Last time we spoke, dear reader, we here at Street bestowed upon you life–changing pearls of wisdom to get your 2026 back on track. However, on the off chance our resolutions haven’t yet transformed you into one of Penn’s most artsy, dateable students, we’ve got you. Past the fog of the couple–oriented festivities and the seas of your hand–holding peers, there are plenty of things to do this Valentine’s Day weekend. It’s okay to be single (for some, it's ideal!) but sulking and isolating yourself aren’t.
So, to our single readers, those in unhappy situationships, or those happily self–partnered, relish in our curated list of platonic activities.
—Insia Haque, Arts & Style editor
1. See a fairytale dance show
Celebrate the grace and passion of the many talented dancers on two of Penn’s premier dance teams: Penn WAVe and PENNaach. Performing Valentine’s Day evening, both groups will bring dance traditions from around the world right here to Iron Gate Theatre! WAVe’s spring show, “Afia in Afroland,” is a reimagining of the Lewis Carroll classic with a West African twist. The show, which starts at 8 p.m. will undoubtedly captivate you with the sharp footwork and electric energy of the performances. Performing before WAVe is PENNaach, whose show starts at 5:30 p.m. Naach’s fairtytale inspired show, “Once Upon a Naach”, showcases dance styles from all across India, mixed in with contemporary influences and hip–hop. Naach will stun you with the grace and discipline of its performers. Support these many talented dancers and creatives this weekend!
—Anjali Kalanidhi, Arts beat
2. Get into Old City’s art scene
What if wild horses lived across the river from your house? What if snakes could stand on chairs, or if goldfish could gaze at vast seas—what do these motifs say about our personal relationships? These are questions asked by Spanish interdisciplinary artist Aitor Lajarin–Encina in his new solo exhibition, Flora, Fauna, and Furniture, which debuted Friday, Jan. 30, in Old City’s Pentimenti Gallery. The best cure for loneliness is to go outside and try something new. In fact, Philly’s locally–owned galleries are known for their friendliness and community—while you’re at it, strike up a conversation with the gallery’s director, Christine Pfister, who you’d probably find standing behind the main desk at the back.
So this Saturday, take the L to 2nd Street between the hours of 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. No online experience is comparable with staring at a 5–foot–wide painting up close. If you need more convincing, read Street’s review of the exhibition here.
—Laura Gao, Arts & Style editor
3. Single? Mingle with good reads in Rittenhouse Square
Escape the chaos of streetside flower sellers and nonstop celebratory IG stories with a more simplistic activity: cozying up with a romance novel in the park. Whether it’s People We Meet on Vacation or It Ends With Us, no feeling equates to a good read in Rittenhouse: Lavish in the sound of saxophones playing, dogs barking, and perhaps the occasional Ladies Who Yoga.
Even if just a $3 steamy book from CVS, I can guarantee literature will be your friend today. Read for the plot … or use the paperback as your shield while eyeing that argument across the street. Proceed with confidence, charisma, and clemency for the PDA nearby.
—Jack Lamey, Style beat
4. Indulge in reality TV
Nothing screams perfect Valentine’s Day more than cuddling up on the couch as you watch your favorite ridiculous reality TV show. Grab your favorite snacks and binge–watch an old season of Love Island (season 6 of USA is one of my all–time favorites), Love is Blind, or even Married at First Sight. After all, there’s no better way to distract yourself from your own single woes than watching contestants go through the ups and downs of love themselves on live television.
—Jordan Millar, Style beat
5. Fight screen addiction with student theater
Penn students’ brains have become Instagram–Reel–rotted, dismal–February–fatigued, and Valentines–Day–depressed (assuming they don’t have the Romeo to their Juliet).
But this Valentine’s Day, skip the sadness and head to Houston Hall’s Class of ‘49 Auditorium at 1 p.m. for the Theatre Arts Council’s One Acts Festival. These bite–sized plays are perfect for any attention span deteriorated by short–term content addiction. You can see five, short, student-written pieces—with an intermission perfectly timed for how many wine glasses you’ll be drinking after telling your friends you’ll be spending the day with “Josh.”
From lesbian cowboys to goofy leprechauns to family drama, you’ll find everything your heart desires in the theater. Who knows? That might even include your future boo. It’s short plays, big laughs, and zero commitment issues. That’s better than anything a Hinge situationship could offer.
—Aaron Tokay, Arts beat
6. Who needs a partner? Ask your friend to be your valentine
I am repulsed by shallowness, profoundly disillusioned, overly critical, and a stickler for the analog. It is for these reasons that I am so selectively permeable and have little desire to entertain relationships. Fortunately, my best friend subtly hates the guy she’s talking to, and to avoid doing something with him, insisted that I be her valentine. And I love nothing more than prevailing over a mediocre white man who’s trying to make it as a music producer.
So here’s our plan.
Phase one: Together, we make each other adorable Valentine’s cards, with glittery paper and ribbon. We do this while listening to Madonna and Lana Del Rey, of course.
Phase two: After exchanging cards, we celebrate by melting chocolate in a bowl. We gather strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels, and anything else at ACME that strikes our fancy. While watching Black Mirror, we eat our minorly janky chocolate fondue.
She doesn’t have to text her talking stage. I don’t have to pretend to like any boyfriend. It will be lovely.
—Addison Saji, Style beat
