The best time to visit Pskov is late spring through early autumn — May to September. Summers are warm rather than hot (average July temperatures around 18–20°C), with long days in June and July when the light lasts until nearly midnight. This is when the churches are fully open, the monastery grounds are accessible, and walking the old town is genuinely pleasant.
Winter is cold and snowy, with temperatures regularly dropping below -10°C. The city looks striking under snow — the white-walled churches against grey sky and white ground is a compelling combination — but many smaller attractions reduce their hours or close. Spring and autumn are changeable; autumn in particular can be rewarding if you hit a dry week in September, when the birch trees along the river turn gold.
There are no major festivals that should drive the timing of a visit, but the annual Pskov Cultural Heritage Days in late spring can add a programme of concerts and temporary exhibitions to the usual sights.