One of the final months of winter is here. Why not reward yourself with something fun and out-of-the-ordinary to do? Getting out of the house is the name of the game in winter and key to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Well, we’ve got a bevvy of activities for you able to accomplish just that. This month is filled with cultural celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and Carnaval, as well as the return of some of our favorite marathons and runs from around the country.
Find something new to do near your AMLI apartment this month with this guide to our favorites.
Atlanta
Feb. 4: Atlanta Winter Beer Fest
Over 150 beers are available at the Atlantic Center for this annual festival which has sold out every year. Get tickets while they’re still around! Beer is included with admission, food is not.
Feb. 5-12: The Cathedral Antiques Show
Shop from antique vendors carrying pristine and verified pieces of furniture, art, jewelry, and more at this show in partnership with The Antiques Council.
Feb. 11: Cupid’s Undies Run
Run through the streets of Atlanta in your skivvies for this fundraiser benefiting the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Undies are encouraged, but additional clothes can be worn at participants’ discretion. The self-paced run is about a mile long and open to all regardless of ability.
Feb. 25: Black History Month Parade
Close out Black History Month with a bang! The parade steps off at 1pm from the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site located at 450 Auburn Ave. NE and marches through downtown. A festival occurs before, during, and after the parade from noon to 6pm in Woodruff Park.
Feb. 25: Polar Plunge
While not exactly “polar,” the chilly temperatures at Acworth Beach in Cauble Park promise to be cold enough for many in the area. Attendees plunge into Lake Acworth to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Georgia athletes.
Austin
Feb. 15-19: OUTsider Festival
The OUTsider Festival celebrates diversity and originality among the LGBTQ community through a variety of performance and visual arts, including film, theater, dance, music, writing, visual art, and more.
Feb. 19: Austin Marathon
Lace up your running shoes! The Austin Marathon is back for another year. Participants can choose from full Marathon, half marathon, and a 5K run benefiting the Paramount Theatre.
Feb. 25: Austin Oyster Festival
The French Legation Museum hosts this festival presented by Jeri’s Seafood and HOPE Farmers Market while enjoying live music, raffle prizes, and, of course, oysters! The festival contains raw, grill, and fry bars offering a variety of oyster dishes including po’boys, fritters, shooters, and more.
Feb 25: Carnaval
You don’t have to go to Rio or New Orleans to do Carnaval right. Austin has it’s own at the Palmer Events Center. Guests can enjoy samba music, drinks, dancing and more.
Chicago
Feb. 1-9: Restaurant Week
Some of the best restaurants around the city are offering special prix fixe menus of that showcase their signature flavor profiles and cuisines. A TON of restaurants are participating, just do a little reading, and make sure you get reservations—spots at many of Chicago’s favorite eateries won’t last.
Feb. 5: Chinese New Year Parade
Chicago’s thriving Chinese community throws its annual Lunar New Year Parade. The procession of marchers, lion dancers, and decorated floats steps off from 24th Street and Wentworth Ave, then continues north along Wentworth Ave. to Cermak Road.
Feb. 24: The Art Institute After Dark
It’s not everyday you get to hang out in one of the best art museums in the world after hours. From 9pm to midnight guests congregate in the Modern Wing for special tours of the exhibition Hélio Oiticica: To Organize Delirium, as well as to enjoy complementary snacks, a cash bar, and a performance by Os Mutantes.
Feb. 25: Frost Fest Craft Beer Festival
This beer fest has 41 brewers serving their signature beers over the course of two three-hour sessions inside a massive heated tent. Attendees get 15 tickets and a 3oz sample glass to take home.
Dallas
Feb. 1-24: Discounted Arboretum admission
Pick a day, any day until the 24th of February and you and a friend or two can enjoy admission to the winter gardens at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately, the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden will be closed due to maintenance during that time.
Feb. 23: Bon Jovi
Everyone has a Bon Jovi song they love or love to hate. Catch them at the American Airlines Center for the Dallas leg of their North American tour. If Bon Jovi isn’t your thing, try Eric Church, who’s coming to the American Airlines Center on Feb. 3.
Feb. 26: Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade
The Bishop Arts District throws its 9th annual Mardi Gras celebration starting at 4 pm at West Davis and Windomere and continuing through the area. Bleacher seating is available and the parade is family-friendly.
Denver
Feb. 8: The Second City comedy show
See some of the best comedians from Chicago’s legendary sketch comedy group The Second City perform their show We’re All In This Together. The Second City is where comedians like Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and Stephen Colbert launched their careers.
Feb. 15: Sting
Sting stops by the Fillmore Auditorium as part of his 57th and 9th Tour with special guests Joe Sumner and The Last Bandoleros.
Feb. 27 – March 4: Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships
Some of the best snowboarders in the world will gather in Vail, CO to compete in half pipe and slope style competitions over the course of a week. Attendees can watch competitors such as Chloe Kim, Shaun White, Kelly Clark, and Ben Ferguson compete and practice, while also enjoying live concerts, a broomball tournament, and autograph opportunities.
Feb. 28: Banff Mountain Film Festival
Screen some of the best films about mountains and what it takes to climb them at this film festival sponsored by National Geographic, The North Face, and more. The films are selected from over 300 entries submitted by filmmakers in more than 35 countries around the globe.
Houston
Jan. 14 – April 23: Body Worlds RX
If you haven’t yet been to the Body Worlds exhibit that arrived at The Health Museum last month, now is the perfect time. This exhibit specifically focuses on diseases, how they affect anatomy, and how to live a healthier life.
Feb. 5: Super Bowl LI
So, there’s a certain big football event in town. Have you heard? And since the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have been eliminated, ticket prices have gone down as their hoard-like fan bases will not be attending in legion. Try to score seats or attend one of the many viewings in and around town.
Feb. 11, 12, & 18: Monster Jam
As if one monster truck rally weren’t enough, Monster Jam boasts three separate dates this month at NRG Stadium. Tickets start at just 5.
Seattle
Feb. 2: Free Museum Admission
Go to the museum (or several) without spending a dime. The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Museum of History & Industry, and Seattle Art Museum all offer free admission as part of the Free First Thursdays program.
Feb. 12: Seattle Bike Swap
Need some new wheels? Got an old bike that’s just got to go? Try selling it at this bike swap. For a small fee, experienced sellers will sell your bike for cash. Shoppers also have the opportunity to find parts and whole bikes ranging from rare to everyday at discounted prices. All sales are cash.
Feb. 23-36: Wintergrass
Get just the pick-me-up you need to make it through the rainy remainder of Seattle’s winter season at Wintergrass music festival, featuring over 30 bluegrass acts from the area and around the country over the course of three days.
Feb. 25: Washington Beer Open House
The Washington Beer Commission invites beer lovers in the region to head to their favorite local breweries and enjoy various different events and specialty brews at over 50 locations throughout the state. Each spot offers it’s own unique experience in celebration of the open house.
Southern California
Feb. 5: Surf City Marathon
This annual run offers marathon and half-marathon courses along the oceanfront of the Pacific Coast Highway. Scattered along the course are surf bands playing tunes and a beer garden awaits runners at the finish line.
Feb. 8-12: Laguna Beach Music Festival
Attend concerts by some of the best classical performance instrumentalists in the area and from around the world. Curated by renown cellist Johannes Moser, the festival features performances of Schubert, Bach, Schoenberg, and Moser himself.
Feb. 11: Art Crawl Experience
The Downtown Anaheim Arts District hosts this art crawl with crafts and artwork for sale, the latest exhibits on display at galleries, and food trucks in attendance providing libations and snacks. The event is held on the Center Street Promenade from Anaheim Blvd to Harbor Blvd.
South Florida
Feb. 4: The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers take the stage at the Pompano Beach Ampitheater before continuing onto Mexico as part of their ongoing North American tour.
Feb. 10: Dave Chappelle
Only recently has Dave Chappelle returned to standup comedy, but if the huge payout he received from Netflix for three comedy specials is any indication, he’s still at the top of the game. Chappelle performs all new material that’s never been released at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. Choose from 7pm and 10pm sets.
Feb. 23: Masters of Illusion
Watch some of the most incredible magic tricks of today happen right before your eyes. Performers include alumni of the popular TV show and others from around the world.
Feb. 24 & 25: Jerry Seinfeld
Comedy must be in the air in South Florida because another heavyweight is performing two shows in the area. Jerry Seinfeld performs at Hard Rock Live At The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.
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View All Posts by Nick Kotecki