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Top Valentine's Day Parties For Singles In Philadelphia

Valentine's Day can be a heart-wrenching day for everyone. Either your heart and hands are filled with roses and chocolates or you would rather take said roses and shove them down the garbage disposal. However, if you are single and want to mingle this Valentine's Day, here are the top five places to keep your heart happy.

(photo credit: Cassie Hepler)

3rd Annual Valentine's Day Singles Run
Philadelphia Runner
1601 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 972-8333
www.philadelphiarunner.com/vdayrun

Price: $30
Hours: Feb. 14 - 6 p.m.

This sold out every year event takes a more positive spin to being single in the city. Instead of drowning your sorrows in a gallon of ice cream, why not sprint your blues away in a three mile run (or jog) through the city? Once your endorphins are running high, wind down after the finish line at Ladder 15, which happens to be right next to the start location. The ticket cost includes a post-run celebration party, two drinks, snacks, music, dancing and a Brooks running T-shirt. Anyone can join, you don't have to be single, and no one will check your Facebook status. However, wouldn't it be nice to mingle with like-minded people afterwards?

Speed Dating
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 686-5322
www.freelibrary.org

Price: Free
Hours: Feb. 6 arrive - 6 p.m.; start - 6:30 p.m. for people in their 20s and 30s Feb. 11 arrive - 6 p.m.; start - 6:30 p.m. for people in their 40s and 50s

Whoever said love don't cost a thing was right in this instance. The Free Library of Philadelphia is offering its free speed dating events for this Valentine's Day season in scaled-down size this year. You bring a book that you either love or hate as an icebreaker, spend five minutes chatting it up with each potential suitor and hopefully, have a match made in heaven after two hours. The library will e-mail you your matches after the event, then it is up to you to respond. Register at deshauteursa@freelibrary.org.

Related: Some Valentines Day Gifts You May Want To Avoid

(photo credit: Cassie Hepler)

The Vagina Monologues
University of Pennsylvania
Irvine Auditorium
3401 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-5000
www.upennvday.org

Hours: Feb. 15 to 16 - 8 p.m.

Because sometimes you have to look on the bright side of life when dealing with uncomfortable situations, "The Vagina Monologues" exists to educate and titillate. Eve Ensler's award-winning play not only helps to stop violence against women but raises money and awareness about it, too. And if you are feeling suddenly single this Valentine's Day, why not help raise funds and have some fun? Make this year less about yourself and more about helping others. You'll be amazed by how good it feels.

First Person Arts "The Ex-Files" StorySlam
World Live Cafe
3025 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1400
www.philly.worldcafelive.com

Price: $11 plus processing fees
Hours: Feb. 14 - 7 p.m. show with host Martha Cooney; 9:30 p.m. show with host R. Eric Thomas

Who wouldn't like to get up on a stage and slam their cheating ex through the spoken word? People pay for such therapy, and in this case, it's more than encouraged. Not all poetry slam tales are heartbreaking though, and some will softly pluck your heartstrings while others will leave you laughing hysterically. This romantic rollercoaster ride is not just for singles but lovers, too. Storytellers each get five minutes to make their mark on this Valentine's Day's history and share their story; feel free to bring your own.

Related: How To Spend Your Anti-Valentines Day

(photo credit: Cassie Hepler)

Pre Valentine's Day Cupid Singles Event
Ruby Tuesday's
4732 Limestone Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 995-9081
www.8minutedating.com

Price: $34.88 or $26.88 with code 8mdlisah20748 for first timers
Hours: Feb. 10 - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Perhaps one of the first companies to make speed dating a household name, 8 Minute Dating has you covered for this Valentine's Day. With an event set the weekend before the actual holiday, you may just have someone to smooch on that rose-colored weekday. The plan is simple: You must be single and between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. You show up, looking your Sunday best. Then, you are guaranteed to have at least eight interesting conversations for eight minutes with strangers who may end up being potential mates. Remember, pre-registration is mandatory to help your love connection go smoothly, and this event comes with a romantic guarantee. 8 Minute Dating claims, "We guarantee you will find someone you will want to see again or the next event is free." Now that's a win-win situation.

 Head to Philadelphia's Best Of pages for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Cassie Hepler is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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