Okay, ladies now let’s get in formation.

Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13) has been the unofficial (but still pretty official) time to gather your girl group and celebrate the lovely ladies in your life for the last 10+ years.

Valentine’s + Galentine’s Day are very Americanized holidays — however other countries have days dedicated to love, too. Finland celebrates Ystavanpaiva, a day for both friends + lovers, and China recognizes Singles’ Day in November to celebrate self-love. In Wales, they celebrate San Dwynwen on Jan. 25. During this holiday, lovers exchange handcrafted wooden spoons. In the Philippines, so many couples wish to get married on Valentine’s Day that it has become popular to participate in a mass wedding. That’s a whole lotta love.

Galentine’s should be a national holiday | Gif via GIPHY

Whether you meet in person or gather the gals virtually, there is plenty happening in the Soda City. Here are some local suggestions to celebrate the best day with your besties.

🌳 For the adventure seekers

○ Plan a hiking trip at Congaree National Park or along the Palmetto Trail.

🎨 For the artistas

○ Sign up for a paint and sip class at Studio Cellar or there are day-time zoom classes available for a virtual meet up. ProTip – Bottomless mimosas will be available for the Galentine’s class for $12.

○ Take a trip down Main Street to the Columbia Museum of Art to see the latest exhibit – The Imaginative Worlds of M. C. Escher.

○ Pick up a pair of paint-your-own Cola mug kits or brunch glasses from the Mad Platter. The kits include two pieces of pottery, glazes, and brushes + to help sweeten the night, s’mores will be included.

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☕ For the best-teas

○ Head out to Loveland Coffee’s Lovely Ladies Galentine’s pairing for a night out to enjoy dessert night with coffee and tea pairings + themed baked goods and chocolate.

○ Try the new Valentine’s treat from Piecewise Coffee – a strawberry matcha latte with house made strawberry syrup.

○ Sip on the Valentine's teas and shakes at Vista Nutrition (504 Gervais St.) or The Lex Nutrition (109 Old Chapin Rd., Suite P, Lexington).

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🧀 For the cheesy ladies

○ Order a charcuterie board from The Gourmet Shop, Abundant Graze, Boujee Boards, or Get on Board to snack on.

○ Make a reservation for a dip-tastic night of fondue at the Melting Pot.

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🥂 For the cup clinkers

○ Sip on champagne today (Feb. 11) at the Galentines Party at Immersion from 6-9 p.m. ProTip – If you want to get any feelings out pre-Valentine’s Day, there will be a pinata waiting for you.

○ Grab a bottle of wine (or two) from the Gourmet Shop and see what they recommend sippin’ on here.

○ Drop by for an outdoor wine walk and chocolate pairing at Second Wave Coffee.

○ Get Spruced Up with a new beer release at Angry Fish Brewing. Fill your cup with the new chocolate + raspberry beer, fill your belly with the special Valentine's menu, and listen to live music from Ryan Harris.

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💃 For the dancing divas

○ Listen to the tunes of the ValenTOWN’s Day show at Town Theater this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

○ Stop by Ladies Night on Friday at the Aristocrat with live music from Nick Kervin and Caj Galan.

○ Put your dancing shoes on for the Stupid Cupid Party at the Woody. Wear red if you love Galentine’s, black if you hate it, or a combination if you love to hate it.

💪 For the fitness femmes

○ Join Barre3 for an outdoor leisurely afternoon of cheese, prosecco + stretching during their prosecco tasting picnic yoga.

○ Give aerial yoga a try at Fit Columbia (at their new location).

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🍽️ For the foodie friends

○ Brunch, need we say more? The Woody will have Galentine’s brunch on Saturday and Drag brunch on Sunday.

○ Honey River Catering is offering Jarcuterie for two, assorted sweets, bottles of wine, 4 different sizes of grazing boxes, bruschetta box, truffle box or the hangover biscuit box. Pre-order online by today at 5 pm.

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👩‍🍳 For the kitchen kweens (in training)

○ Grab an apron and book a cooking class at Let’s Cook Culinary

🎬 For the movie mamas

○ Grab tickets for the next Movie in the Garden with Historic Columbia as they play Scream at Hampton Preston Garden tomorrow from 5-8:30 p.m.

📸 For the picture perfect pals

○ Plan a group photo shoot on Main Street and strike your best pose.

🛍️ For the shopaholics

○ Shop til you drop with all the local vendors at Soda City Market Saturday morning.

○ Blush Boutique is hosting a Galentine’s shopping event today from 4-6 p.m. in Lexington to grab any last minute gifts and enjoy a sweet treat from Sweet Dreams Dough and complimentary bubbly while you shop.

🍪 For the sweetest sisters

○ Reserve a spot to decorate cookies until your heart pops at the Graduate Columbia. A drink is included with your ticket.

○ What is pink, white, and red + made with local love? These mini Blue Flower Bakery cookies.

○ Duck Donuts has a Love Assortment of festive donuts.

○ Get lovestruck with these cupcakes from Ally and Elloise Bakeshop.

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Quiz

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