This list of our favorite things to do in February in Philadelphia details some of the best winter events and some activities unique to this time of year, updated for 2023.
TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY
For even more ideas on popular tourist activities, be sure to check out our popular posts:
Some of the attractions below are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
1. Attend a Concert
Philadelphia is home to multiple great music and event venues. This means there are several great artists and bands in town this February.
- Mike and the Moonpies | Feb 4th
- Toto | Feb 4th
- Alter Bridge | Feb 5th
- Vance | Feb 7th
- Mötley Crüe | Feb 10th-11th
- Billy Strings | Feb 16th-18th
- Carrie Underwood | Feb 22nd
- Elvis Costello | Feb 23rd
- Shawn Colvin | Feb 25th
- 112 | Feb 26th
You can find all the concerts in the city here.
2. Go to a Game!
Spend an evening cheering on one of Philadelphia’s pro sports teams. February is a great time to catch NHL and NBA games.
Basketball
Hockey
You can find all the professional sporting events in Philadelphia here.
3. Enjoy the Theatre
There is a multitude of theatrical productions running in Philadelphia this February! You can find all of them here.
Experience Beautiful: The Carole King Musical from February 22nd - 27th at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
If you're visiting earlier in the month, this same venue will be hosting a production of Hadestown from February 9th - 20th.
Alternatively, you might also want to see Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band at the Walnut Street Theatre from February 22nd - 27th.
Find all of the theatrical productions here.
4. Go on a Sightseeing Tour
With tours year-round, we offer a variety of pay-what-you-want walking tours that cover many different neighborhoods and subjects.
If you don’t feel like walking around too much, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour might be a better option.
These services will take you to some of the most popular landmarks in the city, making it easier to visit every historic site you want to see.
As its still winter, you may feel warmer with a full belly, so why not check out some of the food tours?
5. See the Russian Ballet Perform Live
Note: Philadelpia will not witness Russian Ballet performance in the year 2023.
The Russian Ballet Theatre is one of the most well-known and beloved troupes of dancers in the world, and they performed Swan Lake in nearby Sewell, New Jersey on February 16th, 2022.
Although it will require about 20-30 minutes of travel by car, it's definitely within reach for most locals and visitors from out of town.
If you've ever wanted to experience one of the most famous ballets in the world in a theatrical setting, this is a wonderful opportunity that you shouldn't pass up.
Purchase tickets or learn more.
6. Go to a Stand-up Comedy Show
There are a few different opportunities to see hilarious comedians performing stand-up in the Philadelphia area this month.
The main event is the Philly All-Pro Comedy Showcase on February 1st. You can expect to see several comics performing during this show.
If you're willing to travel just half an hour outside of Philadelphia, you might want to consider going to see one of the following well-known comedians instead:
- Wanda Sykes | Feb 4th
- Jack Whitehall | Feb 16th
For more opportunities, check this list of live stand-up comedy shows in Philadelphia.
7. Celebrate Black History Month
There are a number of places to celebrate and learn about the Black history of Philadelphia and many of the major attractions will have special events for February.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia - With events throughout the month focusing on art, conversations, lectures, and even a Youth Series.
In addition to a self-guided tour of African American history and special talks about the Emancipation Proclamation, special programming at the National Constitution Center includes an interactive program covering the Road to Freedom.
NOTE: Both of these museums are included at no extra cost with at least one Philadelphia tourist pass.
8. Mummer's Mardi Gras Parade
The annual Mardi Gras Parade is one of the exciting events of February in Philadelphia.
This day-long celebration brings the pageantry of NOLA to a family-friendly neighborhood complete with face painting, costumes and of course, the Philadelphia Mummers.
The String Bands will parade throughout the afternoon and then you can meet them afterward.
9. Take the Kids to an Amusement Park
There are a few great amusement parks and attractions that kids will enjoy in the Philadelphia area, including at least one great indoor option for those colder days in February.
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is an indoor attraction with a lot of fun activities for both kids and adults, including a 4D Cinema, a LEGO race track, a playground and more.
If you manage to visit the city on a sunny day, you might want to travel just 30 minutes north to Langhorne PA for Sesame Place. This theme park is based on the characters of Sesame Street, making it perfect for kids!
NOTE: Some Philadelphia tourist passes include LEGOLAND at no extra cost!
10. Look into a Tourist Discount Pass
Visitors who are working with a budget should really think about getting a Philadelphia tourist pass. These services provide heavy discounts at some of the most popular attractions in the city.
Here are a few of the sites you can visit with various discount passes:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Adventure Aquarium
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Longwood Gardens
- National Liberty Museum
- National Constitution Center
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Franklin Institute Science Museum
- Academy of Natural Science
- Museum of the American Revolution
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center
These are just a few of the activities you can enjoy. If you plan to visit even a few of these attractions, you could easily end up saving a lot of money over general admission prices.
For more details, make sure to read our full post covering Philadelphia tourist passes.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
First Friday in Old City
Art galleries and other local shops open their tours to serious buyers and people-watchers on Feb 3rd, 2023, for an informal open house.
From 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm there is no admission and you can experience the arts community of the Old City.
WinterFest
This family-friendly event is complete with free concerts around a firepit, ice skating, arcades, and of course, delicious snacks - in fact, you can make s' mores over the firepit.
The main feature is the ice skating rink in the center with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. While most of the winter activities take place from Nov - Jan, ice skating will be available until March 5th, 2023.
Get more information about RiverRink Winterfest.
RESCHEDULED: Philadelphia Auto Show
Get up close and personal with the newest auto creations from every major manufacturer - from family cars to exotic sports cars. Some are even available for a test drive!
The Philadelphia Convention Center becomes a playground for car lovers from Jan 28th - Feb 5th, 2023.
Find what moves you at the Philly Auto Show!
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