This is the best Valentine's Day to be single. Here's how to spend it

The night is ours.
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I’m not accepting any moping this Valentine’s Day. We’re single — whether by choice, circumstance, or someone else’s audacity — and we are going to make a great day out of it. Do you hear me?

Yes, we could climb onto our socialist high horse and declare Valentine’s Day a capitalist scam designed to drain our bank accounts and emotionally isolate single people. But frankly, I don’t want to do that. I look fabulous in pink and red, and the public deserves to witness it. This Valentine’s Day will not be like the ones that preceded it.

Sure, I briefly thought I’d be spending this Valentine’s Day coupled up with a man who talked about the future and sounded like he wanted a relationship. But that’s fine! Jokes on me for assuming that meant he wanted to be with me. We’re thriving. Truly.

Because this Valentine’s Day is different. It’s rare. It’s a once-in-a-very-long-while event that must be seized immediately. This is the best Valentine’s Day to be single because — drumroll please — it falls on a Saturday.

Yes. Saturday. And that changes everything.

The best Valentine's Day to be single

This Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, which almost never happens — and that changes everything. It means that even if you head to a totally non–Valentine’s-specific spot, like a bar or a club, you can safely assume that most of the people there are single too. Yep. Couples will largely be off doing their own candlelit thing, leaving the rest of us free to survey the remaining fish in the sea.

So if you’re looking to meet someone — whether that’s the love of your life or a bestie-with-benefits — this is the night. When else do you get such a concentrated pool of single people in one place? It’s like The Purge, but for couples.

And if nightlife isn’t your thing, don’t stress — do you. Round up some pals for a Fifty Shades of Grey watch party (I don’t know when those films became Valentine’s-adjacent, but here we are), bake some brownies, and bask in the sheer freedom of singledom. You’ll find your person one day, don’t worry. But you’ll never be able to recreate this glorious era where you are the main priority in your life.

If you are keen to knock back a few espresso martinis — or Lucky Saints, because sober girlies like myself still love a party — then get off the sofa and get out there. This is a once-in-a-rare-while opportunity. This is the night singles reclaim the dancefloor.

And frankly? I expect to see you there.

Best things to do on Valentine's Day 2026

IRL dating events are booming — people are craving a break from screens and want to catch someone’s vibe before wasting hours texting. The love of your life probably isn’t on those dating apps, bestie, but they just might be at one of these events.

Obviously, this isn’t an exhaustive list of things to do as a single girlie in London this Valentine’s Day. But if nothing else, I hope it inspires you to make some plans, get out there and celebrate yourself — because this Saturday is absolutely yours.

Singles events in London

Single Ladies In Your Area Live (14th February)
A special comedy podcast live show lands at Underbelly Boulevard, Soho on 14 February 2026. Not exactly one for dating if you’re hetero, but a jolly good time nonetheless — and frankly, that’s still a win for Valentine’s Day.

Lock & Key Party (14th February)
Taking place on 14 February 2026 at Dirty Martini, Monument, this fun, interactive mixer puts a playful spin on meeting new people. On arrival, ladies are given a lock and gents a key, then it’s all about mingling to find your match, with the real goal being to meet as many people as possible and have a great time along the way.

Valentine's Rooftop Singles Party (13th February)
Aimed at ages 21–45, this one isn’t actually on Valentine’s Day — but if your night goes well, it could easily roll into Saturday morning (and maybe involve waking up next to someone new). And honestly, who doesn’t love a rooftop party in London?

Heated Rivalry: The Club Night (14th February)
A recurring favourite lands on Valentine’s Day — and honestly, is there a sexier way to celebrate? Club90s Viral Heated Rivalry Night is taking over The Clapham Grand, so let’s make it a night to remember.

Silent Disco at the Natural History Museum (13th February)
Pick your side as three DJs go head-to-head across separate wireless channels, spinning the very best hits — old favourites and fresh tracks alike. Don your headset and lose yourself in the music in the stunning Hintze Hall.

Thursday x Pepsi Love at First Sip (12th February)
Icebreakers, Pepsi-powered cocktails and flirty speed-dating set the scene for a night of sparks at The Borough — let’s dive in. Who knows? You might just meet someone you end up spending Valentine’s Day with.

Thursday Queer Men Matchbox (12th February)
We didn’t forget our MLM besties: matching at the party will be powered by Matchbox, a clever piece of software that uses relationship science to pair you with your most compatible match. With over half a million people matched across 40 countries, the algorithm focuses on long-term compatibility based on values — but whether sparks fly? That’s all up to you.

Thursday Queer Women Matchbox (12th February)
Same vibe, but for our sapphics: everyone’s single, the energy’s high, and you could meet the next love of your life — yes, the U-Haul energy is already real.

Mint Valentine Club Night at CIRCA (14th February)
Head to Embankment for the ultimate sapphic celebration! Set in one of London’s top LGBTQ+ venues, expect sizzling tunes, fabulous cocktails, and the hottest queer girls and non-binary folks in the city.

Le Boudoir London - Valentines (14th February)
Swinging isn’t just for couples, this party welcomes single women and men too. Perhaps the best way to spend Valentine’s solo is by joining another couple for the night, and with its reputation as one of London’s classier sex parties, you’re in for an unforgettable evening.

Fox&Badge Valentine's Courtly Love (14th February)
Ready to reclaim the revolutionary spirit of medieval romance, when love was forbidden, devotion risky, and desire a smouldering, world‑upending force? Think of it as an erotic dance party — but don’t worry, you can just stick to busting moves.

Singles events in the UK and Ireland

Let's leave London and consider Valentine's single events elsewhere!

Thursday | The Anti-Valentines Party | 12th February | Belfast
Held at The Tipsy Bird, you can attend an Anti-Valentines Party, and best believe no one will be in a relationship here — like why are you here otherwise?? It's got some super fun things planned, like adding a pic of your toxic ex to the wall of shame or sending a Valentine someone in that very room, and a Cupid helping everyone mingle.

Thursday | No. 39 Sonny’s Speakeasy | 12th February | Bournemouth
How about a fun singles' event for our over-40s? A classy night at Sonny's Speakeasy, with tunes and tuning into other people's frequency.

Thursday | The Hinge Funeral (Singles Edition) | 14th February | Brighton
RIP to our dating apps, as we're all about IRL dating now. Starting with this funeral as who doesn't look better in black? Thursday even mentions that 40% of attendees come on their own, so there's zero shame in rocking up solo!

Thursday | Valentine Singles Mixer | 12th February | Dublin
One hotel bar, 150 single people looking for their match. It's 28 years and older, which I know will be a relief to many.

Liverpool Valentine's Day Singles Party | 14th February | Liverpool
Welcome to Liverpool's biggest single's night. Singles of all ages can meet and mingle with activities like icebreaker games, flirt cards, a fun casino and optional speed dating. It’s designed to help you break the ice with up to 200 other guests in a relaxed, playful setting — whether you’re hoping to spark a new connection or just enjoy a lively night out.

HAYSTACK DATING CARDIFF GOLF FANG | 12TH February | Cardiff
Unlimited rounds of crazy golf, an arcade, algorithm-powered group matching, and actual humans whose job is to help you meet people — yes, really. Even better? The average age is 33, so no early-twenties chaos, and my favourite part: tickets are sold by gender and sexuality, making sure everyone’s properly catered to. Love!

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a solid starting point. If nothing else, I hope it inspires you to reclaim your Saturday Valentine’s Day and absolutely thrive in it.