It’s cold enough to make us want to stay home, but it would be a shame to miss out on all the fun February has to offer. With comedic and dramatic shows, Black History Month events, Valentine’s Day celebrations and a yoga session with goats, you’ll want to throw on a coat and go.
Shipgarten Winter Renaissance Fair
Get your corsets and tights ready to wear to this Medieval-themed festival Feb. 1 from 1-6 p.m. Watch knights joust, shoot an arrow and chow down on turkey legs. If you’re feeling competitive, enter the axe throwing or costume contests. Tickets are free. // 7581 Colshire Drive, McLean
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Branford Marsalis
The three-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist will join the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra for a concert Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. Tickets are $36-$60; half-price for youth through 12th grade. // 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax
Comedy Improv Night at Upside on Moore
Get your giggles on Feb. 7 from 6:30-9 p.m., when local comedians perform hilarious improv sketches in the Spout Run Room. Spend the first hour eating, drinking and relaxing before the show starts at 7:30. Admission is free; reserve a spot here. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
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Galentine’s Day Party at Botanologica
An annual event at the florist and gift shop, this soiree on Feb. 12, 5:30-8 p.m., will feature wine, sweets and pop-up shops from local vendors. Pick up handcrafted Belgian chocolates from Scrummy Gorgeous and charming baubles from Salty Beach Creative, for instance. A nail artist will also be on hand to create friendship nail art. // 817 W. Broad St., Falls Church
“I Can Make My Own Flowers” Art & Sip
Make Miley Cyrus proud when you create your own floral arrangement at this Galentine’s celebration at Palette 22 in Shirlington on Feb. 12 from 6-8 p.m. Instructor Jill Welch will teach guests how to turn sheets of paper into lovely blooms. Tickets are $65. // 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
How It Feels to be Free at McLean Community Center
This 2021 documentary tells the story of how six Black female entertainers—Diahann Carroll, Pam Grier, Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone and Cicely Tyson—fought back against racism in the entertainment industry to become stars. Catch the show at the Alden Theatre on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. Admission is free. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Arlington Reads with Julia Quinn
The bestselling romance author behind the Bridgerton series takes the stage at Kenmore Middle School on Feb. 13 from 6:30-8 p.m. to talk about her books’ success, their hugely successful adaptation into a hit Netflix show and her newest novel, Queen Charlotte, which she co-wrote with TV producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes. The event kicks off this year’s Arlington Reads series of author talks presented by Arlington Public Library. Tickets are free. // 200 S. Carlin Springs Drive, Arlington (Glencarlyn)
Galentine’s Day Wine Night
Get the girls together on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days while sipping wine and noshing on charcuterie and oysters. Or head out Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m., for a Valentine’s Day cocktail-making class ($60) that includes a welcome drink, a lesson on two specialty cocktails, and charcuterie and dessert pairings. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus Live!
Capital One Hall presents this part theatrical performance, part stand-up comedy show based on John Gray’s book by the same name on Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $70. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Valentine’s Goat Yoga
Do an up-dog under the watchful eye of Nigerian Dwarf goats from the Walnut Creek Farm at this event on Feb. 15 from noon-1 p.m. The animals will roam around as you flow, and there will be snuggle and photo-taking time. Open to participants age 10 and up. Tickets are $40. // Faith Lutheran Church, 3313 Arlington Blvd., Arlington
Salon Arlington
Need some creative inspiration? Gather at Village Sweet on Feb. 15 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to indulge in the talents of local artists—and, of course, Dawn Hart’s baked goods. Each artist will spend 10-20 minutes talking about their work. Hear from photographer Tom Dickinson and three painters: Richard McMurray, Fritz Treyz and Cheryl Wilson. // 5872 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Love at the Cinema
Give the day after Valentine’s Day some love. The National Chamber Ensemble joins Arlington choreographer Lucy Bowen McCauley and members of New York’s Peridance Dance Co. to bring romantic film scores to life on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per adult and $20 per student. // Gunston Arts Center’s Theater One, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
Little City Concerts: Sophia Subbayya Vastek
On Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m., DMV native Sophia Subbayya Vastek will perform a solo piano concert based on her album In Our Softening. Tickets are $25, with half of sales donated to OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church, a nonprofit working to address inequity and racism in the legal system. // The Falls Church Episcopal, 166 E. Broad St., Falls Church
Valentine’s Day Tea
The Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation will host a tea in the formal, 19th-century parlor of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Learn about the role once played by the lady of the historic home before moving on to tea, sandwiches, sweets and warm scones. Reservations are required, and tickets cost $48 for the event, happening Feb. 16 from 2-4 p.m. // 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Concert
Committed to the preservation of Black history and traditions, this group tells stories of struggle and perseverance through a cappella music, drama and dance. Admission is free to the show Feb. 16, 2 p.m. // The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria
Celebrate George Washington’s Birthday
Admission to George and Martha’s mansion on the Potomac is free on Feb. 17 (Presidents Day) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in honor of the first U.S. president’s 293rd birthday. (Washington was born Feb. 22, 1732, and shares Presidents Day with Abraham Lincoln, who was born Feb. 12, 1809.) The celebration at Mount Vernon includes a Presidential Tribute at Washington’s Tomb at 10 a.m., followed by a chance for a Q&A with the man himself—or at least someone playing him—from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. at the Interpretive Center. Visitors can also make a birthday card for George from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on the bowling green. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Flip the Script: Foodways of Arlington
On stage from Feb. 21-March 2 at 7 p.m., this student-devised play celebrates the diverse cultures found along Arlington’s Columbia Pike. Performances will take place at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students, children, military members and seniors. // 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
Arlington Public Library Shop Open House
Your local library loans a lot more than books. The Shop at Central Library is a makerspace filled with equipment you can use onsite with or without assistance. Learn more about all that’s available, from laser cutters and 3D scanners to sewing machines, at a series of free workshops on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Workshop topics include Wood Turning, Collage Bookmarks and Fairy Doors. // 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Garage Racing National Championships
Go underground in National Landing on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to watch daredevil cyclists navigate the parking garage race course, dodging poles and looping around tight turns. Riders compete in several categories, including fixed-gear, in which they must pedal backward to brake. The Anything Goes event welcomes costumed riders in a variety of kooky non-motorized vehicles. Free for spectators. // G4 Parking Level, 201 12th St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Feel the Heritage Festival
The 31st annual event celebrating Arlington’s historically Black neighborhoods will take place Feb. 22 from noon-5 p.m., at the Charles Drew Community Center. The program includes artist and community exhibitors, live performances, free children’s activities, and food from local vendors. Admission is free. // 3500 23rd St. S., Arlington (Green Valley)
That 70s Party! The Premier ’70s Tribute
Shake out your bellbottoms and head to The State Theatre in Falls Church for a dance party Feb. 22 at 8:30 p.m. Headliner Superflydisco has been described as “the modern-day love child of Sly & The Family Stone, Rick James and The Bee Gees.” Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Art & Wellness Mixed Media Exploration Workshop
Spend a Sunday afternoon putting your whole body into your artistic creativity at this event hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. On Feb. 23 from 1-4 p.m., participants 18 and up can to tune into their emotional responses as they paint, draw and make collages. Tickets are $75. // 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Perfume in Exile at Friends Artspace
The tiny gallery with big art vibes is hosting this group exhibition through April 26. Featuring works by nine artists and design studios from Southwest Asia, North Africa and their diasporas, the show centers on themes of homesickness and resilience. Admission is free and by appointment. // 2400 N. Edgewood St., Arlington (Woodmont)