The Hangout: A guide to Valentine’s parties, music and love in Johannesburg

If you’ve read some of my columns, then you know love is my jam. It’s just the best, isn’t it? It comes in various shapes and forms, but goodness, it’s vibes. If you have the trifecta, then you’re totally showing off and being greedy. That’s when you’ve got big love from family, friends, and a third place like a partner, your community or even the workplace. Loving yourself is also a good one, and we probably don’t do that nearly as much as we should. Let’s do that more? Anyway. Valentine’s Day is here. Woohoo!

Valentine’s Day has been doing the rounds for centuries, long before heart-shaped choccies and sometimes awkward dinner reservations. It’s believed to be named after Saint Valentine, a slightly mysterious figure who, according to legend, secretly married couples when it was very much frowned upon. Bold. Romantic. A little rebellious. Sounds like my kinda guy. Over time, the day evolved into a celebration of love in all its gushy, hopeful, sometimes messy glory that we still lean into today.

These days, Valentine’s Day means different things to different people. For some, it’s roses and romance. For others, it’s a self-love moment, a dinner with friends, or a quiet night in with a good glass of wine and zero expectations. And that’s the beauty of it. Love doesn’t come in one shape, one relationship status, or one price tag. It’s personal, it’s layered, and if we’re doing it right, it’s something we get to celebrate in our own way. I wish we could celebrate it every day.

If you do feel like taking your special somebody, your friends, or yourself out on the town, here are a few ideas for you because other than love you know I like a good party. 

Headbangers Bash: Day of the Dead is happening at The German Club in Edenvale on the spooky Friday the 13th. DJs Barney Simon, Steve East, Strange Lady, DJ Chris and DJ D will be bringing the noise. Doors open at 5pm, and tickets can be bought through quicket. 

Valentine’s Day with Lee Cole takes place on the day of love itself, Saturday14 February, at The Troyeville Hotel in Troyeville, Johannesburg. It’s a lunchtime show starting at 12.30pm. Visit their website for more details.

The multi-award-winning comedian Sifiso Nene returns to Emperors Palace in Kempton Park with his brand-new one-man show, "Sifiso Nene – Because of Success". It all goes down on Saturday, February 14, at 8pm. Visit webtickets website for details. 

Johannesburg’s longest-running Drum & Bass night, Science Frikshun, returns to AND CLUB in Newtown, Johannesburg, on Valentine’s weekend, Saturday, February 14. Taking over two rooms, expect full-spectrum Drum & Bass inside AND Club, while ADDICTSHUN takes over the AND Garden. Doors open at 9pm, with DJs Instate, Mr Mon, Donny Basco and more on the decks. Tickets can be bought via AirDosh.

The Valentine’s Night Trail Run takes place on Saturday February 14, from 5.30pm at Glen Afric Country Lodge in Hartbeespoort. Choose between a 6km or 12km route. For more info, email [email protected]

You can also visit the Chinese New Year Vegetarian Lifestyle Fair, happening for free at the Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit on Sunday, February 15 from 9am.

And to wrap up the weekend, Watershed will be live alongside Tondi Rams and Chris van der Linde at The Troyeville Hotel in Johannesburg onSunday, February 15 from 12.30pm. It’s also an all-ages show.

No matter how you’re spending Valentine’s Day, I hope it’s filled with good energy, good people and a little reminder that love, in all its forms, is always worth celebrating. Go gently, love loudly and do it your way.