It may be the shortest month, but February packs a punch, especially for sports fans. See WWE’s Royal Rumble, the Daytona 500 and, of course, Super Bowl LIX, pitting Taylor Swift’s boyfriend (and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs) against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2023 rematch that also promises a legendary tailgate party emceed by Guy Fieri and a much-anticipated half-time show headlined by Kendrick Lamar.
Expect to see some of the same faces at the 67th annual Grammy Awards, which will emphasize fundraising for wildfire relief and pay tribute to LA’s first responders, and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF), which returns to Miami for its 24th year. Also of note, New York Fashion Week, San Francisco’s Noise Pop Festival and Frieze LA, and we’re just as excited about some of the smaller happenings — digital art installations, otherworldly opera, and high-energy meet-cutes — involving XP Land XLISTERS.
Keep reading for experiential inspiration from around the globe.
ART INSTALLATIONS
Bulgari Serpenti Infinito Exhibition: Closes February 16; Shanghai, China
The Serpenti Infinito Exhibition is a jaw-dropping celebration of the iconic Serpenti — Bulgari’s iconic design motif, inspired by the elegance and symbolism of the serpent. At the heart of it all, artist and XLISTER Refik Anadol’s “Infinito: AI Data Sculpture” takes center stage. The 3D marvel is set in a 360-degree mirrored room that transforms data into stunning, ever-changing visuals. The installation is a hypnotic fusion of art, tech and storytelling, perfectly capturing the Serpenti’s themes of transformation and infinity.
Breathing with the Forest: February 8-April 6; Virtual
An immersive video installation that transports visitors into the heart of the Colombian Amazon, surrounding them with the vibrant sights and sounds of the rainforest, “Breathing with the Forest is the latest activation from Marshmallow Laser Feast (founded by XLISTERs Barnaby Steel, Robin McNichols and Ersin Han Ersin). By synchronizing their breath with the pulsing rhythms of the environment, participants experience a profound connection to the intricate web of life, highlighting the delicate balance and interdependence of our natural world.
ATTRACTIONS
Chaotic Singles Party: Multiple dates; Various locations
Valentine’s Day is about to get a whole lot more fun with Chaotic Singles Parties, founded by XLISTER Cassidy Davis. Epic IRL events across Chicago, Austin, NYC, LA, San Francisco and beyond offer singles the chance to connect with hundreds of potential matches for the price of one drink — proving that finding love (or at least a great story) doesn’t have to break the bank. And for those looking to turn the chaos international, the group is jetting off to Thailand for an unforgettable adventure filled with elephants, island vibes and maybe even a little romance.
NYFW: February 6-11; New York, NY
The Bureau Fashion Week is raising the bar with immersive experiences that go beyond the typical runway experience at this year’s New York Fashion Week, transforming the Historic West Edge into a vibrant hub with multiple runways, panels, industry mixers and even yoga-with-mimosas sessions. Adore Me’s exclusive cabaret-inspired lingerie showcase promises aerialists, dancers and performers for a show that’s as theatrical as it is fashion-forward. Meanwhile, the “Xchange NYFW Pop-Up & Fashion Presentation” at Revolving Store will blend fashion, art and music, proving that the intersection of creativity is where the real magic happens.
GQ Fashion Bowl: February 7; New Orleans, LA
Designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla is teaming up with GQ to present the inaugural GQ Bowl fashion show at Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans. Bode’s Spring 2025 Bode Rec. collection draws inspiration from her father’s football legacy and the vibrant parade culture of the Big Easy, blending sports nostalgia with high-fashion flair. The event will be livestreamed on GQ.com and GQ’s YouTube channel, featuring a star-studded lineup of models, athletes and entertainers.
Shaq’s Fun House: February 7; New Orleans, LA
Get ready for an unforgettable night as Shaq’s Fun House returns, this time at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. Produced by Medium Rare — co-founded by XLISTERS Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman — this all-inclusive extravaganza, running from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM, combines the best of music, carnival and circus into one epic event. Attendees will enjoy a 6-hour open bar, thrilling carnival rides and games, and electrifying performances by John Summit, Ludacris and DJ Diesel (Shaq himself). Tickets are available in various tiers, including General Admission and VIP options.
Frieze LA: February 20-23; Los Angeles, CA
Frieze Los Angeles is set to return to the Santa Monica Airport, featuring over 100 galleries from around the globe. Despite the city’s ongoing fires, the fair is moving forward, underscoring its commitment to the city’s vibrant art scene and offering an expanded program that includes immersive public projects and cutting-edge presentations. Expect everything from bold installations to exclusive parties, cementing Frieze LA as a must-attend cultural hotspot for art lovers and experience seekers alike.
AWARD SHOWS
GRAMMY Awards: February 2; Los Angeles, CA
The 67th annual GRAMMY Awards isn’t just music’s biggest night — it’s a high-voltage spectacle with a mission, raising funds for wildfire relief while honoring first responders. This year’s star-studded lineup includes Billie Eilish, Shakira, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter, with rising talents Benson Boone, Doechii, RAYE and Teddy Swims also set to perform. Beyond the main event, GRAMMY Week transforms LA into an all-access music playground, from the Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Gala turned fire-relief fundraiser to the intimate MusiCares benefit.
BAFTA Film Awards: February 16; London, UK
Hosted by David Tennant at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, the 78th British Academy Film Awards will also be broadcast live on BBC One, iPlayer and BritBox, but what exactly viewers will see (outside the awards) is a bit of a mystery, with past performances running the gamut from Cirque de Soleil acrobatics to Hannah Waddingham’s rendition of Time After Time. One thing is for sure: This year introduces a Children’s and Family Film award, the first new category in five years, following the addition of Best Casting in 2020.
CULINARY
Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate: February 9; New Orleans, LA
Guy Fieri — alongside Medium Rare — is bringing his Flavortown Tailgate to Mardi Gras World for Super Bowl weekend. This free, family-friendly bash will feature over 20 restaurant pop-ups, including favorites from “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” alongside live performances by Diplo, Flavor Flav and Cowboy Mouth. Expect interactive games, exclusive merch drops and plenty of bold flavors to fuel a weekend of football.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF): February 20-23; Miami, FL
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) returns to Miami for the 24th year with over 100 events featuring celebrity chefs like Guy Fieri, Alex Guarnaschelli and José Andrés. This year’s highlights include hands-on pizza-making with Chris Bianco, a rooftop taco bash with Aarón Sánchez and exclusive wine tastings with top sommeliers.
FESTIVALS
Innings Festival: February 21-22; Tempe, AZ
Innings Festival is hitting Tempe Beach Park in Arizona, aligning perfectly with MLB Spring Training. The lineup is stacked with heavy hitters like The Killers, Fall Out Boy, Beck, Incubus and The Black Keys, making it a must-attend event for music and baseball fans alike.
Noise Pop Festival: February 20-March 2; San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s Noise Pop Festival is back to transform the city into an indie music mecca. With over 160 bands across 80+ events in 25+ venues, the lineup boasts heavy hitters like St. Vincent, Earl Sweatshirt and Ben Gibbard, promising a sonic feast for the Bay Area’s music aficionados.
SPORTS
WWE’s Royal Rumble: February 1; Indianapolis, IN
The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble is set for Lucas Oil Stadium and will be broadcast live on Netflix in the UK, following a landmark partnership deal. Additionally, WWE has teamed up with Cosm to deliver an immersive “Shared Reality” experience, allowing fans in Los Angeles and Dallas to feel as if they’re ringside through state-of-the-art 87-foot LED domes that blend virtual and physical worlds.
Invictus Games: February 8-16; Vancouver, BC
The 2025 Invictus Games are set to unite over 500 competitors from 23 nations, showcasing resilience, camaraderie and the power of adaptive sports. This year’s buzzworthy twist? The biathlon event will swap rifles for lasers, igniting conversations about tradition versus innovation while elevating the inclusive spirit of these transformative games.
Super Bowl LIX: February 9; New Orleans, LA
Fresh off a $560 million overhaul in anticipation of Super Bowl LIX, the Caesars Superdome is ready for the crowds with new fan entrances, open atriums, and a 4,000-square-foot end zone field-level club. Meanwhile, home viewers can stream the big game — and the much-anticipated halftime show, produced by Roc Nation, (shout out XLISTER Desiree Perez) — on Fox’s free streaming platform, Tubi, geared toward Gen Z cord-cutters.
NBA All-Star Weekend: February 14-16; San Francisco, CA
This year’s NBA All-Star Weekend introduces a brand new format including a four-team mini-tournament featuring squads drafted by NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, plus a team led by Candace Parker and composed of Rising Stars Challenge victors. Beyond the court, fans can look forward to performances by artists like Zedd, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and Jennifer Lopez.
Daytona 500: February 16; Daytona Beach, FL
The Daytona 500 is revving up for its 67th run at the legendary Daytona International Speedway in Florida. This year’s race is already sold out, promising a packed house to witness NASCAR’s finest battle it out on the iconic 2.5-mile track. Leading up to race day, fans can enjoy a week of events and activations, including qualifying races, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Xfinity Series races, the NASCAR Racing Experience and Bike Week at Daytona, featuring motorcycle events like the Daytona Supercross.
THEATER
Adoration: February 19-23; Los Angeles, CA
LA Opera and XLISTER Beth Morrison Projects are teaming up to present the West Coast premiere of Adoration at REDCAT. Composed by Mary Kouyoumdjian with a libretto by Royce Vavrek, this contemporary opera delves into themes of intolerance and mass hysteria in the digital age, following a high school student’s fictional narrative that spirals out of control online.
Othello: Opens February 24; New York, NY
Shakespeare’s most gut-wrenching tragedy just got a Broadway glow-up, with Denzel Washington stepping into Othello’s tortured soul and Jake Gyllenhaal scheming as Iago. Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon is at the helm, bringing a sharp, stripped-down vision that makes this Othello hit different — think raw emotion, electric tension and a no-frills focus on power, race and betrayal. It’s the first Broadway revival in over 40 years, and they’re not just dusting off a classic, they’re setting it on fire.
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