8 Can't-Miss Events This February In New Jersey

For only having 28 days, February can seem like an excruciatingly long month as winter in New Jersey enters the final stretch and the promise of spring is in sight.

To ease the boredom and get New Jerseyans out of the house, we’ve rounded up eight can’t-miss events, including a chili cook-off, a Valentine’s Bazaar, festivals and more.

Are you planning an event this winter? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here are our picks (some of these events may require registration or tickets):

Sparkling Wine & Chocolate Pairing Week

• Dates: Feb. 11-16
• Location: Old York Cellars (80 Old York Road, Ringoes)
• Details: Indulge in a Valentine’s treat with a pairing of Old York Cellars sparkling wines with handcrafted chocolates. Reservations recommended.

Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar 2026

• Dates: Feb. 14 & 15
• Location: Asbury Park Convention Hall (1300 Ocean Avenue N., Asbury Park)
• Details: Enjoy a heart-filled weekend featuring shopping, music, food and Valentine’s-themed fun. Free admission and open to all ages.

Lunar New Year Spectacular

• Date: Feb. 15
• Location: Dream Stage, Court A (1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford)
• Details: Experience lion dances, performances and more as American Dream welcomes the Year of the Horse.

Showcase At The Hotel: Mardi Gras Dance & Dinner Party

• Date: Feb. 20
• Location: The American Hotel (18 E. Main Street, Freehold)
• Details: Enjoy a night of dinner, dancing, and dressed-up fun in your favorite Mardi Gras costume. Featuring live music from the Gumbo Gumbas Band. Tickets required.

NJ Big Flea Antiques Event

• Dates: Feb. 21 & 22
• Location: NJ Convention Center (97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison)
• Details: Shop for one-of-a-kind finds ranging from jewelry to art, furniture and more at the NJ Big Flea Antiques Event.

14th Annual Chili Cook-Off

• Date: Feb. 22
• Location: The Chubby Pickle (23 Bay Avenue, Highlands)
• Details: Enjoy sampling chili, performances and more at the Highlands Business Partnership’s 14th Annual Chili Cook-Off. Tickets required.

Black History Month Paint & Sip

• Date: Feb. 28
• Location: Creative In Common (86 Sloan Street, South Orange Village)
• Details: Celebrate culture, creativity and community at South Orange’s Black History Month Paint & Sip, where attendees can enjoy an evening of art and connection as they paint, mingle and celebrate together. Advance sign-up required.

Mac & Cheese Mayhem

• Date: Feb. 28
• Location: Morristown Armory (430 Western Avenue, Morristown)
• Details: See local chefs and restaurants come together to cook up variations of mac & cheese while competing for the best mac in town. Advance purchase tickets are recommended.