What to Do in February Around the World

Now through February 10: This month is the last chance to see Henri Matisse: The Cutouts, the acclaimed exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. No exhibition has assembled a larger collection of Matisse’s joyous “cutouts,” formed from various pieces of brightly colored paper. This exploration of form and color feels as fresh today as when Matisse first started producing these works in the 1940s. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s engrossing Cubism exhibition also comes to an end this month.

February 6-8: During the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, this northern Thai city explodes with countless gorgeous blossoms, including hundreds of species of orchids. The event culminates with a procession of floats bearing elaborate sculptures made from local flowers.

February 8, 15 and 22: St. Moritz’s exclusive White Turf is surely one of the world’s most exciting races, with horses kicking up snow on the frozen surface of the lake, backdropped by Alpine peaks. Jockeys race horses in the traditional manner, but the real highlight is the skijoring, in which horses tow jockeys on skis.

February 11-20: Although it’s not necessarily famous for its culinary contributions, the United Arab Emirates will host some of the world’s finest chefs during Gourmet Abu Dhabi. The new “Emirati Kitchen,” which will highlight traditional local dishes, promises to be especially fascinating. The list of chefs has yet to be released, but in the past, notables such as Michel Rostang, Rachel Allen and Khulood Atiq, the UAE’s first female national chef, have attended.

February 14: Relive the splendor of pre-war Vienna at the Johann Strauss Ball, held annually in the opulent Kursalon. For €120, guests sit down to a formal three-course meal in the Schubert or Lehar Hall before dancing the night away in one of the four ballrooms. Instructors are on hand to help you perfect your waltz.

February 14-15: Boston boasts the United States’ largest consumer Wine Expo, held each year at the Seaport World Trade Center. More than 185 wineries from around the world offer samples of their products, as do an array of top restaurants. VIP tickets allow immediate access to the show floor and entry to the VIP lounge. Also consider purchasing tickets to the Vintners’ Reserve Lounge, which pours wines retailing for $75 or more.

February 17: The days (and even weeks) leading up to Mardi Gras are always rich with festivities, most famously in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and Venice. But countless cities around the world celebrate the day with colorful parades, concerts and parties. Notable alternative celebrations include Karneval in Cologne, Germany (February 6-15), Carnaval in Nice, France (February 13-March 1), and Basler Fasnacht in Basel, Switzerland (February 23-26).

February 27-28: The largest parade and street performance in Asia, according to organizers, Singapore’s Chingay Parade is unquestionably a dazzling display of illuminated floats, flamboyant costumes and colorful pyrotechnics. This year’s theme is “We Love SG,” and some 11,000 performers plan to participate.

March 2-11: Although not technically in February, there is no time to waste if you wish to attend the annual Grape Harvest Festival in Mendoza. A blessing of the fruit kicks off Argentina’s largest wine party, followed by an array of events ranging from the “Queens White Way” horse-drawn carriage parade to sound and light shows in a Greek-style amphitheater to the over-the-top “Gay Grape Harvest Festival” performance.