It may be cold outside but the days are getting longer and things are heating up as February comes to a close.

Don’t fear the deep freeze
Meet winter head-on with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club’s “Naked” Polar Bear Cruise (Thursday, February 26, 10:30 a.m.; free for participants, $20 for spectators) to help raise money for the Wildlife Conservation Society by challenging hearty types to an exposed (in bathing suits, not actually naked) expedition on the Circle Line.

Art warms the heart
Join Art After Dark at the Guggenheim (Tuesday, March 1, 9PM-Midnight; $15, members free) for an arty party in honor of the upcoming Armory Arts Week. Also: Digital media artist Jim Campbell’s installation ”Scattered Light, Broken Window” (via This Week in NY) in Madison Square Park (through February 28) lights the city’s nights with a 20-foot-high, 80-foot-wide hanging grid consisting of over 2,000 LED lights.

Grape and grain
You don’t have to be a wine snob to partake in the 4th Annual New York Wine Expo (February 25-27, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center; ticket prices vary), but you can sample over 760 wines from around the world, meet international wine-makers and check out the latest in accessories. You can also Booze and Schmooze with the City Reliquary (Friday, February 25, 7-11 p.m.; $75-100) for a more local-and-social experience. This benefit bash will keep your glass full with five cocktail tables, offerings from local breweries and gourmet nibbles from locally raved faves like the Meat Hook, Momofuku Bakery, and Saltie.

Fully booked
Book Nerd Jeopardy comes to Housing Works Bookstore in Soho. Compete as a team or pipe up from the audience for cash prizes and put that book learnin’ to good use for a good cause; free wine and beer and a cash bar. Writers and Editors Night at Brooklyn Brewery will give local freelancers and other writers and editors a chance to pester a panel of top local editors and find out how to fine-tune that pitch (February 23, 7-10 p.m.; $5 admission includes one beer).