NEWSLETTER
February in New York State is brimming with excitement, both indoors and out! Discover Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and Valentine's Day events, indulge in a chocolate and wine festival, groove to live music, and get your adrenaline pumping with winter sports in the Adirondacks. Savor some delicious chowder and score amazing deals on Off-Broadway shows. There's a wealth of fun and adventure waiting for you this February in New York State!
Celebrate Black History Month (Multiple Regions)
🗓️When: Multiple dates
📍Where: Statewide
Credit: @bcmkids on Instagram
Museums, attractions, and cultural institutions across New York State are hosting Black History Month events, honoring and celebrating the great contributions and achievements of African Americans. Learn about the Super Soaker inventor or become a mathematician like Katherine Johnson at The Strong National Museum of Play’s Black History Month Celebration, experience music, art, and dance at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's weeklong Black Future Festival, discover Harlem in the 1920s at the New York State Museum, celebrate Black music on an evening with the Harlem Chamber Players, and more this February.
2026 Fire & Ice Celebration (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
🗓️When: February 5-7, 2026
📍Where: Clayton
Bundle up and chill out at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel’s annual ice bar celebration, where over 40,000 pounds of ice is meticulously carved into breathtaking sculptures, martini luges, and bars. Roaring fire pits, live music, hors d’oeuvres, local wine and beer, and fireworks are also on tap to ensure a truly grand time. This festive event is organized to benefit the North Country Troopers Assisting Troops. Tickets to the event are $38 plus taxes and fees. The hotel also offers room and ticket packages.
Empire State Winter Games (Adirondacks)
🗓️When: February 5-8, 2026
📍Where: Multiple venues across in the Adirondacks
Get ready to celebrate athletes, winter, and the Adirondacks! The largest Olympic-style winter sporting event in the Northeast, the Empire State Winter Games feature a 700-mile torch relay, opening ceremony, and three full days of competitions! Witness hundreds of athletes ages 8-80 competing in cross-country skiing, figure skating, sled hockey, bobsledding, curling, adaptive winter sports, and more at venues across Lake Placid, Wilmington, North Elba, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Brighton, Paul Smiths, and Saranac Lake. Some events are free, but prices vary for ticketed events depending on the venue.
Attend a Winter Carnival (Adirondacks)
🗓️When: Dates Vary
📍Where: Saranac Lake, Lake George, and Brant Lake
Credit: @kylevt on Instagram
It’s winter carnival season in the Adirondacks! Enjoy 10 days of frosty fun and adventure at Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (February 6–15), featuring a massive Ice Palace, fireworks, parade, live music and more. The Lake George Winter Carnival (Saturdays and Sundays, February 6 – March 8) keeps things festive with outhouse races, polar plunges, horse and carriage rides, fireworks, and savory cook-offs along Canada Street. Outhouse races, human foosball, hockey and curling, broomball tournaments, sledding, and fireworks are all on the agenda for the Brant Lake Winter Carnival on February 14.
Orchids after Dark (Greater Niagara)
🗓️When: February 6-7, 13-15, 17-21, 26-28
📍Where: Buffalo
Credit: @aliciakwietniewskiphoto on Instagram
See the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens in a whole new light as you explore the magical world of Orchids After Dark. Wander through 12 greenhouses and admire brilliant orchids of all shapes and sizes bathed in the glow of hundreds of twinkling lights. It’s the perfect winter escape for families, friends, or date nights.
Saratoga Chowderfest (Capital-Saratoga)
🗓️When: February 7, 2026
📍Where: Saratoga Springs
Credit: Rachel Dymond
Grab a spoon and get ready to chow down on some chowder at Saratoga Springs’ beloved feast fest. With over 80 vendors serving up creamy and hearty 4-ounce chowder samples at $2 a pop, your taste buds are in for a treat. That’s not all – you’ll also enjoy live music and family-friendly activities throughout downtown, including the Saratoga Springs City Center and the Heritage Area Visitors Center.
Teatown Hudson River EagleFest (Hudson Valley)
🗓️When: February 7, 2026
📍Where: Croton-On-Hudson
Credit: Teatown Lake Reservation
Bald Eagles are descending upon the Hudson River for their annual winter migration meaning it’s time to let your spirits soar at the 22nd Annual Teatown Hudson River EagleFest. Witness thrilling live bird of prey shows, spot bald eagles in the wild on a bird walk, enjoy heated tents packed with crafts and games, and delicious food trucks at this all-day celebration at Croton Point Park.
Valentine’s Day Bed & Brew (Central New York)
🗓️When: February 13-14, 2026
📍Where: Cooperstown
Embark on a Valentine’s Day getaway with the help of the Inn at Cooperstown and Brewery Ommegang. Book the Bed & Brew package to enjoy a charming two-night stay at the historic hotel, a curated flight and behind-the-scenes tour of the award-winning Belgian-style brewery, and multi-course dinner in a private room at Upstate Bar & Grill. Save some time to explore Main Street, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Otsego Lake, all located just a short stroll from the inn.
Winter Music Jam 2026 (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
🗓️When: February 13-15, 2026
📍Where: Ellicottville
Credit: @visitellicottville on Instagram
Skiers and music lovers are tuning up for a high-energy weekend featuring three days of great live music in all the hotspots of the amazing ski town of Ellicottville at Winter Music Jam ‘26. After a day of skiing at nearby Holiday Valley, head to downtown Ellicottville to catch more than 15 performers covering a variety of genres at different venues and grab a bite to eat. All performances are within a four-block radius.
Camellia Festival (Long Island)
🗓️When: February 14-15
📍Where: Oyster Bay
Credit: David Almeida
Step into a vibrant winter oasis and witness over 200 striking camellia varieties in full bloom at Planting Fields Arboretum. Explore the Northeast’s largest camellia collection under glass on an expert-led tour of the Camellia Greenhouse and then step into the 67-room Gold Coast mansion to enjoy live music, typewriter poets crafting personalized keepsakes, curated tea tastings, and activity stations to create your own custom blend tea bags, paper camellia flowers, and camellia watercolor painting. You can also head outdoors to join the Great Backyard Bird Count on a guided walking tour of the grounds.
Fire on the Mountain (Adirondacks)
🗓️When: February 14, 2026
📍Where: Queensbury
Heat up your winter plans with a thrilling night of skiing, tubing, and fireworks at West Mountain’s Fire on the Mountain! Catch the famous torchlight parade, warm up by the bonfire, enjoy live music by Big Sky Country at the main lodge, and savor blazing hot food and drink specials that are sure to melt away the winter chill.
ChocoVino (Long Island)
🗓️When: February 14, 2026
📍Where: Riverhead
Photo Courtesy of Long Island Aquarium
Looking for a fun and unique way to spend Valentine’s Day? Treat your love to a five-course, chocolate-infused gourmet dinner that perfectly pairs each plate with a Raphael Vineyards vintage amid the beautiful setting of the Long Island Aquarium. Tickets are $175 per person (plus taxes and fees). The Hyatt Place is offering a $529 hotel package that includes an overnight stay and two ChocoVino tickets.
Sweetheart Rides at the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum (Finger Lakes)
🗓️When: February 14 and 21, 2026
📍Where: Canandaigua
Live out your Victorian-era dreams as you take a romantic horse-drawn sleigh glide through the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum’s scenic Canandaigua grounds. The sweetheart ride includes a long-stemmed rose and chocolates perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration. Tickets are $75 per pair. Reservations and pre-payment required.
NYC Off-Broadway Week (New York City)
🗓️When: February 16–March 12, 2026
📍Where: New York City
New York City’s Off-Broadway theaters let you enjoy world class live entertainment in creative and experimental productions, including some of the stage’s most innovative new plays in intimate settings. During NYC Off-Broadway Week, you can enjoy the best of Off-Broadway with two-for-one tickets to must-see shows!
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival (New York City)
🗓️When: February 17-March 1
📍Where: New York City
Credit: @queensbotanicalgarden on Instagram
Usher in the Year of the Red Horse with traditional ceremonies, music shows, face painting, and more at the 28th Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival, happening at Sara D. Roosevelt Park (February 17). Then get ready for the big Lunar New Year Parade & Festival in Manhattan's Chinatown on March 1, featuring dragon dancing, stunning outfits, martial art performers, and more. There will also be celebrations at the Queens Botanic Garden (February 21), Lincoln Center (February 22), and other great locations across the state.
Greater Niagara Fishing Expo (Greater Niagara)
🗓️When: February 19-22, 2026
📍Where: Niagara Falls
Credit: @gregkkoch via Instagram
Cast your line into a sea of knowledge and fun at New York’s largest fishing show. Tailored by anglers for anglers, this event boasts over 170 exhibitors and expert-led seminars to help you master the art of catching walleye, trout, salmon, or perch, plus clinics on fly fishing, kayak fishing, and more! Catch Sunday’s Super Kids Fishing Clinic where seasoned instructors guide parents and their kids through the essentials of fishing, ensuring they reel in a memorable and enjoyable experience. Single day passes are $11 single-day pass, while multi-day passes are $25.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail Chocolate & Wine Weekend (Finger Lakes)
🗓️When: February 20-22, 2026
📍Where: Participating wineries along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Create sweet moments on a self-guided tasting tour of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail blending beautiful vineyard views with fun flavors. Fifteen wineries will be serving up delicious pairings of local wines with savory and sweet chocolate-infused bites, plus three additional wine samples per stop. Tickets are $70 and include a wine glass and souvenir wine glass charm. Designated driver tickets are $25 and include a souvenir insulated travel mug, plus food samples and a non-alcoholic beverage at each participating winery. Packages that include transportation and lodging are also available.
Adirondack Winter Pride (Adirondacks)
🗓️When: February 27-March 1, 2026
📍Where: Lake Placid
Photo Credit: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism
Adirondack Winter Pride is back for its second year in Lake Placid! Join members of the LGBTQ community, their families, and allies for three days of winter fun, community, and celebration. The festivities include a skating party at the iconic Olympic Oval, an après ski party at the Cloudspin Bar & Grill, drag show at the Twisted Raven, a book and coffee mingle at the Bookstore Plus & Origin Coffee Co., and of course, skiing at Whiteface Mountain!
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