Walk through any Metro Manila mall this February and you’ll notice something different. Valentine’s Day activities this year go far beyond the usual roses and dinner reservations. The heart-shaped balloons are still there, but they’re now sharing space with running bibs, heritage tour posters, and singles mixer flyers. Valentine’s Day has always been a big deal in the Philippines, but 2026 shows just how much the celebration has evolved.
From fitness events and heritage walks to spa days and barkada gatherings, Filipinos are marking the season with more diverse, social, and experience-driven celebrations. If you’re searching for Valentine’s Day activities in the Philippines this year, you’ll find options for every type of celebration, whether you’re planning a romantic date, organizing a Galentine’s trip, or just looking for something fun to do on February 14. Here are 10 Valentine’s Day activities Filipinos are trying in 2026:
Quick List:
- Araneta City’s “Bloom in Love” mall experience with floral installations and photo contests
- Intramuros Esplanade Serenades – open-mic karaoke night by the Pasig River
- Valentine-themed fitness runs in Subic Bay and Uptown Bonifacio
- Valentine’s week concerts from Josh Groban to intimate acoustic sets
- Themed interactive dinner experiences with pottery, live art, and performances
- “Pitch-a-Valentine” singles parties and mixers across Metro Manila
- Spa and wellness self-care packages at Metro Manila hotels
- Romantic dinners in Tagaytay and Baguio with scenic views
- Budget-friendly park picnics in Luneta and campus Valentine events
- Hot air balloon rides in Clark, Pampanga for adventurous couples
1. Araneta City’s “Bloom in Love” Experience
Metro Manila malls have become full-scale Valentine destinations in 2026, and Araneta City’s “Bloom in Love” is the most ambitious example. Walk through Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, or Farmers Plaza this month and you’re experiencing a city-wide floral installation complete with roaming Cupids, a 360° photobooth, an interactive flower bar, and a Valentine photo contest.
For budget-conscious Filipinos who want the full experience without coordinating multiple reservations, it’s a one-stop destination. Other malls are rolling out all-in-one Valentine deals bundling buffets, live music, and shopping promotions for couples, barkadas, and families.
2. Intramuros Esplanade Serenades
On February 14, the Intramuros Administration is hosting Esplanade Serenades at the Pasig River Esplanade near Fort Santiago—a sunset busking and open-mic karaoke night marketed as a Valentine’s date experience.
Couples can spend the day exploring the walled city through bamboo bike tours or walking heritage trails, then settle in for an evening of busking performances by the river. Philippine Biodome experiences are also being promoted as “mall alternative” date ideas. It’s the kind of date that feels current and shareable, but rooted in culture and history.
3. Fitness-Themed Valentine’s Day Activities
“Couples who sweat together” has become an actual Valentine’s event format. Two standout races: the Subic Bay Valentine Run 2026 at Remy Field on February 14, and Uptown Bonifacio’s “Love at First Stride Run” on February 12.
Both events invite runners to celebrate love and fitness simultaneously, reflecting how Filipinos—particularly younger generations—increasingly see wellness as part of celebration, not a reason to skip it.
4. Valentine’s Week Concerts
Filipinos still love marking Valentine’s with live music. International acts like Josh Groban (Manila concert, February 18) are positioned as premium night-out options for couples extending their celebration beyond the 14th.
Smaller, intimate live performances in hotel venues, arts spaces, and restaurants cater to couples who want atmosphere without arena crowds—candlelit tables with singer-songwriters performing just feet away.
5. Themed Interactive Dinner Experiences
The classic dinner-for-two is getting upgraded. Manila restaurants are offering themed dinners with live entertainment. Mini pottery workshops before dinner, live improv comedy between courses, or live artists painting portraits while you eat.
Some restaurants bundle flowers, a set menu, and one curated experience into “dinner plus” packages. Filipinos want memories they can both feel and post.
6. Singles Valentine’s Day Activities: “Pitch-a-Valentine” Parties
Valentine’s 2026 isn’t just for couples. “Pitch-a-Pal” parties at Shakey’s Loyola and “Pitch-a-Valentine” nights at Viandé Café invite people to pitch their single friends or meet someone new in fun, hosted settings.
The format is part speed-dating, part networking event, and part social experiment. Beyond pitch parties, singles mixers and speed dating events across Metro Manila are being marketed as safe, social alternatives to sitting home on February 14.
7. Spa and Wellness Self-Care Packages
Self-gifting is one of 2026’s most visible trends. Hotel spa promotions across Metro Manila feature bring-a-friend beauty treatments, solo spa packages, and wellness bundles for anyone who’d rather get a massage than a reservation.
Limited-edition beauty drops like Dyson’s Amber Silk Valentine’s collection are marketed directly to people treating themselves this February. For those dating themselves this year, this is their Valentine’s trend.
8. Tagaytay and Baguio Romantic Dinners
Short trips to Tagaytay and Baguio remain classic romantic escapes. Dinner under the stars in these destinations offers cool weather, scenic views, and intimate dining that feels worlds away from Metro Manila.
Restaurants and hotels are promoting Valentine dinner packages—candlelit tables overlooking Taal Lake or pine tree-lined views in Baguio. Many couples book overnight stays turning February 14 into a full weekend, just two to four hours from the city.
9. Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day Activities: Luneta Park Picnics
Not every February 14 needs a hefty budget. Group picnics in Luneta and other Metro Manila parks with homemade food, games, and portable speakers playing OPM hits remain a firmly Filipino celebration—especially among students and young adults.
Campus-based Valentine events with live bands, games, and “hugot” contests continue to be popular. Love, in all its forms, is best enjoyed with the people around you—regardless of budget.
10. Watch Hot Air Balloons Lift Off This Valentine’s Weekend
For adventurous couples, the 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at New Clark City offers a spectacular Valentine’s weekend experience from February 13-15, 2026. Themed “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” the festival features 22 special-shaped hot air balloons from around the world, along with drones, paragliders, skydivers, and live music.
Balloons lift off as early as 6:30 AM for sunrise spectacles, while the Night Glow illuminates the evening sky—creating a romantic backdrop perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. Beyond the aerial displays, visitors can enjoy car shows, kite-flying demonstrations, the Fly Market with food stalls, and live band performances. At ₱750 per ticket, it’s an accessible way to turn Valentine’s into a full weekend adventure just two hours from Metro Manila.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Valentine’s Day activities in Metro Manila in 2026?
Metro Manila offers an unusually diverse lineup in 2026. Araneta City’s “Bloom in Love” transforms three malls into a floral experience with installations and photo contests. Intramuros is hosting heritage walks and the Esplanade Serenades karaoke night at the Pasig River Esplanade near Fort Santiago on February 14. Singles can check out “Pitch-a-Valentine” mixers in BGC and Makati, while active couples are signing up for the “Love at First Stride” run in Uptown Bonifacio. Budget-conscious groups are organizing picnics in Luneta.
Are there Valentine’s Day activities for singles in the Philippines in 2026?
Yes—”Pitch-a-Valentine” parties, singles mixers, and speed dating events are being organized across Metro Manila, particularly in Makati and BGC. Many of these events, especially Pitch-a-Valentine, are designed for the 30+ crowd and create low-pressure social settings. The turnout suggests Filipinos are embracing Valentine’s as a social occasion rather than exclusively a couples’ holiday.What are the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts in the Philippines in 2026?
Experience-based gifts are trending strongly—event tickets, dining vouchers, wellness packages, and travel bookings. Flowers and chocolates remain popular but face more competition. Limited-edition beauty collections like Dyson’s Amber Silk Valentine’s line and spa experiences are growing as gifts. Filipinos in 2026 prioritize experiences they can feel and remember over things they unwrap.
Where can Filipino couples go for a quick Valentine’s Day getaway?
Popular destinations include Tagaytay and Baguio for cool-weather dining with scenic views. Clark in Pampanga draws adventurous couples with hot air balloon rides. Subic Bay hosts the Valentine Run 2026 on February 14, combining a getaway with fitness. Most destinations are within two to four hours from the metro.
How are Filipino brands using Valentine’s Day for marketing in 2026?
Brands leverage experience-based activations. Mall events like Araneta City’s “Bloom in Love,” concert sponsorships, and limited-edition launches timed to Valentine’s. Social media campaigns increasingly target singles and barkada groups, recognizing Valentine’s is no longer couple-exclusive. The most effective campaigns acknowledge the diversity of how Filipinos celebrate.
What is the Valentine’s Day spending trend in the Philippines in 2026?
Filipinos prioritize experiences over things. While flowers, gifts, and dining remain staples, the strongest growth areas are event bookings, travel packages, wellness treats, and digital discovery. There’s notable increase in self-gifting—people treating themselves to spa days and personal experiences rather than waiting for gifts.
February is one of the most active months for brand mentions, event coverage, and consumer sentiment in Philippine media. If you’re a brand, marketer, or PR professional, understanding how your Valentine’s campaign is being received requires more than scrolling feeds. Media Meter’s media monitoring tools track news and social media coverage across the Philippine media landscape so you can measure campaign impact in real time.
Want to see what the February conversation looks like for your brand? Explore Media Meter’s sample reports or get in touch with the team.
