There’s a lot to celebrate in February: Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, the Seahawks going to the Super Bowl, and so much more. We tried to narrow down our recommendations for this month by dividing them into three categories: holidays, museums, and cozy time. Let us know what we missed!
Businesses To Support and Ways To Celebrate
Everyone on the team contributed their favorite Black-owned businesses as well as the events we are looking forward to this month:
- Jane - PJ’s Classic Creamery, an ice cream bon-bon shop in the Central District my ice cream club loved. The owners are as sweet as the treats they make!
- Sam - Wa Na Wari an events, arts, meals and organizing space in the Central District run out of a fifth-generation, Black-owned home.They host all kinds of free art exhibits, film screenings, performances and workshops. They’re also an extremely meaningful third space in a neighborhood that’s been heavily impacted by gentrification.
- Ashley - I’m a sucker for chicken fingers and crinkle cut fries, so I'm gonna say Ezell's. But since that one is pretty well-known, I also wanted to shout out Traveling While Black on TikTok and Instagram. That's one of my favorite accounts to follow. They share Black-owned businesses around Washington, they do road trip guides with Black-approved vacation spots, and I think they even offer tours now, which is super cool.
- Liam - I love wandering around mostly organized bookstores with huge stacks of books, and BLMF Literary Saloon in Pike Place Market is no exception. I was recently there with my family and we picked up a few things. The owner J.B. is great, really helpful, and it’s just a nice spot to duck into to get away from the tourists at Pike Place.
Sandu Ndu performing at a 2024 show at Wa Na Wari. (Sam J. Leeds / City Cast Seattle)
2026 is the year of the horse and there are a lot of Lunar New Years celebrations happening in February. Here are some of our favorites:
- Ashley - On 2/7 a Lunar New Year Night Market is happening at Hangar 30 at Magnuson with 50+ BIPOC and AAPI-owned businesses, food vendors, and more.
- Jane - Volunteer Park is hosting an oolong tea ceremony on 2/9 and the Phinney Neighborhood Association is holding a celebration that’s family friendly on 2/21.
- Heads up - The CID celebration isn’t until March this year!
I love Maddy's Bakeshop and her giant disco croissant. (Ashley Smith / City Cast Seattle)
And then of course there’s Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day for you and your val, gal, or pal:
- Jane - There’s an anti-Valentine’s day emo dance party on 2/6 called I’m Not Ok!! And I’m applying to pitch my friend at the Pitch-A-Trailmate event at Stoup on 2/5.
- Sam - Two art shows are happening in Belltown on 2/13! Sweethearts: a t4t art show at Common Objects including 50 trans artists from across Seattle plus a 10 foot saint mosaic by the artist who brought you Hot Rat Summer. Then there’s Brief Displays of Tenderness Opening Reception at Slip Gallery featuring 30 trans artists and artists retain 100% of the profits made from art sales.
- Ashley - One of my favorite small, local businesses is Maddy’s Bakeshop who you’ve probably seen at the Ballard Farmer’s Market or a recent craft fair, now has her own spot in LQA! The grand opening is on 2/14 at 177 Western Ave W.
Did You Know That February Is Museum Month?
Our tourism bureau has declared February to be Seattle Museum Month which means if you stay at participating hotels, you get half off your museum entry. That’s not nothin’, that entry can be expensive! But if you’re a local like us, maybe do a staycation?
Does the aquarium count as a museum? (Ashley Smith / City Cast Seattle)
Some museums are always free, like the Frye. And the first Thursday of the month is 2/5 which means admission to all participating museums is free that day. You can also get free admission through your Seattle Public Library card if you plan ahead. Here’s what we recommend:
- Sam - Tidelands is having their opening reception on 2/7 for their creation stories gallery show. What better way to ground yourself in the oldest stories of the PNW we have?
- Jane - I love The Burke! And I need to check out the Pinball museum.
- Ashley - There’s always cool exhibits at SAM. I think my goal this month is to finally go see the Nordic Museum in Ballard with the big troll out front.
- Liam - As the dad of the group, I’m going to ride for the Woodland Park Zoo, which I think is a great place to let your children run ahead of you and see animals and get some energy out. I haven't been to MoPop yet, and I’m interested in seeing the science fiction and guitar gallery (big dad vibes on both of those).
Cozy Season Means Finding Fun Things To Do Inside
- Sam - Looking forward to seeing the SIFF-rejected “Shredder Orpheus” at Cult Seattle Film Series on 2/19 at Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books. “Skateboarder named Orpheus and friends go to Hell to stop television signals that are brainwashing America.”
- Liam - Very excited about the early Pasolini series at The Beacon Cinema. One of the most original and controversial thinkers of the twentieth century, Italian artist and intellectual Pier Paolo Pasolini embodied a multitude of often seemingly contradictory ideologies and identities—and he expressed them all in his provocative, lyrical, and indelible films.
- Ashley - I will be watching the Seahawks win the Super Bowl from my couch on 2/8, that’s for sure. And as I’ve mentioned before, I love a good indoor crafting meetup. Other than that, I kinda don’t want to be inside… 2/16 is National Park Day (meaning free entry!) and it’s been way too long since I’ve been on a hike or gone camping.
