February 2026 in Philly: The 40+ Biggest Events, Festivals & Exhibitions

Through Sunday, February 8, 2026

There’s still time to enjoy one of Philly’s can’t-miss annual winter events, the Philadelphia Auto Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The massive exhibition features hundreds of vehicles on display (with most major manufacturers represented), test-drive opportunities both outside and inside the Convention Center and up-close looks at the industry’s newest model year fleets.

The Black Tie Tailgate kicks off the week on the eve of the show. Note: This year, showgoers need to buy tickets online ahead of the show or bring cash to buy at the box office.

Through Sunday, February 15, 2026

The Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts the only U.S. stop (and the final stop of this worldwide tour) for this traveling exhibition celebrating a century of dreamlike imagination dating back to André Breton’s 1924 Manifesto of Surrealism.

Explore nearly 200 works by more than 60 artists from the international surrealist movement, including iconic works from the museum’s collection like Joan Miró’s Dog Barking at the Moon, Salvador Dalí’s Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War) and Dorothea Tanning’s Birthday.

While there, grab some hot-off-the-presses merch in the museum shop featuring the museum’s snazzy new logo.

Through Saturday, February 21, 2026

There’s still time to check out the We the People: Sam Maitin exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

The exhibition — displayed in the Arts Lounge — features banners, prints, studies and other works celebrating the life and works of artist, teacher, political activist and lifelong Philadelphian Sam Maitin.

Maitin spent his life promoting the arts and social causes, and his works have been seen all around Philly for decades — including bus shelters, hospital walls, educational institutions and public spaces throughout the city.

Through Sunday, February 22, 2026

The limited-run exhibition focused on artist Henri Rousseau at the Barnes Foundation fuses international works from two private collectors: French art dealer Paul Guillaume and Philadelphia connoisseur Dr. Albert C. Barnes.

Featuring 60 works by the French post-Impressionist painter, the exhibit showcases the largest collection of Rousseau paintings ever put on display at once since 2006.

Grab your tickets now to make sure you catch the show before it closes.

Through Saturday, February 28, 2026 (Thursdays through Sundays)

There’s still some time left to enjoy the wintry fun at Historic Franklin Square. February means reduced hours but plenty of activities to enjoy Thursdays through Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m., including:

• Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO: The free light show — inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s kite-and-key electricity experiment — illuminates the square with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes (select dates through February 28, 2026).
• Chilly Philly Mini Golf with LOVE: Grab your sweetie and head to the square for a LOVE-themed game of outdoor mini-golf with 18 holes, lights, music and iconic Philly landmarks (select dates through Saturday, February 28, 2026).
• Street Curling: Gather a team, channel your inner Olympian and push your stones to glory with Street Curling! Curling rinks must be rented in advance and tickets are required (select dates through Saturday, February 28, 2026).

Plus, don’t miss the relaxing firepits along with sips and nibbles at Frosty’s Fireside Lodge and Squareburger.

Through Sunday, March 1, 2026

Always an annual favorite among Philadelphia residents and visitors of all ages,  Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest celebrates 32 years on the waterfront this winter.

The cozy, cold-weather park features all of the amenities visitors know and love, including an ice skating rink (with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge serving as a breathtaking backdrop), a ski chalet-style lodge, a majestically lit holiday tree, an outdoor seating area with firepits, cozy warming cabins and plenty of hot beverages and seasonal snacks.

Through Saturday, March 14, 2026 (Dates vary by attraction)

There’s still plenty of time to visit the winter wonderland around City Hall as Winter in Dilworth Park sticks around through February and March. Bundle up in those puffy coats, rent some skates, sip on some hot cocoa and enjoy these wintry attractions:

• Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink: Strap on your skates and hit the ice at Dilworth Park’s popular outdoor skating rink, still open seven days a week. Note that tickets are required (through Sunday, February 22, 2026).
• Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin: Laps around the rink not your thing? Swing by the reimagined Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin right next door for a bite and drink indoors or by the toasty fire pit, all open seven days a week (through Sunday, February 22, 2026).
• Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn: Step into a whimsical winter wonderland and explore this outdoor topiary garden decked in shimmering lights and playful reindeer sculptures (through Saturday, March 14, 2026).

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026 (Saturdays)

52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly’s historic achievements — every week, all throughout 2026. The free celebrations take place at the original location of each first (or in spaces that represent where these significant milestones occurred) and include guest speakers, a sculpture, monthly marquee events and historic deep dives by Once Upon a Nation.

This February, celebrate the first African Methodist Episcopal congregation (February 7, 2026); the first abolitionist society (February 14, 2026); the first authentic Chinese gate built in America (February 21, 2026); and the first public protest against slavery (February 28, 2026).

Through Sunday, March 22, 2025

This January, the Arden Theatre presents the Philadelphia premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames’ play, Good Bones.

The play confronts issues of gentrification in a humorous yet biting one-act play. As a stadium project severs a community, urban planner Aisha buys a fixer-upper in her rapidly changing old neighborhood.

Theater lovers might be interested in the brand-new Citywide James Ijames Pass, offering access to three Ijames plays for $130. The Arden, Wilma Theater and Philadelphia Theatre Company partner to offer the pass available through the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center.

Through Sunday, March 22, 2026

The horticultural minds at Longwood Gardens prove winter means more than bare trees in their winter slumber during the annual Winter Wonder exhibit.

Enjoy a brisk walk around the grounds, where the gardens’ 400 acres pop with hardy lilies, and winter grasses provide texture to the landscape. Then, head indoors and bask in the warmth of the beautiful new West Conservatory — part of Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience — where Cape primroses, Japanese camellias and more fill up the space in bursts of color, while hundreds of bright orchids are in full bloom.

This year, don’t miss Longwood’s new Garden Glow after-hours series, beginning February 13, 2026 (more on that below).

Through Sunday, April 12, 2026 (select dates)

Play the song … 1-2-3-4-5-76ers! It may be cold outside, but the 2025-26 NBA season continues turning up the heat in February, so ring that bell to help the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate the franchise’s 77th year.

Get ready for three home games this month, with one game dedicated to the season-long 25th anniversary celebration of the 2001 Eastern Conference Champions (Wednesday, February 11, 2026).

February also offers two theme nights, including the legendary Dr. J’s birthday celebration (Thursday, February 19, 2026) and HBCU night (Thursday, February 26, 2026).

Through Tuesday, April 14, 2026 (select dates)

Heading into the crucial last few months of the NHL season, the Philadelphia Flyers hit the ice at the Xfinity Mobile Arena for three home faceoffs in February.

The Flyers start off the month against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 and the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, February 5, 2026 before a two-week break. They round out the month with two away games before battling the Boston Bruins on the last day of the month for an afternoon faceoff on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Through Sunday, April 26, 2026

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a survey of African American artist Noah Davis’ body of work, featuring 60 items the artist created from 2007 until his death in 2015. Arranged chronologically for this exhibit, Davis’ art centers on the lived Black experience with themes of politics, family, race and more.

Three museums partnered to organize the show: DAS MINSK in Potsdam, the Barbican in London and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Philadelphia marks the international tour’s final stop.

The showcase of work is in the Special Exhibits galleries and is included with regular museum admission.

Through Sunday, April 26, 2026

The curators at the Pennsylvania Historical Society examine the “changing faces” of America in this new, two-phase exhibit free and open to the public during library hours. The exhibit — part of the historical society’s 2026 programming — looks at the paper trail our ancestors left in their documents ahead of the other big birthday celebrations — America’s 100th and 200th birthdays.

The first phase of the exhibit opens in January and focuses on Pennsylvania in the 1800s, with a look at the 1900s coming in October.

Through Friday, November 20, 2026

Where would our country be without nurses? The Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing sets out to begin answering that question with its Nursing the Revolution exhibition.

The display explores the huge role nurses played during the American Revolution, showing that nursing did not begin with Florence Nightingale as many widely believe. The public can view the exhibit (otherwise open to Penn students, faculty and staff) by making an appointment. Email [email protected] to schedule a visit.

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026

Heroes to some, villains to others, the infamous Doan Gang once roamed throughout modern-day Bucks County during the earliest days of the American Revolution, plotting and plundering their way through a world divided.

This immersive exhibition at Doylestown’s Mercer Museum explores the Doans’ legendary exploits, from espionage and robberies to mythical lost treasures. Visitors can discover how these local outlaws schemed their way into history and why their loyalty to British rule made them enemies of the Founding Fathers. Museum entry grants access to the ongoing exhibit.

Through Sunday, January 3, 2027

A document that needs no introduction, the Declaration of Independence has shaped not only America’s history but also the trajectory of nations across the globe, too.

For America’s 250th birthday, the Museum of the American Revolution presents a special exhibition dedicated to the near and far-reaching impacts of the Declaration, which, of course, was written and signed right here in Philadelphia. The exhibit showcases other rare documents, works of art and artifacts to tell the document’s complex history.

The museum also honors Presidents Washington and Lincoln with dedicated programming on Presidents’ Day Weekend (see below).

Ongoing

Two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s work takes center stage at the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s latest exhibition — Afrofuturism in Costume Design. Carter won Oscars for her costume designs for the Black Panther films and was also just nominated in 2026 for her work on Sinners. She is the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards in any category.

The modular exhibition — with interactive elements — showcases costumes and artifacts from Carter’s esteemed career, including a rare glimpse of the artist’s personal sketches and costumes from Carter’s private collection. Visitors can see how Carter’s award-winning costumes started as hand-drawn images before becoming iconic film characters.

February 1-28, 2026 (Dates vary by attraction)

February is Black History Month, which offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate Black icons and Black culture at special events and programming at attractions and museums across Philadelphia, including:

• Black Art, Black Voices Tour at Philadelphia Museum of Art: Philadelphia’s premiere art museum offers a one-hour tour showcasing Black art and artists throughout the month of February from 2 to 3 p.m. Tours come with museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis with space for 20 guests on each tour (February 2-28, 2026).
• Black History Month Celebration at Please Touch Museum: Philly’s favorite children’s museum honors Black history with hands-on workshops and activities to teach kids all about Black changemakers throughout history (Saturday, February 7, 2026).
• Black History Month at the Free Library of Philadelphia: Black History takes center stage at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 50-plus branches. The expansive list of programs includes hands-on activities like story quilting at Parkway Central Library (Thursday, February 19, 2026), author talks and tons of immersive programming.

As Philly continues to rack up culinary accolades, there’s never been a better time to celebrate the soul of the city’s vibrant food scene as The Tasties award ceremony returns for its second year at the Live! Casino & Hotel.

The red-carpet event (which sold out last year!) brings together Philly’s top chefs and restaurateurs, the passionate diners who support them and celebrity presenters.

The Delicious City podcast hosts the event honoring the hospitality workers who strive to make dining in our city an unforgettable experience. Tickets (VIP or Full Experience) are required.

Opera Philadelphia presents the world premiere of an opera libretto from Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson. Complications ensue in this opera centered on Sue, a woman with an incredibly complicated personality.

One actor, four singers, one librettist and ten different composers tell the story of Sue’s life as it unfolds on stage decade by decade, each with a different score. “Pick Your Price” ticketing options return for the show that runs February 4 to 6, 2026 with a matinee on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at the historic Academy of Music.

The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to Marian Anderson Hall for its annual presentation of Prokofiev’s timeless tale, Peter and the Wolf. Youngsters delight in the story that comes to life through an array of orchestral instruments — Peter’s strings, his grandfather’s bassoon and the Wolf’s horns — with narration from audience favorite Michael Boudewyns.

Naomi Woo conducts the popular show, part of Ensemble Arts’ buy-two-or-more Family Discovery Series savings package. Ticket buyers can save up to 25% when purchasing tickets to two or more shows.

Celebrating 34 years of promoting African American children’s literature, the annual African American Children’s Book Fair returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center this February.

The free event offers an opportunity to meet and listen to nearly 40 Black authors and children’s book creators — like Nikki Grimes, Derrick Barnes and Ibi Zoboi — and participate in a variety of literacy activities.

Promotions, giveaways and games with literacy prizes round out the afternoon, along with a marketplace showcasing the best in Black literature from preschool to young adult.

The Miller Theater transforms into an immersive dance and theatrical performance for one night when Step Afrika! brings its blend of step, storytelling, songs and humor to the stage. Audience members can expect to join in the fun as the group leads everyone through the art of stepping.

The dance ensemble meshes the percussive dance common among African American sororities and fraternities with both traditional and contemporary dance styles, incorporating claps, steps and spoken word. The performance is part of Ensemble Arts’ buy-two-or-more Family Discovery Series savings package.

You know the story: Girl meets beast. Girl falls in love with beast. Beast undergoes a life-changing transformation. Girl and beast live happily ever after.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast comes to life on stage at the historic Academy of Music with a cast of wacky and lovable characters, a timeless score and a heart-warming, family-friendly tale (recommended for ages 6 and up).

Members of the show’s original creative team reunited to present the beloved classic movie, part of Ensemble Arts’ Broadway series.

As the Great Depression descends on 1930s Harlem, a group of five friends struggles to find their big break when a stranger from the south appears. Will he help them realize their dreams or dash their hopes?

Blues for an Alabama Sky captures the final days of the Harlem Renaissance as cultural shifts and economic uncertainty make for tough times amidst increasing racism and sexism.

Lantern Theater Company brings the emotional production of Pearl Cleage’s drama to the stage at St. Stephen’s Theater in Center City.

Opens Friday, February 13, 2026

Visitors to the National Constitution Center get their first chance to experience the new America’s Founding gallery on Friday, February 13, 2026 when the space officially opens to the public as part of the center’s extended Presidents Day Weekend programming.

The gallery tells the story of how early Americans fought for independence and ultimately laid the legal groundwork for our democracy. In addition, visitors to the new space can see an original copy of the U.S. Constitution — one of only 14 surviving — on display throughout 2026, along with rare first printings of 17 constitutional amendments.

February 13 – March 8, 2026 | 5- 10 p.m. (Friday through Sunday evenings)

The Conservatory and Main Garden Districts at Longwood Gardens get a literal glow-up in February for the new Garden Glow exhibits. The horticulture wonderland in Kennett Square transforms into an ethereal world with luminaria, floral installations and biodegradable sparks flickering in the night sky like fireflies.

Available rain or shine on Friday through Sunday evenings, Garden Glow tickets come with all-day admission to Longwood, perfect for a daytime winter wander before the gardens get their glow on. Don’t miss the Seeking Light: Bonsai Illuminated exhibit that uses blacklights to show off the intricate beauty of the manicured trees.

Grammy Award-winning violinist and MacArthur Fellow Johnny Gandelsman performs a solo program in his This is America series, where he’s commissioned works from composers across the country to embody current societal themes and turn them into new musical compositions.

This event features the world premiere of a work by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and Penn professor Tyshawn Sorey for two shows: Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church and Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 3 p.m. at the Annenberg Center’s Prince Theatre.

Telling the story of America’s battle for independence through personal accounts, the Museum of the American Revolution delves into the Revolutionary War and the country’s early years through relics, documents, works of art, rotating exhibits and special events.

Among the most apt for the museum, February brings a celebration of Presidents’ Day Weekend, this year focusing on the leadership and legacy of presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Hands-on demonstrations and crafts, discovery carts and pop-up talks give visitors a glimpse into the lives of these two iconic presidents.

February 14 – March 7, 2026 (select dates)

Note: As of February 12, 2026, the four Black history tours are sold out. Still interested in attending? Join the waitlist on each tour company’s Eventbrite page (here and here).

For Black History Month this year, Visit Philadelphia (that’s us!) has partnered with 1838 Black Metropolis and The Black Journey to offer four free, professionally guided walking tours throughout the city’s historic Seventh Ward — as well as at sites where the city’s Black forebears walked, talked and helped shape the nation.

The tours — part of Visit Philadelphia’s ongoing Indivisible series — coincide with the year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday and aim to explore the lived experiences of our shared multicultural history.

• 1838 Black Metropolis 101: This family-friendly tour guides you on an exploration of Philadelphia’s early free Black community, stopping at historic spots to share stories of what life was like for Black Philadelphians before the Civil War (February 14 & 21, 2026 | 11 a.m.).

• The Seventh Ward Tour: This tour explores the city’s historic Seventh Ward — once the epicenter of Black cultural, civic and political life. Intended for more mature participants, the tour stops by iconic institutions while also discovering the unvarnished history of the neighborhood, including instances of racial violence (February 28 & March 7, 2026 | 11 a.m.).

The tiniest creatures come alive in Eric Carle’s iconic children’s books, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The illustrations of these Small Living Things take center stage at the Michener Art Museum’s latest exhibit, showcasing the author-illustrator’s art.

Opening on Valentine’s Day, the exhibit at the Doylestown museum features original art from beloved Carle titles like: The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Busy Spider and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Visitors also have the opportunity to see Carle’s early sketches along with a peek into the artist’s process.

No need to leave the city to enjoy a Universal theme-park experience. The world-premiere exhibition, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.

Spanning 18,000 square feet and eight immersive galleries, the experience showcases more than 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from world-famous rides, attractions and live shows. And, in true Franklin Institute form, the display has an educational focus, playing up all the technology, engineering and artistry involved in theme park design.

February 16-21, 2026 (dates vary by event)

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, flips the calendar during the month of February, and the city celebrates with fireworks, events and plenty of food — centered in Chinatown and extending throughout the region. The holiday starts each year on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and lasts for 15 days through the first full moon. These events welcome the Year of the Horse in 2026:

• Philadelphia Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown: Chinatown welcomes in the Year of the Horse with a late-night parade featuring music, food, traditional lion and dragon dances and plenty of fireworks and firecrackers. The parade — all meant to bring good luck to the local community — starts at 10 p.m. at 10th and Spring streets. Event organizers provide earplugs, but you can also BYO. The family-friendly event also includes games and prizes (Monday, February 16, 2026 | 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.).
• Lunar New Year 2026 at Pearl S. Buck International: Bucks County’s Pearl S. Buck House (former home of The Good Earth author) joins with Central Bucks Chinese American Association for a family-friendly event in Perkasie with activities, live entertainment and eats while learning about those who celebrate (Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
• Lunar New Year Lion Dance on State Street in Media: Join the Hung Gar Kung Fu academy group for a festive Lion Dance performance on State Street in front of Media’s Plum Street Mall, along with dancing, music, food and retail vendors (Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 2 p.m.).
• Lunar New Year in Dilworth Park: Ring in the Year of the Horse during Winter at Dilworth Park with a grand celebration in front of City Hall featuring traditional Chinese dancers, a Lion Dance and a special menu at Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin (Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 5 to 7 p.m.).

The annual Philly Home + Garden Show draws 300-plus exhibitors and experts to Montgomery County’s Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for three days of activities, events, displays, showcases and swag.

Specialists set up on the 7,500-square-foot expo floor offering inspiration in categories including gardening, landscaping, interior design, architecture, construction, renovation, automotive, electronics, health and wellness, pools, appliances, décor and more.

Main stage speakers for 2026 include the Emmy Award-winning host of PBS’ This Old House, Kevin O’Connor, as well as the host of Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean, Captain Sandra Yawn.

Snag your ticket now with promo code VISITPHILLY for 50% off general admission.

Founded on principles of equality, Philadelphia is a welcoming and inspirational place for LGBTQ+ travelers, offering inclusive arts and nightlife, vibrant shopping and dining, and a long history of LGBTQ+ activism. Philly begins a new chapter of inclusion in 2026 with the opening of one of America’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ visitor centers.

The Philly Pride Visitor Center in Midtown Village is slated to offer souvenirs, attraction ticketing, itinerary planning and other travel information, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ and ally businesses, destinations and cultural institutions. The center also highlights Philly’s role in LGBTQ+ rights and history.

Philly Beer Fest returns to the 23rd Street Armory for this indoor event celebrating Pennsylvania’s rich brewing culture. The 21-plus fest features nearly 30 of the state’s top breweries, including Philly favorites like Triple Bottom Brewing, Urban Village Brewing Company and Evil Genius Beer Company, along with food trucks and other food options for purchase and live music.

Participants can choose to partake in sampling during one of two separate sessions (noon to 4 p.m. or 5-9 p.m.), with unlimited tastings included with ticket purchase. “Early admission” tickets to each session give festivalgoers four-hour access while general admission grants standard three-hour access.

Why wait for summer brew season when you can beerfest in the heart of chilly season at Kennett Winterfest in Chester County?

Lagers, stouts, hazy IPAs, hard ciders and other beers from across the region, nation and world are available for sampling at the afternoon-long celebration of brew life — along with live music and food vendors — in beautiful Kennett Square.

Tickets feature all-you-can-drink beer samples from nearly five dozen breweries, including local favorites like Attic Brewing Company, Tired Hands Brewing Company and Victory Brewing. Non-drinking/designated driver tickets are also available at reduced prices.

A city staple since 1829, the annual Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia Flower Show — the oldest and largest indoor horticultural event in the world — draws tens of thousands to the Pennsylvania Convention Center each year.

The floral spectacle, returning in 2026 for its 197th year, brings together hundreds of florists, landscapers and designers for one of the city’s most anticipated yearly events.

The 2026 theme —  Rooted: Origins of American Gardening — coincides with the semiquincentennial and looks back at horticultural legacies and cultural practices that shaped our current gardening landscapes.

Dates vary by show

It might be frigid outside, but stages across the Greater Philadelphia area continue to heat up with K-pop, rock, jazz, soul and so much more. Check out February’s hottest concerts:

• The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Sunday, February 1, 2026)
• Loudon Wainwright III & Chris Smither at Penn Live Arts (Sunday, February 1, 2026)
• Turnpike Troubadours / Robert Earl Keen at The Met Philadelphia (Thursday, February 5, 2026)
• Electric Guest with SNACKTIME at Union Transfer (Friday, February 6, 2026)
• Tyshawn Sorey: Members, Don’t Git Weary at Penn Live Arts (Friday, February 6, 2026)
• Kashus Culpepper at The Foundry (Sunday, February 8, 2026)
• Brandi Carlile with The Head and the Heart at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)
• Mohini Dey at City Winery (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)
• Aliah Sheffield at City Winery (Sunday, February 15, 2026)
• Monaleo at The Fillmore (Sunday, February 15, 2026)
• Langhorne Slim at Ardmore Music Hall (Sunday, February 15, 2026)
• JADE at The Fillmore (Monday, February 16, 2026)
• Lauren Spencer Smith at The Fillmore (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at The Met Philadelphia (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)
• Say She She at Ardmore Music Hall (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)
• Alejandro Escovedo & The Electric Saints at Sellersville Theater (Thursday, February 19, 2026)
• Larry Fleet at Keswick Theatre (Thursday, February 19, 2026)
• Margo Price at Theatre of Living Arts (Friday, February 20, 2026)
• Miguel at The Met Philadelphia (Saturday, February 21, 2026)
• Freya Skye at The Fillmore (Saturday, February 21, 2026)
• TWICE at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)
• Mavis Staples at The Colonial Theatre (Thursday, February 26, 2026)
• Kurt Elling at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts  (Friday, February 27, 2026)
• dodie at the Theatre of Living Arts (Friday, February 27, 2026)
• The Record Company at Union Transfer (Friday, February 27, 2026)
• Ben Arnold / James Maddock at Sellersville Theater (Friday, February 27, 2026)

Black history is Philly history, and Black History Month offers a special opportunity to reflect on the Black experience, commemorate the contributions of Black figures, and pave the way for a more just and equitable future.

Learn about the works of Black trailblazers at Philly institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the National Constitution Center. Celebrate Black artists with annual performances at the Academy of Music. And discover a new favorite shop or restaurant while supporting the many Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia.

Gōng xǐ fā cái! Philly and its large and proud Chinese population does Lunar New Year right each year, offering opportunities to celebrate with traditional performances, special cuisine, festive parades and the exchanging of lucky red envelopes of good wishes and prosperity throughout the city.

Explore cultural celebrations at institutions like the Pearl S. Buck House and enjoy festivals at sites including Chinatown and Dilworth Park, many showcasing the talents of the iconic Philadelphia Suns and their popular traditional Lion Dance.

Restaurants across Philadelphia offer seasonal menus filled with warm, hearty selections of soups, stews and roasted entrees. But what really warms the heart (and hands) during winter is a quaint dining space with a roaring fireplace to boot.

Check out some of Philly’s coziest eateries with fireplaces like the wood-burning blaze at The Plough & the Stars, the British-inspired hearths on both floors at The Dandelion, the indoor/outdoor connecting fireplace at Suraya, the exposed brick ingle at 59 Almshouse in Richboro or the poured-concrete spot under the skylight at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons.

While winter’s cold may have you longing for the indoors, February means quieter trails, perfect for enjoying the season’s understated (sometimes snowy!) beauty. Hike and explore hundreds of miles of trails across Philly’s expansive parks and green spaces.

Bundle up and head out to Forbidden Drive and the Wissahickon Creek trails of Wissahickon Valley Park, uncrowded offseason paths throughout Pennypack Park, and brisk views from high atop Fairmount Park’s Belmont Plateau. If you want to level up your outdoor game, hit the 2.4-mile cross-country and snowshoeing trail at Spring Mountain Adventures in Montco.

While the weather outside may be frightful, the Xfinity Mobile Arena heats up in February. The arena has warmed the hearts of fans since 1996, where all three of Philadelphia’s indoor pro teams — the NBA’s 76ers, NHL’s Flyers and NLL’s Wings— hit their midseasons in February on the court, ice and turf, respectively.

It’s not all professional sports action. As March Madness nears, the Villanova Wildcats face the UConn Huskies on Saturday, February 21, 2026 and big names roll through to play live concerts at the 21,000-capacity venue.

Stages across Philly’s plethora of iconic theaters and playhouses continue to sizzle, perfect for warming up from those chilly February temps. As holiday events wrap for the season, the theater season remains in full swing with stage shows and musicals with Broadway magic, heartfelt scores, classic texts and world premieres.

Performances across the Greater Philadelphia area delight audiences with new interpretations and timeless classics in venues like the Academy of Music, the Miller Theater, The Wilma Theater and Walnut Street Theatre in the city and Bristol Riverside Theater, The Media Theatre and Bucks County Playhouse in the countryside.

Even though the amount of daylight continues to increase, February still brings chilly temps to Philly. Daytime high temperatures average 44 degrees Fahrenheit with overnight lows down around 28 degrees. (February’s thermometer hit a record high of 79 degrees in 1930, and has seen temps occasionally climb into the 70s.)

Snowboots should remain on standby, as February often brings wintry weather to the region. Snowfall averages about 8 inches in total, making February the snowiest month of the year. And, snow can pile up quickly, as with 2010’s Snowmageddon storm which dumped a February record of 22 inches. During the shortest month, the sun shines just about six hours per day, with around nine days experiencing some rainfall that’s not frozen precipitation.

The Philadelphia region stretches into the surrounding four-county countryside of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, offering even more parks, restaurants, attractions, shopping, history and fantastic events worth a drive or a train ride.

Annual February suburban highlights include Winter Wonder at Longwood Gardens, Indoor Mini Golf at Linvilla Orchards, shows like the Philly Home + Garden Show and Philadelphia Gift Show at Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and Kennett Winterfest in Kennett Square. Musically inclined? Catch hot indoor live music at Keswick Theater in Glenside, Bensalem’s Xcite Center and Sellersville Theatre.

Philly’s performing arts scene is hot in February, with plays, musicals, dance, kids’ events, comedy and more throughout the region.

Catch fresh-from-Broadway shows along with Opera Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Ballet at the Academy of Music (plus more Broadway at the Forrest Theatre), The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center, and music and dance at Miller Theater and Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Or see the thespians hit the stage at historic Walnut Street Theatre and the Tony Award-winning Wilma Theater in the city, and Act II Playhouse, Bucks County Playhouse and Media Theatre in the countryside.

February means excitement in the Philly sports scene. At the Xfinity Mobile Arena, the 76ers, Flyers and Wings battle for mid-season wins in front of throngs of enthusiastic fans. At hallowed college basketball halls like The Palestra, the six local Big 5 teams gear up for March Madness bids, while soccer fans gear up for the Philadelphia Union’s season opener.

No matter the outcome, the fans always win big as they take in a game with friends and family, enjoy stadium food and drink, cheer and boo and, of course, hang out with Gritty.

February in Philly usually means fewer visitors, making it the perfect time to visit if you’re looking to avoid crowds. With winter’s chill in the air and spring break still weeks away, shorter lines mean you’ll have more time to enjoy the activities, museums and historic sites the region has to offer.

But here’s a little secret. Fewer visitors doesn’t mean any less excitement, with plenty of high-energy events across the region for folks like the 20,000 DIY’ers passing through the doors of the annual Philly Home + Garden Show and the beer fans sampling suds from nearly five-dozen breweries at Kennett Winterfest.