It is the heart of winter, but sweethearts and a day for family heat up the things to do in Kitchener-Waterloo this month.

Love is in the air as local establishments embrace the Valentine’s theme. Get in the mood with Love Notes: Love Songs, Letters and Chocolates at First United Church in Waterloo on Feb 3 or celebrate with the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra on Feb 13. Create your own DIY Valentine’s cards at the Kitchener Public Library Central Branch on Feb 10.

Valentine’s dinners and dances abound across the region, particularly on Feb 10, and you’re sure to find one that appeals near you. Of course, many of your favourite bars and restaurants will pull out all the stops to please you and your love on Feb. 14. For something a little different the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is offering a Valentine’s Day four course dinner and stroll or you could take in a double feature magic show presented by the KW Little Theatre.

If you’re looking for something extra special for that extra special someone give Brentwood Livery a call. They are experts at creating the unforgettable memory and you and your date will delight in the chauffeured limousine luxury.

For those with an aversion to hearts, roses and chocolates the Waterloo Public Library is hosting Cupid Is Stupid: an un-Valentine’s day party with a photo booth, cookie decorating and an anti-Valentine’s day pinata. Register by Feb. 13.

Show a little love for your pooch on Feb. 10 and 11 as Bingemans is the site for Dog Lovers Days. Bring your furry companion along for lots of doggy fun in the Marshall Hall or browse the vendors and their collection of all things canine.

A mid-winter break. Put your feet up and relax or take advantage of the many activities offered around the Family Day weekend. There is the Hug-A-Bug insect petting zoo at The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Feb. 17-19 or, if bugs aren’t your bag,  you can Meet A Sloth and a whole range of other critters at Bingemans from the 16th to the 18th. Bingemans is also presenting a Family Days Carnival Feb. 18-19. Cambridge Centre for the Arts hosts Cookies and Kids Theatre with Greg Tarlin on Feb. 18 and on Family Day Kitchener City Hall presents the free Sunshine African Festival starting at noon. There is lots of free family skating on Family Day at arenas across the region including at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

Don’t forget to check out the Aud for exciting Rangers and Titans home games throughout the month.

February is a productive month for local theatre groups. The Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre presents the dark comedy Venus In Fur Thursday to Saturday the first two weeks of Feb. Cambridge Community Players dramatizes the thought-provoking Becky’s New Car the same weekends and the Elmira Theatre Company sets the scene for On A First Name Basis the first three weeks of the month.

As always, K-W is a hub for a plethora of interesting displays, meetings and performances. Author Cathy O’Neil speaks on “Weapons of Math Destruction” as part of the  Hagey lecture series Feb 7 at the University of Waterloo. Bestselling author Kelley Armstrong is in person at Chapters in Kitchener on Feb. 10 and local author Bob Green tells local tales from his books at the Idea Exchange Preston on Feb. 14. Free musical performances can be enjoyed at the Kitchener Public Library on Feb. 3 at 1pm and at the Queen’s Square Library in Cambridge on Feb. 24 at 2pm. Brentwood Livery partner Abe Erb hosts its monthly HAHA comedy show Feb. 26. Princess Twin Cinemas presents Cine Babies, a baby-friendly movie experience, Feb. 21. Explore the spiritual with the Renew You Holistic Fayre Feb. 11 at the Cambridge Newfoundland Club.

There’s always something interesting going on at the local farmer’s markets, libraries or museums but you can really stretch it out at Homer Watson House with yoga in the Gallery on Feb 28.

Explore the environment. World Wetlands Day is celebrated on Feb. 2 at the University of Waterloo with a series of presentations and an evening lecture. Enjoy our local winter environment with free weather dependent events at the Huron Natural Area in Kitchener. Tracking forest life in the winter is offered on Feb. 11 and Tales and Trails on Feb. 21. Autism Ontario hosts family tubing at Chicopee for children with ASD on Feb. 10.

If pancakes hit the spot many local churches with be cooking up flapjacks and the fixings on Shrove Tuesday Feb. 13.

How about a little Snooker? The Grand Valley Golf and Country Club is the scene for 10 days of Pro-Am snooker with top Canadian players engaged in three matches per day for 10 days. The tournaments breaks open on Feb. 9 and will raise money for the Kids Can Play charity. The fundraising Hockey for Heart tournament faces off at the Kitchener Auditorium Feb. 24.

As always, keep it safe and happy and if you would like to get there relaxed and in style Bentwood Livery can make your ride unforgettable.