Things To Do In Rochester, NY This February

^{Photo: Kate Meyers Emery, George Eastman Museum}

Even in the colder months, there's still plenty to do in Rochester! Read on for events and activities that you can safely enjoy, organized by many of Rochester's top attractions. If you plan to visit specific locations, please be sure to check directly with those entities for the latest event information and to view their COVID-19 operating guidelines. 

Looking for a full list of Valentine's Day events? Check out this blog post for ideas on things to do this Valentine's Day in Rochester. 

Dutch Connection

February 12-March 6 | George Eastman Museum 

Get an early peek at spring this February at the museum’s annual Dutch Connection floral display. A welcome treat in the midst of winter, the show features thousands of colorful tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, amaryllis, freesias, and spring annuals filling areas of George Eastman’s historic mansion. 

Please note, nonmembers are required to purchase admission tickets in advance and can do so online at any point prior to visiting. 

Fun, family-friendly, at-home Dutch Connection activities are also available online. 

Annual NY Ice Wine and Culinary Festival

February 12-13 | Casa Larga Vineyard

Join Casa Larga Vineyard for the annual NY Ice Wine & Culinary Festival—a celebration of traditional ice wines made in New York state. Learn how New York ice wines are handpicked when frozen on the vine and then pressed.

This is the largest ice wine tasting festival and celebration of ice wine produced in New York State. Authentic Ice Wines are a challenge to produce, which makes them rare and special.

Sip N Paint

February 3, 8 | Casa Larga Winery

Come and enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with friends, fun and fabulous art! Your set of wine glasses or canvas, paints, paintbrushes, and aprons will be waiting as local artists help you create your very own masterpiece! Doors open at 5:00, instruction starts at 6pm sharp.

Pop-up Bakery

February 12 | Chef's Catering

Chocolate covered strawberries, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and more! Stop by Chef's Catering's pop-up bakery for all of your valentines treats.

NordicFest

February 12 | Cumming Nature Center

Warm up your winter at NordicFest! Join Cumming Nature Center to celebrate winter recreation in all of its forms. Enjoy a host of family-friendly outdoor activities and craft your perfect snow day:

• Get gliding with cross-country ski lessons, explore the outdoors with a beginner Ski Orienteering clinic led by Rochester Orienteering Club, or try Snowga with Yoga Revolution.
• Rent skis or snowshoes and hit the groomed ski and snowshoe trails.
• Families can enjoy Nordic-themed crafts, snow-activities, and a Jan Brett story walk
• Warm up with hot drinks and baked goods for purchase or try the famous free popcorn!

Susan B. Anthony Birthday Gala

February 9 | The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

Join staff, organizers, and friends of the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House for an in-person Birthday Gala. The gala will be held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center at 6pm on Wednesday, February 9. An inspiring program is planned that will be memorable and entertaining. The keynote speaker will be MiMi Aung, engineer and former project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Aung has received numerous accolades, including Time Magazine’s Time 100: The Most Influential People of 2021 and BBC’s 100 Women 2019. Make your reservation for this memorable celebration here.

Owl Moon

​February 11-12, 18-19  | Genesee Country Village & Museum

Enjoy a guided wintertime night hike under the full moon! Your guide will help you understand the natural world the way owls do by leading fun activities along the hike. A chance to experience the museum’s trails in a unique way. Owls are mysterious nocturnal creatures, getting to meet them in person is rare and exciting. Meet some of these fabled birds up-close during a presentation from Wild Wings, Inc. Advance registration required. 

Valentine's Brunch

February 13 | Genesee Country Village & Museum

Join GCV&M for a sweet way to celebrate Valentine's Day with loved ones!

New this year, this Valentine's Brunch is a wonderful way to celebrate with family and friends on this special weekend. With a made-to-order omelet station, maple glazed ham, blueberry stuffed french toast, cash bar, and more, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Savor a delicious chef-inspired meal made in-house, then head over to the Nature Center to hike wintry trails, or walk through the snowy Historic Village! 

Seatings will be from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Purchase tickets at https://www.gcv.org/events/valentines-brunch.

Burr-lesque Valentine Festival—18+

February 12 | Aerial Arts of Rochester

Join Aerial Arts of Rochester for an evening of fun and a little romance! Whether you are single or attending as a couple, there will be plenty of activities to take part in.

The festival will include several vendors including; Balloons Roc, Relax and Wax, Salted by MLB, Pure Romance, Green Goddess, Brown Girl Garden, HerbaliciousCo, Simply Sweet by Kay, Pearls Physique and more.

Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating, and more!

February 13 | Rochester Brainery

Have Instagram envy over perfectly decorated cookies? Time to step to up your cookie decorating skills! You will step away with not only newly acquired decorating and piping skills, but also a dozen love-themed cookies of your own design.

That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody: The Farewell Tour

February 26 | Kodak Center

‘That Golden Girls Show!’ is a brand-new show that parodies classic Golden Girls moments - with puppets! Get set for an evening of cheesecake, laughter, jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex, and the elegant art of the quick-witted put down. Devoted fans will fondly remember our four girls from Miami, and for the first-timers, this will be a joyful introduction to the brilliance of that television series. 

Black History Month Celebration

February 20 | Memorial Art Gallery

Several times each year, the Memorial Art Gallery opens its doors and offers Rochester area families and community members the opportunity to learn more about specific cultures. 

Join virtually on a Facebook live stream to celebrate Black History Month with spoken word poetry, dance, fashion, and musical performances!

Betsy Carmichael's Bingo Palace

​February 13  | OFC Creations Theatre Center

Betsy Carmichael, the World’s most beloved bingo hostess is back on the road and is spreading her love for the greatest game on Earth! What could be more romantic than to share a night at the Bingo Palace with your Valentine. After all, bingo is for lovers. Betsy brings the audience into the act with special games, prizes, fun, and surprises! A bingo bash beyond belief...don't miss a moment of the hilarity. ​

Expedition: Dinosaur

Exhibit Open Through May 1, 2022 | Rochester Museum & Science Center

This new exhibit brings dinosaurs to life through roaring, moving robotic replicas that will leave you in awe. As you journey through galleries filled with thrilling sounds and special effects, you’ll find a wide range of hands-on, interactive experiences and brain teasing puzzles that will challenge every dino-fanatic. You can even become a paleontologist, complete with excavation tools to help you explore the landscape of the prehistoric world and discover intriguing facts about the 19th century Bone Wars.

Galentines Barre at the Candle Bar

February 12 | Scents by Design

Enjoy a special Galentine's Barre to Bar—at Scents by Design's candle bar! Start off pouring candles, then experience a 45 minute barre workout led by Becca from Roc Fit Collective. Ticket price includes the pour-your-own candle experience (8oz glass tumbler), barre class, and a mimosa! Please bring a yoga mat and water.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit

Exhibit On View Through April 24, 2022 | The Strong Museum

Jump into the imaginative world of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, based on the award-winning PBS KIDS television series, and join Daniel and his pals to learn singable strategies for life’s little lessons and explore themes of community, communication, and emotions. Walk the paths of the Neighborhood and listen to Daniel’s world as you encounter the meaning of empathy, gratitude, sharing, and diversity in an environment of creative and interactive play.