February is peak Cabin Fever season. Luckily, there are plenty of great events to get you out of the house but still keep you out of the cold. Top picks this month include the Grand Parade at Soulard Mardi Gras, Schlafly's Cod and Cask Festival and Oscar Night America. Here are details of 15 great things to do in February 2012.
If you're looking for something to do, but don't want to spend any money, read Free Winter Events in the St. Louis Area.
1. Orchid Show at the Botanical Garden
Photo by Jack Jennings, courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
The plants in your yard may be brown and lifeless, but you can enjoy beautiful, fragrant flowers at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The 2012 Orchid Show features more than 800 blooming orchids in the Garden's Orthwein Floral Display Hall. The show is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 plus the price of Garden admission.
Now through March 25, 2012
Missouri Botanical Garden
2. Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages is coming to the Fox Theatre this month. The show is a love story set to the music of top 80's bands like REO Speedwagon, Styx and and Journey. Tickets are $30 to $75.
February 3-5, 2012
Fox Theatre
3. Maple Sugar Festival
Spend an afternoon learning how to make maple syrup at the 2012 Maple Sugar Festival. Workers with the Missouri Department of Conservation will show visitors how to find sugar maple trees, tap them and boil the sap to make syrup. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
February 4, 2012
Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood
4. Backyard Bird Festival
Bird watchers are invited to the Missouri Botanical Garden for a day of guided bird walks, live exhibits, identification tips and hands-on activities. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!
February 4, 2012
Missouri Botanical Garden
5. St. Louis Boat and Sportshow
Get away from the winter chill at the St. Louis Boat & Sportshow. Nearly a thousand boats will be on display, along with fishing and hunting gear. Tickets are $10, but children 15 and younger get in free. You can also get a discounted two-day pass for $14.
February 8-12, 2012
America's Center
6. Cod & Cask Festival
Photo by Digital Vision, courtesy Getty Images
Fish & Chips and Schlafly Beer. That's what's on tap at the annual Cod & Cask Festival. The staff at the Tap Room will be serving up heaping plates of fried cod with real cask-conditioned ales to wash it all down. The festival runs each day unitl midnight.
February 10 & 11, 2012
Schlafly Tap Room
7. Soulard Mardi Gras
Photo courtesy Mardi Gras Inc.
February is Mardi Gras time and the Soulard neighborhood hosts the biggest party in town. The Grand Parade is on February 18 this year, and there are other events earlier in the month including the Cajun Cook-Off, Taste of Soulard and Barkus Pet Parade.
February 2012
Soulard
8. Valentine's Day
Photo by Michelangelo Gratton, courtesy Getty Images
Valentine's Day is a chance to do something special for the one you love. St. Louis has many traditional and offbeat ways to celebrate. You can enjoy dinner at a romantic restaurant, or treat your Valentine with some of St. Louis' best chocolate. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, try a Valentine's hike at Shaw Nature Reserve, an evening out at the St. Louis Zoo or one of these other Valentine's events.
Until February 14, 2012
Various Locations
9. Stuffed and Unstrung
It might be a puppet show, but this one is strictly for adults. Henson Alternative's Stuffed and Unstrung is making its St. Louis debut at the Touhill. Six Henson puppeteers improvise songs and sketches based on audience suggestions. Tickets are $30 to $65.
February 17, 2012
Touhill Performing Arts Center
10. Chocolate Wine Trail
Wine and chocolate? Sounds like a good way to spend the day. Visitors can sample wine and chocolate pairings at seven wineries along the Missouri Wine Trail near Hermann. Tickets are $30 a person and include a souvenir wine glass.
February 18-19, 2012
Hermann, MO
