28 Fun Things to See and Do in February

Don't let those mid-winter blues get you down, there are plenty of festivals, concerts and activities to do this month.

By: Jacquelyn McGilvray

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Party in Quebec City

Through February 11

For fabulous winter fun, head to the annual Winter Festival in Quebec City. Snow rafting, ice canoe racing, a bartending competition, snow baths (clothing optional), a snow sculpture competition and a masquerade ball are among the many activities.

See Punxsutawney Phil's Prediction

February 2

Bundle up, grab some hot coffee and bring your lawn chair to Gobbler’s Knob before dawn on Groundhog Day. Then watch as Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, the Prognosticator of Prognosticators reveals his end-of-winter prediction.

Chill Out at Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

February 2-13

Party Adirondack style. Since its start back in 1897, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival has grown into one of the oldest winter carnivals in America. The 10-day event showcases plenty of winter magic, from an ice palace made from blocks of ice to the coronation of a winter carnival king and queen.

Watch the Big Game

February 4

Head to Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium to see the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots go head to head for the NFL championship title. If you’re not lucky enough to score tickets, head to the Philly or Boston, you’re bound to find plenty of bowl-watching parties.

Learn About Civil Rights

All Month

Mark Black History Month with a trip to a place like the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The interpretive museum chronicles the struggles of the civil rights movement and its mission is to enlighten everyone on human rights. The High Museum in Atlanta is celebrating with an exhibit of photographs that chronicle the history and legacy of the civil rights movement. The collection demonstrates the power and potency of photography during that significant era, while contemporary works point to the ongoing struggle for equal rights.

Celebrate Bob Marley's Birthday in Jamaica

February 2-6

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley would have been 73 this year. He’s been gone and sorely missed for over 30 years, but his music still lives on. Every February for the last 26 years, Jamaica celebrates their native son’s birth with a five-day music festival in Negril, ticket prices start at just $25!

Try Heli-Skiing in Alaska

All Month

There are plenty of great skiing options around the world, but if you’re looking for an unusual extreme ski getaway, try heli-skiing in Alaska. The heli-skiing season only lasts for 12 weeks — from February through April — so take advantage of the adrenaline rush before it's too late.

Walk the Runway at Fashion Week

February 8-16

Fabulous fashionistas stay ahead of the fashion curve here. Officially known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, this biannual bash is New York City’s single-largest media event, attracting more than 100,000 fashion-industry insiders from around the world.

Watch the Winter Olympics

February 8-25

If you can make it to PyeongChang, South Korea, tickets are still available for the 2018 games. Six new events are being introduced this year including snowboard big air (men’s and women’s), speed skating mass start (men’s and women’s) and curling mixed doubles. This means that the total number of gold medal events will be 102, the most ever contested at an Olympic Winter Games.

Run in Your Underwear for a Good Cause

February 10

The annual Cupid's Undie Run bills itself as the nation’s largest pantless party. Taking place in over 30 cities, the mile-ish run is put on by Cupid’s Charity to raise money for research to help end neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disorder. Before the run there is drinking and dancing to get inhibitions down and energy up, then after the run, there is an epic dance party. Since 2012, Cupid’s Charity has raised over $14,500,000.

Smell the Flowers at Tulipmania

February 10-18

Head to San Francisco’s iconic Pier 39 for Tulipmania. You’ll see over 39,000 blooming tulips and other garden favorites. Guided tours and gardening tips are provided by Pier 39’s landscaping experts. The tours start at 10 a.m. daily at the Crab Statue in the Entrance Plaza and end with a special treat from Trish’s Mini Donuts. The tulips typically begin blooming in early February and last through mid-March.

See the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

February 12-13

Celebrate man’s best friend at the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The two-day event at New York City's Madison Square Garden features more than 2,700 pooches going tail to tail to win the coveted Best in Breed title.

March in a Mardi Gras Parade

Through February 13

Fat Tuesday — the day before Ash Wednesday — is the biggest party of the year in cities like New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. If you can’t make it to one of those places, try Mobile, Alabama; Nice, France; Venice Italy or Binche, Belgium.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day International Style

February 14

Many cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day, but they do it in a variety of ways. In Germany, not only do people exchange chocolate and flowers, they also give pigs (toy ones mostly) because they symbolize luck and lust. In Denmark, people send one another poems and rhymes on stationery cut into the shapes of flowers and snowdrops.

Attend a Horse Show

February 15-25

Visit the 63rd annual Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale, Arizona to watch over 2,400 horses compete for a chance at winning the coveted gold title. In between the competitions, there are plenty of kids’ activities like an ice cream social, pony painting (ceramic ponies, not real ones), and art contests. And the best part, kids 17 and under are free.

Celebrate Chinese New Year

February 16

Get ready to ring in the Year of the Dog. Chinese New Year also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival is celebrated all over the world. Many celebrations include parades, fireworks and lots of feasts, find one near you.

Eat Haggis at the Scottish Festival

February 17-18

The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California is hosting the 25th annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games. Experience the rich culture and history of Scotland through an array of authentic activities like dancing, piping, drumming, massed bands and athletics (warrior games) like the hammer throw and caber toss.

Go to the NBA All-Star Game

February 18

Watch as Team LeBron takes on Team Stephen at the 67th NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. There are a variety of events and competitions leading up to the game, so if you can’t get tickets to the main event, you may get lucky at one of the smaller events.

Watch the Daytona 500

February 18

The Great American Race kicks off at the Daytona International Speedway in late February, and just as it has since 1959, the annual event promises plenty of high-speed turns and velocity.

Salute the Presidents

February 19

What better way to celebrate President's Day than with a trip to Mount Rushmore. This national memorial in South Dakota features the heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Visit a Library

All Month

February is National Library Lover’s Month. Celebrate by visiting a historic or famous library or just go to your local library, and remember to bring a kid or two and show them the magic of books.

Take Someone Out to the Ballpark

Starting February 21

One of the first signs that spring is on the way is the beginning of Major League Baseball’s spring training camps. Spring training games are a great way to see up-and-coming players as well as the seasoned veterans up close in smaller stadiums; plus, the ticket prices are more affordable than the regular season. The Grapefruit League (Florida) and the Cactus League (Arizona) both start in late February and continue through opening day in early April.

Drink a Margarita

February 22

Get your tequila and limes out for National Margarita Day. Whether you’re kicking back on a tropical beach in Mexico or lazing around at home with friends, this revered day offers the perfect excuse to shake it, pour it and sip it to your heart’s content. For a little inspiration, see what goes into making a world-class margarita.

Go Gourmet in Miami

February 21-25

Hosted by Food Network and the Cooking Channel, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEFEST) is a five-day, star-studded event showcasing the world’s most renowned wine and spirits, chefs and culinary personalities from Alton Brown to Action Bronson. A tent city on the beach known as the Grand Tasting Village is filled with hundreds of wineries, restaurants, and spirits makers giving away samples and providing culinary demonstrations. If you want to hob-knob with some of the renowned chefs, tickets are available for special dinners, parties, and seminars that take place all over Miami.

See Wildlife in Chicago

February 24

Bundle up and head out to Northerly Island and come face-to-face with live animals during Polar Adventure Days. This super kid-friendly event includes a tour of Northerly Island's new natural area where you’ll see Siberian huskies, wolves, birds of prey and other live animals. You can also explore the island on snowshoes (if there's snow), make nature-inspired winter crafts and sip hot cocoa while strolling across the prairie.

Get Ready for Spring in Dallas

Starting February 24

Can’t wait for spring? Head to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden to see the largest floral festival in the Southwest. Themed "A World of Flowers," this year's festival features an explosion of color from more than 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms, thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees.

Take a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

All Month

Enjoy a gorgeous winter wonderland in Yellowstone and the surrounding areas. National Elk Refuge is closed to vehicle traffic but not to horse-drawn sleighs. The open-air rides offer a unique and amazing way to see elk, bison, eagles, foxes and other wildlife species. Yellowstone and the Jackson Hole area offer a variety of other family activities including snow tubing, skiing, snowmobiles and a year-round roller coaster.

Visit Hundred Acre Wood

All Month

London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is celebrating the magical world of Winnie-the-Pooh with an exhibit showcasing A.A. Milne’s much-loved bear. The exhibit includes music and puppetry performances, craft and digital activities for kids, original sketches from E.H. Shepard, and a teachers-only workshop. The exhibit runs through April.

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28 Fun Things to See and Do in February

Shop This Look

Party in Quebec City

See Punxsutawney Phil's Prediction

Chill Out at Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

Watch the Big Game

Learn About Civil Rights

Celebrate Bob Marley's Birthday in Jamaica

Try Heli-Skiing in Alaska

Walk the Runway at Fashion Week

Watch the Winter Olympics

Run in Your Underwear for a Good Cause

Smell the Flowers at Tulipmania

See the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

March in a Mardi Gras Parade

Celebrate Valentine’s Day International Style

Attend a Horse Show

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Eat Haggis at the Scottish Festival

Go to the NBA All-Star Game

Watch the Daytona 500

Salute the Presidents

Visit a Library

Take Someone Out to the Ballpark

Drink a Margarita

Go Gourmet in Miami

See Wildlife in Chicago

Get Ready for Spring in Dallas

Take a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

Visit Hundred Acre Wood