From Frost Fairs to Fashion Week: How Londoners Have Spent February Over the Centuries
February in London has always been a month of contrast. Short, cold days sit alongside moments of celebration, spectacle and sheer resilience. From skating on a frozen Thames to strutting on the catwalk, Londoners have long used February to make the best of winter – and sometimes to show off a little too.
In this article, we will explore how Londoners have spent February over the centuries, from the famous frost fairs right through to today’s London Fashion Week. If you enjoy this topic, you can dive deeper by listening to our dedicated Frost Fairs podcast episode here: London History Podcast – Frost Fairs on the Thames.
When the Thames Froze: The Frost Fairs
In the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries, especially during the period often called the “Little Ice Age”, London’s winters could be brutally cold. On several occasions the River Thames froze solid, particularly in the broad, shallow stretch between London Bridge and Westminster. When that happened, Londoners did what they do best – they turned a challenge into an opportunity.
Temporary “frost fairs” sprang up on the ice. Rows of stalls, tents and makeshift taverns appeared almost overnight. You could buy warming drinks, printed souvenirs and even have your name printed on a special “frost fair” card from presses set up directly on the river. There were games, puppet shows and music; people skated, walked and even rode horses across the ice. In some years, oxen were roasted whole on the frozen Thames as crowds gathered to watch.
These events were as much about novelty and community as they were about trade. For Londoners used to crossing the river on crowded bridges, the chance to stroll down the middle of the Thames itself felt extraordinary. The frost fairs turned February from a grim, freezing month into something festive and memorable.
For a richer exploration of these icy celebrations – including first-hand accounts – listen to our Frost Fairs episode on the London History Podcast.
Everyday Winter Life in February
Of course, most Februarys in London did not come with a frozen river. For ordinary Londoners, February was traditionally a time of making do and getting through the final stretch of winter. Fuel supplies were running low, daylight was scarce and cold, damp homes were a fact of life for many.
Markets still bustled, but traders and customers alike faced mud, ice and biting winds. Street sellers wrapped up in layers of old clothing and shawls, calling out their wares through the cold air. In poorer districts, February could be particularly harsh, with increased illness and less work for casual labourers.
Yet there were also moments of warmth. Taverns offered roaring fires, hot drinks and sociable evenings. Religious festivals, civic dinners and charity events gave Londoners a reason to gather. For those with means, the winter “season” of balls, assemblies and theatre visits continued, offering indoor entertainment while the weather outside remained uninviting.
February Festivals and Traditions
Over time, London developed a number of February customs and events that helped brighten the month. Religious observances such as Candlemas, held on 2 February, marked the gradual turning of the year towards spring. In some parishes, processions, candlelit services and small feasts provided a welcome break in the winter routine.
Later, as Valentine’s Day grew in popularity, February began to take on a more romantic character. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Londoners were sending anonymous verses, love tokens and elaborate cards. Stationers and printshops did a lively trade in Valentine ephemera, especially in areas like the City and the West End.
There were also local quirks and folk customs – from Shrove Tuesday pancake races to fairs and civic celebrations that, depending on the year, could fall in February. Each tradition added another layer to the way Londoners experienced the month, mixing religion, romance, fun and food.
The 19th and Early 20th Centuries: Industry, Leisure and Change
By the Victorian era, engineering advances and new bridges changed the Thames, making it far less likely to freeze solid. The age of frost fairs came to an end, but Londoners continued to find ways to enliven winter.
Industrial growth brought new patterns of work and leisure. Railways made day trips possible, and even in February there were excursions to suburban pleasure grounds, gardens and early spring landscapes. Parks such as Hyde Park and Regent’s Park offered crisp winter walks, while covered arcades and department stores provided sheltered places to shop and socialise.
February also became a good month for theatre and music hall. With evenings dark and cold, indoor entertainment thrived. Playhouses in the West End attracted audiences for drama, comedy and opera, and music halls across London drew crowds with songs, sketches and variety acts. For many Londoners, a February night out meant escaping the chill in a lively auditorium.
Post‑War February: From Hard Winters to Holidays
The 20th century brought both hardship and new possibilities. Some of London’s coldest winters – such as 1947 and 1963 – made February especially memorable. Photographs of snow-covered streets, frozen fountains and bundled-up commuters show a city soldiering on through ice and slush.
At the same time, improved housing, heating and public transport gradually softened the edges of winter. February became a time when Londoners began to think about half‑term holidays, early breaks and cultural outings. Museums and galleries promoted special exhibitions, while cinemas offered warmth and escapism.
By the late 20th century, travel companies and airlines were encouraging Londoners to see February as a moment for a quick getaway, but the city itself remained busy. From sales in the shops to early spring events, London in February was no longer just about endurance; it was about choice.
London Fashion Week: A New Kind of February Spectacle
The late 20th century saw the rise of a new February highlight: London Fashion Week. Today, this international event typically takes place in February and September, bringing designers, models, journalists and influencers to the city. Runways, presentations and pop‑up events transform parts of London into a global style stage.
In some ways, Fashion Week is the modern equivalent of a frost fair – a temporary world built on top of everyday London. Instead of stalls on the ice, there are catwalks in grand venues. Instead of printers setting up presses on the Thames, there are photographers and content creators capturing every moment for social media. Both are about spectacle, commerce and the joy of being where the action is.
For local businesses, February Fashion Week can mean increased footfall, hotel bookings and restaurant visits, especially in the West End and central London. For Londoners, it brings colour, crowds and a sense that, even in the depths of winter, the city is still at the centre of global culture.
How Londoners Spend February Today
Modern February in London is a blend of all these histories. While the Thames no longer freezes solid, echoes of the frost fairs live on in winter markets, ice rinks and pop‑up events. Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year celebrations, special exhibitions and performances fill the calendar, offering Londoners and visitors plenty of reasons to wrap up and head out.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy atmospheric walks along the Thames Path or through London’s parks, watching the first signs of spring appear – snowdrops, early blossom and migrating birds. Others seek warmth in pubs, cafés, galleries and theatres, much as their predecessors did in earlier centuries.
Whether you are browsing boutique shops, attending a fashion show, visiting a museum or simply enjoying a cosy afternoon tea, spending February in London means taking part in a long tradition of making the most of winter. The city’s history shows that even the coldest month can be full of life, creativity and community.
If this story of winter resilience has sparked your curiosity, don’t forget to listen to our Frost Fairs on the Thames episode on the London History Podcast. It’s the perfect companion for a brisk February walk along the river – preferably on the embankment, not the ice.
🎧Related Podcasts:
