Unique Events, Parties, and Things To Do in NYC in February 2025 (with Free Events!)
From celebrating Black History Month to New York Fashion Week to picking out a dinner spot for Valentine’s Day, February is packed with things to do in New York City.
Rooftop Igloo Winter Dining at PUBLIC Hotel
The rooftop igloos at PUBLIC Hotel. Image: Public Hotels.
What’s happening: The rooftop igloos at PUBLIC Hotel have become an iconic winter escape in the city, situated high above the Lower East Side neighborhood and in the center of incredible nightlife. Each secluded igloo offers cozy fur blankets, candles, a fire pit, and panoramic 360-degree city views amid a leafy terrace.
You’ll enjoy a refreshed menu featuring indulgent chocolate and cheese fondues, meat & cheese charcuterie boards, short ribs, cacio e pepe, and pan-seared salmon. Accommodating up to 10 guests, these igloos offer an intimate and totally unique setting, perfect for sunset cocktails or a late-night hotspot with live DJs from around the world.
The vibe: Chic, cozy, and effortlessly glamorous. Upcoming events on the rooftop include the Bunda X Steffy Party with Las Flaquitas, No Requests with Chris Moore, and Twelv Magazine’s NYFW Celebration on the 8th.
What to wear: Downtown winter chic.
Available now through March 2025 most evenings at The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel. Reservations required, indicate “igloos” or “indoor seating” within the “additional notes” field to request specific seating. Information and reservations here.
9th Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show Benefiting ZERO Prostate Cancer
7th Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show. Image: Hillary Latos Via Resident Magazine.
What’s happening: Kicking off New York Fashion Week on World Cancer Day, the Blue Jacket Fashion Show returns for its ninth year at LAVAN Midtown. Founded by designer Frederick Anderson, this runway event raises awareness and funds for prostate cancer through ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer.
Celebrities including Mario Cantone, Don Lemon, J. Harrison Ghee, Harold Perrineau, Dominic Fumusa, and Eric West will walk the runway in custom “blue jackets” by top designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Thom Browne, and Michael Kors. The event has also seen past collaborations with notable names such as Nigel Barker, Phillip Bloch, and Kevin Gates.
The vibe: A rare fusion of high fashion and healthcare, where A-list actors, designers, and advocates turn the runway into a movement. Glamorous, impactful, and filled with conversations that matter, all while keeping NYFW’s energy at its peak.
What to wear: A statement blue jacket, of course, or sleek evening wear with a touch of bold tailoring.
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at LAVAN Midtown. Information and live stream here. Donate to ZERO Prostate Cancer here.
Juilliard Celebration: A Benefit For Scholarship
A Past Juilliard Celebration. Image: Rachel Papo via Observer.
What’s happening: Juilliard’s annual benefit performance and party returns, bringing together the brightest stars in music, dance, and drama to support the next generation of performers. The evening showcases Juilliard students and alums, including Jessica Chastain, Jessie Montgomery, and Nicholas Britell. Expect dynamic performances directed by Pam Tanowitz, featuring works by Rachmaninoff, John Adams, Meredith Monk, and Philip Glass, alongside José Limón’s A Choreographic Offering and a jazz orchestra finale of The Best is Yet to Come. All proceeds support Juilliard’s scholarship fund, aiding students in need of financial assistance.
The vibe: A dazzling intersection of high culture and vibrant celebration, where world-class artists, patrons, and rising stars come together for an evening of exquisite performances and elegant revelry. Following the show, guests will dance the night away to the Juilliard Jazz Alumni Ensemble, with food and drinks by chef Kwame Onwuachi from Lincoln Center’s Tatiana restaurant.
What to wear: Festive cocktail attire—elegant but with an artistic flair.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 with a performance taking place at 7:00pm in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater and the party from 8:15pm onward at Alice Tully Hall. Information and tickets here.
Guiseppe’s Pop-Up at Flex Mussels Upper East Side
Giuseppe’s. image: Giuseppe’s.
What’s happening: Flex Mussels unveils its latest pop-up, Giuseppe’s, transforming the upstairs dining room of its Upper East Side location into a tribute to classic Italian American dining. Helmed by Chef Steven Lopin, formerly of Frankies 457 Spuntino, Giuseppe’s pays homage to family and tradition with a menu of beloved dishes like Chicken Parmesan, Veal Marsala, and a rotating chalkboard of daily specials. This cozy, limited-time experience promises warmth, nostalgia, and the flavors of a timeless Italian American eatery.
The vibe: Old-school Italian comfort meets Upper East Side charm. Think red sauce, checkered tablecloths, and an atmosphere where every bite is a warm memory. Perfect for those seeking a comforting escape from winter.
What to wear: Vintage Italian flair—think cozy knits, classic tailoring, or your best Sunday dinner outfit.
Monday, February 3, 2025 through Monday, February 17, 2025 from 5:00pm onward on the
Second Floor at Flex Mussels, Upper East Side. Reservations and information here.
An Evening with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
An Evening with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Image: Center for Black Literature.
What’s happening: Celebrate Black History Month with a special evening at Medgar Evers College featuring House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black Speaker of the House. Jeffries will discuss his life, career, and his new children’s book, The ABCs of Democracy, in conversation with Lurie Daniel Favors, Executive Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice. Special guest host L. Joy Williams, President of the Brooklyn NAACP, will moderate. The event is presented by the Center for Black Literature and the Medgar Evers College Cultural Committee.
The vibe: A night of insightful conversation, literary celebration, and community engagement, bringing together political leaders, literary enthusiasts, and history makers in an inspiring setting.
What to wear: Business casual.
Friday, February 8th, 2025 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Founders Auditorium, Medgar Evers College, CUNY. Information and free ticket with RSVP here.
Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature
Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840). Monk by the Sea, 1808–10. Oil on canvas, 43 3/8 x 67 1/2 (110 x 171.5). Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. image: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
What’s happening: In honor of the 250th anniversary of Caspar David Friedrich’s birth, The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents the first comprehensive U.S. exhibition dedicated to the visionary German Romantic painter. Featuring approximately 75 works, including oil paintings, drawings, and sketches, this landmark show explores Friedrich’s meditative and mysterious landscapes, revealing their enduring impact on how we perceive nature.
Organized in collaboration with leading European museums and with a press preview presented by the German National Tourist Office, the exhibition situates Friedrich’s work within the politics and culture of 19th-century Germany, highlighting the movement’s influence on modern environmental thought. A complementary display of lunar imagery extends the exhibition’s themes beyond the gallery.
The vibe: A contemplative journey through the sublime, where art lovers, history buffs, and introspective souls gather to marvel at nature’s emotional and spiritual depths. Expect hushed reverence and deep conversations in the glow of Friedrich’s iconic landscapes.
What to wear: A touch of Romantic-era drama.
Saturday, February 8th through Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Gallery 199 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Fifth Avenue. Information and tickets here.
Hours:
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, 10:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday, closed
Friday and Saturday, 11:00am-9:00pm
Love is a Blind Dinner: A Dining Experiment
Dear Strangers. Image: Dear Strangers.
What’s happening: Find love on Valentine’s Day weekend with a dinner like no other at Dear Strangers! Join the iconic team behind Dine with Dez for a thrilling blindfolded blind dating event in partnership with Beyond, an all-new app for making lasting connections. Hosted by Marissa George from Love Is Blind, this immersive experience is designed for singles and fluid lovebirds looking for a night of fun, surprise, and connection. You’ll have an opportunity to choose your menu in advance to suit your taste. Proceeds from ticket sales will support Walk Good LA in aiding victims of the Los Angeles fires.
The vibe: Mysterious, exhilarating, and a little chaotic in the best way—think love at first non-sight, great conversation, and a room full of open-minded romantics ready for adventure.
What to wear: Dress to impress—something flirty, fun, and perfect for a night of mystery and romance.
Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Dear Strangers, 147 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10012. Information and application here.
The Winter Curry Festival: Japan’s Favorite Comfort Food
Winter Curry Festival. Image: Japan Society
What’s happening: Co-presented by Japan Society and the All Japan Curry Manufacturers Association, this special event dives into one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods—curry. Originating from cultural exchange in the 1870s, Japanese curry has evolved into a rich, sweet, and savory staple enjoyed nationwide with a wide range of preparations.
Join a panel discussion featuring industry experts, followed by a tasting of various curries from House Foods and S&B, complemented by green tea, sake, and Japanese beer. Experience firsthand why the average person in Japan eats curry over 70 times a year!
The vibe: A warm, inviting evening for food lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of Japan’s culinary gem. Think lively discussions, comforting flavors, and a room filled with the aroma of rich curry.
What to wear: Casual and cozy.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 7:00pm onward at Japan Society. Information and free ticket with RSVP here.
Outsider Art Fair 2025
Clockwise from top left: Allen Ginsberg’s drawing, “Imitation Clemente,” 1995; Peter Orlovsky’s “Self Portrait (San Francisco),” 1954; Carolyn Cassady’s drawing “Portrait of Neal Cassady,” 1952; and Robert Lavigne’s “Portrait of Lawrence Ferlinghetti,” 1982. Image: Jeenah Moon via The New York Times
What’s happening: The Outsider Art Fair, the premier event dedicated to self-taught art, art brut, and outsider art, returns for its 33rd edition at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. Featuring 66 exhibitors from forty cities across nine countries, Outsider Art Fair 2025 will showcase masterpieces by renowned historical figures such as Henry Darger, Bill Traylor, and Judith Scott, alongside works by contemporary artists like Noviadi Angkasapura and Shuvinai Ashoona. This year’s Curated Space, Follow My Moves, will highlight Brazilian self-taught art, curated by São Paulo-based researcher Mateus Nunes.
The vibe: A vibrant and eclectic art fair where collectors, curators, and enthusiasts explore the dynamic world of self-taught and outsider art. Expect an atmosphere buzzing with discovery, as historic and contemporary works alike challenge traditional art narratives.
What to wear: Chic gallery attire.
Thursday, February 27 until Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Metropolitan Pavilion. Information and tickets here.
Hours:
Thursday, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Friday and Saturday, 11:00am-8:00pm
Sunday, 11:00am-6:00pm
