The Emerald Palate

Seattle food tours & retreats

Seasonal Activities, Things to Do ·

26 Best Things to Do in Seattle in February 2026

woman walking along the waterfront in winter, one of the best things to do in Seattle in winter

Finding the best things to do in Seattle in February was fun because the city begins to come alive this time of year. The days are finally getting longer, with sunsets after 5 PM, and the weather is still chilly but beginning to pick up with highs of around 49°F. It’s like the whole city comes out of hibernation in anticipation of spring.

Valentine’s Day really marks the kick-off when restaurants and local shops start offering specials to encourage couples to wine and dine. Along with this are other activities like film and music festivals, Lunar New Year events, and other wintry activities. So, whether you’re a local or a visitor, consider this your guide to all of the best February activities in Seattle!

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Best Things to Do in Seattle in February

Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it every year with all the best activities in Seattle in February! For more February events, check out my Seattle events calendar.

Celebrate Black History Month

Federally recognized in 1976, Black History Month celebrates the contributions of Black achievements throughout history. While there are countless ways to recognize Black excellence throughout the year, such as by supporting Black-owned wineries, Black-owned restaurants, and other Black-owned businesses, February is when the city hosts special events and exhibits. Here are some going on this year:

Visit Seattle has a Black Culture Heritage Guide to Seattle you can use to explore more Black legacy in Seattle.

shrimp and waffle fries from a Black-owned Seattle restaurant

Get ideas at the Seattle Wedding Show

website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | dates: Jan 31 – Feb 1 | price:~$30pp | best for: wedding planning ideas

Visit the Pacific Northwest’s largest wedding convention to peruse a bunch of local planners, florists, caterers, and more so you can get ideas and make connections for your own special day. If you’re still in search of a dress, there will be a fashion show showing different fits for walking down the aisle.

Walk through a light art installation

website | neighborhood: West Seattle (get directions) | dates: Fri-Sun Feb 1-22 | price: ~$35pp | best for: art enthusiasts

Step into a world of enchantment at the Astra Lumina exhibit that takes over the Seattle Chinese Garden every winter. Guests can walk through more than 10 light installations, each mesmerizing guests as they pulse in beat to music. It makes for great photos and is perfect for all ages!

woman holding a child standing in front of a huge light installation
Image courtesy of Astra Lumina

Celebrate Lunar New Year

Most Asian cultures celebrate the coming of spring through Lunar New Year. This year it’s on February 17, 2026 and there are a few ways to celebrate in February before the majority of the events begin in March.

For example, the Seattle Asian Art Museum is hosting a Lunar New Year Family Festival on Feb 21. They’ll be ringing in the Year of the Fire Horse with live lion dances, drop-in art activities with local artists, storytelling, and more surprises inspired by the holiday.

Seattle Center will be hosting Tết in Seattle to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Feb 14-15. Attendees will gain a glimpse into the spirit and energy of Vietnam through arts, music, hands-on experiences, food, and performances unique to Vietnam.

Here are other options around the city:

This is also a great time to visit Chinese restaurants in Seattle, as many offer Lunar New Year’s specials.

dumplings in a bamboo steamer basket at one of the best restaurants in Edmonds WA

Indulge at a food & drink festival

There’s always a food or drink festival in Seattle, and February is no exception. Here are some not to miss:

Cheer on the Hawks at the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is obviously one of the best things to do in Seattle in February, especially when the Seahawk make it. This year the big game is February 8. While any of the best Seattle breweries will be a great place to watch, here are some spots hosting watch party events:

person holding cup of beer

Get romantic for Valentine’s Day 

These Valentine’s Day events and activities are perfect for a date night:

person holding a heart-shaped pastry from PDX

Restaurants offering Valentine’s Day specials

Many of Seattle’s fine dining restaurants will offer Valentine’s Day tasting menus so you and your partner can have a memorable night out. V-Day is on a Saturday this year, so most restaurants will be open. Here are some offering special menus that caught my eye:

More ideas for a quiet V-Day celebration

Enjoy an orchestra concert by candlelight 

What better way to celebrate V-Day than a candlelight orchestra featuring cover bands of the greats? In February, here’s what’s playing:

pianist surrounded by candles on a stage
Image courtesy of Fever

Celebrate Mardis Gras

Mardis Gras celebrates the final day of Carnival season, occurring every year on the “Fat Tuesday” before Lent begins. This year it’s February 17 and the perfect excuse to partake in rich food and festivities. Here are some Mardis Gras events happening around Seattle this year:

See a performance

The cold winter months are the perfect time of year to cozy up in a theater and watch a live comedic or theater performance. Here are the ones I’m excited about in February:

woman floating on balloons on a stage at a Cirque due Soleil show

Rock out a music fest

Music festivals are the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy live music, perhaps of a style you’ve never experienced before. Here are the music festivals in Seattle in February:

Catch a band

Seattle’s music scene doesn’t sleep, even over winter. Here are some live performers making their way through Seattle in February:

MoPOP is also hosting its annual Sound Off! showcase Feb 14, 21, and 28 where they feature shows from some of Seattle’s most promising young musicians.

Cheer on a team at a game

Sports fans and the like will be pleased to know that a lot of leagues play this time of year. In February, you can catch a college basketball game with the Huskies (UW) or Redhawks (Seattle U), or a NHL Kraken hockey game.

The Harlem Globetrotters are also playing in Seattle on February 1 if you want to watch players perform cool basketball tricks. Or check out the Roller City Rat Girls at one of their roller derbies February 7.

Need to touch grass, but don’t need to see a game? Entry to national parks is free on President’s Day, February 16.

Go on a food crawl 

There are so many restaurants in Seattle that you’d never be able to scratch the surface, let alone visit the ones locals don’t want you to know about. My self-guided food tours include a curated list of the best restaurants across Seattle’s foodie neighborhoods. In each tour, I cover tips on what to order and when you should visit, along with honorable mentions so you can adjust the tour as needed.

Self-guided Seattle food tour of the Ballard neighborhood
Ballard Tour
Fremont Seattle Food Tour
FREMONT TOUR
person diving fork into colorful layered cake from a restaurant on The Emerald Palate's self-guided Seattle food tour of the Georgetown neighborhood
Georgetown Tour

If you’re after an in-person tour, these are some to try:

Attend a film or art festival

There are a surprising number of film festivals going on in February in Seattle. For example:

If you’d prefer other types of art, the Northwest Glass Fest is happening February 13-22. During the event guests can seek out plastic balls hidden throughout Stanwood and Camano Island. Inside will be directions for how to redeem a beautiful glass-blown orb to take home.

Get inspired at a winter home & garden show

Those of us with a green thumb don’t have to wait until summer to start planning our gardens or home renovations. The Tacoma Home and Garden Show (Jan 29 – Feb 1) will feature innovative products and experts on all things home and gardening.

The Northwest Remodeling Expo (Feb 6-8) will offer free interior design consultation plus exhibits ranging from heating and air conditioning to logging, turfing, and exterior remodeling.

In Seattle, the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival (Feb 18-22) will feature over 20 display gardens, plus a garden marketplace and over 100 sessions on crafting gorgeous gardens.

closeup of flowers at Butchart Gardens

Embark on a wine tasting or brewery crawl

Locals love to take advantage of Seattle’s craft beer and urban wine scene in the winter because there are fewer crowds and plenty of warm spots to cozy up with a glass of your favorite beverage. Plus most breweries offer some sort of heated patio seating and fun, winter-inspired ales to sip on.

Check out my guide to Seattle’s best breweries for where to go, or pick a day to crawl my favorite Ballard breweries.

Better yet, plan a weekend where you can wine tasting at some of Woodinville’s 130+ tasting rooms.

Visit a museum for free or 50% off

Not everyone knows this but there are tons of free museums in Seattle, and when it’s cold outside, visiting a museum can be a great way to spend the day. Most Seattle museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of the month, and many are free daily. Here are the museums that offer free admission on the first Thursday (February 5):

These museums offer free admission every day:

If you want to visit a museum that charges admission, February is Seattle Museum Month. All month long participating museums offer 50% off their typical entry fees.

inside an exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, one of the best free museums in Seattle

Have fun at a niche interest festival

If you have a niche interest that only a few dozen of your friends know about, odds are there’s a festival for it in Seattle. Here are some going on in February:

Seek out snow 

There is no shortage of wintry activities in February. In fact, few people know this, but Seattle is close to some of the best snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Washington.

If you’re short on time, I suggest taking a day trip from Seattle to Snoqualmie’s Summit Nordic Center for intermediate trails or Stevens Pass Nordic Center for trails of all skill levels.

If you can swing a weekend, the Methow Valley Trails consists of the longest network of groomed cross-country trails in North America, and there are plenty of things to do in Winthrop to make a weekend out of it!

Prefer downhill skiing? There are plenty of ski resorts in Washington to catch thrills.

hot hair balloons over a winter landscape

Cozy up at an indoor spa

Seattle has a spa for everyone, whether you’re after a dreamy facial or a thorough massage. Here are some of my favorite Seattle spas:

  • Yuan Spa (Bellevue & Totem Lake) – One of the few spas with luxury pools and saunas
  • Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE (Downtown) – Gorgeous aesthetic and incredible massages
  • Spa Noir (Downtown) – Reasonably priced, relaxing facials
  • The Ladies Room (Greenwood) – Women-focused spa with hydro pools and hydrotherapy

I also always recommended checking Groupon to find spa deals happening around the city.

Soak in a hot tub boat

website | neighborhood: South Lake Union (get directions) | price: ~$400 for 2 hours | best for: relaxing hot tub experience

One of the most unique Seattle water activities, especially in the colder months, is to get out on Lake Union and soak in a hot tub boat. Using joystick navigation, you’ll gently float around Lake Union as you and your friends stay warm. Bluetooth speakers are available by request, along with romantic add-ons like Epsom salts and rose petals.

Prefer saunas over hot tubs? Wild Haus lets you bring up to 6 friends on their stunning boats.

hot tub boat in Seattle
Image courtesy of Hot Tub Boats

Trade gear at a bike swap

website | neighborhood: Queen Anne (get directions) | dates: Feb 14 | price: free | best for: buying & trading bike gear

If you have some old bike gear gathering dust or you’re on the hunt for a new component, check out the bike swap hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. There will be new bikes and gear for sale, along with bike aficionados looking to sell or trade gently used gear.

Want to connect with bikers on a ride? The Cascade Bicycle Club is hosting the Chilly Hilly bike ride on Bainbridge Island Feb 22.

Groove at the Seattle International Dance Festival

website| neighborhood: Capitol Hill (get directions) | dates:Feb 27 – Mar 8 | price: ~$25pp | best for: contemporary dance

Celebrate contemporary dance with the SIDF Winter Mini-Fest. Local and traveling performers will showcase curated and exciting dance routines designed to illuminate the universal language of dance.

Want to just dance, but don’t need a festival? The Rumpus Masquerade is happening downtown Feb 6 and the Vienesse Ball is happening Feb 28, also downtown.

Immerse yourself in the Medieval Faire

website | neighborhood: Mt. Vernon (get directions) | dates: Feb 28 | price: ~$25pp | best for: medieval fair

If you’ve ever wanted to experience an immersive medieval fair, the Ursulmas Medieval Faire is one for the ages. There are captivating displays of armored warriors, fencers, and archers, along with a bustling marketplace filled with unique treasures. There’s even a youth armored combat program where kids learn the noble arts of chivalry and friendly competition.

Feast at the Oregon Truffle Festival

website | neighborhood: throughout Oregon | dates: Feb 6-28 | price: varies by event | best for: all things truffles

If you’re a fan of truffles, one of the best things to do in Seattle in February isn’t actually in Seattle at all. It’s the Oregon Truffle Festival, which hosts various events throughout the month like the Truffle Dog Competition, a Valentine’s Day Masquerade Ball, a mini fungi film festival, and a fresh truffle showcase.

If you visit, it’s the perfect excuse to explore nearby areas in Oregon. Check out my guides for ideas depending on where you’ll be:

person holding a truffle they foraged in spring in Seattle

More winter activities near Seattle

After you check out all the best things to do in February in winter, check out my guides for more wintry fun.

Join the club

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