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Hudson River tourism directors share their top picks for places to go, sights to see, and things to do throughout the month of February.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are a ton of things to do in the Hudson Valley each month. While this winter has been a mild one, we’re still looking forward to seasonal delights like the Hot Chocolate Festival in Olivebridge and the Cabin Fever Winter Festival in Warwick. There are also some enticing live performances this month, whether you’re into classical, jazz, blues, or theater. What’s more, with numerous business openings as of late, there is even more shopping and dining to explore around the region.
To help scout out the best events in the Valley, we reached out to local tourism directors from Albany to Westchester for their top picks for things to do. Check out their selections, then get planning!
Albany County
Pajamas & Prosecco – A Galentines Day Drag Brunch
The Kenmore Ballroom, Albany
February 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Gather all your besties, don your jammies, and prepare to get your prosecco on at the Kenmore’s first Galentine’s Day drag brunch. Nicole’s Catering will serve delectable snacks buffet-style, and themed cocktails will be up for grabs at the bar. Best of all, Albany-based drag queen Amanda Blair is headlining the show. Note: It’s best to buy your entire group’s tickets at the same time to guarantee a preferable seating arrangement.
Historic Love Stories & Cider Pairings
Nine Pin Cider Works, Albany
February 13, 6-7:30 p.m.
To get in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, head to this story hour hosted by Discover Albany’s educator, Maeve McEneny-Johnson. She will tell “stories of sweet, scandalous, and downright notorious lovers throughout Albany’s history” as attendees sample ciders from Nine Pin. The all-inclusive tickets cost $18 each and can be purchased online.
Black History Step Show & HYP3 Dance Competition
Palace Performing Arts Center, Albany
February 19, 5-7 p.m.
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Regardless of whether or not you’re a dancer yourself, you’ll have a blast at this step show and competition. With lightning-fast footwork, creative choreography, and upbeat tunes, this event is a surefire antidote to the winter blues. It’s also “highly educational,” exploring the “themes of identity, culture, environment, and society.”
Columbia County
Invitation to a March
Ghent Playhouse, Ghent
February 3-5, 10-12, and 17-19
When Norma Brown’s rich, but boring groom-to-be broaches the topic of their impending marriage, she falls into a deep snooze. (Hey, it happens to the best of us, Norma.) In the vein of a certain fairytale, she is awoken by the passionate kiss of “an unshackled, unambitious plumber,” prompting her to question her outlook on love and life. This iteration of Invitation to a March, directed by J. Peter Bergman, runs for three weekends at the Ghent Playhouse with 7 p.m. showings on Fridays and Saturdays and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays.
Hudson Jazz Festival
Hudson Hall, Hudson
February 16-26
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For two weekends in February, the riverside city of Hudson gets jazzy. This year’s festival—curated by Cat Henry, executive director at the Live Music Society—features top talent like Ed Cherry, Michael Mayo, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, and Vanisha Gould. Those interested in attending can purchase festival passes, tickets for a specific date, or live-stream passes.
Related: Hot Concerts to Catch This Winter in the Hudson Valley
Blues Women of the Capital Region
Spencertown Academy Arts Center, Spencertown
February 25, 8-10 p.m.
Working in collaboration with the Capital Region Blues Network, Spencertown Academy will present three performers in a particularly bluesy evening of live music. The talented Jill Burnham, Robin O’Herin, and Amy Ryan will grace the stage, each boasting a robust career in blues music. General admission tickets cost $25.
Dutchess County
RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party
The Roosevelt Bar, Beacon
Fridays, 8 p.m.
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Do you love watching Drag Race each week? Every Friday, Big Gay Hudson Valley hosts a viewing party at the Roosevelt Bar inside the Hudson Valley Food Hall featuring local drag performer Andramada alongside a special guest. Attendees can look forward to live performances after each episode. Best of all, there’s no cover charge!
Kofi and Sankofa
Howland Cultural Center, Beacon
February 4, 8 p.m.
Kofi and Sankofa, a drum and dance ensemble, will have its audience moving and shaking at the Howland Cultural Center for this Saturday evening performance. Led by master drummer Kofi Donkor—who also plays the gyil, a type of West African xylophone with 14 wooden keys—the ensemble invites attendees to dance to the beat of their drums.
Queen City International Wine Festival
Revel 32°, Poughkeepsie
February 17-18
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Oenophiles of the Hudson Valley will congregate at this celebration of food and wine presented in a collaboration between Revel 32°, 1915 Wine Cellar, and iHeart Media. The festival kicks off on Friday evening with a gala dinner presented by David Burke, the celebrity chef and Culinary Institute of America alum who just opened a new restaurant in Westchester. Saturday’s programming includes over 50 vendors with wines from the Hudson Valley as well as international vintages. Attendees can also look forward to a wine tasting seminar by wine expert Kevin Zraly.
Orange County
Grand Opening Weekend at Big Dogs Brewery
Big Dogs Brewery, Walden
February 2-5
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Beer lovers of the Hudson Valley rejoice: There’s yet another brewery in town. While we typically find ourselves in Walden for an evening of Angry Orchard’s ciders, Big Dogs Brewery is where it’s at the first weekend of February, promising four days filled with live music, craft beers, and a food truck courtesy of Sully on the Street.
Cabin Fever Winter Festival
Drowned Lands Brewery, Warwick
February 4-5, 12-7 p.m.
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Bundle up and huddle around the campfires at Drowned Lands with a hot beverage in hand at the Cabin Fever Winter Festival. In addition to its exceptional beer offerings, the brewery has released a menu of special cocktails like a s’mores old fashioned, cranberry mule, and winter sangria. Local musicians will provide live entertainment through the weekend. The hot-ticket event has unfortunately sold out, but the brewery may announce day-of tickets, so look out for updates on social media over the weekend.
Couples’ Paint, Sip, and Dinner
Divine Events Creators, Goshen
February 12, 4-7 p.m.
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Divine Events Creators in Goshen is all about planning events, so you can rest assured this romantic evening is well worth the price tag ($100 in advance, $120 at the door). If you’ve put off planning a Valentine’s date for your significant other, this paint, sip, and dinner checks all the boxes—you get to do something fun with your sweetheart and leave with a belly full of food and wine.
Putnam County
Discover Promenade on 6
1875 US-6, Carmel
Hours vary by storefront
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The hamlet of Carmel might just be the next niche shopping destination for shopaholics in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Promenade on 6—it’s located along Route 6, hence the name—just opened its doors with seven independent establishments offering food, coffee, exotic snacks, clothing, gifts, wellness services, and more in a “commercial corridor.” Promenade on 6 is already planning expansions, including a media casting studio with an anticipated opening this spring.
Explore the Maybrook Trailway
Brewster to Pawling
Dawn to dusk
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If you’re wanting to explore a new sliver of the Hudson Valley, the Maybrook Trailway is a great place to do so. The dog-friendly walkway is paved, meaning walkers, runners, and bikers can easily traverse through nine miles of nature, “passing by dense woods, farm fields, ponds and wetlands.”
Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Ice Skating
Multiple locations in Putnam County
Hours vary by location
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Look to Putnam County for some of the best skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and winter hiking in the Hudson Valley. At Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson, traverse all 22 trails or take advantage of the ski lessons. Tucked within Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, Fahnestock Winter Park offers trails and hills for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tubing. If you’re more a skater than a skier, spend an afternoon at Brewster Ice Arena. Since we’ve had a rather sparse winter in terms of precipitation, call ahead to confirm snow conditions before making a long trek.
Related: 15 Places for Ice Skating, Skiing, and Tubing in the Hudson Valley
Rockland County
Cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio Performs Bach
First Reformed Church, Nyack
February 11, 8 p.m.
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Aficionados of classical music mustn’t miss this performance by acclaimed Sara Sant’Ambrogio. The cellist studied music at Julliard and once gave a CBS-broadcasted recital at Carnegie Hall. Her subsequent credentials are too numerous to list, but trust us, you’re unlikely to hear a musician of her caliber play Bach in such an intimate venue elsewhere beyond the Hudson Valley. Tickets range in price from $40-55 and are available online.
Garner 3 Exhibition
GARNER Arts Center, West Haverstraw
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through February 26
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The latest show at Rockland County’s GARNER Arts Center, Garner 3, features a vibrant range of artworks by Joe Fusaro, Nathan Singer, and Justin Smith. All three artists work with mixed media, offering “metaphysical explorations,” abstract interpretations of organic forms, and more in this six-week exhibition.
Ice Skating
Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Bear Mountain
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 5
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If you caught our feature on places to ice skate in the region, you already know how much we love the rink at Bear Mountain. There’s something about hitting the ice and then savoring a warm beverage that makes braving Hudson Valley winters a bit easier (though admittedly, this year, there hasn’t been much to brave). There are five to six 90-minute skate sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the month of February, so lace up your skates and wallow in the winter fun while weather allows.
Ulster County
Saugerties Snow Moon Festival
Multiple locations in Saugerties
February 3-5
February’s full moon—also known as the snow moon—portends “a new and joyous season” with a bright sky and (usually) layers of snow on the ground. To celebrate, Saugerties puts on an assemblage of events at various businesses in town. On Friday, attendees can look forward to a pop-up artisan market, guided hike, comedy show, and more. On Saturday, the festivities continue with activities like a scavenger hunt, chili cook-off, and bonfire. Finally, on Sunday, the festival concludes with an all-you-can-eat breakfast, hypnosis show, live music, bar hopping, and more. For a full itinerary, head to the festival’s website.
Hot Chocolate Festival
The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge
February 18-19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Ulster County really knows how to celebrate winter. Once the Snow Moon Festival has concluded, you can look forward to the Hot Chocolate Festival, which promises live jugglers, ice sculpting, sledding, blacksmithing demonstrations, live music, campfires, nature walks, and—at the heart of it all—all the hot chocolate you can guzzle. Tickets are going fast, so snag yours before they sell out; they’re $8 in advance, $10 day-of, and free for children under five.
Related: 3 Hudson Valley Hot Chocolate Recipes You Need to Try
Black History Month Kingston Community Family Dance
YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County, Kingston
February 25, 6-9 p.m.
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Families in Kingston and beyond are invited to “dance the night away” at this Black History Month event organized by MyKingstonKids. Enjoy food, tunes, and great company at this free event. DJ is to be announced. This family dance is free, but requires advance registration online.
Westchester County
Teatown Hudson River EagleFest
Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson
February 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Bald eagles make their annual winter migration this time of year, meaning it’s high time for EagleFest. Bird watchers congregate in Westchester to spectate live bird shows, spot flighted friends on bird walks, and enjoy “educational displays and exhibits, crafts and games for children, food trucks, and more” in Croton Point Park. Tickets range from $15-30, and children three and younger may attend free of charge.
“Lift Every Voice” by the Westchester Symphonic Winds
Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown
February 12, 2 p.m.
Join the Westchester Symphonic Winds as the group opens the second half of its 35th anniversary season. The exciting performance features a slew of guest artists including conductor David Blumental, trumpeter JoAnn Lamolino, and trombonist Matt Bilyk. The concert comprises some stunning musical selections including Navarro’s Downey Overture, Turrin’s Fandango, and, to close, Omar Thomas’ Of Our New Day Begun. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors, and free for children 10 and younger.
Winter Discovery Camp
Greenburgh Nature Center, Scarsdale
February 20-24, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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At the Greenburgh Nature Center, there is “no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear,” meaning outdoor fun persists year-round. At this winter camp session, kids in kindergarten through third grade will learn about how plants and animals live through the cold months via animal encounters, forest exploration, story time, crafts, and nature games.
Related: 21 Trendy, Instagrammable Spots in the Hudson Valley
