Things to do in Montreal this February

February in Montreal is when the city leans hardest into the cold with dozens of reasons to be on the move: a month where you can catch post-punk legends in a century-old tavern, dance in a 360° dome until the early hours, run a 5K through the underground city, and watch lion dances at the Old Port. And all of this happens before the month's flagship festival transforms downtown into an all-night playground of food, light, and culture.

This year's February arrives heavy with milestones. Black History Month marks its 35th edition in Quebec, coinciding with 100 years of BHM celebrations worldwide. Taverne Tour hits double digits with its most ambitious lineup yet. Festival Fondu au Noir welcomes former Governor General Michaëlle Jean as Honorary President for its 15th edition. The Vietnamese community celebrates 50 years in Montreal with a Lunar New Year festival at the Grand Quai. And Montréal en Lumière caps the month with Nuit Blanche, the all-night arts marathon that's kept this city awake every winter since 2000.