February Festivals: Excruciatingly cold water

And you thought February was just a month to eat boxed chocolate and cuddle! Sure, you can do all those things but look at all these things, too!

February 26, 2016; 2:59 PM • by Rachel Marsh

Photo by: ericwagner

Polar Plunge

Do you miss summer so much that you just want to jump into a pool even though it’s below freezing outside? At least, that’s what I can figure is the only reason for this insanity. Well, it’s also raising money for Special Olympics Virginia so I guess that makes sense too.

Saturday, February 27th, 12:00 – 4:00 PM
The Shops at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive
Free to attend!

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Previously

Chocoholic! 2016

What’s better than raising money for a good cause? Raising money for a good cause while eating a lot of chocolate. This month, the VMFA is hosting their annual Chocoholic event, a fundraiser for Family Lifeline. Somewhere in between all of the chocolate, baked goods, and desserts…hang on, give me a minute to stop drooling…there will also be wine (I know, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better), craft beer (of course), and a silent auction.

Wednesday, February 3rd • 7:00 – 10:00 PM
VMFA, 200 N. Boulevard
$75

Richmond Environmental Film Festival

When you’re done spreading your compost and sorting your recyclables, hop in your hybrid car and check out these movies about this planet we all live on. Just kidding by the way, you can even come in your SUV. Or Hummer! No judgment. This event is free and open to the public.

Monday, February 1st – Sunday, February 7th • see site for schedule
See site for venues
Free!

Mardi Gras RVA

Beads! Bands! Babies inside cakes! There’s no celebration quite like Mardi Gras. Watch the parade, listen to music, eat some crawfish (I think I made that part up but isn’t that something people do in New Orleans?) Party as if you’re about to give up something for 40 days!

Saturday, February 6th • parade starts at 3:00 PM, main event starts at 4:00 PM
Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W. 15th Street
$75 for a float spot in the parade, free to attend. Tickets to Dogtown show are $15

ChinaFest

This month, good ol’ University of Richmond is helping to bridge the cultural gap between us and China. For four days, they’re bringing us discussions, films, and arts-related events about the culture of China. Perfect if you have a strong interest in China; even more perfect if you don’t actually know that much about it, but want to learn.

Thursday, February 11th – Sunday, February 14th • see site for schedule
Various spots on the University of Richmond campus, see site for schedule
Free!

Virginia Wine Expo

Why commit to a whole glass of wine when you can get a little pour of a bunch of wines? Enter: Virginia Wine Expo. Try a whole assortment of wines, plus snacks and meals. And a little craft beer will even manage to sneak itself in somehow. It always does.

Wednesday, February 17th – Sunday, February 21st
Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd Street
Various events, various prices!

Winter Wine Festival

If you’re not too wined-out from the Virginia Wine Expo (ha! Just kidding! As if!), take a gander up to Staunton to see what they have to offer. I’ll give you a hint, it’s wine.