By The Connect Crew | February 18, 2026
February does not exactly tiptoe through Happy Valley. It shows up with teases of sunshine, full parking lots, and lots of opportunities to get out.
This week, the energy centers around one of the most recognizable weekends of the year. THON returns to the Bryce Jordan Center, and alongside it comes a strong lineup of sports, live music, lectures, and performances.
Here are some highlights…
🎉 At the BJC
Penn State THON returns to the Bryce Jordan Center beginning Friday at 6:00 pm. The 46-hour dance marathon has become a defining Penn State tradition, drawing students, families, and alumni together to help fight childhood cancer.
Stepping inside the BJC during THON Weekend is a reminder of what coordinated community effort looks like at scale.
After Thon wraps up, The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour is the main event on Feb 24.
🏟️ Sports at a Glance
It is a busy stretch for Penn State Athletics with multiple events on deck.
Tonight we have Women’s Lacrosse vs. Pitt at Holuba Hall and Men’s Basketball vs. Rutgers at the Bryce Jordan Center
This weekend…Men’s Ice Hockey vs. Ohio State at Pegula Ice Arena, Men’s Volleyball vs. Harvard at Rec Hall and Men’s Wrestling vs. Princeton at Rec Hall on Friday night.
Visit Penn State Athletics for full details and ticket information.
🎵 Music & Performance
Midweek music offers options that range from intimate listening rooms to ensemble concerts.
Tonight brings Alice Peacock and Jessica Willis Fisher to The Attic at The State Theatre.
The Rick Hirsch 4 with Eric Ian Farmer perform at Pine Grove Hall on Thursday in a program celebrating Black History Month.
For comedy fans, Adam Cayton-Holland appears Friday evening at Manny’s Live Performance Space at 8:00 pm.
Don’t miss an opportunity to see Penn State’s Professional Theatre Training Program in action with The Morris & Essex Line opening on February 24th.
Visit the Connect Happy Valley Events Calendar for more offerings and venue details.
🎨 Arts, Ideas & Immersive Experiences
This week also leans into art, architecture, and cultural exploration.
The Stuckeman School Lecture & Exhibition Opening, “Hatchwork: An Archaeology of Generative Drawing,” takes place today at 4:00 pm at the Stuckeman Family Building.
Sunday afternoon, Brazilian Music Immersion Session 1: The Origins of Samba begins at 4:30 pm at Pine Grove Hall, exploring rhythm, history, and musical context.
🌅Looking Ahead
On the horizon we have two big sporting events with the AHA Women’s Hockey Semifinals at Pegula Arena the Weekend of Feb 27- Mar 1 and the Big Ten Wrestling Championships on Mar 6-7.
💙 Show Up for What’s Here
As always, the full Connect Happy Valley Events Calendar can be found here. Choose a game, a concert, a conversation, or a cause. Winter may still be firmly in place, but so is the opportunity to gather.
