What to Do in New York City in February 2025
How to Spend the Perfect Family Day at Rockefeller Center
9 Best Coffee Shops in Midtown NYC
What to Do in New York City in January 2025
5 New Things to Do at Top of the Rock This Year
The shortest month of the year, February tends to fly by in a New York minute — so start making plans before it’s over, and commit to them no matter how low the temperatures drop.
It’s the month of romance, and there may be no better way to celebrate “puppy love” than surprising that special someone with two tickets to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. If you don’t get the thoughtful Valentine’s date and flowers you were hoping for in return, you can always take yourself to the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden.
It’s also the month of fashion, and that means another star-studded New York Fashion Week is coming to town. You’re likely to catch a glimpse of some big names sitting front row, but to guarantee yourself a celebrity sighting, you can just head to the Ethel Barrymore Theater on West 47th Street, where Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal will take the stage in Shakespeare’s “Othello” from February 24. Either way, the restaurants at Rockefeller Center offer the perfect pre- or post-show bites. Better yet, leave yourself extra time for a spin on The Rink at Rockefeller Center presented by Chase Freedom — NYC residents can score BOGO deals on tickets through February 28.
So, what are you waiting for? Button up your warmest coat, and get out there to experience our top picks for things to do in New York City in February.
Wondering what’s going on at Rockefeller Center in February? Scroll through our upcoming events, and sign up for The Center Newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox.
1. New York Fashion Week
February 6-11
Fashion’s biggest biannual event is back. New York Fashion Week runs February 6 to 11, with top designers putting their fall/winter 2025 looks on display on runways across the city, from Spring Studios in Tribeca to Skylight at Moynihan Station in Midtown West and beyond. A chic lineup of restaurants will also be serving special NYFW menus all week long, but if you’d rather stay home and watch in your finest pajamas, stream all the shows at nyfw.com.
2. Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
February 8, 10-11
Tails will be wagging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Javits Center and Madison Square Garden, a beloved 149-year-old tradition that puts some of the world’s most impressive pooches to the test. Last year, a black miniature poodle named Sage won Best in Show, but the coveted title is coming up for grabs once again. Whether you’re into hounds or terriers, sporting dogs or working dogs, expect more than one furry competitor to steal your heart. If you can’t make it to see the pups in person, you can stream the show live at westminsterkennelclub.org.
3. Kids Week at the Intrepid Museum
February 15-22
How do you keep little ones busy when it’s too cold to play outside? Enter: Kids Week at the Intrepid Museum. Kids will have a blast learning about science, technology, math, NASA, and more in creative ways, like hands-on activities and live demonstrations and performances. Plus, they’ll delight in surprise moments with special human and animal guests. Buy a New York CityPass ticket and save 40 percent off a visit to the Intrepid Museum and other iconic NYC sites, including the observation deck at Top of the Rock and the American Museum of Natural History.
4. The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden
February 15–April 27
There is no more fragrant display of beauty in the Bronx than the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show, and this year’s theme, “Mexican Modernism,” is perhaps its most vibrant iteration yet. Bright flower arrangements inspired by the colorful work of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán will instantly transport you south of the border — you may even forget you’re in wintry NYC. If you’re 21 or older, join after hours on select Saturdays for Orchid Nights, and you can dance among the flowers with a cocktail in hand. Tickets are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors and students, and $17 for kids.
5. Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival
February 16
Get ready to ring in the year of the snake, symbolizing transformation, wisdom, and new opportunities. The main event, the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade, will weave through Chinatown and parts of Little Italy on February 16, and it includes plenty of traditional food vendors and shops along its route. The parade starts at 1pm at the intersection of Mott and Canal Streets, and you’ll want to get there early to grab a viewing spot. If you can’t make it to the parade, dine at any of Chinatown’s restaurants for a festive celebration all month long.
6. Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater
February 19 & 26
Think of Amateur Night at the Apollo like a high school talent show, except many of the participants are likely to become huge stars in the next few years. The careers of major artists ranging from Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill to Machine Gun Kelly all started at this legendary event at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The grand prize for winning the Battle of the Bands-style competition is $20,000, and “child stars of tomorrow” ages 5 to 17 also get a chance to compete for $5,000. This is an interactive event, where boisterous audience members weigh in on the talent. Tickets start at $20.
7. "Othello" on Broadway
February 24
Famed Hollywood and Broadway actors Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal take the stage February 24 for opening night of “Othello,” a limited, 15-week run that puts a fresh spin on the revered Shakespeare classic. Washington plays military commander Othello opposite Gyllenhaal’s vengeful Iago. After taking London’s West End by storm, Molly Osborne crosses the Atlantic to play Othello’s wife Desdemona, and she is sure to wow New York next. The deception that ensues between the three of them promises more than two hours of blood-pumping drama.
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