Feel the love in Manchester this Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re all loved up or loving being single this Valentine’s Day, there is a multitude of things to do in our city on February 14th.  You can choose to fully embrace all the cheesy cliches, hearts and confetti of the season or opt for events which provide a real alternative.

1. Power Ballad Disco at AATMA – Friday 10th February from 11pm (£6)

The perfect opportunity to purge yourself of all of your heartbreak by singing/screaming along to the likes of Cher, Aerosmith, Whitney and Mariah. This is touted by the organisers as the ‘the most depressing night of your life’ but if you love a good cheesy ballad and a laugh, this could be your perfect V day night out.

2. Moonrise Kingdom at Victoria Baths – Friday 11th February (£10.50)

Wes Anderson’s sweet kitschy film about two children who fall in love and run away on a small New England island is the perfect choice for a screening in a swimming pool where you can cosy up in in deck chairs (make sure to dress warm — it gets chilly!). Lose yourself in Anderson’s gorgeous cinematography and enjoy snacks from the street food vendors who will pack out Victoria Baths.

3. Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Didsbury – Open every day from dawn till dusk, free entry

If Christmas has left your budget a bit tight for Valentine’s Day celebrations why not go for a romantic stroll around one of the prettiest parks the city has to offer. Just a quick trip on a Magic Bus will get you to Fletcher Moss where you can enjoy the unusual and exotic plants and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an afternoon. If you get too chilly there’s always The Alpine Tea Room where you can grab a warm drink and bite to eat with your beau (or go solo and take a good book).

4. Student Action Homeless Projects: Street Support — Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday 5.45 – 8.30pm

If you really want to spread the love this Valentine’s day, why not eschew the usual activities and do something to give back to the community? Street Support is a mobile soup kitchen which provides food, hot drinks, clothes, and information for people living on the streets of Manchester. The project is run by the Student Action Homeless Projects which is based on the first floor of the Students’ Union in the Student Activities Office. If you want to find out more about volunteering opportunities with the university check out find-volunteering.manchester.ac.uk.