If you can make it through February, you’ll bask in the rewards of springtime, when daylight lasts past 5pm. But until then, there’s still plenty to do and celebrate in New York City during the second month of the year. The Art in Focus series is back at Rockefeller Center, and The Rink is still open, with theme nights every Thursday through mid-March.

February may have a reputation as one of the quieter moments in the city, but it’s still filled with incredible concerts and sporting events and hosts many culturally-rich holidays and happenings, including celebrations of the Chinese New Year and Black History Month. There’s a lot to pack into the shortest month of the year, so plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Here are our top five 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.

Person in a dragon costume at the Chinese Lunar Parade

Photo by Ivan Kokoulin

1. Chinese Lunar New Year Parade and Festival

February 12

Get ready to ring in the year of the rabbit! Every February, the Chinese Lunar Parade celebrates the New Year in Chinatown. The parade weaves through Chinatown and parts of Little Italy and includes food vendors, small shops, and more. If you can’t make it on February 12, you can still visit and support some of Chinatown’s restaurants to celebrate a new beginning. Walking through Chinatown is a magical experience that everyone should make time for, even if you’re just passing through the city.

Gucci tracksuit on display at the Fashion Institute of Technology

Photo courtesy of the Fashion Institute of Technology

2. “Fresh, Fly and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style” at the Museum at FIT

Beginning February 8

What began in a Bronx recreation room in August of 1973 – at DJ Kool Herc’s back-to-school party – has since grown into an international phenomenon. Hip-hop is not just a genre of music, but a lifestyle, and the new exhibition at the Museum at FIT pays homage to one of its biggest contributions: fashion. The exhibit, which opens on February 8 and runs through April 23, tracks hip-hop’s evolution from an outsider’s movement to one that has permeated almost every facet of mainstream dress. Honoring the innovators of yesterday, like Dapper Dan and Karl Kani, as well as those continuing to push the envelope today, “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous” is a tribute to one of the world’s most enduring cultural influences.

Tovah Feldshuh and Lea Michele performing

Photo by Matthew Murphy

3. Broadway Week

Through February 12

What’s better than Broadway? Broadway on a budget. Running through February 12, New York City’s Broadway Week is offering 2-for-1 tickets to some of the best musicals out there. Treat yourself to a long-running favorite like Chicago or get a taste of something new with Pictures From Home starring Nathan Lane. Even notoriously hard-to-come-by tickets for shows like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are included in this unbeatable deal – so don’t wait to book!

C.P. Lacey on stage during Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater

Photo by Elena Olivo

4. Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater

Starting February 22

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. Artists like Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, and H.E.R. have all passed through the doors of the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The grand prize for winning this “battle of the bands”-style competition is $20,000 — and it’s been known to launch many musical careers. Beginning February 22 and returning every Wednesday through June, this iconic night might just introduce you to the stars of tomorrow. Tickets start at $29, and Harlem residents and students can enjoy 50% off the admission fee. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Wetland walkway and overlook at Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park

Photo by David Lloyd/SWA

5. Architecture Now: New York, New Publics at MoMA

Beginning February 19

MoMA’s newest exhibition series, Architecture Now: New York, New Publics, looks at 12 public-facing projects throughout the city’s five boroughs. Bringing together a spectrum of designs that range from parks and schools to community gardens and subway stations, the exhibition considers the role of public spaces in our urban lives. Each project is also accompanied by a video produced by Brooklyn-based Hudson Lines that helps to anchor these spaces in reality by showing their daily use. Looking to showcase groundbreaking projects and fresh ideas, the exhibition will highlight the many possibilities available to use through the thoughtful use of architecture and design.

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