K' Road Is Hosting a Streetwide Anti-Valentine's Party of Poetry, Comedy, Burlesque and Food

Whether you're all loved up or February 14 is a four-letter term in your household, we know the spot to be on Valentine's Day this year. Karangahape Road is holding an epic (and free) streetwide Anti-Valentine's Day celebration of love (and all its messiness) from 6–10pm on Tuesday, February 14 — with a lineup of events and experiences to titillate even the most cold-hearted of Valentine's grinches.

We've all dreamed of getting feelings off our chests by penning a (hopefully humorous) letter to our ex. Rather than send it directly to them, share it with the masses — MC Keelan McCafferty will be hosting open-mic session Letters to an Ex on the Pocket Park stage at 6pm. Stick near the stage all evening for entertainment the burlesque and comedy varieties: a 15-minute drag show will be running from 8pm, before Barnie Duncan and Matthew Crawley take to the stage for a special of their cult alt-comedy night, Cupido Stupido.

If you prefer the written word to the spoken word, track down (and perhaps fall in love with) author, rapper, poet and playwright Dominic Hoey, who'll be typing one-off poems on his typewriter. You'll find him outside George Courts from 6–7pm, then the Methodist Church from 8–9pm.

And don't miss Love Me, a giant illuminated anti-Valentine's art installation by Big Squish + Repairing Angels. Nab a selfie outside the giant heart, post it on Insta and you can win a dinner voucher for three — because anti-Valentine's celebrations mean couples are out.

Just to hammer that point home, if you happen to be in a duo, head to the Deliciously Unromantic Dining pop-up in St Kevin's Arcade. You'll be served share plates to feed your other half — the utensils you use are up to you, but the less traditional the better. The phrase "there's no such thing as a free lunch" does not apply here. This is a totally free (and we are predicting, messy) exercise.

Nathan Clarke

And along the road, all evening will be a lineup of roaming entertainers and artists: think drag artists, contortionists, burlesque performers, musicians and more. Some of the road's best bars will be slinging cocktail and food specials — and there will be specially priced sensual massages if that's your buzz.

Basically, it's all you could want for a titillating valentines night out along one of Auckland's buzziest stretches of pavement — how romantic or unromantic you find it is up to you. Should you want to up the love factor, check out some of our favourite romantic bars and restaurants in the area — including a few of our Karangahape Road faves.

The Karangahape Road Anti-Valentines Party will fill the street from 6pm–10pm on Tuesday, February 14. Register your interest on the Facebook event here or find updates on the Karangahape Road Instagram page.