Month of February

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Every February, we observe Black History Month to honor the profound contributions, resilience, and triumphs of Black Americans who have shaped the foundation of our country. Originally established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, this month has evolved into a vital period of reflection and education, ensuring that the stories of Black innovators, leaders, and artists remain central to the American narrative.

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In New York City, there are countless ways to engage this month. You can visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem for its centennial exhibitions, take a guided tour of the Seneca Village site in Central Park to learn about Manhattan’s early Black property owners, or explore the "100 Years of Black Art" showcase at ACA Galleries in Chelsea. Whether you’re supporting a local Black-owned business in your neighborhood or attending a jazz performance at the Apollo Theater, we encourage everyone to take time this month to listen, learn, and celebrate the heritage that continues to move our city and our nation forward.

February 17, 2026

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Lunar New Year began in China as a seasonal festival marking winter’s end and the start of spring, tied to the lunisolar calendar. It grew from rituals to honor ancestors and household gods and to ward off misfortune, captured in legends of the beast “Nian,” frightened away by red, light, and loud noise. Today, Lunar New Year is both a family homecoming and a story of migration, carried from China across East and Southeast Asia and into cities like New York. In Vietnam it is known as Tết (Tết Nguyên Đán), in South Korea as Seollal, and many in the West call it Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year. Wherever it’s celebrated, the New Year centers on reunion, renewal, and luck.

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This year ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, a sign associated with energy, independence, and bold forward motion. Fire intensifies the Horse’s drive, making this a symbolic time for courageous decisions, ambitious projects, and channeling passion into meaningful change at both personal and community levels.

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In New York City, that spirit shows up in vibrant celebrations across the boroughs. Manhattan’s Chinatown parade and firecracker ceremony, Flushing’s performances and food‑filled streets, and lion dances at Industry City and Hudson Yards all offer ways to step into the new year with noise, color, and community. From temple fairs and family banquets to outdoor markets, cultural workshops, and late‑night karaoke, the city’s neighborhoods turn the holiday into a week‑spanning invitation to eat, wander, and celebrate side by side with longtime locals and first‑time visitors alike.

February 16th & 17th, 2026

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Across the world, February marks one of the most vibrant times of the year. Cities and small towns come alive with electric rhythms, extravagant costumes, and high-energy celebrations. Revelers take over the streets to join in the festivities of Carnival. This tradition can be traced back to ancient times, though in modern eras, the celebrations have become more associated with Christianity. Carnival is held on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, as a way to indulge before entering the solemn Lenten period that is highly revered in Catholic and Christian culture.

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Celebrations occur throughout Latin American countries like Brazil, Bolivia, and Colombia; across the Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, and Dominica; and in European countries like Belgium, Germany, and Italy. Notably, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans is a widely recognized Carnival celebration and the most iconic in the United States.

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While each carnival has its own unique traditions, some elements remain universal: wearing masks and vibrant costumes, dancing in parades through the streets, and experiencing a time when rules feel suspended and joy reigns supreme.

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Whether you are enjoying the Samba rhythms in Brazil, the steelpan music in Trinidad and Tobago, or wearing a Bauta mask in Venice, Carnival represents a remarkable moment of global unity through celebration. It reminds us that despite our different cultures and customs, the human desire to gather, celebrate, and embrace life before reflection transcends all boundaries. This annual tradition continues to bring communities together, creating memories and connections that last far beyond the final parade.

February 18, 2026

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Ramadan is expected to begin in the U.S. on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with the first day of fasting on Thursday, February 19, depending on local moon sightings. It marks the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, increase their prayers, and focus on charity and spiritual reflection, commemorating the period when the Quran’s revelation to the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have begun more than 1,400 years ago, with fasting in this month formally prescribed in 7th‑century Medina and quickly becoming one of the Five Pillars of Islam that has bound Muslim communities across cultures and centuries. This Ramadan is especially notable for New Yorkers, as we mark the holy month with the city’s first Muslim mayor in office, adding a new layer of representation to how the month is observed in civic life.

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In New York City, you can honor the start of Ramadan by visiting a local mosque for an open house or evening iftar (many communities in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx host public dinners), exploring cultural events like Ramadan bazaars and pop-ups, or supporting Muslim-owned restaurants offering iftar specials after sunset. You might also take part by donating to local food pantries, volunteering with NYC-based relief organizations that run Ramadan food drives, or simply learning more through museum programs and community center talks that highlight Islamic history and culture during the month.

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February 14, 2026

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Whether you are celebrating a partner, your closest friends, or yourself, mid-February offers a double dose of connection with Valentine’s Day (February 14th) and Galentine’s Day (February 13th). While Valentine’s Day has its roots in ancient Roman tradition and has long been a tribute to romantic love, Galentine’s Day, popularized in more recent years, has become a beloved tradition dedicated to honoring the "soulmates" we find in our friendships. 

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In a city like New York, these holidays serve as a much-needed reminder to slow down and express gratitude for the people who love and support us. You can celebrate by participating in any of the several fun activities taking place in the city, including visiting the "Love in Times Square" event where lucky couples tied the knot in front of dozens of spectators!