What Does It Mean to Be in Love in Austin?
Being in love in Austin isn’t like being in love anywhere else. It smells like live oak and breakfast tacos, sounds like a garage band drifting off South Congress, and feels like that particular Texas warmth — the kind that wraps around you well before the sun goes down on a February afternoon. On Valentine’s Day 2026, the capital of cool is also the capital of romance, landing at No. 12 on WalletHub’s list of the best U.S. cities to celebrate love, with high marks for activities, affordability, and atmosphere.
“In Austin, romance isn’t a performance — it’s just the default setting of the place.”
For Austin’s florists, restaurants, and small businesses, February 14 is the economic heartbeat of a difficult winter. The Texas Restaurant Association’s most recent quarterly report paints a candid picture: tariffs, rising food costs topping 30%, and icy January roads hammered local eateries heading into the new year. Valentine’s Day isn’t just romantic — it’s a lifeline, the one weekend that reliably fills dining rooms and registers in an otherwise lean stretch. Places like Cannon + Belle, Jeffrey’s, and Carpenters Hall are serving specially curated prix-fixe menus tonight, each one a love letter from Austin’s kitchen to its community.
Florists are having their own Super Bowl. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, demand for same-day blooms has surged dramatically. The Society of American Florists reports that 35% of Americans bought fresh flowers for Valentine’s Day 2025 — the highest in eleven years — and Austin’s flower shops have spent months preparing. The aesthetic this year leans softer and more sculptural: think blush, terra cotta, and locally grown orchids paired with Austin-made chocolates and candles, all rooted in the “buy local” spirit the city has always prized.
But love in Austin was never just about dinner reservations. Tonight, couples are running the 31st annual Cupid’s Chase 5K at San Gabriel Park, uncovering hidden cocktails at Here Nor There, throwing pottery at Cafe Monet, and watching bats swoop over Lady Bird Lake as the last light fades. Being in love in Austin means preferring an adventure to a script — a spontaneous walk on the Barton Creek Greenbelt over a predictable bouquet, a night at Comedy Mothership over a stiff white-tablecloth silence.
Things to Do in Austin for Valentine’s Day
- Romantic dinner at Cannon + Belle, Jeffrey’s, or Carpenters Hall (prix-fixe menus)
- Craft cocktails at the hidden speakeasy Here Nor There or The Garage
- Pottery or painting class at Cafe Monet or the Art Garage
- 31st Annual Cupid’s Chase 5K at San Gabriel Park
- Austin Ballet performance at the Long Center for the Performing Arts
- Sunset walk along the Barton Creek Greenbelt or Lady Bird Lake
- Live music on 6th Street or Red River Cultural District
What it means to be in love in Austin ultimately comes down to this: the city refuses to let love get generic. Its restaurants cook with soul, its florists arrange with local pride, and its streets give couples a hundred unexpected moments to stumble into. Whether you’re sharing a taco at 2 a.m. or watching bats take flight at dusk, love in Austin tastes like something that was made here — and could only have been made here. Happy Valentine’s Day, Bat City. ♥
Many students made their way to Austin City Hall yesterday.
More than 100 students from McNeil High School left campus shortly after 2 p.m. Friday and marched along McNeil Road. Officers arrested a 55-year-old woman who was not a student.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton continues to push for an investigation into Austin ISD over recent student walkouts.
A federal judge on Friday ordered the U.S. government to bring back an Austin college student who was deported to Honduras despite a court order blocking her removal, according to a court document obtained by the Austin American-Statesman. (Austin American-Statesman)
A 15-year-old Manor boy is in critical condition after being accidentally shot in the head by a family member early Friday morning.
A collision between a car and a train overnight.
(Timestamp is PST. Actual time of call was 2:48 a.m. CST)
An Austin man is facing animal cruelty charges in the wake of a viral video taken by a neighbor showing John Kaschak pinning his dog, Boone, in a cage on his apartment balcony and repeatedly striking the animal.
Via Facebook:
Leander police are searching for a woman who tried to sell fictitious/altered jewelry at a jewelry store.
A Kyle man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence. A Hays County jury convicted him in a case involving a violent attack on his girlfriend in front of their young children.
Love is in the air today…don’t get scammed.
Important information from our partners at @FBISanAntonio about romance scams as we head into #ValentinesDay2026. https://t.co/BDtfKFfecV
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) February 13, 2026
The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has released its findings in the death of 19-year-old Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera. The medical examiner has ruled her death a suicide.
I-35 at Riverside Drive were closed Friday morning due to police activity.
Some online users speculated that the closure was related to a possible suicide attempt at the Riverside overpass, but Austin police had not confirmed the cause. (Austin American-Statesman)
(If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless, thinking about suicide, or in emotional distress, please seek help immediately. You are not alone — support is available 24/7, free, and confidential.)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) – Call or text 988, or use the webchat at 988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (U.S. & Canada)
Austin Firefighters Local 975 is continuing to fight for one of its own.
A former supervisor at Tesla’s Gigafactory has filed a lawsuit claiming he was injured in February 2024 when roughly 150 pounds of unsecured Cybertruck parts fell on him. He says the parts dropped from a transport cart, causing a traumatic brain injury as well as damage to his spine, knee, and rotator cuff. (KVUE-TV)
Monday is a federal holiday (President’s Day) which means closures to city and county offices, no mail delivery and city swimming pools will be closed except Barton Springs Pool.
WEATHER
FRIDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Five years ago this week, more than 4.5 million Texans were left powerless for several days as sub-freezing temperatures and snow blanketed the state. Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 was one of Texas’ worst natural disasters, causing catastrophic and traumatic impacts on a majority of Texans’ lives, especially those who were most vulnerable.
An Austin high school has reported another case of whooping cough.
Influenza and norovirus are spreading throughout the Lone Star State.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a new lawsuit accuses Dallas officials of violating a voter-approved measure aimed at significantly beefing up the city’s police force.
New lawsuit from @KenPaxtonTX has dropped. This time against the city of Dallas for "insufficiently funding Dallas Police" pic.twitter.com/ChX5fpGNjN
— Brandon Waltens (@bwaltens) February 13, 2026
TEXITcoin, the cryptocurrency advertised on billboards, social media and in airports, is under an emergency cease and desist order after the company and its founder allegedly violated the Texas Securities Act.
Sen. John Cornyn is running against Texas Attorney general Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in the Republican primary. The primary election will take place on March 3.
Cornyn shares his thoughts on his Republican primary opponents.
🚨Election News: @KenPaxtonTX leads in new polling in the Texas Senate Republican Primary
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) February 13, 2026
🔴 Ken Paxton: 36%
🟢 John Cornyn: 27%
🟠 Wesley Hunt: 15%
⚪️ Undecideds: 22%
Pollster: Pulse Decision Science
Date: 2/8-11
Voters: 800 Likely Voters@TPAction endorsed Paxton this week pic.twitter.com/nFlKIhj1rm
Texas’ law banning paid ballot harvesting has been upheld in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. This decision reversed a district court ruling that had blocked the state from enforcing the ban, although that ruling had been stayed.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld Texas’ election integrity law, SB1, reversing a lower court ruling and allowing the law to remain in effect.
— Texas GOP (@TexasGOP) February 13, 2026
Signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, SB1 strengthens ballot secrecy, protects mail-in voting, and sets uniform… pic.twitter.com/7sDiOwLN3v
The hatred some Texas Republicans expressed for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime show reminds me of the racism and hatred some Texans expressed decades ago when a legendary rock station in Houston flipped formats to Latin Pop. Then, as now, they sound angry and bitter. More significantly, they sound like the past while Bad Bunny sounds like the future. We’ll get into that. Plus, faith-based groups are sticking with Attorney General Ken Paxton even while his wife divorces him “on Biblical grounds.” And: Houston Mayor John Whitmire ruffles feathers at Austin and Dallas City Halls as he slammed them during his State of the City Address. Reporting from Houston this week, our producer is the famous Evan Sherer and the original music is by Checkmayne in H-Town.
(Episode from February 13, 2026)
0:00 Primaries Shake Up – New Texas Polling
1:02 University of Houston Poll Breakdown
1:57 Sid Miller, Don Huffines & GOP Races
2:24 El Paso Airport Shutdown Explained
3:00 Tony Gonzales on FAA & Military Coordination
4:21 Should Airports Have Laser Drone Defense?
5:32 DHS Funding Standoff & Partial Shutdown
6:28 Roundtable on FAA Failures & Politics
9:23 Plano’s DART Withdrawal Vote
10:12 Mayor John Muns on Rescinding the Exit
13:47 GOP Anti-Islam Messaging Debate
14:51 Salman Bhojani on Sharia Law Claims
16:45 Reaction from Texas Muslim Community
17:20 Y’all-itics Voter Guide Preview
17:50 Roundtable: Abbott Endorsements Tested
18:56 Can Abbott’s Influence Deliver Wins?
19:22 Democrats Gaining Momentum?
20:45 Undecided Voters & Primary Uncertainty
21:14 Final Thoughts
(Episode from February 13, 2026)
In October 1964, as the South simmered under the tensions following the signing of the Civil Rights Act three months earlier, First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, began a whistle-stop tour of the South. She shattered the expectations of a presidential spouse with speeches, diplomacy, and palpable compassion as she encouraged the South to leave Jim Crow behind.
(Episode from February 13, 2026)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating whether two development companies behind a master-planned North Texas community formerly known as East Plano Islamic Center City discriminated against people’s religion or national origin.
We halted the EPIC City project.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 14, 2026
Now, the Feds are going to bury it–& The Meadow.
HUD is probing the Muslim development for violations of the Fair Housing Act.
There is a lot of scandal behind it.
Thanks to HUD & the Trump Admin. for ending Muslim developments.…
Two people from Florida died in a plane crash in Smith County.
Three workers suffered burns at ExxonMobil’s Beaumont facility during transport operations yesyerday.
No winning ticket for last night huge MegaMillions drawing.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: The No. 3 University of Texas baseball team kicked off its 2026 season in grand style, as the Longhorns mounted a 12-2 run-rule win over UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday night. Four Texas players notched multi-RBI performances, headlined by outfielders Aiden Robbins and Anthony Pack Jr.
TODAY
Due to storms expected later this afternoon, today’s Game 2 between UC-Davis and Texas has been moved up to noon.
Game 25: TEXAS (15-9, 6-5 SEC) at Missouri (17-7, 7-4 SEC)
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Longhorns have won three straight and four of their last five games entering today’s contest at Missouri. In the current three-game win streak, Texas has posted a +10.0 scoring margin (80.7-70.7) and a +9.0 rebound margin (35.7-26.7). (Texas Longhorns)
Also in the SEC today…
Two games of note today from the Big 12:
Back with our friends, @CollegeGameDay ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Euk0vIEghM
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 14, 2026
PREVIEW – #3/3 Coogs back in Fertitta Center to play host to Kansas State at 3 pm SATURDAY
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) February 13, 2026
See everyone soon!
🔗 – https://t.co/8HAOHHIwhk#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/MwXPfdddfb
MLS: The VERDE and Black continue preseason practice on the West Coast.
Daytripper host Chet Garner ventures to the highest sky island peaks and the deepest freshwater springs as he explores TNC’s West Texas nature preserves. But there’s more to the rugged Chihuahuan Desert than meets the eye. From the dark skies of the Davis Mountains to the sprawling grasslands of Marathon to the tiny endangered fish of Diamond Y Spring, West Texas is home to a unique mix of landscapes and wildlife that must be protected to preserve our state’s natural heritage.
The Nature Conservancy and The Daytripper via YouTube
