Free and Cheap Valentine’s Day Activities in Portland

Try something new this Valentine’s Day! 

Instead of overspending on February 14, try one of these free and cheap Valentine’s Day activities in Portland. Enjoying each other’s company and celebrating your love does not have to come with a hefty price tag. The events below range from free to cheap, at $0 to $20.

Also, if you’re rolling solo this V Day, all of these activities are fun by yourself or with friends. Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. Feel free to treat yourself to something special!

The calendar below covers Valentine’s day activities all weekend, from February 10-14 as well as places you can visit whenever you choose to celebrate. Check the dates and times of these activities to make sure they align with your chosen day of celebration.

If you know of any fun Valentine’s Day activities in Portland, send me a message!

Free and Cheap Valentine’s Day Activities in Portland

Relax at a Sauna or Soaking Pool

What better way to connect than in a tranquil, relaxing setting? There are several budget-friendly soaking pools and saunas in and around Portland. I recommend the soaking pool at McMenamins Kennedy School. It is located in a private outdoor courtyard surrounded by lush gardens. The price per hour is $10.

Play a Round of Mini Golf

Portland’s favorite public joy creator is once again bringing a one-of-a-kind experience the whole community can enjoy. Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Mini Golf is a nine hole indoor mini golf course located in St. Johns. Tickets are $10 per person.

Photo courtesy of Mysti Krewe of Nimbus

Attend the Mardi Gras Parade

Portland Mardi Gras Day Parade is Tuesday, February 13, at 7 p.m. During the free community event, hundreds of Portlanders revel in the streets with lighted costumes, marching bands and bunches of beads thrown to the crowd. There are also lots of fun events at Mississippi Ave. businesses before and after the parade. The event is free to attend. 

Go for a Special Date Skate

This Valentine’s Day, skate the night away with your sweetheart at Oaks Park Roller Rink. The attraction is offering a skate date deal to celebrate love, nostalgia and the joy of being together. Get skate admission, dinner and drinks for $20 per person. More details here. 

Watch the Oregon King Tides

See the Oregon Coast like never before. Locations along the coastline witness the ocean’s surge, transforming familiar landscapes into something almost otherworldly. The final King Tides of the winter at taking place February 8-10. View locations and how to view the event safely. 

Cuddle Up at the Movies

Seeing a movie is always something I look forward to. Thankfully in Portland, you don’t have to pay $12+ per ticket. Here’s where you can see a movie for $7 or less. One of my favorites is the St. Johns Theater & Pub. It’s are $7 before 5 p.m. and you can get a basket of cajun tots to share! 

You can also attend the Studio Ghibli Film Festival at OMSI. 

Attend Portland Night Market

The event features more than 175 of Portland’s best brands, makers and merchants. Best of all, it is free to attend! Visit the market and pick out a gift for each other while filling up on great food and fun activities. 

The next Portland Night Market is taking place February 9-10. If you’re looking for another market option, visit the Portland Indigenous Marketplace or PDX Moon Market.

Photo courtesy of Tualatin Parks and Recreation Department

Search for Glass Hearts at Tualatin Parks

The Share the Love program invites park visitors to search for hand blown glass hearts in Tualatin during the month of February. Here are the participating parks.

Make Cards for Each Other at Crafternoon

Spend your Sunday making special crafts from reused materials at SCRAP PDX’s Crafternoon. On February 11, make Valentine’s cards and decorations. Tickets are $10 per person. Another option is free craft night at collage!

Take a (Romantic) Stroll

If you’re looking for a completely free Valentine’s celebration, pack a snack for two and a blanket and head to one of Portland’s best urban parks.

Tryon Creek Natural Area has all the elements of a great Portland hike: trees covered in moss with huge ferns lining the trails that lead to a meandering creek. Enjoy the outdoor and learn something new together at the natural area’s free guided hikes on February 10.

Go Thrifting

Is this the year you start a new tradition? Find a memento to decorate your home or a new outfit for your next date night. Portland has more than 50 thrift and consignment stores filled with treasures.

Sing Your Heart Out to Live Music

In Portland, the live music possibilities are endless, but why pay more than $20? These six venues offer unique vibes and cheap tickets, and have shows almost every night of the week.

“Lone Fir #1” by brx0 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Unearth Portland’s History

Looking for a one-of-a-kind experience to retrace Portland’s history in an arboretum? Take a tour of Portland’s historic Lone Fir Cemetery. On February 11, you can take a historical tour of the cemetery and retrace the incredible lives of our city’s pioneers. Admission is a suggested donation of $10.

Ride Around Washington Park

Washington Park is the keeper of many of Portland’s best attractions. Access these attractions on the Washington Park free shuttle. It runs daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in February.

Portland Winter Light Festival photo by Remaining Light Photography

Be Illuminated at Portland Winter Light Festival

The citywide outdoor arts celebration featuring interactive light-based art installations, vibrant performances, and kinetic fire sculptures. The festival presents public art installations and performances for for free. Portland Winter Light Festival is taking place February 2-10. Find the installments and learn about special events.

Do the Time Warp

Have you been to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Clinton Street Theater? If not, add it to your Portland bucket list. Pick out your best outrageous costume, practice the signature moves and head to the Saturday show. Tickets to the February 11 screening are $10 per person.

Have a Laugh Together

If you’re a lover of comedy and want to see the talent right here in your community, attend a Portland comedy night. Here are seven places around Portland that host weekly free and cheap comedy nights.

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