Love from Leavenworth Valentine's Calendar

February transforms Leavenworth into something rarer than its famous December spectacle: a Bavarian winter village still aglow with 500,000 lights but without the crushing December crowds. The “Love from Leavenworth” Valentine’s programming runs the entire month, anchored by a daily prize calendar, artisan glass heart giveaways, and some of the Pacific Northwest’s most romantic sleigh rides through snow-covered meadows.

The Valentine’s Calendar giveaway offers 28 chances to win

Leavenworth’s centerpiece February promotion is an interactive digital advent calendar at leavenworth.org/love-online-giveaway, now in its second year. The concept is elegantly simple: register with an email address, return each day throughout February to “see what’s behind the latest delectable chocolate door,” and each check-in earns one entry toward both that day’s prize drawing and the Grand Prize drawing on February 28, 2026.

The maximum entries possible are 28 for February 2026 (not 29, this isn’t a leap year). Daily prizes include locally curated experiences and shop-small favorites from Leavenworth merchants, though specific prize values aren’t disclosed in advance. The Grand Prize is described as a “Romantic Adventure for Two,” a full getaway package drawn at month’s end. Entry is free; no purchase required.

Shop Your Little Heart Out expanded to Wednesdays and Thursdays

The signature shopping promotion has expanded in 2026, now running every Wednesday and Thursday from February 1 to 28, rather than Thursdays alone. The mechanics: spend $100 or more at participating retailers (receipts can be combined across multiple stores and multiple qualifying days), then present receipts at the Willkommen Center to receive a hand-sculpted solid glass heart from Boulder Bend Glassworks in nearby Peshastin.

The catch is that no official list of participating retailers is published. Visitors must look for the “Shop Your Heart” flyer displayed in windows and doors of qualifying specialty retail shops, or consult the downtown walking map available at the Willkommen Center. This creates a treasure-hunt element through Leavenworth’s pedestrianized Front Street district.

The Willkommen Center (Leavenworth’s visitor center) is located at 940 US Highway 2, Suite B, and operates 9 AM to 6 PM daily, seven days a week. Glass hearts are distributed while supplies last.

Village of Lights continues through February with a Valentine’s twist

The famous illumination display runs 6 AM to 11 PM daily from Thanksgiving through the last day of February, and February visitors find the lights enhanced with Valentine’s touches: hearts are added to the largest tree in Front Street Park. The Chamber of Commerce explicitly notes that January and February offer Christmas lights with snow, without the large crowds.

Additional February programming includes an online Valentine Marketplace at leavenworth.org/marketplace featuring gift options from local artisans, wine and chocolate pairings at local establishments, and the option to create your own glass art at Boulder Bend Glassworks workshops (no reservations required, 10 AM to 3 PM).

Mountain Springs Lodge delivers the premium sleigh ride experience

Located 14 miles north of Leavenworth in the hamlet of Plain, Mountain Springs Lodge (19115 Chiwawa Loop Road) operates what may be the region’s most romantic winter excursion across its 180-acre heritage property. February falls in off-peak pricing, making Valentine’s visits slightly more affordable than December.

Current pricing for February 2026:

One Horse Open Sleigh: $245 (completely private, up to 6 guests, ideal for couples seeking intimacy)
Old Fashioned Sleigh: $190 per row (up to 6 per row, 2 rows maximum; traditional two-horse Belgian draft experience)
Santa Sleigh: $125 per row (up to 4 per row; larger group option)

Each 40 to 50 minute ride meanders through meadows and forests before stopping at a barn with a fire pit for complimentary hot apple cider. Critical note: blankets are not provided, guests must bring their own or purchase from the gift shop.

Reservations can be made online at book.singenuity.com/93/activity or by phone at 509-763-2713. For Valentine’s weekend, book 2 to 4 weeks in advance; one reviewer reported successfully booking just three days before Christmas, indicating high demand during romantic seasons.

The lodge also offers sleigh ride and dinner packages at Beaver Creek Lodge featuring certified Angus prime rib and Pacific Northwest smoked salmon by a grand river rock fireplace.

Three additional sleigh ride providers serve different needs

Eagle Creek Sleigh Rides (7951 Eagle Creek Road, 8 miles from downtown) offers the most romantic budget option: a Private Cutter Sleigh for 2 at $150, pulled through snow-blanketed pastures and willow-covered creek bottoms by Belgian draft horses. Hot cider is served at a barn with wood stove. Contact: 509-881-9970.

Icicle Outfitters (7919 East Leavenworth Road, just 1.9 miles from downtown) provides the closest and most casual experience at $32 per adult for public sleighs or $60 per person for private rides. Uniquely, walk-ins are welcome daily 10 AM to 4 PM. The setting offers views of the Stuart Mountain Range along the Icicle River.

Red Tail Canyon Farm (11780 Freund Canyon Road, 3 miles from downtown) is Leavenworth’s longest-running operation at 32+ years, featuring custom hand-built sleighs, wool blankets provided, and a teepee with fireplace for post-ride warming. Contact 800-678-4512 for current pricing, the website has technical issues.

Lake Wenatchee offers cross-country skiing just 20 miles north

Lake Wenatchee State Park sits 20 miles north of Leavenworth (25 to 30 minute drive) and operates as a premier non-motorized winter playground with over 50 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails across four Sno-Parks and 12+ miles of designated snowshoe trails.

The South Park trails (12+ km groomed with skating lane) loop through forest, along the lakeshore, and above the Wenatchee River. The North Park (6.6 km) offers a less-crowded alternative for couples seeking solitude. For the ambitious, Nason Ridge features 20 to 25 km of trails climbing 1,500 feet to panoramic views of the lake and Cascades.

A Sno-Park permit is mandatory: $25 per vehicle daily or $120 seasonal (the Discover Pass is not valid during winter). Snowshoe and ski rentals are available at Plain Hardware (snowshoes $12 to 16/day, classic skis $18/day) and the Lake Wenatchee Camp Store.

Lake Chelan wine country celebrates February as the Month of Love

Lake Chelan lies approximately 52 to 55 miles from Leavenworth (about one hour’s drive) and offers a completely different romantic register: 35 to 40 wineries in the Lake Chelan AVA transform February into an extended celebration with red wine and artisan chocolate pairings throughout the month.

Notable experiences include Siren Song Wines’ Valentine’s Month specials with romantic food and wine pairings, Tipsy Canyon Winery’s covered deck with built-in fireplaces and lap blankets provided, and Vin Du Lac’s French bistro fare with Saturday night live music overlooking the lake. The Lady of the Lake offers a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise with a five-course meal paired with Amos Rome wines.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area provides 25+ miles of groomed trails with stunning views, while Echo Valley Ski Area offers tubing ($20/day unlimited) and ski runs with 900 vertical feet.

Practical logistics favor midweek arrivals and early bookings

Valentine’s weekend is notably busier than other February weekends, locals describe it as “always busy,” though still dramatically calmer than December. The optimal strategy: arrive Thursday afternoon, stay through Sunday morning (three nights), allowing Thursday and Friday to experience the village before Saturday crowds peak. Midweek visits (Tuesday to Thursday) offer the quietest experience with all the same lights and winter atmosphere.

Parking

Downtown parking is paid ($10 to 30/day on peak weekends) with the ParkMobile app recommended. The savviest option is the Wilkommen Park & Ride behind Safeway, offering free parking with free Link Transit shuttle service to downtown every 30 minutes (11 AM to 7 PM daily). Note: residential street parking is prohibited November 15 to March 15 between 3 AM to 7 AM.

Driving

The 125-mile trip from Seattle via Highway 2 over Stevens Pass takes 2 to 2.5 hours in good conditions, potentially 3+ hours in winter weather. Check WSDOT’s mountain pass report the morning of departure. All vehicles must carry chains when “Chains Required” signs are posted, even AWD/4WD vehicles. Stevens Pass tends to be better maintained than the Snoqualmie/Blewett alternative route.

A Kiss Good-Night

Leavenworth’s February offering occupies a sweet spot for romantic travelers: the full Bavarian village spectacle without battling December crowds, meaningful savings on sleigh rides (off-peak pricing applies after January 4), and an integrated promotional calendar that rewards daily engagement and local shopping. The combination of 28 days of prize drawings, complimentary artisan glass hearts for $100+ purchases, and 500,000 lights burning until 11 PM nightly creates infrastructure specifically designed for couples.

Add proximity to Lake Wenatchee’s wilderness skiing (under 30 minutes) and Lake Chelan’s Month of Love wine programming (one hour), and the Valentine’s window transforms into a legitimate multi-day itinerary rather than a single-evening occasion. The essential bookings, sleigh rides and dinner reservations, should be secured 2 to 4 weeks ahead, but the village itself rewards spontaneity: showing up early, wandering the lantern-lit streets after day-trippers depart, and discovering which shops display that “Shop Your Heart” flyer in the window.