7 ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day in Birmingham

If you can’t tell by the red and pink aisles overflowing with stuffed teddy bears and boxes of chocolate at the grocery store, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. And that’s great, but let’s be honest, the real celebration starts the day before… on Galentine’s Day. It’s not quite anti-Valentine’s Day— which we also have a guide for if you’re into that—but more of a pre-game for it.

If you’re not familiar with the nonofficial holiday on February 13 made famous by the beloved Parks and Recreation character Leslie Knope, it is simply a day of “ladies celebrating ladies.”

And we are here for it. Here are seven fun ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day in Birmingham with all of the lovely ladies in your life:

1. See Fleetwood Mac live at the BJCC.

This may or may not be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and who better to share it with than your gals—and probably the rest of Birmingham? Tickets might be a bit more expensive this close to the show, but if you’re looking for an unforgettable night, you won’t be disappointed. The show starts at 8PM on February 13, and you can find tickets on Ticketmaster.

2. Venture to Urban Home Market for a night of fun.

According to their Facebook, there will be food, wine and prizes, which is more than enough to peak our interest. Attendees will have the opportunity to preview new spring items from Urban Home Market and meet guest chef Trace Barnett, a cookbook author and finalist on Food Network Star. The event is from 5-7PM on February 12, but no other details have been released. For updates, check their Facebook event page.

3. Visit the Pizitz Food Hall to make a custom bouquet.

Nothing says Galentine’s Day more than a good ole DIY. Don’t miss your chance to get crafty and be a florist for a night at the Pizitz. The Wild Honey Flower Truck will set up in the food hall with a variety of blooms for you to choose, and after you’re done, you can grab dinner and drinks in the food hall! Tickets are $30 and include everything you need to build your bouquet. The event will be from 7-8PM on February 13. Mark your calendars!

4. Go shopping at some of Birmingham’s best vintage shops.

If you haven’t discovered the hidden gems of Birmingham, now’s your chance. The vintage shops here are all unique and worth the digging it might take to really find something special. Swing by Manitou Supply in Avondale for curated vintage pieces, or Zoe’s in Forest Park for a whole rack dedicated to the hues of Valentine’s Day.

5. Stop by MAE Studio in Avondale for a night of berets, bangs and bisous.

As far as we know, you can expect spoken word, sixties vibes and bang cuttings. Need we say more? The event will be held February 12 at MAE Studio in collaboration with two other local businesses, Dreamers Supply Co. and TRXi ViNTAGE. So far, we don’t know too many specifics, so stay updated by following them on social media.

6. Skip the fancy dinner, and just grab dessert.

Okay, so we’re not saying skip dinner altogether, but life’s short! Eat dessert first. There are so many options when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth in Birmingham. You could grab a box of Meltaways from Savage’s Bakery, beignets from Café Dupont, a dozen Hero Doughnuts, cookie-dough egg rolls from Jackson’s Bar and Bistro, or ice cream from Mountain Brook Creamery…. The list just keeps going.

7. Stay in with your girls and order takeout.

Maybe you’re more of a GNI (girls’ night in) type, or maybe you’re on a tight budget—who cares? Sometimes nights in are the most relaxing anyway. Your GNI checklist should include lots of takeout, (use The TakeOut Bham and our code for a discount!) facemasks, plenty of wine, and as many rom-coms as possible. And if you didn’t think it could get any better, you don’t even have to change out of your pjs.

Already have plans for the big day? Tell us what you’re up to on IG @BhamNow or FB @BhamNow !