LIFESTYLE

Love is in the air: Your Seattle Valentine’s Day weekend guide

Feb 13, 2026, 5:00 AM

Valentine's Day...

Valentine's Day decorations are pictured. (Photo: Alishia Abodunde, Getty Images)

(Photo: Alishia Abodunde, Getty Images)

Love is in the air this weekend as Valentine’s Day takes center stage.

In case you are a procrastinator, we got you covered with things to do!

Seattle’s Valentine’s Day events range from science to dancing

You can learn about the science of love, enjoy some drinks while painting on canvas, and enjoy a live comedy dating show at Science After Dark at the Pacific Science Center, Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

That’s not the only after-hours fun going on; the Seattle Aquarium has a night full of activities, a DJ, drinks, food, and lots more at After Hours Premier: No Pressure Valentines. Make sure you get a ticket before you go, and both these events are 21+.

The Point Defiance Zoo is also getting into the spirit this weekend with Love at the Zoo. The animals will be enjoying heart-shaped treats, plus there will be photo opportunities, a scavenger hunt, and you can even send a Valentine to your favorite animal. Love at the Zoo runs through the weekend.

If you want to spend your Valentine’s Day dancing the night away, you can check out the Valentine’s Party at the Polish Cultural Center, where there will also be doughnuts and more Polish cuisine.

There’s also the Valentine’s Ball at Hidden Hall in Fremont, which features a live band playing a variety of music from the 80s.

Mardi Gras comes to Fremont with the Petit Troll Parade

It’s not just Valentine’s Day that is being celebrated this weekend. Mardi Gras is right around the corner, and in Fremont that means it is time for a parade. The Petit Troll Parade returns on Sunday. You can turn a toy truck into a parade float and walk the parade route. Along the way, there will be local brass bands bringing the tunes, costumes, dancing, and tons of fun. There are workshops to build your float at Powerhouse in Fremont ahead of the parade, including Friday at 4 p.m. and tomorrow at 1 p.m. The parade will start at noon, and participants should meet at Evanston Plaza at 11 a.m.

Marking 100 years of Black History Month at Lakes Park High School

This year marks 100 years of celebrating Black History Month, and at Lakes Park High School, the celebrations continue with live music, guest speakers, stories, and more. Founder of The Black Heritage Calendar, Dr. Carl Mack, is the keynote speaker of the evening, and local jazz guitarist Michael Powers will be bringing the music for this milestone moment. The 100th Black History Month Commemoration and Celebration is on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Lunar New Year celebrations continue at UW, Seattle Center

Lunar New Year celebrations continue this weekend, including the Lunar New Year Gala at The University of Washington’s Kane Hall. This free and open-to-the-public event will have food, vendors, raffles, interactive activities, and live performances. The Lunar New Year Gala is Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

The Festál program returns this weekend with a celebration of Tết, which is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. There will be traditional dances and other performances, games, vendors, food, speakers, and plenty more. This event is free and will be held both Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Center Armory.

What are you getting up to this weekend? Let me know, paulh@kiroradio.com.

sign up for the 425 Magazine newsletter

Lifestyle

Associated Press

At least $963K in trading cards were stolen from a FedEx truck in California

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Police in California are investigating the theft of trading cards worth at least $963,000 that were taken from a FedEx truck parked outside of a company that verifies memorabilia. The truck was broken into on Oct. 13 near Professional Sports Authenticator, also known as PSA, which authenticates trading cards, autographs, […]

52 minutes ago

wa trader joe's open...

Michael Strite

Trader Joe’s plans 2 new stores in Washington as its footprint grows

Grocery store chain Trader Joe's continues adding new locations across Washington, with two new stores "coming soon."

4 hours ago

woodinville restaurant steak...

Luke Duecy

Woodinville’s wine-country dining scene welcomes new steak, seafood restaurant

Woodinville welcomes a new dining gem, blending steak and seafood to create an unforgettable culinary experience.

1 day ago

Associated Press

University of Michigan runners blitz campus peony garden, preparing hundreds of plants for winter

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Tens of thousands of visitors flood the University of Michigan campus each spring to catch a glimpse — and a whiff — of one of North America’s premier collections of herbaceous peonies. Four months later, members of the men’s and women’s cross country teams pulverize the showy perennials. The Wolverine […]

1 day ago

kids consequences accountability...

Katrina Guischard

Stop rescuing your kids? Psychiatrist says raising kids with accountability starts with small consequences

Parents, how many times have you rescued your kid’s forgotten homework, packed the lunch they forgot, or rushed a jacket to school because they were cold?

2 days ago

A Chinese takeout container with fried rice inside is photographed in Phoenix, May 12, 2026. (AP Ph...

Associated Press

A humble oyster pail turned takeout icon: The American story of the Chinese food carton

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s an icon, that small white receptacle made from a single piece of cardboard folded into a trapezoid-shaped box. Sometimes there’s a wire handle, sometimes a bright red graphic of a Chinese-style pagoda on the side. And inside, deliciousness. The Chinese takeout container — at least, as it’s commonly seen in […]

4 days ago

Love is in the air: Your Seattle Valentine’s Day weekend guide