Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
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The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Things To Do in NYC This Weekend: Lunar New Year, Winter Jam, Groundhog Day

Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Met. Photo courtesy of the museum
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Met. Photo courtesy of the museum
1/29/20 - By Drew Kristofik

The first weekend in February is action-packed. First of all, it's NYC Must-See Week, and that means 2-for-1 tickets to some very cool places around town, including museums, zoos, the aquarium, and more. Winter Jam schusses back to Central Park on Saturday, spinning in with a blizzard of activities. And the BAMkids film festival in Brooklyn is back for its 22nd year.

Lunar New Year celebrations abound at the Prospect Park Zoo, The Met, Brookfield Place, and the Asia Society. February is also Black History Month, and you can mark the occasion with a special tour at Fraunces Tavern, family-friendly screenings at the Paley Center, or learn about Harlem's storied history at the New-York Historical Society. 

Sunday is Groundhog Day, and while Punxsutawney Phil (accuracy rate 38%) is poised to prognosticate once again, NYC's local groundhog, Staten Island Chuck (accuracy rate 80%!), is the one to watch. Early risers at the Staten Island Zoo get a spring proximity forecast, plus musical performances and animal encounters. In the Bronx, Wave Hill hosts a Groundhog Day Pancake Breakfast as part of its Hibernator's Weekend festivities.

You don't ever need to suffer from FOMO. Our February GoList, Winter Fun Guide, and list of 40 FREE Things To Do in February With NYC Kids keep you entertained. Our Event Calendar is on point through the coming spring (or endless winter, depending on Phil and Chuck).

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Heart Squared by MODU and Eric Forman Studios is Times Square's Valentine Heart Design Winner. Rendering courtesy of the artist
Heart Squared by MODU and Eric Forman Studios is Times Square's Valentine Heart Design Winner. Rendering courtesy of the artist

Things To Do with Kids in NYC All Weekend

NYC Must-See Week: 2-for-1 tickets to NYC Attractions

Citywide
Snag 2-for-1 tickets to many of the iconic experiences right in NYC's backyard, including attractions, museums, tours, and performing arts. READ MORE

Hibernators Weekend at Wave Hill

Riverdale, the Bronx
Head over to Wave Hill for this much-loved weekend to meet live animals, create a dreamy hibernators mask, chat with visiting artists, join a rejuvenating wellness class and explore the magical grounds. READ MORE

BAMkids Film Festival 2020

Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Showcasing a feature film and the best kids’ shorts from around the globe, the 22nd annual BAMkids Film Festival returns with world, US, and New York premieres. This year’s lineup showcases 87 films from 30 countries in 10 languages. READ MORE

Lunar Zoo Year – Year of the Rabbit

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Celebrate the festival of the new moon and animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Learn about rabbits, an animal found around the world, and learn about the Wildlife Conservation Society’s efforts to save wildlife worldwide. READ MORE

Fighting for Freedom

Financial District
Celebrate Black History Month with a special docent-led public tour. From battles to espionage and harrowing tales of escape, this tour emphasizes the fact that African Americans, both enslaved and free, were present, active, and of critical importance in the American Revolution. READ MORE

Living History: Founding Black Harlem

Upper West Side
Visit early 20th-century Harlem and chat with its leading residents. READ MORE

Heart Squared: Times Square Valentine Heart Design Winner

Midtown West — FREE
Snap a family selfie in front of this year's annual Times Square Valentine Heart Design winner!  READ MORE

WonderSpark Puppets February Puppet Takeover!

Union Square
There's a different puppet show every weekend at the 14th Street Y Theater in February - four family-friendly puppet shows about dinosaurs, big bad wolves, dragons, and princesses (and queens) saving the day. READ MORE

Paley Family Day: Disney Channel’s End of Summer Celebration

Midtown West — FREE
The Paley Museum hosts an interactive celebration of Disney Channel’s 40th anniversary, with fun-filled activities that include a chance to meet Bluey and Bingo, watch Disney favorites on the big screen, pose in a photo booth, and nab giveaways. READ MORE
Learn to snowboard at Winter Jam in Central Park. Photo by Daniel Avila for NYC Parks
Learn to snowboard at Winter Jam in Central Park. Photo by Daniel Avila for NYC Parks

Things To Do in NYC With Kids Saturday, February 1

Winter Jam

Central Park — FREE
Presented by NYC Parks, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, I Love NY, and I Ski NY, Winter Jam is a free winter sports festival for New Yorkers of all ages! The team from Gore Mountain blows lots of snow in the heart of Manhattan, creating an urban snowfield for all to enjoy! READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music celebrates the Year of the Ox virtually this year with an afternoon of music, dancing, and storytelling. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Festival at the Met: Year of the Rabbit

Upper East Side
May art bring you good fortune! Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages at The Met. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Family Festival 2020

Chinatown
Celebrate the year of the Rat with zodiac arts and crafts, lively dance performances, festive snacks, and timeless tales inspired by Chinese and Chinese American New Year’s traditions. The event includes performances, workshops, and more. READ MORE

Just Kidding: David Darwin, the One Man Sideshow

Upper West Side
David Darwin's act is a raucous morning of whip cracking, plate spinning, lassoing, unicycling, impossible contortions, and more! READ MORE

Big Kids Kitchen: Filled Pasta

Financial District
Bambini (ages 8+) get the opportunity to work with fresh pasta dough, and create their own filled pasta! READ MORE

Family Day: Virtual Lunar New Year 2021!

Midtown East
Celebrate the Year of the Ox! NYC's Asia Society rings in the new year with performances and traditional craft activities inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia. This year, it all happens virtually. READ MORE

Tartan Kilt Skate

Midtown West — FREE
Kilt Skate celebrates Scotland’s contribution to North America’s multicultural heritage in a unique way that highlights the Scottish reputation for determination, resilience, and fun—with bare knees and ice. READ MORE

Maple Syrup Saturdays

Staten Island — FREE
Learn about the entire process of making maple syrup, from tap to table READ MORE

Lunar New Year

Battery Park City — FREE
Ring in the Year of the Tiger at Brookfield Place during a multi-day celebration that includes a live ice carving, kids' crafts, and more READ MORE

Living History: Commemorating the 15th Amendment

Upper West Side
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave black men the right to vote in 1870. READ MORE

First Saturdays for Families: Synthetic Nature

Lower East Side — FREE
Families are encouraged to gather inspiration from their experiences of nature—for instance, trees, clouds, birds, rocks, or beaches—to create their own assemblage sculptures using fabric, yarn, and other human-made materials. READ MORE
Kids to boogie to the sounds of non-traditional children's music at the Rock and Roll Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl
Kids to boogie to the sounds of non-traditional children's music at the Rock and Roll Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl

Things To Do in NYC With Kids Sunday, February 2

Groundhog Day at the Staten Island Zoo

Staten Island
This is NYC's official groundhog day celebration! Watch Chuck look for his shadow and determine if spring is near or if there are six more weeks of winter. READ MORE

2023 Chinese New Year Festival: Immerse in Suzhou Culture

Tribeca
The China Institute's Lunar New Year party kicks off with the crowd-favorite lion dance, followed by New Year-themed workshops and activities tailored for all age groups. READ MORE

The Queens Symphony Orchestra: Free Family Concert

Kew Gardens, Queens — FREE
This FREE family concert  includes a trio of musical selections. READ MORE

Taste the Clouds

Tribeca
Created by an award-winning company, Taste the Clouds takes little ones on a journey of the senses using shadow puppetry, live music, and immersive theater. READ MORE

Lunar New Year

Upper West Side
The Vietnam Heritage Center stops by the New-York Historical Society with performances, red envelopes, and festive activities celebrating Year of the Rat. READ MORE

Maccabeats! In concert at Park East!

Upper East Side
Park East hosts its annual Super Bowl Concert. Lunch and Maccabeat meet-and-greet are included with each ticket. READ MORE

Kitten Bowl Party

Brooklyn Heights
Join rescue cats and kittens at the Cat Cafe to watch the Super Bowl. Be prepared to rub lots of bellies as you watch all the felines frolic during the game. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Citywide
New York Historical Society and DiMenna Children’s History Museum
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Online
Asia Society Online
LeFrak Hall at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Queens College

About the Author

Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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