This list of our favorite things to do in February in Washington DC, updated for 2022, including free, nighttime, as well as family-friendly events and things to do.
TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY
For more ideas on popular things to do in DC, check out our other posts:
- Bus Tours
- Walking Tours
- Things to Do in DC (any time of year)
Some of the items listed in this post are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
1) Find a Concert
The DC Metro area is a hotspot for great musical talent. During February, you’ll be able to find multiple concerts in the area.
- Yungblud | Feb 2nd
- Erasure | Feb 3rd
- Clint Black | Feb 5th
- Marshall Tucker Band | Feb 20th
- Tool | Feb 22nd
- John Mayer | Feb 23rd
- AFI | Feb 25th, 26th
If you're willing to travel north to Baltimore, here are a few other shows you might want to see:
- Boyz II Men | Feb 8th
- Cannibal Corpse | Feb 20th
- New Edition | Feb 27th
Click here to see all the DC area concerts.
2) See a Sporting Event
In February, both the Washington Wizards, our basketball team, and the Washington Capitals, our hockey team, are in their regular season.
You can find all the matches and games here.
Basketball
Hockey
Soccer
Find tickets to all the games in DC here.
3) Enjoy the Theatre
Looking for an entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening in DC?
Luckily, there are some popular Broadway musicals on tour, as well as a local ballet company with performances in February.
You can find all the theatre and dance in DC here.
Here are the best theatrical productions available in Washington DC this month:
- Washington Ballet: Swan Lake | Feb 9th - 13th
- Jesus Christ Superstar | Feb 22nd - 27th
- Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate | Feb 17th - 21st
- Trolls Live | Feb 4th - 6th
In addition to these options, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical will also be produced in Baltimore from February 15th - 20th.
Find more evening activities here.
Find all the theatre performances in February here.
4) Take a Sightseeing Tour
A Washington DC Lunch Cruise includes sightseeing tour, brunch, and live DJ for an enjoyable afternoon regardless of the temperatures.
You'll be able to see the Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, Kennedy Center, Alexandria and more.
Our guided walks are the highlight of a visit to Washington DC (at least we think so!) We offer ticketed small group and name your own price tours - tours for every budget!
We also have self-guided tours and GPS-enabled audio tours of neighborhoods that you will likely visit as a tourist in the city.
5) See a Stand-up Comedy Show
There will be several well-known and popular comedians performing in the Washington DC area throughout the month of February. If you're in need of a good laugh, consider going to see a professional stand-up comic!
Here are some of the best shows scheduled for this month:
- Rodney Carrington | Feb 12th
- Gabriel Iglesias | Feb 25th
- Jim Jefferies | Feb 25th
- Tom Segura | Feb 27th
Check this list of stand-up comedy shows in Washington DC to see all of your options in February.
6) Celebrate Valentine’s Day
No matter who you're traveling with, you can find some great Valentine's Day activities to enjoy!
Local restaurants will be busy and will most likely need reservations for February 14, but since the holiday comes on a Monday this year, you should also consider making reservations for Feb 12th - 13th, the weekend before Valentine's Day.
Enjoy Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros w/ the NSO Pops at the Kennedy Center on February 13th, or head out to the National Philharmonic to see Holst's The Planets.
It should also be noted that the last two performances of Swan Lake will take place on the 12th and 13th of February.
7) President’s Day Weekend
Washington DC is the best place in the US to be for President's Day Weekend.
Celebrate George Washington’s Birthday
In honor of President’s Day weekend, why not visit the home of our first President, George Washington?
Admission to Mount Vernon is free on Monday, February 21st and 22nd, 2022, with special events and ceremonies taking place throughout the day and weekend.
More information can be found here.
Experience a Parade
Every year, Old Town Alexandria hosts a parade to honor our first President. It is the oldest and largest parade dedicated to George Washington.
In addition to the event itself, the parade hosts a “cherry challenge” among the restaurants in Alexandria - keep an eye on the menu if you dine in Old Town! For parade details, visit here.
8) Black History Month
Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African-Americans in U.S. history.
Throughout the month of February, various museums will host special events in conjunction with Black History Month. You can read more about honoring Black History Month in DC on our post.
Take a self-guided tour that focuses on Black History of DC:
Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture
The newest Smithsonian is also one of the most popular museums of the National Mall. We highly recommend a visit to this museum and have detailed how to get tickets here.
9) See a Kid-Focused Production
If you're looking for some family-friendly entertainment, there are two live shows that are aimed directly at the kids!
Disney on Ice is running from February 17th - 21st, 2022.
You'll get to see Disney movie characters spinning, gliding, and jumping across the ice in time to a light and music show.
Trolls Live brings one of the most popular family franchises of our time to the stage from February 4th - 6th, 2022.
Find more family-friendly theater here.
10) Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
Tourist attraction discount passes bundle together popular area attractions and tours into one discounted price - they can also save you up to 50%.
They also can save you time with skip-the-ticket-line access to select activities.
Attractions you can see with these passes include:
- CitySights Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- International Spy Museum
- The Capital Ferris Wheel
- George Washington’s Home
We detail how these passes work and help you decide which, if any, is best for you.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Catch a Kennedy Center Performance
The Kennedy Center is our national cultural center and a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
There are performances 7 days a week, 365 days a year from opera to ballet, musical theatre, comedy, music, and more!
While you're here, check out the FREE Winter Lantern Festival next door at the REACH. There are over 10,000 LED lights shaped into animals for the Year of the Tiger.
Arrive early and explore our self-guided tour of the Kennedy Center!
The full calendar of events and tickets can be found here.
Ice Skating Rinks
Put on those ice skates and make the most of winter weather with skating - day and night.
All the venues listed on our Ice Skating in Washington DC post are open every day in February (pending weather conditions), so take advantage of a crisp winter day with a skating adventure!
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