Raincross Rundown: The Best of Riverside in February 2026

February brings the return of two of Riverside's most treasured traditions, reminding us why community celebrations matter most when shared with neighbors both familiar and new. This month offers countless ways to connect with the stories that make our city unique, from honoring Black history and educational excellence to celebrating the art of storytelling in all its forms. These are just a handful of the events that capture Riverside's heart – be sure to check out our community calendar for even more ways to engage with our vibrant community.

Please note: Event details can shift and change. We recommend checking with each venue and organization directly for the most current information before attending.

Beloved Community Traditions Return

Feb. 14 - 46th Black History Month Parade & Expo

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Downtown, Main Street (Between 10th St. and Mission Inn Blvd.)
• Theme: "A Salute to Education" with Cochér Car Club Car Show
• Live entertainment, drill teams, bands, food vendors
• One of California's longest-running Black History Month celebrations
• Free community event

Feb. 21-22 - 2026 Riverside Dickens Festival

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days, White Park
• Celebrating Oliver Twist & Community Storytelling
• Special: Pickett Corner & Oliver's Alley Children's Tea
• Tea times: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. daily (festival ticket required for adults)
• Victorian characters, activities, family-friendly entertainment

Arts & Culture

Feb. 5 - Riverside Rock n' Roll Reunion

• 6-9 p.m., Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave.
• White Sands feat. Chris Vigil of Spiderworks
• Special guests Derek Coon and Matt Bell of Los Infernos
• Free admission, part of 60 Miles East exhibition

Feb. 5 - Palabra at The Cheech

• 6-9 p.m., Sala José Jaime Medina
• Open mic poetry series celebrating floricanto and spoken word
• Featured poets: Barbara Fant, Anonymous 1, Ceasar K. Avelar
• Sign-ups 6 p.m., featured poets 7 p.m., open mic 8 p.m.

Feb. 6 - Ramona High School Student Art Gala

• 5-7 p.m., Riverside Municipal Airport, 6951 Flight Road
• Evening celebrating student creativity and local art
• Ramona High School Visual Arts Program showcase
• Student showcases, local artist panel discussion, refreshments
• Contact: (951) 826-5663 or SpecialEvents@RiversideCA.gov

Feb. 6-15 - Shrek the Musical

• Landis Performing Arts Center, 4800 Magnolia Ave.
• Feb. 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 7, 8, 14, 15 at 2 p.m.
• Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure
• Family-friendly, high-energy entertainment

Feb. 19 - Vitamin String Quartet

• 7 p.m., Fox Performing Arts Center
• "The Music of Billie Eilish, Bridgerton & Beyond"
• Contemporary hits transformed into classical arrangements

Feb. 19 - Riverside County Artscape Closing Reception

• 3 p.m., Riverside County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St.
• Fall/Winter exhibit closing artist reception
• Support local talented artists

Feb. 21 - Brick by Brick: Black Innovators Who Built the I.E.

• 3-5 p.m., Civil Rights Institute, 3933 Mission Inn Ave. Suite 103
• Theatrical spoken word performance
• Black trailblazers of Inland Southern California

Feb. 22 - Books & Belonging: Reading Circle for Black Children's Book Week

• 1-4 p.m., Civil Rights Institute, 3933 Mission Inn Ave. Suite 103
• Free community celebration of Black stories and creators
• Uplift books by Black authors and illustrators

Community Events

Feb. 11 - Galentine's Women's Health Event

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Janet Goeske Center, 5257 Sierra St.
• Wellness presentations, screenings, self-care activities
• Mammograms, doc talks, massage, raffles
• Refreshments for first 100 guests

Feb. 11 - Paint, Pot, and Sip

• 6-8 p.m., Thompson Brewing Co., 9900 Indiana Ave. #7
• $35 includes pot painting, houseplant, repotting demo, one drink
• Beginner-friendly creative workshop
• Limited seats available

Feb. 20 - 4th Annual Pardi Gras Pub Crawl

• Check-in 5:15 p.m., crawl begins 6 p.m., Loft 84, 3840 Lemon St.
• $35, ages 21+, benefits My Learning Studio OUTREACH
• 10 participating venues with food/drink specials
• Mardi Gras fun, raffles, silent auction

Feb. 23 - Sip with a Scientist

• 5-6 p.m., Bar Ni Modo, 1393 University Ave.
• UCR faculty researchers in casual conversation format
• Complimentary appetizers, craft cocktails available
• Monthly community education series

Food & Entertainment

February Ongoing - Farmhouse Collective Events

• 1393 University Ave.
• Feb. 11: Plant Lotería - 5 p.m., traditional Mexican game of chance with plants, hosted by Rooted in Love
• Family Movie Nights: Every Tuesday, 6 p.m. in the backyard (free)
• Certified Farmers Market: Every Friday, 10 a.m.
• New: Taco Stand had its grand opening Feb. 2 - be sure to check out the newest addition to the collective
• Check their calendar for up-to-date details and additional programming

Through Feb. 7 - Mayor's Ball for the Arts: Nominations

• Riverside Arts Council seeks nominees for arts contributions in 2025
• Award winners announced March 21 at Mayor's Ball
• Nominate individuals and entities making impact in arts community

February reminds us that the most meaningful celebrations happen when we show up for one another. Whether you're cheering along the parade route, sharing tea with characters from a beloved story, or discovering new music in a gallery filled with our city's creative history, these moments weave the fabric that makes Riverside home. Each gathering, each shared laugh, each discovery connects us more deeply to the place and people we call community.