Things to Do in Saint Petersburg in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Saint Petersburg
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Hermitage Museum crowds drop by roughly 40% compared to summer months - you'll actually have space to view the Rembrandts and Da Vincis without being elbowed. Weekday mornings between 10:30am-12pm are especially quiet.
- Winter Palace and Catherine Palace look genuinely magical under snow cover. The blue-and-white facades against fresh snow create photo opportunities that summer visitors simply cannot replicate. Late afternoon light around 2-3pm is particularly stunning.
- Hotel prices drop 30-50% from peak summer rates. Four-star properties near Nevsky Prospekt that run $200+ in July typically cost $90-120 in February. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for best selection without paying panic premiums.
- Authentic Russian winter culture is fully on display - ice fishing on frozen Gulf of Finland, banya steam bath culture at its peak, blini with caviar at Maslenitsa festivals, and locals actually skating on outdoor rinks rather than tourists posing for photos.
Considerations
- Daylight runs roughly 8 hours (9am-5pm by late February), which genuinely affects your touring schedule. Indoor activities need to dominate your itinerary, and that golden hour for photography happens around 3pm when you might be mid-museum visit.
- The cold at 18-27°F (-8 to -3°C) is not theoretical - it's the kind that makes your face hurt after 20 minutes outside. Wind off the Neva River drops the feels-like temperature another 10-15°F (5-8°C). You'll spend real money on proper winter gear if you arrive unprepared.
- About 10 rainy/snowy days means slush, not pristine white snow. St Petersburg winter is often gray, wet, and messy rather than postcard-perfect. Sidewalks get icy, and you'll be dodging puddles and slush piles constantly.
Best Activities in February
Hermitage Museum extended visits
February's smaller crowds mean you can actually spend 4-5 hours here without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The Winter Palace interiors are heated to comfortable 68-70°F (20-21°C), making this ideal for those brutally cold days when outdoor sightseeing is miserable. Focus on the Gold Rooms and Italian Renaissance galleries when tour groups hit the main halls around 11am-1pm. The museum's cafe on the second floor is overpriced but strategically located for warming breaks.
Mariinsky Theatre ballet and opera performances
This is peak season for Russian ballet - the company performs their full repertoire with top dancers before summer touring begins. February typically features Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker on rotation. The historic theatre is intimate enough that even balcony seats give you excellent sightlines. Evening performances (usually 7pm start) align perfectly with February's early darkness.
Russian banya traditional steam bath experiences
February is when locals use banyas most frequently, and the contrast between 200°F (95°C) steam rooms and 18°F (-8°C) outside air is intense in the best way. Traditional banyas include venik oak branch treatments, cold plunge pools, and tea rooms. This is cultural immersion that actually makes sense in winter - Russians have used banyas for centuries to survive harsh winters. Sessions typically run 2-3 hours.
Peterhof Palace winter access
The summer crowds that make Peterhof unbearable are completely gone in February. Yes, the fountains are off and gardens are snow-covered, but you get the Grand Palace interiors without the chaos, and the Gulf of Finland frozen shoreline is eerily beautiful. The 30 km (19 mile) trip from central St Petersburg takes about 45 minutes by marshrutka or organized transport. The palace interiors are fully heated and the gilt baroque rooms are actually easier to appreciate without summer's crushing crowds.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood interior visits
The mosaic interiors of this church are mind-blowing, and February means you can actually stand and look at them without being shoved along by tour groups. The building is heated to about 60°F (16°C) - cool but manageable. The exterior looks particularly striking against gray winter skies and snow. Located right off Nevsky Prospekt, this makes an ideal indoor break during walking tours of central St Petersburg.
Yusupov Palace guided tours
This palace is where Rasputin was murdered in 1916, and the basement exhibition is genuinely fascinating. The palace sees far fewer visitors than the Hermitage or Catherine Palace, and in February you might have entire rooms to yourself. The private theatre inside is stunning - one of the few remaining 18th-century private theatres in Russia. Tours run about 90 minutes and are entirely indoors in heated spaces.
February Events & Festivals
Maslenitsa (Russian Butter Week)
This is Russia's pre-Lenten festival, essentially Mardi Gras with blini pancakes instead of king cake. The exact dates shift annually based on Orthodox Easter, but Maslenitsa typically falls in late February or early March. Expect outdoor festivals with blini stands, traditional folk performances, troika sleigh rides, and the burning of a straw effigy on the final day. Major celebrations happen in Palace Square and various parks. Locals take this festival seriously - blini consumption reaches absurd levels.
Defenders of the Fatherland Day
February 23rd is a major Russian holiday honoring military service members. While not tourist-focused, you'll notice restaurants and shops offering special promotions, military parades in some years, and generally festive atmosphere. Many museums offer free or discounted admission to veterans. This is more of a cultural observation opportunity than a participatory event for visitors.