With the end of winter almost in sight in the Northern Hemisphere, February is the ideal month to get away. For those desperate to see sunshine, destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Singapore deliver tropical temperatures and al fresco celebrations — from Carnival to Chinese New Year. Yet there’s snow to be found elsewhere if a wintry escape appeals; Hokkaido in Northern Japan makes the most of sub-zero weather with a festival of ice sculptures, and it’s peak season for spotting the Northern Lights in Finland. Though Valentine’s Day and school holidays can hike prices this month, there’s still plenty of time for adventure in these destinations.
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Weather: 30°C, humid
Why now: Carnival
Pack your sequins to visit Brazil in February when the pre-Lenten carnival celebrations bring street parties, parades and the sound of samba to cities across the country. Rio de Janeiro’s is the real showstopper with round-the-clock revelries and an enormous samba competition in the 90,000-seat Sambadrome, overlooked by the towering Christ the Redeemer statue. The balmy weather is perfect for exploring this geographically diverse country beyond Rio, too. Escape to a quiet spot on a white-sand beach, seek out forest-cloaked peaks or explore the steamy Amazon rainforest, where high water levels in February make it possible to encounter wildlife including sloths, macaws and caimans up-close by canoe.
Like a local: Set up Pix Roaming before you go, to pay digitally almost everywhere and avoid carrying cash.
(Find Rio’s samba beat on this new urban music trail.)
2. Hokkaido, Japan
Weather: -4°C, dry and snowy
Why now: wildlife and snow festivals
A wintry wonderland springs up for one week only in early February in Sapporo, the capital of Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido. Established in 1950 by high school students, the Sapporo Snow Festival now attracts two million visitors annually to its ice sculptures, illuminations and food stalls across three sites. Afterwards, stop by the free Sapporo Beer Museum to try the island’s famous lager, the oldest in Japan. Beyond the festival, Hokkaido is a rugged wilderness of natural hot springs, windswept peninsulas and snow-dusted mountains thronged with rare wildlife. Winter is the best time to spy spotted seals, red foxes, Ussuri brown bears and the Steller’s sea eagle, the world’s biggest eagle.
Like a local: Tourists flock to Sapporo’s ramen alley to sample its must-eat butter corn ramen, but locals rave about the city’s creamy soft-serve ice cream. Try it at Cremia in the Tanukikoji shopping arcade.
(Hokkaido springs to life in winter—see it now.)
3. New Orleans, US
Weather: 16-21°C
Why now: Mardi Gras
Those who like to party won’t find anywhere better than New Orleans in February. Celebrated since the early 1700s, Mardi Gras festivities peak around Shrove Tuesday (17 February) with raucous street parties, elaborate costumes and lively parades. Book hotels months before to bag a room overlooking the main parade route or bring snacks and line up early to nab the best spots on the street. Later in the month, it’s still possible to get a flavour of festivities at Mardi Gras World, where floats are made year-round. February’s lower level of humidity is also ideal for wandering the French Quarter, sailing down the Mississippi on a paddle-wheeler and bar-hopping on Bourbon Street.
Like a local: Wear the official Mardi Gras colours of purple, green and gold, and bring a bag to catch the trinkets thrown from carnival floats.
(Beyond beignets and Bananas Foster: where to eat desserts in New Orleans.)
4. Singapore
Weather: 26-32°C, humid
Why now: Chinese New Year
By February, Singapore’s rainy season has passed, and the city prepares to usher in Chinese New Year with parades, stage shows and illuminations themed around this year’s zodiac animal, the horse (17 to 18 February). Gardens by the Bay’s free annual celebration, River Hongbao, also marks its own 40th anniversary in 2026 with lantern displays, cultural performances and fireworks (15 to 24 February). Sunny days are ideal for city sightseeing in Singapore’s distinctive districts, too. Chinatown is a maze of temples and street food stalls, Little India has rainbow-bright buildings, street art and roadside kiosks selling fresh buttery naan and Kampong Gelam has Middle Eastern restaurants and the gold-domed Sultan Mosque.
Like a local: Find the best food in the city’s ubiquitous hawker centres. You can reserve a seat first by placing a pack of tissues at your table of choice.
(Where to eat and drink in Singapore.)
5. Finland
Weather: -7°C, snowy
Why now: Northern Lights and saunas
Christmas markets and Santa day-trippers have disappeared by February, but Finland is still a snowy delight. Clear skies and dark nights make it one of the best months to marvel at the Northern Lights, especially far north of the Arctic Circle in Ivalo, Saariselka or Kilpisjärvi. Spend days trying wintry adventure sports, including husky dog sledding and snowmobiling, especially on Laskiainen, or Shrove Tuesday (17 February), which is traditionally marked with sledging and feasting on cream-filled buns. Alternatively, capital Helsinki makes a great city break, with snowy hiking trails in its Central Park, several ice rinks and saunas aplenty for warming up in afterwards. Try Allas Pool with its sea view saunas, heated pool and rooftop bar.
Like a local: Book a private sauna if you’re nervous about nudity. It’s typical for Finns to strip off, though they won’t mind if you wear a swimsuit.
(Come for the Northern Lights, stay for Arctic adventures in Rovaniemi.)
6. Costa Rica
Weather: 30°C, dry
Why now: fruit and coffee harvest
February is smack bang in the middle of Costa Rica’s dry season on its Pacific Coast. It’s dream beach weather for sunbathing and surfing in laid-back coastal towns such as Jaco, Nosara and Montezuma, while dry weather is perfect for watching wildlife, including sloths and macaws in the tropical forests of Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero. In the mountainous regions of Central Valley and Brunca, the harvest season reaches its peak, and visitors can join in hand-picking coffee cherries, mangoes, pineapple, passion fruit and spiky red rambutan. Visit roadside stands to sample them at their freshest.
Like a local: For the best local food, visit a soda, a family-owned restaurant which serves authentic affordable Costa Rican dishes.
Where to travel in February
