It’s certainly easy to begin daydreaming about the forthcoming springtime once February rolls around — but wait! Winter in the Hudson Valley has a charm all its own, and here in Dutchess County, there are so many sights and experiences that are guaranteed to captivate your heart and warm your soul. Check out this list of the Top 10 February events in Dutchess County and embrace the tranquility of winter in the Hudson Valley.
Speaking of embracing, check out our spotlight on the Top Sweet Shops for Valentine's Day.
February is also Black History Month, and there are many examples throughout history of people who heroically championed the causes of justice, equality and progress for African Americans right here in Dutchess County, from the Abolitionist Movement through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Click here to learn more.
You can explore the Hudson Valley for less this winter during Hotel Week in Dutchess; between Jan. 25 and Feb. 8, participating establishments will offer hotel rooms for only $99 per night. What a deal!
As always, keep your camera handy. To share your photos, click here, and be sure to tag @DestinationDutchess on social media.
Happy travels!
Sunday, Feb. 1, 12 p.m., at Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
Wassailing is an old English practice with pagan and Norse roots that involves celebrating last year’s apple harvest and anointing the trees with cider to encourage a prosperous harvest for the following season. The goal is to awaken the apple trees and scare away spirits that might blight the crop. This annual event at Rose Hill Farm will begin with workshops for making crowns from foraged materials, torches to carry during the ceremony, and noisemakers to use in the orchard to scare spirits away. At 4:15 p.m., participants will gather to walk into the orchard, where the ceremony will take place. Food by Misto and Mighty Donuts & Coffee will be available for purchase, and the taproom will be open from 12–8 p.m. Click here to learn more.
Feb. 2–6 at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park
In this five-day boot camp at the nation's foremost culinary college, you'll utilize the unique pantries and flavor profiles of Provence, Southern Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and North Africa, and discover the four ingredients that unify the dishes from these diverse regions. You'll be introduced to the specific cooking methods and equipment commonly used in the region. You'll prepare and savor the best of the Mediterranean table — and bring your newfound skills to your own kitchen. Click here to register.
Select Dates, Feb. 6–21, at the County Players Falls Theatre, Wappingers Falls
Can you handle the truth? The County Players, one of the longest-running community theatre companies in the area, present the courtroom drama “A Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin, the creator of "The West Wing" and "The Newsroom." One woman fighting for her place in a world of men, two young Marines accused of murder, and a world in which lives depend on the precision of orders followed. But if lives depend on following orders, where do you draw the line? Court is now in session. Click here to purchase tickets.
Saturday, Feb. 14, 3 p.m., at the Fisher Center at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
Welcome the Year of the Horse and celebrate Valentine's Day at The Orchestra Now's seventh annual "The Sound of Spring" Chinese New Year concert. Conductor Jindong Cai leads the performance of Chinese and Western symphonic music for the whole family. Guest soloists include virtuoso Yazhi Guo and a selection of young performers from the renowned Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the U.S.-China Music Institute at Bard. Be sure to arrive early for a Chinese instrument demonstration, along with tea and snacks. Click here to reserve tickets in the Sosnoff Theater.
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15, 1 p.m., at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg
As part of the popular Tea & Talk Series at the Mills Mansion, Staatsburgh curator Maria Reynolds presents new tales of love and heartbreak, marriage and romance, especially for Valentine's Day weekend. Enjoy tea and refreshments in the formal dining room while listening to tales of passion of Gilded Age friends of the Mills family. Click here to reserve your place.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m., at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
The kids will love this! In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum presents a series of shows throughout the day in its digital 4K portable planetarium. In the "Moons of the Solar System" immersive planetarium show (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), you'll travel beyond Earth to explore the incredible moons of the solar system. "Larry Cat in Space" (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) is a playful cartoon about an inquisitive cat who takes a trip to the Moon. Explore the night sky with Big Bird, Elmo, and a friend from China named Hu Hu Zhu in "One World, One Sky" (12 and 1 p.m.). Click here for complete details.
Friday, Feb. 20, 6–9 p.m., at Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Enjoy an unforgettable dining experience overlooking the Hudson River featuring the bold, elegant wines of Tuscany. This curated five-course dinner highlights the “Super Tuscan” tradition — wines crafted without boundaries, defined by character, and beloved worldwide. Each dinner course is thoughtfully paired to showcase depth, balance, and the unmistakable spirit of Tuscany. Click here to make reservations.
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m., on Broad Street, Pawling
Start your St. Patrick’s Day revelry a few weeks early at Pawling’s Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Now in its ninth year, this celebration has become quite a popular event despite being held nearly a month ahead of its namesake holiday. Covering a mere 223 feet of Broad Street, it’s become known as “America’s Shortest Parade,” but there’s a lot of fun packed into every inch of it. Enjoy food trucks and live music!
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park
The America250 Film Series continues at the FDR Presidential Library with a screening of the 1959 film "The Devil's Disciple" starring Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster and Laurence Olivier and based on the 1897 play of the same name by George Bernard Shaw. "The Devil's Disciple" tells the fictional story of one man's conflict with the British during the Revolutionary War in New Hampshire. Click here to complete the required registration for this free event at the Henry A. Wallace Center.
Saturday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie
The historic Bardavon welcomes Justin Willman for a night of mind-blowing magic and relatable humor on his "One For The Ages" tour, which comes on the heels of the release of "Magic Lover" — Netflix’s first-ever magic comedy special. Willman has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and Conan, and was recently named “Stage Magician of the Year” by the Magic Castle. He’s performed at the White House and packed theaters across the country. Click here to purchase tickets.
