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Local Love Hits Different 🥰

Local Love Hits Different 🥰

See how local chocolatiers are setting the stage for Valentines Day, cozy winter sips for Olympics viewing, our latest Hey Rhody Weekly, + more!

February 05, 2026

Between the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day on deck, and Rhody doing what Rhody does best (aka filling your calendar without asking permission), it’s safe to say February is busy. But no need to spiral – we’ve got you covered. Today’s newsletter is your go-to guide for navigating the month, featuring chocolate-fueled inspiration, lovable adoptable pets, and can’t-miss events happening around the Ocean State. Consider this your February survival kit, delivered straight to your inbox.

Discover Rhody’s Sweetest Love Language

From bean-to-bar trailblazers to bonbon artists turning chocolate into tiny love letters, Rhode Island’s makers are going all out for Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re gifting heritage-rich bars, playful message boxes, or classic truffles with coastal flair, these local chocolates prove romance tastes better when it’s handcrafted close to home. Read more online.

Cozy Nights, Coffee Cocktails, and Olympic Energy

ith the Winter Olympics setting the pace for long, couch-bound evenings, February is the perfect excuse to lean into slow sips and spirits with backbone. From a coffee-laced Manhattan to Rhode Island distilleries bringing serious winter warmth, this is your sign to settle in, pour something cozy, and enjoy the show. Read more online.

Presented by Rhode Island Energy

Heating and Cooling Tips to Help Lower Energy Usage

Winter comfort doesn’t have to come with sticker shock: Rhode Island Energy says small, smart upgrades – like a no-cost Home Energy Assessment and better insulation – can make a real dent in your monthly bill. From heat pumps that keep temperatures steady to quick fixes like sealing drafts and insulating pipes, staying cozy this season might be easier (and cheaper) than you think. Read more online.

Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of what’s happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because let’s be real, life’s too short to leave the fun for last minute.

Date	Event
Friday 2/6	Crafts for Conservation Brew Fundraiser Raise a glass for a good cause at Buttonwoods Brewery from 5–9pm, where a special collab beer, animal art sale, tasty bites, and conservation-minded vibes come together for an easygoing, feel-good night out. Learn more online ⸻ Valentine’s Card + Banner Making Relive your elementary-school Valentine’s era at a cozy craft night at Shop Bloom PVD in Providence from 5-6:30pm, featuring watercolor cards, collage banners, festive sips, and all the cute, crafty vibes. Learn more online ⸻ Shepherd’s Run Galentine’s Market From 4-8pm at Shepherd's Run in South Kingstown, sip, shop, and celebrate friendship with women-owned vendors, live music, wine, spa treatments, and sweet cotton candy from Le Petit Pouf. Learn more online ⸻ Galentines Charcuterie Workshop Celebrate Galentine’s the delicious way at Artisan Bites in Cranston, where you’ll build your own charcuterie board, sip your favorite BYOB drink, and enjoy good vibes and great company from 6:30-pm. Learn more online ⸻ Diamond Blues Live at Pump House Music Works Grab your Valentine or your besties for aDiamond Blues brings two high-energy sets of Jerry Garcia Band and Grateful Dead favorites to Pump House Music Works in Wakefield, taking the stage from 7-10pm for a night of soulful jams, deep cuts, and classic grooves. Learn more online. ⸻ Valentine Paint & Wine Night at Varsity Grab your Valentine or your besties for a creative night out at Varsity Providence, where a guided paint-and-sip experience with Wine & Design by Amber kicks off at 6pm and includes step-by-step instruction, music, food, and a complimentary glass of wine. Learn more online
Saturday 2/7	Kid’s Valentine Crafts Little creatives ages 3–9 are invited to get hands-on at FUNdamentals in East Providence from 10–11am, crafting heart-shaped sun catchers and yarn creations in a playful, guided session that’s equal parts Valentines and fine-motor fun. Learn more online ⸻. Yonder Mountain String Band The jamgrass legends roll into The United in Westerly at 8 pm, bringing their high-energy blend of bluegrass, soul, and serious groove for a winter-night show that’s anything but sleepy. Learn more online ⸻. Rhode Soda Shoppe Galentine’s Grab your besties for a girls’ night of sipping, shopping, and sweet treats at Shine Bright in Cumberland from 6–9pm, where one Rhode Soda, small bites, and lots of local-love vibes set the scene for peak Galentine’s fun. Learn more online ⸻. Wicked Best Martini 2026 Providence’s cocktail scene takes center stage at RI Night Market’s Wicked Best Martini 2026, where local bartenders pour their best creations at The Reserve on Dorrance from 1-3:30pm for an afternoon of sipping, voting, and friendly competition, all benefiting animal welfare organizations. Learn more online ⸻. Love Sucks Comedy Show Skip the romance and bring on the laughs at Book Around in Pawtucket from 8-10pm, where a killer lineup of comedians takes the mic for a night dedicated to anyone who's ever rolled their eyes at Hallmark holidays. Learn more online ⸻ Pet Adoption Event at Petco Head to Petco in Cranston from 10am-12pm to meet adorable, adoptable dogs and maybe even find your new best friend – same-day adoptions available with pre-approval. Learn more online ⸻. Tarot and Paint Night Tap into your creative side at Sons of Liberty in South Kingstown from 3-5pm, where you’ll paint a tarot-inspired canvas, sip on cocktails, and enjoy a personal tarot reading in a relaxed, beginner-friendly setting. Learn more online ⸻ The Oddities Market Jordan’s Jungle in Pawtucket hosts this two-day Valentine’s market with a dark twist, running from 10am-5pm on both days and featuring local vendors, spooky art, handmade curiosities, jewelry, spiritual readings, and all things delightfully eerie. Learn more online ⸻ Valentine’s Vendor Fair Shop local from 9am-3pm at Phantom Farms in Cumberland with 12 vendors offering handmade gifts, treats, and Valentine’s goodies, plus plenty of cozy vibes and cafe bites to enjoy while you browse. Learn more online ⸻ Newport Singles Spotlight Watch friends hype up their favorite singles at Sport and Leisure in Providence, where the crowd mingles, connections spark, and the spotlight shines from 7-9pm in this playful twist on matchmaking. Learn more online
Sunday 2/8	Bestie Bandana Bracelet Workshop Grab your favorite people for a cozy, crafty afternoon at Café Ava in Cranston from 1–3pm, where bandana bracelets, cafecitos, and laid-back bestie vibes make for the perfect pre-game hang. Learn more online ⸻ Providence Flea Valentine Market Providence Flea brings back its Valentine’s Market on Sunday with small-batch chocolates, handmade jewelry, candles, cards, a fresh-flower bouquet bar, and hundreds of creative finds from 80+ local artists, vintage vendors, bakers, and makers. Shop it all at Farm Fresh Market Hall, 10 Sims Ave, from 11am-3pm. Learn more online ⸻ Tiverton Farmers Market’s Annual Valentine’s Specialty Market Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with local flavor at the Tiverton Farmers Market’s Annual Valentine’s Specialty Market, held at the Middle School from 10am-2pm, featuring handcrafted goods, artisanal eats, and live acoustic music in a festive indoor setting full of Rhode Island charm. Learn more online ⸻ Superbowl Tailgate Party Catch all the game-day action at Medici in Providence with a tailgate party full of food, drinks, and football fun, kicking off at 5pm and rolling late into the night. Learn more online ⸻ Galentine's Floral Arranging Class Celebrate friendship at this hands-on floral arranging class in Pawtucket from 12-2pm, where you’ll create your own bouquet, enjoy a fun photo booth, and spend a sweet afternoon with your besties. Learn more online ⸻ Medium Night at George's of Galilee Join Sandy Waters at George’s of Galilee in Narragansett from 4-5:30pm for an intimate group reading where she connects attendees with loved ones who have passed, offering messages of comfort and connection by the sea. Learn more online ⸻ Superbowl Watch Party at Track 15 Track 15 in downtown Providence is pulling out all the stops from kick-off through the final whistle with chef-driven game-day specials, buckets of beer, big screens, and even a salsa dancing lesson before the halftime show. Learn more online
Monday 2/9	Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Pairing Sip and swoon at Gooseneck Vineyards in North Kingstown from 5:30-7:30pm, where curated local wines meet decadent Sweenor’s truffles for an intimate, chocolate-forward evening that’s basically romance in a glass (and a bite). Learn more online ⸻ ReThreads: Blanket Hoodie Series Turn an upcycled blanket into a one-of-a-kind hoodie at this beginner-friendly sewing workshop at 50 Agnes St in Providence from 6:30–9pm, where sustainable fashion, creative confidence, and hands-on skill-building stitch together in a cozy, community-centered setting. Learn more online

Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!

This Week on Hey Rhody Weekly: Black History Month Events You Can’t Miss in Rhode Island

February is packed with powerful stories, joyful performances, and meaningful moments across the Ocean State. On this week’s Hey Rhody Weekly, we’re highlighting a few of the many standout Black History Month events happening all around Rhode Island – from inspiring lectures and guided history walks to high-energy acrobatics and special museum receptions.

Meet Your February Furry Valentines

Looking to add a little more love to your life this month? February’s Rhody Pets of the Month introduce Buddy, Beau, and Max – three lovable animals ready to trade shelter life for forever homes and plenty of cuddles. Read more online.

⭐ What if your February plans included world-premiere ballet performed just feet away and a pig chasing Hollywood dreams? Ballet Rhode Island is kicking off the second half of its season with Made on Hope, an up-close Black Box experience featuring bold new works by local choreographers, plus Gwendolyn Goes Hollywood, a playful, family-friendly ballet based on a beloved children’s book by a Rhode Island author.

⭐ Looking for a Valentine’s Day plan that goes beyond dinner reservations and roses? Sakonnet Vineyard is celebrating love all the way through February 14 with sip-and-shop wine gifts, floral-and-wine pairings created with a local florist, and cozy vineyard vibes. On Valentine’s Day itself, stop by for tastings, cafe specials, live music, and sparkling red Chanbrusco because romance tastes better with a view.

⭐ Ready to trade winter blues for island vibes without leaving Rhode Island? Little Clam Supper Club’s February Hawaiian Night brings family-style coastal flavors, flowing drinks, and laid-back storytelling to the table, all guided by Chef Antonio Wormley’s island-inspired menu. Seats are limited for this phone-down, pass-the-plates kind of Sunday supper, so come hungry, come curious, and settle in for a night that feels like a mini vacation.