Will Valentine’s Day Make You Fall In Love With Events Again?

February 14th. Love it or hate it, we've all been there. Whether you're beyond excited for a special romantic outing, or you're ready to dance the night away with your friends. Suppose your last nerve is being stretched thin trying to find a suitable gift for your significant other. Otherwise, you are preparing yourself to take a weeklong hiatus on social media to avoid looking at cute couple pictures or planning a date with a box of chocolates and a nice glass of wine; we have you covered. There shouldn't be more pressure on finding someone to spend Valentine's Day with, making the night absolutely perfect, or simply deciding what to do, so we at The Saint have curated a list of Valentine's-themed events happening around town in the coming week that are perfect for every sort of person.

For Celebrating (with) Your Friends

Valentine's Day shouldn't be just about celebrating romantic love. It can also be a celebration of the love for your friends who support you through thick and thin. Several societies are hosting Galentine's-themed events with a range of concepts and price points that prove there really is something for everyone.

Valentine's Day shouldn't be about celebrating just romantic love

If you're thinking about a more casual night, consider supporting Women for Women St Andrews while singing your heart out at their Galentine's Karaoke at Sandy's Bar in the Union. Happening at 7:30 pm on Friday the 11th of February, tickets are just £1 for Women for Women members and £2 for non-members, and can be purchased either through the Society's Raisely page or at the door. Women for Women provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency', so why not have a good night out while knowing that the price of your ticket is going to a great cause?

If you're interested in an elegant and classy evening, keep an eye out for tickets to EmpowHER's Galentines Day Ball, happening at the Vic on Sunday February 13th at 7 pm. EmpowHER, while being a relatively new society in St Andrews (started during the 2020 lockdown), is quickly amassing popularity for its positive message of female empowerment fostered through its tight-knit community, body-positive group workouts, and fun socials. Tickets to the event can be bought through FIXR and cost £20 for members and £25 for non-members, including pizza and specialised cocktails.

If your perfect valentines with friends stays a bit closer to home, consider having friends over for a "friends-giving-esque" night in. A collection of movies, the best-homecooked meals a student budget can provide, and the company of your nearest and dearest friends will surely banish the gloomy feeling we are pressured into around the holiday of love.

For the Club-Goers and Ball-Goers

Whether you're single and looking to mingle, or you and your significant other are the type of people who enjoy a wild night out, the St Andrews club scene makes up for its small size in events that are consistently sold out, with lines trailing down the street as hopefuls wait for a ticket. On Friday February 11th, the St Andrews Surgical Society will be hosting their Bro//ken Hearts Club night at the Vic, with tickets available on FIXR in a range of prices from £6 to £8. With a dress code of 'red, pink, and white', and two DJs planned for the evening, the event promises to be 'a night to find love…or forget about it' – also, don't miss the Society's Candy Gram sale starting on February 7th, if you're looking for a sweet treat to surprise a special someone (or for yourself).

Alternatively, suppose you want to trade your club night outfit for a ball gown or tux. In that case, the Other Ball is back and happening on Friday February 11th. With plenty of live music performances on the menu, tickets on FIXR are £55 for the dinner and afterparty, and £18 for just the afterparty. Hosted at Lower College Hall by one of the town's most popular a cappella groups, The Other Guys, there are arguably few things more romantic than the iconic lyricists of 'St Andrews Girls'.

For the Romantic Night Out

Are you thinking of having a more cosy and classy night to celebrate all things Valentine's? It doesn't necessarily have to be an evening spent in your flat! Do you wish you were in the City of Love for Valentine's Day? Suppose your idea of romance is inspired by all things Français. In that case, the French Society is hosting a Saint-Valentin Wine and Cheese Night at 7 pm on Thursday February 10th at the St Andrew's Episcopal Church. Tickets are available through FIXR, priced at £10 for society members and £15 for non-members, so prepare to dazzle your partner or friends by brushing up on your French vocab and have a fun and sophisticated night out.

If, however, your French-adjacent idea of romance involves the phrase 'draw me like one of your French girls', you're also in luck! The Art Society is hosting a free speed drawing night at BrewCo on the 10th at 7 pm. Whether you're the next Pablo Picasso or Artemisia Gentileschi, or you can't draw a flower to save your life, ArtSoc promises the evening to be fun for all levels of artistic experience.

St Andrews x St Valentine Date Suggestions

Are you looking for a little something more to do on Valentine's Day itself? Here are a few sweet suggestions of Valentine's dates, suitable for romantic and platonic relationships alike.

For the outdoorsy types, have a decadent hot chocolate at Northpoint to fortify yourself before hiking up to the Coastal Path for some of the best views of the town. Bonus points if you capture a lovely moment at sunset.

For your favourite reader, how about a double date with a book? Pick a book for each other and unwrap them in a cosy spot of your choice. Check out the Blind Date with a Book section at Topping, where books are wrapped in paper with short descriptions of genre and plot.

Do you know how you will spend The Saint Valentine’s Day

this year?

For all the old-fashioned romantics, there's nothing better than having fancy drinks at a bar of your choosing, followed by a movie at the New Picture House or just putting a classic RomCom on the TV.

Has Cupid's arrow made you fall in love with one of these event suggestions? We very much hope so. We wish you a Saint Valentine's Day full of love.