Your Guide to DC in February 2026

It might not feel like it, but I swear spring is right around the corner (please 🙏). So, crawl out of your winter hibernation and let’s hit the town for everything from line dancing to dives.

Shake It At Mardi Gras

We may be far north from New Orleans, but Mardi Gras at The Wharf is outrageously fun. Stilt walkers, jugglers, the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, and plenty of beads all make their way down the boardwalk followed by fireworks and a big ole’ brass band.

Spend Quality Time At Your Local Dive

Dry January is over, and there is nothing like chatting up your local bartenders over a cozy (if slightly sticky bar) as we wait for spring. Our newest obsession (along with the rest of D.C.) is Eebee’s, but if you can’t get in we’ve got plenty of other divey recs.

Celebrate Black History Through Film

The DC Black History Film Festival at Lincoln Theatre showcases stories about and by D.C.’s Black community. It’s on Feb. 20 and is totally free. D.C. Public Library is also hosting its own Black Film Fest with a different film screening at MLK Library each week.

Learn To Line Dance

Queer country-western dance group DC Rawhides is hosting their first dance of the month on Feb. 7 at Eastern Market. The night starts with a line dance lesson followed by open dancing. No experience or partner required. Just show up, get sweaty, and dance your little heart out.

Horse Around For Lunar New Years

We’re entering the year of the horse! Head to Chinatown on Feb. 22 for the annual Lunar New Year parade complete with a firecracker show in the middle of H. Or grab free tickets to celebrate at the National Museum of Asian Arts on Feb. 21. There will be local food vendors, music, performances, traditional art demonstrations, face painting, and lion dancers.

Get Hype For the Winter Olympics

Get yourself to an Olympic watch party to cheer on Team USA. Metrobar is screening the whole thing, Shaw’s Tavern has drink specials, and Dacha is having opening ceremony bingo. Be sure to look out for our DMV natives, including speed skaters Conor McDermott-Mostowy and Brandon Kim as well as "Quad God” figure skater Ilia Malinin.