feeder item after someone unforgettable. More info here.
When: Saturday, 2/14, catch the feeding fun online @SanAntonioZoo across social media platforms
Cost: $5 Cockroach, $5 Veggie, $15 Rat
Ages: 18+
Valentine’s weekend doesn't have to look one specific way.
It can be loud. Or quiet. It can involve oysters, dachshunds, silent discos, STEM circuits, or cockroaches.
Austin gives you options.
Pick one! Let us know in the comments below if you went to any of these events!