Check out one of these events for a different sort of Valentine’s Day date.

NOTE: If you know of any science-related-Valentine events we have missed, please get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.

Valentine’s late

This Valentine’s Day, Auckland Zoo will be celebrating this day of love with an evening where you can enjoy fine dining, drinks and keeper talks delving into the weird and wonderful world of animal courtship display.

Venue: Auckland Zoo, Motions Rd, Auckland

For more information and tickets: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/valentines-late

Written in the stars

Treat your special someone to a romantic evening under the (indoor) stars this Valentine’s Day at Stardome! You're guaranteed a starry night whatever the weather in our planetarium show, where you'll take a spectacular journey through the cosmos discovering enchanting tales of love woven across the night sky.

Venue: Stardome, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland

For more information and tickets: www.stardome.org.nz/movie/written-in-the-stars-valentines-day-2024

Bug of the Year collection tour

Come along to Te Papa's behind-the-scenes tour in their natural history collection and learn more about this year’s Bug of the Year nominees and winner. Valentine's Day is also when the 2024 winner is announced.

Heavenly Bodies: Valentine’s Under the Stars

Celebrate all kinds of love and raise a toast to love under the majestic cosmos at Space Place’s special Valentine’s Day event!

Doors open from 5:30pm and the event kicks off at 6pm with a variety of drop-in activities, food and drinks to enjoy. The evening also includes a 45-minute live Planetarium Session – (with three sessions throughout evening, select a time-slot when booking your tickets): 6pm, 7pm or 8pm.

Venue: Space Place, 40 Salamanca Rd, Kelburn, Wellington

For more information and to book: www.museumswellington.org.nz/heavenly-bodies

Weed Dating 2024

Find a date or a mate at one of the Weed Dating events happening around Pōneke this Valentine’s Day. This Valentine’s Day Wellingtonian's are encourage to ditch the dating apps and pick up the gardening tools instead.

Wellington City Council and Conservation Volunteers New Zealand are putting on four free Weed Dating events for singles to enjoy Valentine’s Day together and make a world of difference in the environment too.

Weed Dating is a fully inclusive speed dating event where singles pull weeds while meeting prospective dates and mates.

There are four events running at various times over the day and registration is required.

For more information and to register: https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2024/02/weed-dating-2024

Valentine's night at the Zoo

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in a memorable way this year by treating your loved one to Valentine’s Night at Wellington Zoo. The Zoo will be open until 8.30 pm for adults only (18+), with live music from Equinox 3, an outdoor bar, and love-themed animal talks and close encounters. There will also be special Zoo offers available on the night.

Venue: Wellington Zoo, 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington

For more information and tickets: https://wellingtonzoo.com/visit/plan-your-day/things-to-do/valentines-night-2/

Related content

Celebrate Valentine's Day in your class with one of these activities to find out more about how our hearts work.

Use the article Chocolate hearts as a basis for a debate on the pros and cons of chocolate and how good is chocolate really for your heart?

Combine making sweet gifts and learning about the minerals within volcanic rocks in this activity: Making lava fudge.

Useful link

Check out the Smithsonian Science Education Center Valentine's Day Science Pinterest board for an assortment of Valentine's Day themed science activities, experiments, jokes, cards and more.

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