Month guide · New Orleans · United States
New Orleans in February
What February is really like in New Orleans: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: John Durkin, Public domain
Quick answer
February is one of the best months to visit New Orleans. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 11.1 hours of daylight. Pleasant and cool; when Mardi Gras falls in February, parades fill the streets for the two weeks before and hotels sell out.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in New Orleans: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 28 days. Compared with January (17°C (63°F)), February is warmer; by March highs climb to around 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 06:40
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:49
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild with occasional cold snaps; Réveillon dinners in December, king cake from January and Mardi Gras, which falls in February or early March.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 5 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: February is one of the pricier months.
Events in February
- Mardi Gras parades and Fat Tuesday (dates vary, between early February and early March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · French Quarter
St. Louis Cathedral
The white, triple-spired cathedral facing Jackson Square is among the oldest Catholic cathedrals in continuous use in the US.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Iconic
- After dark
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Market · French Quarter
Café du Monde and the French Market
Table queues build by mid-morning; the takeaway window round the side usually moves faster. Avoid wearing black.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Kids
- Shopping
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Street · French Quarter
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street's 13 blocks through the French Quarter are the city's party strip, with neon-lit bars, cover bands, daiquiri counters and balcony crowds throwing beads.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Free
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Street · Faubourg Marigny
Frenchmen Street
Carry small bills for the band's tip bucket and a one-drink minimum, wander between clubs and stay where the music grabs you.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Free
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 9°C and 8 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit New Orleans?
One of the best months to visit New Orleans, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
New Orleans in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit New Orleans?
It is one of the best months to visit New Orleans. Pleasant and cool; when Mardi Gras falls in February, parades fill the streets for the two weeks before and hotels sell out.
+How warm is New Orleans in February?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in New Orleans in February?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.