February might be the shortest month of the year, yet it’s packed with plenty to do in Houston. Lunar New Year celebrations, Mardi Gras, crawfish, and more: read on to discover the very best things to do this February in Houston!
1. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
Whether searching for wonderfully distinct classical music performance or an ambiance imbued with romance, this Candlelight is tailor-made for you. You don’t have to be an expert in all things Tchaikovsky to revel in the evening; just relax and immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere and enchanting pieces that will fill the air.
Step into one of the city’s most opulent venues this February in Houston, where the walls will be gently aglow with candlelight, crafting a truly magical setting. Get ready to be transported to celestial heights with cherished wintertime classics from the likes of Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and other revered composers!
2. Dine in the Dark
Have you ever considered the sensation of dining in complete darkness? Respected psychologists have long championed the idea of experiencing a meal in the absence of visual stimuli as the ultimate gastronomic adventure.
Once you’ve secured your blindfold in the dimly lit room, illuminated only by candles, you’ll quickly discover that immersing yourself in the exclusive realms of taste and smell can be a truly illuminating journey—assuming, of course, that you’re not averse to embracing the darkness!
3. Celebrate Mardi Gras! in Galveston
From February 21 – March 4, Mardi Gras! Galveston will takeover the town with a non-stop carnival celebration as the third largest Mardi Gras festival in the country, expecting a draw of over 350,000 attendees. Here visitors can enjoy a carousel of colorful floats, parades, concerts, parties, and more!
4. Eat your way through Crawfish Season
Sure, we have a soft spot for the holidays, but when it comes to culinary delights, it’s tough to surpass the pinnacle of crawfish season in the Bayou City. If hosting your own crawfish boil isn’t on the agenda, you can still indulge in the messy and delicious experience at our top 10 favorite crawfish spots in Houston.
5. Experience Eternity at this Breathtaking Infinity Room Exhibition
“Iconic” almost seems inadequate to describe the creations of Yayoi Kusama. Her kaleidoscopic infinity rooms are nothing short of mesmerizing, captivating audiences worldwide. Those fortunate enough to step inside are left breathless, while those who witness them from afar can’t help but be consumed by envy.
Now, residents of Houston have the opportunity to encounter the ineffable as MFAH proudly hosts Kusama’s “Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity.”
6-11. Celebrate the Season of Love
While by no means should Valentine’s Day be the only day that you celebrate your partner, it is an ample excuse to put those put-off date plans in order. Romantic restaurants, creative date ideas, movie nights, flower shops, and more: here’s a little inspiration for how to spend Valentine’s Day in Houston!
- 16 of the most romantic restaurants in Houston
- 15 romantic spots in Houston for lovers to love
- 55 unique date ideas in Houston
- 10 blooming flower shops in Houston
- 10 must-see movies screening in Houston theaters
12. Go Skating at the Foot of the Houston Skyline
Discovery Green has unveiled its February program with a variety of incredible events including The Moth Project Live, a Lunar New Year celebration, a Black History Month Cultural Celebration, and the return of its incredible outdoor roller rink. The rink opens up Friday, February 21!
13. Let it Fly at Flight Club
Houstonians can get a taste of UK pub culture, but with a modern twist at British-based gaming pub, Flight Club, which is throwing itself into the Houston bar scene with its 21st century digitized dart boards, sharing boards, and bespoke cocktails.
14. Celebrate Lunar New Year
Join in the Lunar New Year festivities this February in Houston! This year, the Lunar New Year, also recognized as Chinese New Year, runs into early February with a fantastic array of festival, markets, celebrations, and more!
15. Catch a Concert
February is lining up to be a pretty good month for live music in Houston. From the dreamy jangles of Real Estate, to the genre-bending soul of Jorja Smith, Dream Theater, Faye Webster, Soccer Mommy, Cursive, and more: hit the link to discover the best concerts in Houston this month!
16. Go to a Stand-up Comedy Show
It’s headliner city this February in Houston. For stand-up fans, some of the funniest people in the world are performing in Houston this February. Comedians performing in Houston this month include: Katt Williams, Russell Peters, Kumail Najiani, Kyle Kinane, Andrea Jin, and more!
17. See the Store Behind the Magic Door
CAMP is an experiential family store described as “part toy store, part party venue, part immersive theater space”. On February 28, CAMP will open in a 7,500-square-foot space in Galleria Houston. In celebration of its opening, the venue will host a special Bluey X Camp experience for a limited time!
18. See All The Movies
Explore the offerings and show schedules at our featured AMC movie theaters in Houston, secure your Fever ticket, and enjoy a fantastic time out! Whether you’re seeking entertainment on a rainy afternoon or planning a special date night, AMC Theatres® has your access to top-notch dramas, action-packed films, and everything in between—all just a click away.
19. See ECHO by Cirque du Soleil
The iconic Cirque du Soleil is ready to introduce its latest production to Houston this February. Running from February 6 to March 9, ECHO is a fantastic exploration of connections, unions, and intentions told through jaw-dropping acrobatics, evocative music, and a universe of lights, projections, and color.
20-23. Cozy Up at Houston’s Best Coffee Shops
Get yourself a cup of the caffeinated stuff at the best coffee houses in Houston.
- Rev up your mornings at the motorcycle and coffee garage.
- Secret Garden offers various international coffees with options in the form of Vietnamese, Greek Espresso, Greek Freddo Cappuccino, Turkish Coffee, and more.
24. Sneak in to a Sneakeasy
Now open in Midtown, Sneaks is a new coffee shop and lounge that combines ’90s nostalgia with R&B, coffee, and sneakerhead culture. When the evening rolls around, the venue opens up its “sneakeasy” where patrons can enjoy an array of cocktails.
25-28. Hit the Dive Scene
Whether you’re weathering the storm, shooting a round of pool, grabbing a cheap beer, or to queuing up a song on a jukebox, check out our list of our favorite dive bars in Houston.
- An homage to small Texas town dives, specifically the town of Ezzell, EZ’s Liquor Lounge is a late-night vintage bar adorned in Americana relics, hand-crafted furniture, and glowing neon light.
- Those who leave up their festive decorations year round, like the people over at Grand Prize Bar, are complete freaking lunatics – and we love them for it.
- La Carafe Wine Bar is a historic haunt housed in a building that’s stood for over a century and remains to be the oldest in the city of Houston.
29. Share a Bottle of Wine at this Twinkly Courtyard
Find exquisite cocktails, shareable plates, and a breathtaking atmosphere at Simone on Sunset’s European-style courtyard and wine garden.
True to its name, Simone on Sunset can be found at 2418 Sunset Blvd. Approaching this hidden gem in Rice Village, you’re greeted by a captivating sight of patio lights. Hanging from the awning, winding up the trellises, and casting a warm glow over the courtyard, the lights create a charming and lively atmosphere in the garden..
30-34. Explore Houston’s Awesome Markets
Markets are surging in Houston these days. Recently, the city has been blessed with not one but two mixed-media markets, that which continue to host headlining musicians, art galleries, expositions, and excellent eateries.
- The former USPS warehouse as a new a cutting-edge, multi-purpose, multi-layered facility with a complete technical re-design, multiple double-helix staircases, a trio of skylit atriums, and a FIVE-ACRE ROOFTOP PARK.
- Lyric Market, owned and operated by Hospitality HQ, hones predominately on dining and chef-driven experiences.
- In East End, Ironworks, an industrial building and development covering 60,000 square feet, has undergone a recent evolution into a cultural center. By employing more than 20 repurposed shipping containers, Ironworks, formerly known as Cameron Iron Works established in 1920, has shaped the area into a dynamic combination of creative workspace and retail environment in recent years.
- Enjoy awesome eateries, games, Happy Hour, and more at Underground Food Hall in Houston
35-41. Eat Your Heart Out
Houston’s culinary scene is a vast, rich landscape populated with delicious eateries, scrumptious bakeries, and Tex-Mex as far as the eye can see.
- Whether it’s a classic Neapolitan-style Margherita, a traffic cone-sized slice, or some warped creation piled high with everything and the kitchen sink – we don’t discriminate when it comes to pizza. Any way you slice it, here’s 10 of the best pizza parlors in the Houston area!
- Not all buffets are created equal. When seeking out a local in which to stock up on calories to last you the winter hibernation, we recommend heading to one of our 10 favorite all-you-can-eat buffets in Houston.
- Whataburger, Taco Bell, McDonald’s – the usual suspects when it comes to late-night munchies. Sometimes, though, you got to broaden your horizons, especially when a glorious late-night food scene of delis, pizzerias, taquerias await in the city of Houston.
- Hot, cold, rain, or shine, ice cream is a good call on any day. Here’s the scoop on where to find the best ice cream in Houston
- Like breakfast tacos, kolaches are synonymous with breakfast in Texas. Savory, comfortable, portable – perfect for an on-the-go breakfast, or bought-by-the-dozen hangover cure. Unlike similar handheld breakfast staples such as donuts, bagels, and croissants, it’s not so easy finding kolaches outside of Texas. We’d probably travel more if you could, but for now, we’ll stay here in Houston with our favorite comfort breakfast food on the go.
42-45. Elevate Your Lifestyle at these Houston Rooftop Bars
Nothing quite says “living the highlife” like clinking glasses on a city rooftop. Touch the sky this season with a brunch, evening, or nightcap on the most jaw-dropping rooftops in Houston.
- Opened this December, Cielo XLIII offers a lavish new hangout in the sky with unparalleled, 360-degree views of the city from the tallest bar in the city Houston.
- Starting off with Texas Winter Nights at the Marriot Marquis Houston, who’ve converted their legendary downtown rooftop into a full-scale Winter Wonderland with movie nights, festive lights, and one heated lazy river.
- The Coffee House at West End is now open at 802 Shepherd Dr., that is, a three-story coffee shop that features top-notch joe, a cozy interior, and a stunning rooftop with sweeping views of the Houston skyline.
46. Live the Lime Life
The weather can’t make up its mind in Houston. Either it rains for two weeks straight, or its lays down triple-digit temperatures, bitter frigidness, or outdoor-cancelling humidity. Be it frozen or on the rocks, salty, bitter, or sweet, when searching for the tequila-infused taste of the season in Houston, here are the 10 margarita spots you have to check out.
See also: 55 essential Houston bucket list experiences