If you asked me last year, I would have pessimistically told you I had never had a true valentine. However, if there’s one thing growing up in Bend has taught me, it’s just how wrong that statement is.

While the day traces back to ancient Roman tradition, today’s celebrations are less about roses and reservations and more centered on community and connection. That sense of love is written as part of Oregon’s history. It became the nation’s 33rd state on February 14, 1859. Which means, Bendites know how to celebrate love. Keep reading for 14 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Bend this year. 

I felt it in 2019 at Summit High School when student Callan Valentine raised enough money to give every single girl in the school a rose so no one would be left out. I still have the crimson petals, dried and preserved in a glass jar. 

I see it each year in downtown Bend when the Waldorf School of Bend hangs thousands of handmade felt hearts on trees, bike racks and storefronts, turning an ordinary winter’s walk into something magical. In 2025, Waldorf students decorated the city with more than 2,400 hand-sewn hearts. It’s a simple reminder that on Valentine’s Day in Central Oregon, love isn’t merely performative; it’s heartfelt. 

No Reservations Required Options in Bend on February 14

Many eateries open their reservations 30 days in advance, and it’s no secret that when it comes to February 14, a table can be hard to come by. If you’re looking to get into high-demand restaurants, try these tips to help secure your spot at a table: 

Pull up a seat at the bar. Several of Bend’s most popular restaurants don’t take reservations when it comes to their high-top barstools. To increase your odds of scoring a spot, arrive early. Try your luck at Bosa, RBC, Ariana, Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge, or a favorite spot that might be booked for the night. 

For an evening escapade with no reservations required, head to Blacksmith Public House’s Valentine’s party in Redmond, Oregon. With free entry, enjoy a trifecta of live music, seasonal cocktails and none of the unnecessary stress.  

Opt for scrumptious takeout in the comfort of your own home. Lean into the date with another type of rose: Pick up Northern Thai food from Wild Rose in downtown Bend,  the $14 Valentine’s Day special from food truck Wildfired Bend, or a heart-shaped tray of tacos from El Taquero food truck. 

Dining Alternatives in Bend Valentine’s Day

Dinner isn’t the only meal on February 14. A lunch or afternoon spread might be the perfect remedy to cure reservation anxiety.

Bevel Craft Brewing’s beer and sweets pairing on February 13, kick starts the holiday with a combination of craft IPAs and desserts. Leave the event with recipe cards to recreate the sweetness at home.

At Wild Petals Provisions in downtown Bend, create a personal and decadent charcuterie board to share with your special someone. Owner Nancy Zadoff often has locally grown flowers to add to a distinctive meal. 

Known for their creative sugar cookies, Sparrow Bakery bakes edible Valentines. Pick up sexy-themed sweets or more G-rated confections by ordering online. Inside the secretive pop-up tent outside the NorthWest Crossing Bend location, you’ll find naughty cookies branded with word play, amongst other types of decorative, physical play.

Check out more flirtatious, adult-themed sugar cookies from the Downtown Redmond food truck Kooki, or opt-in to their family-friendly cookie decorating class on February 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. It’s perfect for beginners or intermediate bakers, so bring your girls, your kids or simply yourself and make new friends! Enjoy two hours of baking bliss that will linger on the taste buds for days and in your memory forever.

How to Celebrate Galentine’s (or Palentine’s) Day in Bend

On Galentine’s Day (officially February 15) it’s a time to show the women in your life how deeply they matter to you. If you are anything like me, the friends in your life are foundational to your well-being. 

Valentine’s Day Shopping Markets

Kick off Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day early with the holiday tradition of shopping. Find everything in one place during Bend’s Love & Local Makers Market hosted at Juniper Preserve, on February 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy music, a chair massage, and shop at more than 30 local vendors. If you feel especially spontaneous, add a flash tattoo.

Bend WinterFest in the Old Mill District runs from February 13-15. The streets are energized, filled with vendors, art and sports exhibitions, live music, and tons of goodies. If you’re a Mt. Bachelor pass holder, entry is free. 

In nearby Redmond, stroll through the Valentine’s Day Sip & Shop at Wild Ride Brewing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find goods that sing of romance like candles, permanent jewelry, flowers, sweets and plenty more. 

Where to Go for Self Care on Valentine’s Day

The active lifestyle in Bend is energetic, but sometimes it’s important to take time to slow down.

At Anjou Spa, a steadfast part of the Bend community for more than 15 years, enjoy a seasonal Valentine’s Day Special, available to book through February 22, 2026. The Love Is in the Air Facial involves strawberry, chocolate and champagne, and it’s the ultimate romantic nod to personal care. If a massage is what you’re after, be sure to look into the Ember and Citrus Valentine’s Massage Experience, whether to enjoy solo or with a special someone. 

Spa Brasada extends Valentine’s Day through the end of March with some great deals. Enjoy a Chocolate Decadence Pedicure full of passion (literally), featuring a passionfruit foot soak, scrub, massage, and polish for a shiny finish.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Outdoors in Bend

People flock to Bend for the nature scene and often stay because they fall in love. This holiday, whether solo or accompanied, celebrate your love for the incredible environment that surrounds Central Oregon. 

Make a weekend of the holiday at Wanderlust Tours’ Romance on the Snow journey from February 13-15. Snowshoe around Mt. Bachelor and the adjacent areas of the Deschutes National Forest of the Cascade Range. If you want to venture a bit further, sign up for Wanderlust Tour’s holiday adventure to Oregon’s sole National Park, Crater Lake, on February 14. See the deepest lake in the United States with strikingly clear blue water that, even if you’ve seen it once, will always take your breath away.

If you are a season pass holder for Mt. Bachelor or want to buy a lift ticket, enjoy a couple of hours at the Boneyard Backcountry Bar events on February 14-15th. Dabble in Bend’s beer offerings, mountain adventures and dance to a live DJ. Mountains, music and mouth-watering brews at the top of a ski lift? What more could you ask for? 

A Table in Bend for One

Last but certainly not least, remember that Valentine’s Day in Bend is as much about loving yourself as it is a romantic or friendly gesture. After all, love is in the air in Bend, and it includes the kind of love you give yourself.