MON 1
Catholic Schools Week – Art Festival
Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, the Archdiocese of New Orleans hosts a festival displaying the artwork of local schools. Veterans Skylight area. Continues through Feb. 4. 10 am-8 pm.
TUES 2
Groundhog Day
Watch as the Seer of Seers, Punxsutawney Phil, makes his prediction for the end (or not!) of winter. Follow along virtually at groundhog.org.
THURS 4
Orleans Parish Appreciation Day
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St. Orleans Parish residents receive free admission to Audubon facilities for themselves and up to four guests when they present a valid government-issued photo ID. For information: audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-community-connect. 10 am-5 pm.
FRI 5
The Pillars of Democracy: Celebrating the Journey from Ida to Kamala
The New Orleans Opera, in partnership with OperaCréole presents this free virtual concert. To register: neworleansopera.org. 7:30 pm.
SAT 6
Super Saturday
New Orleans City Park, 1009 Harrison Ave. Work assignments and tools are distributed at the Volunteer Center at 9:00 am, and volunteers work until noon maintaining areas around City Park. Information: neworleanscitypark.com or call 504.483.9459. 8:45 am.
Arbor Day Celebration Seedling Give-Away
Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville. The Parks and Parkways Commission of the City of Mandeville will be celebrating Louisiana Arbor Day with the annual distribution of free tree seedlings. This year’s focus is on wildlife and fruiting trees, including pawpaw, beautyberry, catalpa, buttonbush, American beech, and dahoon holly. For information, call: Catherine Casanova, city arborist & landscape inspector, at 985.624.3104. 9 am-2 pm.
SUN 7 – Super Bowl Sunday
THUR 11
Music at the Museum Series
Venue TBA. Join the philharmonic’s all female chamber ensemble as part of the LPO’s regular Thursday evening concert series at museums around town. Updated information: lpomusic.com. 6 pm.
FRI 12 – Chinese New Year
Year of the Ox, the Chinese New Year begins today and ends with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 26.
Mardi Gras For All Y’all
Parades may be cancelled this year but the spirit of Mardi Gras will be in full swing! Mardi Gras for All Y’all is a 3-day virtual event featuring iconic artists, chefs, and personalities at famous New Orleans venues, including Mardi Gras World, Antoine’s, Dookie Chase, and others. For all information: mardigrasforall.com. Feb. 12-14.
SAT 13
Laketown Distance Festival – 10 Mile, 10K, 5K Run/Walk
Kenner Lakefront. The Laketown 10 Mile, 10K and 5K distance events offer excellent and economic training opportunities in a quality race environment great for the many upcoming marathons & half-marathons. New this year: “virtual” registration and participation option. For information: call 504.884.7565, email chuck@nolarunning.com, or see nolarunning.com. Run begins at 8 am.
Virtual Creative Writing Workshop
New Orleans Public Library. Writers will create, share, and critique original work while learning to develop their own voice and style via Zoom. Novice and experienced writers are welcome. Registration required: Kathleen Balma at kbalma@nolalibrary.org. Every other Saturday through April. 1-3 pm.
SUN 14 – Valentine’s Day
TUES 16 – Fat Tuesday
Virtual Popular Fiction Book Club
New Orleans Public Library. Discuss a new book each month via Zoom. New members are always welcome. Registration required: alima@nolalibrary.org to register. Occurs every 3rd Tuesday through March. 6-7:15 pm.
WED 17 – Ash Wednesday
THURS 18
Whodunit? Mystery Book Club
New Orleans Public Library. Solve crimes together and discover “whodunit” on Zoom. Each month, a new selection will be unveiled. New members welcome. For information & registration: events.nolalibrary.org/event/4629733. 4-5:30 pm.
Music at the Museum Series
Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans. “Four Seasons and a Little Bit of Jazz” with an LPO chamber ensemble, as part of their museum series. For more information: lpomusic.com. 6 pm.
SAT 20
Krewe Du Pooch
The North Shore’s Krewe Du Pooch dog parade is going virtual in 2021 with a costume contest and a fun run/walk and 5K race that participants can complete from anywhere. For information: krewedupooch.org.
THURS 25 – Purim Begins at Sundown