Valentine’s Day may be the distraction all of us need right about now. Below you’ll find a down ‘n dirty assortment of holiday-themed events. Some provide more steam than others. In the mix are a fashion free-for-all (no joke, free designer clothing!), a comedic dating game show, art openings, a freak show, screenings galore and more. If something looks attractive, just click on through, don’t be shy. Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14
Bjarne Melgaard’s The Purge
Grab your honey some free designer clothing and streetwear from artist Bjarne Melgaard’s closet this Valentine’s Day. First come, first serve. Groups of 100 people will have 5-10 minutes to throw what they can into custom garbage bags.
at Red Bull Arts New York, 220 West 18th Street
5pm-8pm
Free

******************

Love is in the Air in Times Square
The Crossroads of the World will be oozing with romance this Valentine’s Day with music, surprise proposals, weddings, giveaways and more. And be sure to look up at 11:57pm for Alex Da Corte’s Blue Moon.
Times Square
All day long
Free

******************

The Pit’s Dating Game
Laugh the evening away as three New York Singles look for love at this comedic evening of Q&A. Winners get a date, while the losers pocket consolation prizes.
The Pit, 123 E 24th St NYC, 10010
7pm
$10

******************

Valentine’s Day Screening & Party with Apnée
French Alliance Institute Française is hosting a special Valentine’s Day screening of Jean-Christophe Meurisse’s irreverent comedy Apnée followed by a candlelit wine and chocolate party. Actor Edward Akrout will be on hand to introduce the film. This special evening also features two-for-the-price-of-one ticketing.
FIAF, 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY
4pm & 7:30pm
$14

******************

Valentine’s Day Massacre 2017
Anthology Film Archives concludes their annual Valentine’s Day film series with screenings of Albert Brooks’ Modern Romance and Elaine May’s A New Leaf.
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003
6:45pm & 9pm
$11

******************

I (Heart) B. Wurtz Valentine’s Day Book Launch + Signing
Artist B Wurtz will be present for this VD-themed party presented by White Columns and Metro Pictures that celebrates B. Wurtz: Selected Works 1970 – 2015 and serves up drinks, snacks, and music.
White Columns, 320 West 13th Street, New York, NY
6:30pm
Free

******************

Loves of a Blonde
Miloš Forman’s Czech New Wave masterpiece “mines teenage romance behind the Iron Curtain for comic, bittersweet irony.” This special Valentine’s Day screening includes a pre-screening reception with Czech beer and pastries. There is also a special dinner + movie package available.
Francesca Beale Theater, 144 West 65th Street
7pm
$14

******************

SASS: Valentine’s Day History Party!
Join those brainy kids at the Society for the Advancement of Social Studies for a evening of free talks devoted to the most angelic holiday on the calendar, Valentine’s Day. Guests will be schooled in Henry Ward Beecher’s adultery trial, existential romance and the history of Valentine’s Day.
BackBar at The Bedford, 110 Bedford Ave (Entrance on North 11st), Brooklyn, New York 11249
Doors at 7pm, lectures begin at 7:30pm
Free

******************

Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes star in Lurhmann’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s star-crossed love story.
Syndicated BK, 40 Bogart Street. Brooklyn, NY 11206
7:00 PM
$4

******************

The Secrets of the Heart Film Festival – St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
10 short films about love featuring works by Bradley Eros, Lena Marquise, Christoph Rainer, Isabelle Vossard and more. Admission includes FREE WINE between films and proceeds go to benefit the theater.
The Gene Frankel Theater, 24 Bond Street, New York, New York 10012
$15
7pm

******************

REAL LOVE, A Group Exhibition at Open Space
Open Space uses Valentine’s Day to open an immersive 11-day experience dedicated to both the grand gestures and the smaller gestures of love. Artists include Theophilus London, Anita Braithwaite, Smurfo, Goomba, Clockwork Cross-Reference and more.
Open Space, 281 North 7th Street #1, Brooklyn, NY 11211
7pm-10pm
RSVP

******************

7th Annual Valentine’s Day for Lovers and Losers
For those that want to get their freak on, head to Coney Island for this extra-special exotic burlesque/sideshow show.
Sideshows by the Seashore, 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY, 11224
9pm
$15 in advance, $20 at the door

******************

We’ll Always Have Casablanca: Noah Isenberg & Molly Haskell – Live
Join Noah Isenberg on Valentine’s Day as he discusses his new book about one of the most romantic films of all time, Casablanca. The evening’s discussion is moderated by Molly Haskell.
at McNally Jackson, 52 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012
7pm
Free

******************

THE LOVING STORY Photo credit: Grey Villet Mildred and Richard Loving, circa 1965

STF: The Loving Story
Nancy Buirski’s 2011 documentary that inspired the feature film Loving screens as part of the Stranger Than Fiction series. Buirski will be present for a Q&A.
at IFC Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10014
7pm
$17

******************

So Far Gone: DRAKE NIGHT
A Valentine’s Day edition of the popular Drake-inspired dance party comes to Baby’s All Right with DJ sets by Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz, and Gun$ Garcia.
Baby’s All Right, 146 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY, 11211
11pm
$10

******************

Sixth Annual Unloveable: A Smiths & Morrissey Valentine’s Day with The Sons & Heirs (A Tribute to the Smiths and Morrissey)
Rolling Stone’s Rob Shefflield hosts this Smiths and Morrissey tribute party.
at the Bell House, 149 7th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11215
8pm
$18 GA/$20 day of show

******************

Valentine’s Day Dine-in Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Natural Gourmet hosts a dinner and movie event where you can eat breakfast for dinner while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s and sipping on BYOB, blood orange mimosas (mixers provided).
Natural Gourmet Institute, 48 West 21st Street, #2, New York, NY 10010
6:30pm
$55

******************

DIRTY
Get Summered’s 3rd annual erotic group art show featuring photographs, paintings, sculptures, performance and video around the theme of “evocative.” Open bar Lagunitas from 7pm-8pm.
Tender Trap, 66 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
7pm
$5 pre-sale tickets/$10 GA/$25 “Love Bird” VIP tickets

******************

Panache & New York Night Train’s Valentine’s Day VILLAGE OF LOVE Planned Parenthood Benefit
Performers include Reigning Sound, Kid Congo, Eleanor Friedberger, Skaters, Delicate Steve, Cassie Ramone & More
at Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
7:30pm
$20 adv/$25 dos

******************

G&S Banya Party celebrates 10 years!
Gemini & Scorpio host a steamy Valentine’s Night at the Russian Baths.
Brooklyn Banya Russian Bathouse and Spa, 602 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11218
7pm
$40-$110

******************

Valentine’s Day: The Story of Red
“An evening of dark fairytales, entrancing melodies and nectarous cuisine.”
House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
7pm
$40 – $300