Winter is in full swing (well, sort-of), love is in the air, and the cherry blossoms are set to bloom next month, which could only mean one thing: February is upon us! Whether you’re looking for some winter fun or a little romance, you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy in this Secret D.C. roundup of all of the best things to do in D.C. this February:
1. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- Capital One Arena: Carrie Underwood (Feb. 15), SZA (Feb. 27)
- The Anthem: Maggie Rogers (Feb. 13-14), Bush (Feb. 15)
- 9:30 Club: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (Feb. 3-4), Fitz and The Tantrums (Feb. 6), Samia (Feb. 7), Kimbra (Feb. 12), Bon Entendeur (Feb. 16), Morgan Wade (Feb. 21 and Feb. 26), Yelle (Feb. 25), Weyes Blood (Feb. 27), The Dip (Feb. 28)
- Echostage: Afrojack (Feb. 3), JAUZ (Feb. 4), Boogie T (Feb. 11), Alesso (Feb. 17), NAV (Feb. 22), Lost Kings (Feb. 24)
2. Feel the magic at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
A woodland trail inspired by the Forbidden Forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series debuted in Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. on Oct. 29. Inspired by the wizarding world, the Forbidden Forest will take guests through a magical woodland trail filled with curious creatures and characters from both popular series? Have you ever wanted to bow to a Hippogriff? This is your chance!
3. Honor Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and in a city as steeped in history as D.C. there are numerous ways to commemorate it—from museums, to exhibits, to patronizing local businesses, and more! Here are a few happenings and ways to honor the struggles and achievements of the Black community:
- Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Check out one of these exhibits/plays:
- “Black Like Me” at the Zenith Gallery.
- “The High Ground” at Arena Stage.
- “Wild Seeds of the Soufside” at Phillips@THEARC.
- “Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South” at the National Gallery of Art.
- Patronize the Sweet Home Café for its Black History Month Chef’s Table.
4. Head to the theatre for one of these plays, musicals, or ballets
Get in on the drama with these unmissable theatre events:
- The Kennedy Center
- United Ukrainian Ballet: “Giselle” (Feb. 1-5)
- Sunset Boulevard (Feb. 1-8)
- American Ballet Theatre: “Romeo and Juliet” (Feb. 15-19)
- “Into The Woods” (Feb. 23–March 19)
- Ford’s Theatre
- Ford’s Theatre’s “A First Look Festival” (Feb. 2-4)
- Woolly Mammoth Theatre
- “Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner” (Feb. 4-26)
5. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting surprise? What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner? Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat) that will stimulate your senses!
6. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
With the winter comes shorter days and less light, making it easy to fall into a funk. What better way to cure that than having a laugh at a comedy show? Whether you like stand-up or improv, there’s bound to be something here that tickles your funny bone!
- D.C. Improv: Wanda Sykes (Feb. 1), Kate Willett (Feb. 2-3), Pete Lee (Feb. 2-3), Comedian CP (Feb. 9-11), Valentine’s with Wil Sylvince (Feb. 14), Arnez J. (Feb. 16-19), Louis Katz (Feb. 17-19)
- The Kennedy Center: Sarah Silverman (Feb. 3)
- The Anthem: Jerry Seinfeld (Feb. 10-11)
- Capital One Arena: Impractical Jokers (Feb. 19)
7. Feel the love celebrating Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air, Washingtonians! Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone, with friends, or with a significant other, to mark the holiday visit one of D.C.’s most romantic restaurants or one of the District’s most romantic spots!
8. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More
- Candlelight: Celebrating Black America – Jazz, Soul, and Blues
- Candlelight: The Best Anime Soundtracks from Joe Hisaishi
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé
- Candlelight: Legends of R&B
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Radiohead
- Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More
9. Hit the ice at one of these magnificent skating rinks
The weather is getting colder, winter is upon us, and what better way to take it all in than with a favorite winter pastime: ice skating! Luckily, there are a number of easily accessible ice rinks around Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area. Check out some of our favorite ice rinks below, and you can find the full list here:
- National Gallery and Sculpture Garden Rink
- Washington Harbour Ice Rink
- The Wharf Ice Rink
10. Experience Shakespeare like never before
“All the world’s a stage,” and Drunk Shakespeare D.C. is hitting the stage like you’ve never experienced before! Grab a drink yourself and watch five classically-trained (and intoxicated) actors attempt to recreate some of Shakespeare’s most famous works to hilarious results!
11. Patronize the newly-opened Hell’s Kitchen D.C.
Iconic British chef and reality TV host Gordon Ramsay opened Hell’s Kitchen D.C. at The Wharf on Monday, January 30. The two-story, 14,000-square-foot restaurant boasts waterfront views of the Potomac River. But if you’re a hardcore fan of the celebrity chef’s reality show of the same name, then you’re in luck! You can opt for a dining room reservation where you can witness the red and blue teams in a dinner service competition—just like if you were on the show!
12. Cozy up inside one of the Watergate Hotel’s charming igloos
Cocktails, cozy blankets, and igloos? Yes, please! Winter and cozy season are upon us, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the many awesome winter set ups the city has to offer, including the Watergate Hotel’s enchanting igloos!
13. Embrace the prehistoric at Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
Have you ever wished you could interact with dinosaurs? Well, now is your chance! This exhibit features 80 prehistoric specimens and even a virtual aquarium so you can interact with these magnificent creatures from millions of years ago.
14. Keep cozy with one of these delicious hot chocolates
Credit: Ice Cream JubileeAs the weather begins to get colder and we wake to frost layering the ground and cars, we’re officially entering hot chocolate season! A tasty, chocolatey cup of sweet goodness is key to keeping warm during cold D.C. winters and even boosting one’s intelligence! Here’s a sneak peak of some of our favorite D.C. spots to grab a cup of hot chocolate, and you can find the full list here:
- L.A. Burdick
- Colada Shop
- Sticky Fingers Diner
15. Immerse yourself in renowned art
What could be more awe-inspiring than immersing yourself in your favorite art? Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience allows you to do just that! The exhibits use floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in his art.