Things to Do in New York in February 2026

New York in February is deep in winter. Packing warm clothes and warm footwear is essential if you want to enjoy yourself, and you should be ready for snow, which could be a lot or barely any, depending on the whims of climate change.

The upside is that the cold keeps the crowds away, and just like January in New York and March, it's low season. That means flights and NYC hotels are at their cheapest of the year, and you can take your time at the big-name attractions.

February in New York 2026

February in New York is packed with events and things to do. It really is a great month to travel if the cold doesn't bother you (I love snow, so I'm perfectly happy in this wintry New York).

Here's the rundown of what's happening in February 2026:

1. Ice skating in New York

New York's ice skating rinks are still open in February.

Even if you can't skate, go anyway for the atmosphere and one of the most classic scenes of New York in winter.

2. Valentine's Day in New York in February

February 14 in New York, Valentine's Day, is a big deal.

For Valentine's Day, store windows get beautifully decorated and restaurants gear up to welcome couples.

A couple of ideas to pull out all the stops: how about proposing to your other half at Central Park's Bethesda Fountain or on one of the park's famous bridges? Movie-level romance.

Another very romantic move is booking a night at one of the best hotels for couples in New York, something you'll remember forever.

3. Celebrate Chinese New Year in New York

The start of the Chinese Lunar New Year shifts every year. In 2026 it begins on February 17 with a fireworks ceremony to welcome the Year of the Horse.

The festivities run for two weeks and wrap up on March 3 with a parade of dancing dragons, drummers and other Asian performers in Manhattan's Chinatown.

Don't miss this celebration, full of traditions kept alive by one of the largest Asian communities in the Western world.

4. NBA basketball season

The NBA basketball season in New York continues in February at Madison Square Garden. It's smart to lock in your tickets to a New York Knicks game early, since the cheapest seats sell out fast. Tickets start at $60.

5. Broadway Week: 2-for-1 in February in New York

A great way to beat the cold is catching a Broadway show.

Every year, Broadway Week takes place in the first half of February, an event where you can buy 2 tickets for the price of one to the most popular musicals.

Move fast, those cheap tickets disappear!

If your next trip doesn't line up with Broadway Week, read up on how to get discounted Broadway tickets.

6. The Orchid Show

In the second half of February, the Orchid Show opens at the New York Botanical Garden, an annual exhibition dedicated to orchids. You'll most likely be able to visit through mid-April 2026 (see more things to do in April in New York).

I recommend buying your New York Botanical Garden tickets online. Admission includes entry to the Orchid Show. You'll find all the visit details on the official site.

7. Restaurant Week

New York City Restaurant Week runs every year during the last weeks of January and the first weeks of February. As soon as the exact dates for New York Restaurant Week 2026 are confirmed, I'll let you know.

During those days, the city's priciest and most acclaimed restaurants offer discounts (more than 380 spots!). Several even have Michelin stars.

You'll get lunches or dinners at genuinely affordable prices. To pull this off, book early on the event's official site.

8. Must-See Week

New York's Must-See Week is an initiative to boost tourism during the coldest stretch of the year.

It usually happens during the first week of February. On those days you can buy 2 tickets for the price of 1 at several NYC attractions. Take advantage!

It includes the Empire State, the Guggenheim and Whitney museums, the United Nations, plus lesser-known but fascinating places like the Morgan Library & Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

You'll find more details on the event's official site.

9. New York Fashion Week

Couture Fashion Week is a haute couture event held in the world's fashion capitals, and New York is obviously one of them.

Winter Fashion Week in NYC traditionally takes place in the first days of February (exact dates haven't been published yet). The second edition happens in September.

During these days, exclusive parties and runway shows pop up all over the city and New York fills with models, designers, journalists and celebrities. The event's official site publishes the full schedule.

A full-on Zoolander experience 😉

10. Museum-hopping in February in New York

Cold days are perfect for a museum feast, and New York has plenty to go around! (In the photo I'm at the Statue of Liberty Museum, which is fascinating.)

Read the museum guide to plan your visit, learn how to squeeze the most out of discount passes, and find out about free days at New York museums or reduced admission.

11. Presidents' Day sales

Every third Monday in February, the country marks Presidents' Day, honoring the birthdays of George Washington (2/22) and Abraham Lincoln (2/12).

It's a national holiday, so banks, schools and many businesses close, but attractions stay open.

It's a fantastic time to shop. During the Presidents' Day sales, the big stores clear out their winter merchandise around February 20. Check out other big sale dates in New York.

If you're not in the city on those days, read where to shop cheap in New York.

12. Free Tours in Spanish around New York

Did you know there are several free tours in Spanish in New York? They run all year long, even during the coldest months.

The way free tours work is simple: you tip the guide at the end of the walk, based on how much you enjoyed the experience 😀.

You can book all the free tours! The important thing is to do it in advance (spots fill up fast):

🏙️ Free tour of Downtown Manhattan

🍎 Free tour of Midtown Manhattan

🇮🇹 Free tour of Chinatown and Little Italy

🏢 Free tour of Manhattan's Village

⛲ Free tour of Central Park in Spanish

New York weather in February

February lands you right in the middle of winter in New York. If you're dying to see snow falling like in the movies, this is one of the best months for it.

You'll need heavy clothing to stay warm and handle the icy wind and snow: a waterproof jacket and shoes, scarves, gloves, and a hat.

Average temperatures range from a high of 5°C to a low of -2°C (but it feels much colder, so bring a wool hat, scarves, gloves, and warm boots with non-slip soles).

In New York in February the days start getting a little longer, though they're still short (the sun sets around 5 pm).

Still don't have a place to stay in NYC in February?

Here's a selection of central, good, and cheap hotels I put together for visiting New York in February.

This list of the 5 most-booked budget hotels among the NewYorkando travel community should help you decide too 😉:

📍 West Side YMCA on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

📍 HI New York City Hostel also on the Upper West Side.

📍 NY Moore Hostel very well located in Brooklyn.

📍 Pod Times Square in the heart of Manhattan.

📍 Holiday Inn in Chelsea, one of NYC's most iconic neighborhoods.

Traveling to New York in another month?

Check out the guide Best time to travel to New York. There I walk you through what happens in New York every month of the year.

For example, March in New York is still low season and it's a little less cold.