February weather: cold, but already brighter
| February normals (Schiphol) | February |
|---|---|
| Average maximum temperature | 7°C |
| Average minimum temperature | 1°C |
| Rainfall | 55 mm |
| Sunshine | 94 hours over the month |
| Days of frost | about ten |
Source: 1991-2020 normals from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), Schiphol station. On 28 February 2027 the sun rises at 7:27 am and sets at 6:18 pm, more than an hour of daylight gained since early January. Snow stays rare, but a cold spell can freeze the canals: never go onto the ice on your own initiative, see Amsterdam in winter.
Crowds and prices in February
February is the quietest month of the year and hotels charge their lowest rates, except during school holidays. Those of the northern region, which includes Amsterdam, run from 20 to 28 February 2027: museums, ice rinks and children's venues are then busier, especially in bad weather. Prefer the start of the month, or book your slots, see booking tickets in Amsterdam. To choose a neighbourhood see where to stay in Amsterdam; for costs, the Amsterdam trip budget.
What's on in February 2027
Chinese New Year, 6 February
Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027. In Amsterdam it is celebrated around the Nieuwmarkt and the Zeedijk, the small Chinatown of the centre: lion and dragon dances in front of shops and restaurants, music, ceremonies at the Fo Guang Shan He Hua temple. The festivities are free and outdoors; the 2027 programme had not been published in October 2026. See the Nieuwmarkt neighbourhood.
Carnival: mostly in the south of the country
Carnival, around 7 to 9 February 2027, is a big celebration in the south of the Netherlands, but it is hardly celebrated in Amsterdam. To see it, plan a trip out of the city.
Skating
The Jaap Eden IJsbaan (Radioweg 64), a 400-metre artificial ice track in the east of the city, stays open to the public until 21 March 2027. Sessions vary daily, can sell out, especially during school holidays, and are booked online.
Valentine's Day
On Sunday 14 February romantic restaurants fill up: book ahead. See our guide romantic Amsterdam.
What to wear in February
- Layers: a waterproof windproof coat, hat, gloves.
- Closed, waterproof shoes for quays and wet cobbles.
- A scarf for cruises and wind-exposed bridges.
- Take care on a bike in frost: paths and bridges are slippery.
The best ideas for February
- Canal houses: the Van Loon Museum and the Willet-Holthuysen Museum; see also canal houses to visit.
- The big museums: the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum are less crowded than in season, outside the holidays. Compare the cards in I amsterdam City Card or Museumkaart.
- The Tuschinski cinema: a screening in the main auditorium, see the Tuschinski cinema page.
- Rainy days: what to do in Amsterdam when it rains.
- Eating: pea soup (erwtensoep) and stamppot, see what to eat in Amsterdam.
February 2027 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 6 February | Chinese New Year | Nieuwmarkt and Zeedijk, free |
| Around 7-9 February | Carnival | Mostly in the south of the country |
| Sunday 14 February | Valentine's Day | Book restaurants |
| 20-28 February | School holidays (northern region) | Museums and ice rinks busier |
| Until 21 March | Jaap Eden IJsbaan | Paid, book online |
| All month | 7°C in the afternoon, 55 mm of rain | Among the cheapest hotels of the year |
Going further
February follows what to do in Amsterdam in January and comes before what to do in Amsterdam in March. To compare seasons, read the best time to visit Amsterdam. For 14 February, see our ideas for Valentine's Day in Amsterdam.
