If romance isn’t your thing on this Valentine’s Day weekend, here are some other ideas…

FRIDAY –

Nothing says “I Love You” like getting your lover’s name tattooed. Well, the SAN DIEGO TATTOO ARTS FESTIVAL is back. There will be tattoo artists, vendors, competitions, and entertainment of all kinds. It’s happening at the DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS all weekend.

I’m sure alcohol plays a part in many people getting tattoos of their lover. Well, if you want to get your drink on, the GASLAMP MARDI GRAS & CUPID BAR CRAWL & LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION. Lots of drinking and dining deals at over 25 places on 5th Avenue DOWNTOWN.

If you’re a bit more classy than a pub crawler, the SAN DIEGO OPERA has a performance of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE at the Civic Theatre DOWNTOWN all weekend. 

For tribute bands, there’s a Justin Bieber in North Park, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong together in South Park, 

SATURDAY –

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, most restaurants are serving dinner specials. Hopefully you already have a reservation if that’s the avenue you choose. On the opposite end of romance….

The AZTECS have a home game against the University of Nevada at Viejas Arena. Watch it live, or listen to it on San Diego Sports 760 starting at 6pm.

If you like men with missing teeth, you can see some hockey with the SAN DIEGO GULLS playing the Bakersfield Condors at Pechanga Arena.

A romantic comedy by Neil Simon is on the stage – BAREFOOT IN THE PARK – at the Coronado Playhouse.

A local comedian who has gotten big – ZOLTAN KASZAS will be playing at the Balboa Theatre DOWNTOWN.

Another local who has made it big, Jason Mraz, will be involved in the JASON MRAZ FOUNDATION’S DREAM, at the California Center for the Arts in ESCONDIDO. It’s a San Diego Arts non-profit, with a lot of different acts performing, and all for a good cause. Saturday and Sunday.

It was the ‘90s when I first heard the jazz, swing, bluesy stylings of the SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS. Well, they’re back. They’ll be at the Music Box DOWNTOWN.

For tribute bands, the perfect one for Valentine’s Day – Sade in San Marcos. There’s also an Oingo Boingo in Solana Beach, 

SUNDAY –

The SAN DIEGO SOCKERS with some indoor action at the Frontwave Arena in OCEANSIDE.

AIR SUPPLY will be supplying fans with their yacht rock ballads at Harrah’s Resort in VALLEY CENTER.

For tribute bands, you’ve got Abba at the Balboa Theatre DOWNTOWN.

ON STREAMING…

The #1 movie on my Best Movies of 2025 – ETERNITY – comes to streaming. In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive. Perfect Valentine’s Day film. (Feb. 13, Apple TV.)

Aldis Hodge, who was so good as Jim Brown in “One Night in Miami,” returns as ALEX CROSS in season 2 on Prime Video. 

That adorable boy from “Love, Actually” (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) is back as THE ARTFUL DODGER in season 2 on Disney+/Hulu. 

The NBA All-Star Game is on NBC on Sunday.

AT THE MOVIES –

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

You might think because it’s Valentine’s weekend, this Gothic romance would be the one to see. You’d be wrong. My wife, who didn’t like the book, also disliked this version. So did I. We both love director Emerald Fennell. We enjoyed “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn.” Now, if you thought “Saltburn” got a little too risque, this version of “Wuthering Heights” isn’t for you. It looked beautiful, with the set pieces and fog around the moors. The actors looked beautiful (Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi). And Hong Chau gives us nice supporting work. In Fennell’s version of the story, a couple of kids love each other. As they grow up, still with feelings for each other, she ends up going after the rich neighbor. She can’t possibly marry the friend she loves, because he’s a poor servant. He leaves when she gets engaged, only to come back rich, and an affair ensues, with many problems arising. The score for this period piece was fine, but the songs used in the movie were idiotic. The story adaptation here was idiotic. You don’t care for any of these characters, and you regret sitting through two hours and 15 minutes of this garbage. Enter at your own risk. 0 stars.