Weekly roundup (February 11)

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February 11, 2026 | Issue #145

NYC FOR FREE WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Note from Rebeka:

This week is busy with a full lineup of free NYFW and Valentine’s Day events! From café moments with Vital Proteins, LACTAID, and KAYALI to Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day fun with Kate Spade, Strawberry Shortcake, and Paula’s Choice, plus free groceries, sweet treats, and more! 💖

– Rebeka

FEATURED EVENTS (THIS WEEK):

🍽️Vital Proteins Vital Diner (February 10 - 11): Vital Proteins is putting Fashion Week professionals first this season with a limited-time collagen-powered pop-up at Empire Diner

✨Dolce & Gabbana Fragrance Pop-Up (February 11 - 14): Dolce&Gabbana invites guests to experience an immersive fragrance pop-up celebrating the new launches of The One fragrances.

🥛LACTAID TASTE BUDS CAFE (February 12): LACTAID & Hannah Berner invite you to the LACTAID Taste Buds Cafe, an exclusive one-day-only event to celebrate the launch of the LACTAID Creamers!

🛒The Polymarket Free Grocery Store (February 12 - 15): NYC is getting its first free grocery store, called “The Polymarket”. The store will be fully stocked, open to all New Yorkers, and requires no purchase. 

🐧Pudgy Penguins Pudgy Petals Valentine's Day Pop-Up (February 12 - 14) : Pudgy Penguins invites NYC to experience “PUDGY PETALS,” a three-day immersive Valentine’s pop-up.

🧥J.Crew The Rollneck Remix Pop-Up (February 13 - 14): J.Crew is re-imagining its 40-year old signature with The Rollneck™ Remix. The immersive pop-up experience will be complete with fun treats, a gift with purchase, and special mini Rollneck keychain for the first 100 visitors.

💘Kate Spade New York Galentine’s Day Celebration (February 13): This Galentine’s Day, Kate Spade is turning friendship into the main event featuring postcard fixtures, sips and snacks, special giveaways, gifts with purchase and more.

🪮Briogeo Scalp Revival Atelier (February 14): Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Atelier is an immersive experience focused on scalp wellness and healthier-looking hair with guided scalp consultations, product rituals, a touch-up bar, and more.

💆🏼‍♀️The A-List Salon by TRESemmé (February 14): TRESemmé’s A-List Salon will be open for one day only offering walk-in guests complimentary hair touch-ups using the brand’s latest products, plus NYFW photo moments, hot chocolate, and giveaways. 

❤️Love in Times Square (February 14):  Love in Times Square returns on Valentine’s Day with proposals, weddings, and vow renewals unfolding across Duffy Square and the Red Steps.

🍓Strawberry Shortcake’s "Bake Shop" (February 14 - 15): Strawberry Shortcake is partnering with Magnolia Bakery for a pop-up bake shop in SoHo

MORE EVENTS (THIS WEEK):

🩷Mr. Pink Valentine's Day Pop-Up (February 11) 

☕️NUDESTIX Café (February 11)

🥔The Haute Potato Collection (February 11) 

👠N4XT NYFW Retail Innovation Lab (February 11 - 15) 

👗The Canvas NYFW Lineup (through February 14)

💌New York Palace X Minted Love Letters (through February 14)

🪩Genesis House X CFDA Showroom (through February 22)

💚Purely Elizabeth x Cha Cha Matcha (February 12) 

💕NYFW V-Day Vintage Bazaar (February 12) 

🖼️NYFW at Fandi Mata (February 12) 

☕️KAYALI Café Pop-Up Experience (February 13 - 14) 

🌹OLEADA x Foreigner Valentine's Pop-Up (February 13) 

🩷Bombesquad Bazaar (February 13 - 14) 

🥰Beacon Community Center Spread the Love Community Day (February 13) 

💋Grand Central Valentine’s Event (February 13) 

💔Freehand × Rails Anti-Sweetheart Stitches (February 13) 

🌹Love in Transit Mystery Valentine's Day Art Pop-Up (February 14)

🥐noa, a bakery Valentine's Day (February 14)

🫧Paula’s Choice Free Coffee Pop-Up (February 14) 

💐Jenniiva Flower Cart (February 14) 

💎The JCPenney Ex-Change (February 14) 

💘A Love Affair with Ivy (February 15) 

🧧28th Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival (February 17) 

👰Wedding Salon NYC February 17 (February 17) 

❄️Curling at Bryant Park (through February 27)

ON THE RADAR:

🌞Snowed In or Sun-Soaked: A Talenti Tasting Experience (February 19): Talenti is giving fans a free taste of new flavors! Guests will journey between two contrasting worlds, inspired by the global origins of Talenti’s newest flavors.

💚Spill the Matcha NYC (February 22): Celebrate Mixik's matcha milk skincare at Kitsby Studio. ​Join for an afternoon of matcha, treats, and thoughtfully curated pop-up moments, all rooted in supporting local businesses.

🎮Pokémon Day Block Party with eBay (February 27): To celebrate Pokémon Day and 30 years of Pokémon collecting, eBay is hosting a free, fan-first Pokémon Day block party in NYC,

🧧Super Saturday Parade (February 28): Head to Chinatown to watch over 20+ lion dance groups parade throughout the streets of Chinatown for Lunar New Year.

🏀 Brooklyn Nets NYC for FREE Night (March 10): Join NYC For Free for another community night at the Brooklyn Nets. Tickets are just $30 (plus fees), and include an exclusive free BrooklynWay snapback, plus all ticket holders will be entered to win raffles & courtside warmup passes!

MISC, RECURRING & DEALS:

💕Looking for fun Valentine’s Day / President’s Day plans? Here are some special discounts, this week only: SUBMERGE at Artechouse ($75 Valentine’s Package with 2 tickets & 2 drinks, Kids free on President’s Day), I Candy (15% off early bird promo in February) and Bubble Planet (45% off for the whole family at American Dream for Valentine’s weekend)

🧠 HITLAB Alzheimer's Study (Earn $200!): HITLAB is conducting an IRB-approved study to help advance research in neurodegenerative diseases. Participate and earn $200. See link for details on eligibility.

🙇🏽‍♀️ Get $225 for a Focus Group: Earn $225 in rewards to help to shape the future of technology! Sign up for a 3 hour in-person study in Midtown Manhattan and get $225 for your time and participation.