February is late winter in London: cold nights, slowly lengthening days and fewer tourists than at almost any other time of year. The two dates that shape the month are Lunar New Year, which falls on 6 February in 2027, and the school half-term holiday from 15 to 19 February.
There are no bank holidays in February, so shops, museums and transport run to normal timetables all month. Outside half-term, it is a good time to see the big museums without long queues and to find a table at restaurants that are hard to book in summer. The trade-off is the weather, which is often raw and damp rather than crisp.
This guide explains what February 2027 is likely to bring: the weather you can expect, the events with confirmed dates, the week to avoid if you dislike crowds, what is closed, and how to keep costs down.
February 2027 in short
- Average high / low
- 9.0°C / 2.7°C (Met Office, Heathrow, 1991-2020)
- Sunshine
- About 79 hours in the month, up from 61 in January
- Bank holidays
- None
- Lunar New Year
- Saturday 6 February 2027 (Year of the Goat); London's celebration date not yet announced
- London school half-term
- Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027
- Other dates
- Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) 9 February; Valentine's Day, a Sunday, 14 February
How February weather compares with January
On paper, February is slightly kinder than January. The Met Office averages for Heathrow (1991-2020) give a mean daily maximum of 9.0°C, a touch higher than January's 8.4°C, and noticeably more sunshine: about 79 hours compared with 61. It is also drier, with about 45 mm of rain falling on nine or ten days, against almost 59 mm in January.
The nights, however, are just as cold. February's mean minimum of 2.65°C is, by a hair, the lowest of any month in the table, and there are around six days with air frost. Mornings can be icy, and a cold wind off the Thames makes riverside walks feel colder than the figures suggest.
The biggest change is the light. The sun sets well before 5pm at the start of the month, but after 5.30pm by the end of it, which gives you an extra hour of useful daylight for parks and viewpoints. The clocks stay on GMT until Sunday 28 March 2027. Our page on London weather and what to pack covers the whole year.
Lunar New Year in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square
London marks Lunar New Year with a big free celebration in the West End. In 2026 the main celebration was on Sunday 22 February, a few days after the new year itself. According to City Hall's listing, the day began with a parade from 10am, followed by a ceremonial programme and main stage in Trafalgar Square from midday to 6pm.
In 2027 the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Goat, falls on Saturday 6 February. The date of London's 2027 celebration had not been announced when we checked in September 2026, so look for the official event listing on the Mayor of London's events page in the new year.
Expect very large crowds in Chinatown, around Gerrard Street, and in Trafalgar Square. City Hall advises planning your route in advance with TfL's Journey Planner. Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus stations can be very busy, so consider walking in from Charing Cross, Covent Garden or Tottenham Court Road.
Lunar New Year food queues start early. Chinatown's restaurants are likely to be packed on celebration day. If you want a sit-down meal rather than street food, book a table for the evening before or eat late in the afternoon, after the main stage programme ends.
Half-term week: 15 to 19 February 2027
London's state schools have a one-week break in the middle of the month. In 2027 the councils we checked, Islington and Hounslow, both give the half-term holiday as Monday 15 to Friday 19 February. Schools elsewhere in England set their own dates, which may or may not match London's.
That week, and the weekends either side of it, is the busiest part of February. The family favourites feel it most:
- The Natural History Museum is free, but it warns that queues are likely at weekends and in school holidays. A free entry ticket guarantees entry.
- The Science Museum is free but asks visitors to pre-book a free ticket.
- The Warner Bros. Studio Tour sells tickets only in advance, never on the day. For 2027 an adult ticket costs £61.00 and a child (5-15) £48.00.
If you are travelling with children, half-term is still worth considering, as museums often put on family activities. Our guide to London with kids has ideas for all ages. On the Tube, up to four children aged 5 to 10 travel free with a fare-paying adult, and 11 to 15-year-olds can get the Young Visitor discount on an Oyster card; our page on children's fares explains how.
Pancake Day, Valentine's Day and the rugby
Three smaller dates add some colour to the month:
- Shrove Tuesday, 9 February 2027. Better known as Pancake Day, it is the day before Lent begins. Many cafés serve pancakes, traditionally with lemon and sugar.
- Valentine's Day, Sunday 14 February 2027. Restaurants and afternoon tea venues fill up that weekend, and many offer set menus. Book early if you want a special dinner, or go the night before.
- The Six Nations. The international rugby championship between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales is played over February and March. England's home matches are at Allianz Stadium Twickenham in south-west London. Check fixtures on the official Six Nations website; on match days, trains towards Twickenham and pubs showing the game get very busy.
A match in a pub is one of the best ways to see Londoners at their most animated. Our guide to historic pubs suggests places with character, although the busiest sports pubs may be standing room only.
Where the quieter weeks are, and what that means for prices
Outside half-term, February is one of the least crowded months in London. The first two weeks of the month and the last week, after 22 February, tend to be calmer. Queues at paid attractions are usually shorter, and big exhibitions easier to book.
Many visitors also find hotel rates lower in February than in spring and summer, although prices depend on the area, the day of the week and events in the city. Compare several dates before you book: moving your stay by a week to avoid half-term can make a real difference for families. Our guide to budget hotels in London explains where to look.
Book February stays outside the half-term week. The fortnight after 22 February 2027 is ordinary term time in London with no bank holiday, which usually makes it an easy late-winter window for both rooms and restaurant tables. Just check that the Lunar New Year celebration, not yet dated, does not land on your weekend.
Short hours and seasonal closures
Several sights are still in winter mode in February. Check these before planning a day around them:
| Place | What to know for February 2027 |
|---|---|
| Buckingham Palace | The State Rooms open only in summer; from October to May there are just selected dates for small guided tours |
| Kensington Palace | The Queen's State Apartments are closed until spring 2027 |
| Kew Gardens | Open; Kew Palace is closed until spring 2027, and the off-peak winter prices end on 31 January |
| Windsor Castle | Winter hours 10am to 4.15pm (last admission 3pm); closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| Dover Castle | Weekends only until 14 February 2027 |
| Stonehenge | Open 9.30am to 5pm; lower off-peak prices on weekdays until mid-March |
For a coast and castle day trip, remember that Dover Castle opens only at weekends until 14 February, so check English Heritage's calendar before choosing a date. Stonehenge is at its cheapest on winter weekdays, but it is exposed and windy, so dress for it.
Dark evenings, warm venues
With sunset before 6pm all month, evenings are long. Several museums stay open late on certain days: the National Gallery until 9pm on Fridays, the V&A until 10pm on Fridays, and Tate Modern until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Our guide to museum late openings lists more.
Theatre is the other obvious choice. February is outside the main holiday seasons, so it is often easier to find good seats; our West End theatre guide explains how to choose a show and where to buy.
Clothes for a raw February day
Pack much as you would for January, with a little more attention to cold mornings:
- A warm, windproof coat; a waterproof shell over a jumper also works.
- Gloves and a hat for early starts and evenings by the river.
- Waterproof shoes with good grip, as pavements can be icy after frosty nights.
- A compact umbrella for light rain, and layers for warm museums and Tube trains.
Keeping February costs down
Fares are stable through the month. TfL's daily caps for the Tube and rail, including £8.90 for Zones 1-2, are frozen until March 2027. The bus fare is £1.85 and the bus daily cap £5.55, following the change on 1 November 2026. Using one contactless card or Oyster per person all day keeps you within the cap.
Most of the big national museums are free, and February's quieter weeks are the best time to use them. If you are here at the start of the year, our guide to London in January covers the sales and the New Year period; if you can wait a few weeks, London in March brings Easter, the clock change and the first spring flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is February a good time to visit London?
Yes, if you prefer smaller crowds and mainly indoor sightseeing. Outside the half-term week (15 to 19 February 2027), museums and attractions are quieter than in most months. The weather is cold and often damp, with an average high of about 9°C.
When is Chinese New Year in London in 2027?
Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027. London's free celebration in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square is usually held on a Sunday around the new year, but the 2027 date had not been announced when we checked in September 2026.
When is February half-term in London in 2027?
London councils such as Islington and Hounslow list half-term as Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027. Individual schools can differ slightly, but expect family attractions to be busier that week and on the weekends either side.
Does it snow in London in February?
Snow is possible, but February is more often cold and damp than snowy. Met Office averages for Heathrow show about six days of air frost and around nine or ten days with at least 1 mm of rain or other precipitation.
Are there any bank holidays in February in London?
No. There are no bank holidays in England in February, so shops, museums and public transport follow their normal timetables. The next bank holiday after New Year's Day in 2027 is Good Friday, 26 March.
Sources
- Met Office - Heathrow climate averages 1991-2020 (checked September 2026)
- Islington Council - Term and holiday dates (checked September 2026)
- London Borough of Hounslow - School term dates (checked September 2026)
- Mayor of London - Lunar New Year festival 2026 (checked September 2026)
- Hong Kong Observatory - 2027 calendar (checked September 2026)
- GOV.UK - UK bank holidays (checked September 2026)
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Tickets (checked September 2026)