For a short month, February is super charged.
This weekend there’s First Friday, the Bainbridge Jazz & Blues Festival, the FSU Festival of the Creative Arts, the Super Bowl, and the Tallahassee Marathon. Coming right up is Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, the Heart concert with Lucinda Williams, Southern Shakespeare Festival’s “The Tempest,” rock band Toto, and an announcement on Feb. 25 with the full lineup for Word of South.
In conjunction with the festival, Midtown Reader has already announced its One Book Tally selection for community reading in 2026: “Playground,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Powers (“The Overstory,” 2019).
Pick up a free copy at Midtown Reader or the Leon County Public Library. Word of South director, Sara Marchessault, will be hosting a discussion of “Playground” at Midtown Reader on April 16. The author will be at Word of South on April 26.
Where to watch: 5 best Tallahassee sports bars for deals on food, Super Bowl specials
The Other Side Vintage is located at 607 Railroad Square.
Here’s a roundup of entertaining events around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts, online listings and elsewhere.
1. Find fun at February First Friday
Visitors enjoy annual First Friday at Railroad Square Friday, May 2, 2025. It continues nearly a year after tornadoes tore through Tallahassee.
Make it a funky February First Friday at Railroad Square in the Railroad Square Art District with food from a variety of restaurants and trucks, music, art and fun from 6-9 p.m. Friday.
The Other Side Vintage, 607 Railroad Square, will have a music lineup at the store featuring a mix of acoustic performances, hip-hop energy, and a full-band closer — creating a night that grows from intimate sets into something bigger. Music will be from Frank Hacyenda, Tobias Moore, Amber Morgan, Xary Oak and Jadne. Head out to support local artists and be part of a strong community night.
Theater: Story of courage and Holocaust rescue takes the stage at FSU
2. Swing out for Bainbridge Jazz & Blues Festival
The 6th Annual Bainbridge Jazz & Blues Fest will feature 20 acts on a dozen stages on Feb. 7, 2026,
Fresh off a weekend at the Grammys, 3-time Grammy winner Scotty Barnhart, jazz trumpeter and director of the Count Basie Orchestra, is back for an appearance at the 6th Annual Bainbridge Jazz & Blues Fest in Bainbridge, Georgia, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.
Downtown Bainbridge is coming alive from noon to midnight for a full day of incredible music, good vibes, and community fun during this free, all-ages festival featuring 20+ acts across a dozen stages, showcasing some of the best jazz and blues talent around.
The festival is free but VIP tickets ($100) get you food and beer. Visit eventbrite.com.
The lineup includes Scott Barnhart, Johnnie Marshall Band, Ben Flournoy, Dirty Bird and the Flu, Dabbit, The Jerry Thigpen Trio, John Ford, JC and the Backscratchers, Brett Wellman & the Stone Cold Blues Band, Steve Fryson Jazz Band, Dave Berry Duo, Thomas University Jazz Combo, Asher Pereira Trio, Corey Hall Band, Bobby Durham, The Tangers and Joe Johnson Trio.
3. Groove to original music under the Lichgate Oak
The famous Live Oak tree at Lichgate on High Road seen Monday, Oct. 25, 2021.
The Tallahassee Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association and the Lichgate on High Road Volunteer Board present a Concert to Benefit the Lichgate Historic Site at the Lichgate Grounds, 1401 High Road, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.
The family event fundraiser for Lichgate, which was damaged by vandalism in 2025, will help with repair and refurbishment efforts. The Tudor-style, thatched roof dwelling and spreading live oak tree, was once the home of the the late FSU professor Laura Jepsen and is on the Historic Register.
The afternoon concert is a day of original singer-songwriter performances and a Finale Tribute in memory of legendary Grateful Dead Guitarist Bobby Weir. Songwriters appearing in the show are Nashville Songwriters Association members, plus special guest artists. Gates open 11 a.m. for guided walkabouts and activities, and live music runs.
Songwriter Mike Brawer will be part of the Nashville Songwriters benefit for Lichgate on Feb. 7, 2026.
Admission at the gate is by suggested donation to the Lichgate historic site. Featured performers include: Danny Goddard, Isabel Ruano, Mike Brawer, Michael Douso, Scott Drury, Jim Crozier, Butch Burns, Dave McKenzie, Bill Rodda and Ken Crawford. Emcees are Barbra Faircloth & Ron Patrick.
4. Jam on at Grateful Dead Night tribute
Lee C. Payton will present a Grateful Dead jam at Railroad Square on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
In honor of the passing of the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Lee C. Payton of the LCP Band is hosting a Grateful Dead Night concert and jam session at 621 Gallery in the Railroad Square Art District, 650-3 Railroad Square, from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.
There will be two long sets of your favorite Grateful Dead songs, with set 2 open to musicians who love the Grateful Dead and want to join the jam. The Grateful Dead got their start as a band playing at art gatherings and were known for doing benefit concerts for charities.
In this spirit, the LCP Band & Friends are performing in an art gallery. There will be a merch table with music, Grateful Dead memorabilia, and artwork with 50% of the proceeds from the merch table going to the Kathryn Belle Long Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit needy young musicians. To learn more, visit the Facebook page. There is a $10 cover charge, redeemable for 1 adult beverage.
5. Catch seafood at 5th Annual SGI ShrimpFest
Salt air and succulent seafood are on tap this weekend as the St. George Lighthouse Association celebrates its 5th Annual SGI ShrimpFest, a celebration of shrimp dishes, vibrant music, unique shopping, and a festive atmosphere.
This year’s festival will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the western parking area adjacent to Lighthouse Park. This one-day outdoor event will be a shrimp-lover’s paradise, as local culinary talents share their shrimp delicacies. Adding to the festivities, there will be a curated group of arts and crafts vendors showcasing unique products, local nonprofit exhibitors, a beer and wine station and again this year, a live musical performance by Blues Factor Band.
Tickets are $5 for ages 13+ and will be available at the Lighthouse Gift Shop. Tickets will also be available at the gate. Funds raised go to the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the Lighthouse, the Keeper’s House Museum, and Lighthouse Park. Visit sgishrimpfest.com.
Bonus event: Tune into weather at FSU Festival of Creative Arts
On the left is “The Tempest” by Italian Renaissance painter Giorgione. On the right, Tom Cruise hangs from a biplane in a cloudy sky for “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.” Stephanie Leitch, a professor of Northern European art and the history of graphics, will explore the role of weather in both works during a presentation at the Festival of the Creative Arts event “It’s the Weather!” on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
The wonders of weather will take center stage at the upcoming “It’s the Weather!” event, part of Florida State University’s Festival of the Creative Arts from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Challenger Learning Center, 200 S. Duval St.
Other activities include “weather weaving,” in which meteorological data is transformed into art, and the short film “Chance of Rain,” a visual contemplation of weather.
FSU art history, art education and music education faculty will partner with staff from the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee and the National Weather Service to deliver a fun, informative look at the weather and nature. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the weather and nature in works of art while discovering scientific facts about our world.
Bonus event: Crooked River Park Fest
Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle.
The Crooked River Lighthouse will host its 4th Annual Crooked River Park Fest from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in Carrabelle. Visitors can enjoy an expanded Country “Super” Market offering arts, crafts, fresh local foods, treats, and unique coastal finds. Local food vendors, a car show from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., a fish and nature printing activity and live music by The Waterbirds will round out the day. Lighthouse tower climbs, the Keeper’s House Museum, including the 1894 Fresnel Lens exhibit and gift shop browsing will be available from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Admission is free, and climbs are $5. Visit crookedriverlighthouse.com.
Bonus event: Weekend tunes at Blue Tavern
Dolce Trio a three-piece Tallahassee group featuring Kelly Goddard, Elizabeth Fravel and Gillian Canning, plays Blue Tavern at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Mes Amis cranks it up for happy hour at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. The band features Laura Gayle Green, bass & vocals; Stephen Michael Hodges, guitar & vocals; and Andréa Stanley, violin & vocals. The Ambedo Trio takes over at 8 p.m. with Pat Puckett, Jack Straub and Reo Morris performing an eclectic mix of electric guitar driven music. $10 cover.
Get in on the open Jug Band Jam at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, led by the Beelzebubbas, Big Bad Bob Vaughn and Anywhere Andy Thomas. Stick around at 8 p.m. for Dolce Trio with special guest “Fiddlebritches” David Langston at the Blue Tavern for an evening of original tunes, old-timey, jazzy, bluesy tunes. $10 cover.
OTHER EVENTS
Corner Pocket: Super Bowl Saturday Night with Tom and the Cats, 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, Corner Pocket Bar and Grill, 2475 Apalachee Parkway. $5 cover.
Lake Tribe Brewing: Two Guys w/ Guitars (acoustic rock and much more), 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, Lake Tribe Brewing, 3357 Garber Dr. #4. No cover.
Math Fun Day: The Florida State University Department of Mathematics will host the 11th annual Math Fun Day from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the Love Building, 1017 Academic Way, FSU, campus.
Monticello Opera House: Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel, 8-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, Monticello Opera House, 185 W. Washington St., Monticello. Cash bar. Tiered seating; $59, $49. $39. Visit monticellooperahouse.org.
Scotty Barnhart is play at the Bainbridge Jazz & Blues Festival on Feb. 7 and the Jazz on the Moon concert on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2026
The Moon: Sarah Langdon Presents Jazz On The Moon featuring Scotty Barnhart, Leon Anderson, Rodney Jordan, Kevin Jones, Bill Peterson, David Detweiler, Rod Harris Jr., Joe Goldberg, and Tissa Kholsa, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 reserved, $10 general admission. 1105 E. Lafayette St. Visit moonevents.com.
Prism Concert: Marching Chiefs Band, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. $55-$40. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.
Shakedown Studios: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. Band Launch Night is a group jam/open jam event for people who always wanted to be in a bands. The Harmony Studio at Shaketown Studios will be available with a drumset, guitar and bass amps, keyboards, microphones and PA speakers. Bring your own guitars and cords. Railroad Village Unit B6, 1872 Mill Street, $2 payable at the door.
Surf Club: Beanies & Bikinis, Kook Squad, Anemoia, Amplifi, and Stoneheads, 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 221 Bamboo Drive.
Tallahassee Film Society: “All That’s Left of You,” 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7; Oscar nominated “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, Challenger Learning Center IMAX. General admission, $11; members an students, $9.
Tallahassee Winds: Drs. Patrick Dunnigan and David Plack of FSU College of Music, current leaders of Tallahassee Winds, will welcome Winds founder Dr. Bentley Shellahamer to the podium as guest conductor when the ensemble performs its third concert of the season in Opperman Music Hall at 7:30 on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 fun things to do around Tallahassee this weekend