Enjoy Valentine’s Day with your sweeties at one of these fun family events.
Fourth Annual Ice Festival in Central Park
Saturday, February 14
3-7pm
Celebrate winter in the park at Central Park’s fourth annual Ice Festival! Watch ice carvers from the Okamoto Studio transform more than 3,000 pounds into a replica of the Park’s most romantic statue–Romeo and Juliet by Milton Hebald (1966). In the evening, the Mall will become a colorfully lit 1980s-themed silent disco with live DJs. Don’t miss trivia, the photo booth, and snacks from local food trucks! Free, Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (nearest entrance at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue), nycgovparks.org
Gustafer Yellowgold at Symphony Space
Saturday, February 14
11am
Legend has it that Gustafer Yellowgold came from the sun and found himself in the Minnesota woods. See him live at Symphony Space for a quirky concert that’s equal parts pop-rock show and cartoon movie, featuring Gustafer’s popular tunes and a live band. Children $16, Adults $26; 11am, Peter Jay Sharpe Theater at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, symphonyspace.org
Family Art Project & Cookie Decorating at Wave Hill
Saturday, February 14
10am-3pm
Come out to Wave Hill for a sweet family Valentine’s Day. Visit the Tropical House and explore the fragrant greenhouse collection before crafting your own florally-inspired Valentine’s Day card (10am-1pm). Then, spend the afternoon decorating Valentine’s Day cookies. An assortment of sprinkles and icing will be available for participants to use, and each individual gets to take home a box full of these sweet treats to share with their loved ones (11am-3pm). $15 materials fee for cookie decorating, West 249th Street, Bronx, wavehill.org
Valentine’s Day Crafts at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Saturday, February 14
10am; 2 and 3:30pm
Children of all ages are invited to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan to work together interlocking hearts of all shapes and sizes to create a large, heart-shaped sculpture (10am). For children 4 and younger, the museum will also be hosting a Valentine’s Day-themed mural painting session starting at 10am. Ages 5 and up will have the opportunity to design a gift with Ghanian textile designer N’ketiah Brakohapia (sessions at 2 and 3:30pm). Free with museum admission, 212 West 83rd Street cmom.org
A New York Love Story at the Museum of the City of New York
Saturday, February 14
11am-2pm
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by taking a virtual tour of New York at the Museum of the City of New York. Get a peek of some of the city’s most iconic photographs of buildings, parks, and sites before creating beautiful valentines for your loved ones! Free with museum admission, 1220 Fifth Avenue mcny.org
Hot Chocolate Festival at City Bakery
Through February 28
Hours vary; Saturday 8am-7pm
Stop by the legendary City Bakery to taste one of the most decadent cups of hot chocolate in the city! February is their month-long hot chocolate festival, which features a different flavor every day. The Valentine’s Day flavor is “Love Potion!” City Bakery, 3 West 18th Street, thecitybakery.com
Chocolate Central in Grand Central Terminal
Through February 28
Hours vary
Grand Central becomes Chocolate Central during this delectable celebration of National Chocolate Lovers’ Month. 17 of the terminal’s shops–including Magnolia Bakery, Cafe Grumpy, and Jacques Torres Chocolates–have come together to celebrate chocolate with special deals, tastings, and pairings. Visit them all on a chocolate lovers’ tour! Grand Central Terminal at 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, grandcentralterminal.com
