Events at a Glance

February 2026

“Only in Ann Arbor” Event of the Month

“Crow Party,” Ann Arbor District Library. The animal; not the tribe. Wear black and bring a shiny trinket to trade, Feb. 13.

Concert Music (classical, religious, cabaret)

Violinist Nicola Benedetti & Friends, romantic salon music, Scottish folk tunes, and more (University Musical Society), Feb. 8 Sun.
Violinist James Ehnes and friends play Fauré’s Piano Quartets (University Musical Society), Feb. 12 Thurs.
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir sings an all-Arvo Pärt program (University Musical Society), Feb. 13 Fri.
Violinist and vocalist Danny Koo appears with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Feb. 14 Sat.
The Sebastians, Baroque music (Academy of Early Music), Feb. 21 Sat.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, one of the top symphonies in the world (University Musical Society), Feb. 23 Mon.

Vernacular Music (pop, rock, jazz, & traditional)

Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (University Musical Society), Feb. 6 & 7 Fri. & Sat.
Dave Simonett, Americana-infused indie folk singer-songwriter (The Ark), Feb. 11 Wed., see Nightspots
Summer Salt, airy surf-infused indie trop-pop by this Austin band (The Blind Pig), Feb. 11 Wed., see Nightspots
Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane, celebration of jazz greats Miles Davis and John Coltrane (University Musical Society), Feb. 15 Sun.
Sister Sadie, veteran all-female bluegrass-based Americana quintet (The Ark), Feb. 19 Thu., see Nightspots
NeedtoBreathe, Christian alt-country-rock (Michigan Theater), Feb. 20 Fri.
Kahil El Zabar, avant-garde jazz ensemble influenced by world music, hip-hop, jazz standards, and more (Blue Llama), Feb. 27 Fri., see Nightspots

Theater, Opera, & Dance

“The Classic King” premiere of this MI comedy (Purple Rose Theatre Company), Jan. 29–Mar. 8
“Kayak” Canadian comic drama (Theatre Nova), Jan. 30–Feb. 22
“University of Michigan Dance Company 2026” annual showcase of contemporary dance (U-M Dance Department). Feb. 5–8
“The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade” satiric political drama (U-M Theatre Department), Feb. 19–22

Comedy, Storytelling, & Performance Art

Tom Thakkar, Brooklyn-based comic (Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase), Feb. 19 Thurs.
39th Annual Storytelling Festival (The Ark/Michigan Theater), Feb. 20–22 Fri.–Sun.

Festivals, Fairs, & Shows

52nd Annual Winter Carnival, outdoor & indoor games, music, fishing (Chelsea American Legion Post 31), Feb. 6–8
Annual Chocolate Extravaganza, tastings and more (Chelsea Businesses), Feb. 7 Sat.
Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo, talks, demos, sales (Ann Arbor District Library), Feb. 8 Sun.
Frederick Douglass Day 2026, talks, activities, displays (U-M Library), Feb. 13 Fri.
56th Annual Model Train Show and Sale, the Midwest’s largest (Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club), Feb. 14 & 15
Ice Carving Festival, professional ice carvers, games (Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission), Feb. 28 Sat.

Family & Kids’ Stuff

Ice Fishing Derby (Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission), Feb. 7 Sat.
“Superb Owl Sunday” owl displays, crafts, & activities (Leslie Science & Nature Center), Feb. 8 Sun.
Chinese New Year, parade, performances (Briarwood Mall), Feb. 15 Sun.
Chinese New Year’s Celebration, drumming & dance performances (Ann Arbor District Library/Ann-Hua Chinese School), Feb. 21 Sat.
“Brick Bash 2026” LEGO play, exhibits, sale (Skyline High School Band Fundraiser), Feb. 28 & Mar. 1 Sat. & Sun.See our Kids Calendar for most kids events.

Lectures, Readings, & Forums

“Wynton Marsalis in Conversation” on the role of music (U-M Ford School of Public Policy), Feb. 4 Wed.
“In Praise of Addiction: Or How We Can Learn to Love Dependency in a Damaged World” author Elizabeth F.S. Roberts with NPR culture reporter Neda Ulaby (Literati Bookstore), Feb. 11 Wed.
“The Alchemy of Puppetry” puppeteer Basil Twist (U-M Penny Stamps Speaker Series), Feb. 12 Thurs.
“Bad Asians,” novelist Lilian Li (Literati Bookstore), Feb. 17 Tues.
“Working Across the Aisle in the Michigan Senate,” state senators Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, & John Damoose, R-Harbor Spring (U-M Ford School of Public Policy), Feb. 23 Mon.
“Crucible,” novelist and indie filmmaker John Sayles (Literati Bookstore), Feb. 25 Wed.
Novelist Jamil Jan Kochai (U-M Zell Visiting Writers Series), Feb. 26 Thurs.

Miscellaneous

Victorian Valentine Tea (Kempf House Museum), Feb. 14 & 15 Sat. & Sun.
“Melodies & Morsels: Italy” with Cleveland-based folk/jazz sextet Alla Boara (Kerrytown Concert House/Zingerman’s Deli), Feb. 19 Thurs.