15 Things To Do On Valentine's Day 2024 [Budget-Friendly Edition]

Are you looking for unique Valentine’s Day ideas within your budget to make this Valentine’s Day special for your partner? With Valentine’s Day approaching fast, most of the happening places will fill out fast but that shouldn’t have to stop you from making your Valentine’s Day a memorable one. And with every passing day, your list of things to do on Valentine’s Day will keep getting shorter if you don’t have a plan. But fear not, by the end of this blog, you will definitely have a plan to create a perfect getaway with cosy and cute Valentine’s Day ideas that fit right into your budget.

Things to do on Valentine's Day

With so many events, concerts, Valentine's Day ideas, and things to do, we have curated some pocket-friendly ways to celebrate your Valentine's without compromising your memories and moments. Below are some of the best things to do on Valentine's Day.

1. Bake/Cook Together

Price: £5 - £14

For many, cooking or baking may sound like a chore, but when you do it with your loved one, it becomes special. The idea here is not just to get the job done but also to spend some quality time together. See how well you understand your partner, and you might just come across their quirks and habits. Spending time together cooking will also remove any awkwardness that people feel while sitting at a restaurant waiting for their food. Select some baking recipes for a nice breakfast, or bake a Valentine’s Day cake together. If you want to make something fancy, plan your menu beforehand so you can focus on cooking some easy recipes and spending time together.

Additionally, your partner will also appreciate your thoughtfulness and your efforts in the task. Baking together is one of the things to do on Valentine’s Day that is sure to make your day special for both of you.

2. Visit a Nearby Fair

Price: £3.50 - £7 (Per ticket)

Fairs are one of the places to go on Valentine’s Day that often have a special space in our hearts. Right from visiting one with our parents to spending time with our friends, we have all been to fairs and created unforgettable memories. Revisiting a fair is sure to bring back these memories and make your time there even more special.

Get drunk on nostalgia and adrenaline with different rides at the fair, buy yummy fast food, and enjoy cotton candy. Visiting a fair is one of the best things to do on Valentine’s Day if you want to make it unforgettable.

3. Get Competitive At Games 

Price: £8 - £12 (per ticket)

Another one of the places to go on Valentine’s Day is the arcade. Couples that game together stay together! It might sound bizarre, but playing games can bring the best out of your relationship by creating fun and improving communication. If you & your partner haven't yet tested the wonders of games in your relationship, you should plan your Valentine's Day at your nearest arcade.

Games are known to increase teamwork among the players, and that means you get to understand your partner well enough. And if this is the first time you take them to the arcade, you might just be able to witness a new side of your partner. Rediscovering your happiness and the fun of teamwork, arcades can be one of the best things to do on Valentine’s Day.

4. Intertwined with Nature

Price: £10 - £15

On this list of things to do on Valentine’s Day, spend your Valentine's Day by visiting nature parks or a hiking trail. Take a stroll around the greenery while sharing a song, or test your resilience together on a hiking trail.

Make sure to check the weather before you leave, as you do not want bad weather to ruin your plans. Prepare well beforehand for all the things that you may need for a hike so that you can rest well and your plans don’t turn sour with fatigue.

5. Go on a Sweet Affair 

Price Range: £20- £30

Do you know why chocolates, cakes, & desserts are an age-old & cliche way of celebrating Valentine's Day? Well, there is no denying that it tastes good, but it has a deeper meaning of love, celebration, togetherness, & happiness. 

On things to do on Valentine's day, take your partner on a sweet trail by visiting the nearest bakeries in your area. As Valentine’s month is already here, there will be no shortage in supply for Valentine's theme cakes and desserts. To take this a step further, you can plan a meal in progression with breakfast at one place, lunch at another, and finishing your day with a dinner at a fine dining restaurant in your region.

6. Click Pictures and Create a Scrapbook

Price: £1.50 - £3

Clicking pictures is yet another of the most unique Valentine’s Day ideas where the focus is not on the money you spend but on the memories you make. With your phone (or you can buy a Polaroid camera if you want), capture fun and silly pictures together wherever you go. You can also choose to click picture at your apartment without going out. The idea is just to capture the moment when you are being yourself with your favourite person.

Print these pictures and stick them in a scrapbook the way you and your partner like it. Doodle all you want in the scrapbook. Just have fun and keep the book safe to go through it whenever you want. If you want to go a step further to make this scrapbook special for your partner, add all the pictures you clicked throughout the year and add them to your scrapbook.

7. Spend a Romantic Night Stargazing

Price: Free

On the list of things to do on Valentine’s Day, one cannot miss stargazing. There’s something about the evening at a park with a clear sky that entices you to speak your mind. Stargazing is a Valentine’s night out activity that will open you up for deeper conversations with your partner. It is one of the most unique Valentine’s Day ideas that is sure to be memorable for both you and your partner.

You can visit a nearby park that stays open during late hours to enjoy stargazing. But before you go, make sure to check the weather and the skies. You do not want to watch a sky polluted with clouds.

8. Day Picnic at a Park 

Price:  £25 – £50

On the list of unique Valentine’s Day ideas, taking your partner on a picnic can be one of the best things to do on Valentine’s Day. Pack a picnic basket with things your partner likes to eat to be more prepared for your romantic park date. Picnic dates are a good reminder to escape your stressful lives and be in the moment with your loved ones and nature. Moreover, if a dinner date is off the table, this romantic picnic for two is one of the best things to do on Valentine's day.

9. Attend a Theatre Act

Price:  £16 – £30

A live theatre experience can be a fun way of spending your Valentine's day. With many live shows and performances rolling out daily, theatre fans can expect a night full of thrills and drama. Watching a theatre performance may top the list of things to do on Valentine’s day if you enjoy live performances and theatre art. 

A ticket to a live show like Wicked, Mamma Mia, Moulin Rouge the Musical, or Dirty Dancing is a great way to spend some quality time with your partner. Remember to book your seats earlier in advance to enjoy your perfect night of onstage romance and chemistry.

10. Cruise Along a Waterbody

Price:  £10 – £14

Cruises are one of the places to go on Valentine’s Day, and "NO" Valentine's Day would be as memorable as sailing through the waves of a beautiful river or a lake. Enjoy the accompanying scenery while cruising through the river or lake. It is sure to show you your city in a new light. To make this ride special, you can go on an evening cruise and watch the sunset while you dine on the waters and take in the beautiful Valentine’s night out of your city. 

As it might be difficult to get a booking on Valentine's Day, Make sure you book all these in advance and plan ahead of time for your romantic adventures.

11. Evening Walks with Music

Price:  Free

Let’s all agree on one thing: evening walks are as soothing as they are romantic. Having the person you love beside you while you stroll on a sidewalk is peak serenity. Add your favourite playlist to it, and you have the perfect recipe for a sweet date. Unlike the other Valentine’s Day ideas that are filled with adrenaline and excitement, evening walks with music are one of those things to do on Valentine’s Day that will surely bring you peace and a higher understanding of your loved one.

If you have a beach in your city, you can enjoy a beach walk along with the sunset and beautiful moon reflecting in the sea waters.

12.Hold a Private Dancing Session

Price: Free (£9 - £14 per dance lesson)

No, throwing a dance party will not be necessary. Simply play some music at your home and move to the beats with your partner. Order some delicious food and dance away the evening. This might just be one of the cosiest things to do on Valentine’s Day.

If dancing is something you enjoy, then you can also consider getting a dance lesson from your local classes. Many dance schools offer special couple dance lessons for Valentine’s Day. Just make sure that you book your slots prior to Valentine’s Day, or you may miss out on the lessons.

13. Play Indoor Games

Price:  £3 – £12

Here’s another one on the list of things to do on Valentine’s Day that virtually costs you nothing (considering that you already have some indoor games with you). Spend the time with your partner, playing some of your favourite and nostalgic indoor games like Cards and Monopoly. It is sure to bring back many memories and create new ones.

14. Do a Fun Activity Together

Price:  £15 – £20

If you research a bit, you will find many places to go on Valentine’s Day that allow people to participate in DIY activities, whether it is candle-making, painting, or pottery. It is one of those things to do on Valentine’s Day that will let your creativity flow and bring you closer to your partner.

Get your food and work together to create something beautiful. Whatever you create is sure to hold your happy memories in it. So, whenever you see it around, you will be reminded of the day you created it with your partner.

15. Set Up a Movie Marathon 

Price:  £5 – £16

Who doesn’t like movies? They are the windows of escape from reality to a world that exceeds expectations. From Disney movies and Harry Potter to Notting Hill and The Notebook, watch what piques your interest with your partner.

If you want to go a step further, plan a marathon of movies that hold a special place in both your hearts. That way, you can reminisce about the time you watched those movies for the first time. The fact that this movie marathon takes you back in time makes it one of the best things to do on Valentine’s Day on a budget.

Tips & Hacks to Spend the Best Valentine's Day

There are many unique Valentine's Day ideas to spend an entire day making you & your partner feel loved and special. Here are some tips & hacks to spend the best Valentine's Day on a budget: 

1.  Check for exclusive hot deals & discounts for couples.
2.  Book your dates in advance & reserve your table/slots for two.
3.  Look for any Valentine's Day exclusive events. 
4.  Don't underestimate the power of love and the number of romantic places around you. 
5.  Try creating a personalised itinerary for your Valentine's Day by adding many romantic elements.
6. You can also sit down with your partner and plan your Valentine's Day together for a fulfilling experience. 

Now that you have some of the best options for things to do on Valentine's Day don't scratch your head anymore! Even with so many ways of spending the day, make sure that you don’t overpack your schedule with activities. Book if you need to make a reservation at certain places, and try to look out for any Valentine's Day discounts to help you save that extra buck for your gift and make it more budget-friendly.