February in Prague: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

February in Prague means Carnival celebrations, low-season prices, and snow-capped 13th-century buildings in the historic town center. It also means frigid temperatures, but if you're willing to brave the cold and you pack right, you'll see that Prague is just as magical in the middle of winter as it is in spring.

Much of Prague's charm comes from wandering its medieval streets and taking in the impressive Gothic architecture. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of indoor things to do around the city to warm up while you're exploring, such as a cultural museum, a Czech spa, or grabbing a local beer in one of the city's many pubs.

February Weather in Prague

As with the rest of Central Europe, winter in the Czech Republic can be brutal and intense. Days are usually overcast and windy, making it feel even colder than what the thermometer says.

• Average High: 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius)
• Average Low: 27 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 3 degrees Celsius)

Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, but the high rarely falls below 25 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 4 degrees Celsius) or exceeds 53 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius). You can generally expect around 12 days of precipitation throughout the month, which can fall as rain or snow depending on the temperature that day.

Although days are still relatively short during the first half of the month with approximately nine hours of daylight, they lengthen significantly by the end of the month, adding an extra hour and a half to the day by the end of February. However, Prague typically experiences constant cloud cover throughout February, so don't expect to see much of the sun either way.

What to Pack

If you are venturing through Prague in February, pack warm clothes, especially if you plan to take in any of the city's outdoor sights. It's almost always overcast and cold, so you should pack plenty of sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a warm winter coat. Thermal leggings and undergarments may also be required on especially cold days. Additionally, you'll likely need to bring waterproof shoes, an umbrella, and a raincoat since the city receives precipitation a little more than half the month.

February Events in Prague

From costumed celebrations in honor of the Czech Carnival and Lent to Valentine's Day parties at local restaurants and venues, there are plenty of things to do on your trip to Prague this February. Whether you're a fan of history, culture, or just having a good time, these annual events and activities are sure to make your vacation memorable.

• Masopust (Carnival): Like many Eastern European cultures, Czechs celebrate and indulge their appetites in preparation for the sacrifices expected during Lent. Also known as Czech Shrovetide, this celebration begins a week before Ash Wednesday and is a time for feasting, revelry, dressing in costumes, and wearing masks. Events are planned around the city from February 6–16, 2021.
• Zabijacka (Pork Feast): The traditional pre-Lenten meal in Prague, which is served with sauerkraut and generous quantities of drink on the night before Lent begins. Public hog feasts are held in Prague for visitors to attend, so if you really want to get into the local culture, seek out one of these feasts during your visit. 
• Valentine's Day: Although not celebrated as widely as in the United States, many hotels and restaurants in Prague offer Valentine's Day packages and specials. If you are looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day gift, Czech garnets are considered among the finest in the world and can be found in jewelry stores around Prague, but take care to shop at a reputable jeweler as the counterfeit garnet trade in Prague is notorious for tricking tourists.
• Festival Mala Inventura: One of many annual art events in the city, Mala Inventura features a showcase of new theatre performances held at venues around the city throughout the month, with a focus on new and independent playwrights. The festival runs from February 19–27, 2021, but in a much more limited scope than usual and with some performances being shown online.
• Victorious February: A date celebrated by Czech communities for the 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'etat when the Soviet Union-backed Communist Party officially took control of the government in what was then Czechoslovakia. You can explore this history and many other historic milestones at the ​Museum of Communism in Prague.

February Travel Tips

• Travelers to Prague in February will enjoy lower-than-usual prices for flights and accommodations since most tourists visit during the high season of spring and summer.
• Although the Christmas and holiday markets have long closed, you'll still find a few places to buy hot food and drinks to warm you up, especially at craft markets popping up throughout the month. 
• Lent doesn't begin in February every year and, as a result, neither does the Masopust Carnival celebration. Before you plan your trip to Prague, be sure to check out when Lent starts and when the festivities begin for this annual celebration of decadence.
• Temperatures rise steadily over the month, so if you're not a fan of the winter cold, you may want to wait until the end of February to plan your visit when the earliest signs of spring are beginning to pop up.

If the cold sounds like too much to handle, read up on the best times of the year to visit Prague.