February 2018
best events in Chicago
Midwest film festival
February 6, 2018
4 miles north
Midwest Independent Film Festival shows films from eight Midwest states the first Tuesday of most months at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema.
Chicago Restaurant Week
February 6 – 8, 2018
Chicago locations
Get a special deal on a fixed-price lunch or dinner at 370 restaurants during Chicago Restaurant Week.
Modern family drama
February 6 – 8, 2018
0.7 miles SW
The Chicago Tribune calls The Humans a “kind, warm, beautifully observed, and deeply moving new play.” It reveals humor and hearbreak shared by a family at Thanksgiving at Cadillac Palace Theatre for age 15+.
Free science museum
February 6 – 27, 2018 (Monday to Thursday)
8 miles south
Show Illinois ID to enter the Museum of Science and Industry free during Free Days. The museum is not free on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, or Feb. 19.
Attractions
February 6 – March 31, 2018
multiple locations
These discount prices include all taxes and fees.
- Aquarium + SkyDeck + Field Museum + more
- Chicago History Museum
- Segway Tour of Downtown Chicago (2 hours)
Romantic opera
February 7 & 13, 2018 (7:30 p.m.)
1 mile SW
Bellini’s I Puritani is a sweeping historical drama set in 17th-century England, which features some of the most thrilling vocal music ever written, performed by Lyric Opera at the Lyric Opera House.
Fringe theater festival
February 7 – 25, 2018
6.5 miles NW
Rhinoceros Theater Festival (Rhinofest) is billed as Chicago’s longest-running fringe festival at Prop Thtr. Choose from dozens of creative new shows for only $12 to $15. Closed Tuesdays.
Blue Man show
February 8, 2018 (8 p.m.)
4.5 miles north
Blue Man Group puts on a colorful show that combines comedy, theater, music, and special effects for all ages at Briar Street Theatre.
Theater week
February 8 – 18, 2018
Chicago locations
Choose from more than 100 plays that have discount tickets available during Chicago Theatre Week.
Dating drama
February 8 – March 4, 2018
31 miles north
Described as “smart and riveting” by the Chicago Tribune, Sex With Strangers is about a female author and a male blogger whose private lives become public domain at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest.
Slapstick comedy
February 8 – March 17, 2018
26 miles NW
Boeing Boeing is a sexy, funny farce about a playboy dating three stewardesses at once, based on the 1965 movie with Tony Curtis & Jerry Lewis, at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.
Folk music festival
February 9 – 10, 2018
9 miles south
Celebrate traditional music from around the world in concerts and workshops at University of Chicago Folk Festival at Mandel Hall, 1131 E 57th St.
Valentine’s Day haunted house
February 9 – 10, 2018 (6 to 10 p.m.)
38 miles west
Valentine’s Day in Wonderland features scary characters like the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts at Basement of the Dead in Aurora.
Chamber music
February 9 & 11, 2018
multiple locations
Trios from the Heart by Rembrandt Chamber Players features works by Barber, Dvorak, and Janacek.
- Feb. 9 (7:30 p.m.) – Chicago
- Feb. 11 (3 p.m.) – Evanston
Motorcycle show
February 9 – 11, 2018
17 mile NW
Find sport bikes, dirt bikes, scooters, ATVs, expert advice, live entertainment, and family activities at the International Motorcycle Show in the Rosemont convention center.
Valentine’s Day for families
February 9 – 14, 2018
Chicago locations
Enjoy a Valentine’s dance, party, or craft-making project thanks to the Chicago Park District.
Valentine’s Day dance class
February 9 & 14, 2018
6.4 miles NW
Take your sweetie to Valentine’s Day Dirty Dancing Party for a beginner’s class followed by open dancing, hors d’oeuvres, and BYOB at Duet Dance Studio for age 21+. Only one ticket is required per couple.
Harry Potter parody
February 9 – 25, 2018
0.8 miles north
Potted Potter is a live show with minimal props that crams all 7 Harry Pottery books into 70 goofy minutes at Broadway Playhouse.
Iranian films
February 9 – March 1, 2018
0.5 miles SW
The Festival of Films from Iran showcases new films by Iranians at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Beer festival
February 10, 2018 (noon to 4 p.m.)
0.6 miles NW
Bundle up to sample strong winter ales on the rooftop of Rock Bottom Brewery with appetizers at Polar Beer Festival for age 21+. A warming area will be available.
Bar crawl
February 10, 2018 (10 a.m.)
1.3 miles north
Retro Ski Lodge Block Party promises “crazy costumes, liquor luges, shot skis, and yeti sightings” at eight Gold Coast bars for age 21+.
Free Mardi Gras show
February 10, 2018 (1 to 5 p.m.)
1.3 miles east
Global Connections: Internationial Carnivale Celebration features six bands performing with dancers from Brazil, the Caribbean, Italy, and New Orleans, plus food and drink for sale in the Aon Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier. Free.
Run in your underwear
February 10, 2018 (12 to 4 p.m.)
1.7 miles north
Cupid’s Undie Run includes a half-naked run through the streets and a party at John Barleycorn on N. Clark Street to support charity. The 15-minute run starts at 2 p.m. Must be age 21+.
Valentine’s Day humor
February 10, 2018
3.7 miles north
Adults tell stories about their lives and share embarrassing childhood artifacts (diaries, letters, lyrics, poems, and home movies) at Mortified Doomed Valentine Show at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Avenue, for age 21+.
Valentine’s Day pub crawl
February 10, 2018 (8 to 11 p.m.)
4 miles north
Your ticket to Screw Cupid Pub Crawl includes drinks and food buffets at four bars, plus a transportation trolley in Lincoln Park for age 21+.
Valentine’s Day dance show
February 10, 2018 (8 p.m.)
5 miles north
Dances from the Heart has 13 acts (aerial, tap, jazz, urban fusion, contemporary, Mexican folkloric, and hip-hop) at Athenaeum Theatre.
Brazilian Mardi Gras
February 10, 2018 (9 p.m.)
6.5 miles NW
Dance until 2:30 a.m. to Brazilian music and watch dancers in colorful costumes perform at Carnaval by Chicago Samba at Logan Square Auditorium.
Bar crawl in pajamas
February 10, 2018
7.2 miles north
Wear your favorite PJs to the The Pajama Bar Crawl, which includes a breakfast buffet and drink specials at five bars in Wrigleyville for age 21+.
Pizza party
February 10, 2018 (1 and 6 p.m.)
7.5 miles north
Chicago Pizza Party has a $25 cover charge, $2 pizza from 20 restaurants, beer, wine, fun games, and DJ music at Ravenswood Event Center. The evening session is for age 21+.
Adult art tour
February 10 – 11, 2018 (1 p.m.)
1 mile south
Take an unblushing look at nudity in art on the Naked at the Art Museum Scavenger Hunt at the Art Institute of Chicago. No knowledge of art is required.
Valentine’s Day at the zoo
February 10 – 11, 2018
14 miles SW
Both events are in the Discovery Center at Brookfield Zoo and include admission to the zoo.
- Feb. 10 – Valentine’s Dinner is a four-course meal & cocktail reception with live music for $225/couple.
- Feb. 11 – Valentine’s Brunch is a buffet with eggs Benedict, omelettes, a carving station, seafood, salad, and desserts for $47 each.
Travel show
February 10 – 11, 2018
17 miles NW
Chicago Travel & Adventure Show has travel experts and travel industry vendors at the Rosemont convention center.
Adult variety show
February 10 & 16, 2018
7 miles north
Kiss Kiss Cabaret is a fun mix of burlesque, off-color comedy, music, magic, song, and variety acts for age 21+ Fridays and Saturdays at Uptown Underground.
Auto show
February 10 – 19, 2018
3 miles south
Admire nearly 1,000 new vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show, billed as the nation’s largest at McCormick Place convention center.
Dating comedy
February 10 – 24, 2018 (Saturdays)
7.5 miles north
Don’t confuse Love Me Tinder with the song “Love Me Tender.” This improvised comedy show at Laugh Out Loud Chicago pokes fun at the the modern world of romance that’s changed so radically since Elvis sang his love song. The 7:30 p.m. show is OK for all ages.
Shakespeare play
February 10 – 25, 2018
8 miles north
Winter’s Tale is Shakespeare’s fevered, fantastical meditation on love, jealousy, and redemption, performed with live music in Ravenswood.
Orchid Show
February 10 – March 25, 2018
24 miles north
See 10,000 blooms at the Orchid Show, which has a photographer hour (Thursdays 8:15 a.m.), an orchid sale (March 10 & 11), and an Evening with Orchidscocktail tasting (March 7) at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Classical music in River Forest
February 11, 2018 (3 or 4 p.m.)
14 miles west
Folk Tales & Legends features works by Dvorak, Bruch, Canteloube, and Ravel, performed by The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest in Lund Auditorium. An optional pre-show lecture begins at 3 p.m.
Valentine’s Day restaurants
February 14, 2018
Chicago area
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special menus for Valentine’s Day. You could also scroll down a list of The Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now.
Valentine’s Day dance class
February 14, 16, 17, 2018
7.5 miles north
Hot Miami Nights includes hors d’oeuvres, sparkling wine, a 90-minute rumba & salsa dance class, and dance time at Ballroom Dance Chicago on North Ravenswood Avenue. Beginners are welcome.
Adult night at the planetarium
February 15, 2018 (6 to 10 p.m.)
2.5 miles SE
Adler After Dark offers open access, unlimited shows, entertainment, and no-host bars at Adler Planetarium for age 21+. The February theme is traveling to Mars.
RV and camping show
February 15 – 18, 2018
17 mile NW
Check out 400 recreational vehicles and shop from 20 dealers at the Chicago RV & Camping Show at the Rosemont convention center.
Science fiction convention
February 15 – 18, 2018
30 miles NW
Capricon celebrates fantasy and science fiction in art, music, games, theater, and film at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling.
Racy movies
February 16 – 17, 2018 (7 & 9:30 p.m.)
6 miles north
Hump! is a collection of 18 five-minute movies by amateurs of all persuasions at Music Box Theatre.
Funny murder mystery
February 16 – March 3, 2018
12.1 miles SW
Miss Maple invites detective writers to a party at eerie Ravenswood Manor on Turkey Island, where a murder happens (surprise!) and must be solved in The Butler Did It, a spoof of every English mystery play ever written, at Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in Cicero.
Chocolate gala
February 17, 2018 (7 to 10 p.m.)
0.7 miles south
Whimsy, A Dessert Dream Brought to Life offers you 80 food stations (savory food, chocolate, pastries, macarons, ice cream), 12 open bars, DJ music, and entertainment at The Palmer House Hilton Hotel.
Cider tasting
February 17, 2018 (11 a.m. & 4 p.m.)
1 mile east
Try 150 artisanal ciders from throughout the world with food samples during Cider Summit Chicago in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier for age 21+.
Mardi Gras pub crawl
February 17, 2018 (12 to 9 p.m.)
6 miles north
You get a T-shirt to wear and collect Mardi Gras beads from bars at the annual BeadQuest in Wrigleyville.
Diving expo
February 17 – 18, 2018
14.5 miles NW
Our World Underwater offers workshops for divers, films, diving equipment, travel services, and a kids’ area at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare.
Volunteer expo
February 18, 2018
3 miles north
Connect with 85 organizations that need your help at Chicago Volunteer Expo in the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Free.
Chinese New Year dinner
February 20, 2018 (6 p.m.)
2.7 miles south
Wear red to the $75 Chinese Lunar New Year Dinnerfeaturing 12 courses of traditional new year’s dishes and a lion dance in Chinatown.
Royal drama
February 21 – April 15, 2018
1.3 miles east
The fate of England hangs in the balance as Protestant Elizabeth and Catholic Mary conspire against one another for the throne in an updated version of Mary Stuart at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier.
Jazz festival
February 22 – 25, 2018
19 miles west
Hear the best college jazz bands plus jazz professionals at Elmhurst College Jazz Festival.
Party for a cause
February 23, 2018 (8 p.m.)
1.7 miles west
Tickled Pink for Bright Pink feature chef stations from 50 restaurants, live music, dancing, and an open bar at Morgan MFG to help women with cancer.
Underground art show
February 23 – 24, 2018 (8 p.m.)
3 miles south
The Chicago Pancakes & Booze Art Show is a traveling exhibition by 100 artists, with free pancakes, DJ music, live body painting, and a bar at Reggie’s Chicago for age 21+. Pay cash at the door or buy a line-jumper ticket online.
Golf show
February 23 – 25, 2018
17 mile NW
Hit balls with this year’s new clubs, take one-on-one full swing and putting lessons from pros, hear presentations, and shop for gear at the Chicago Golf Show at the Rosemont convention center.
Chinese New Year show
February 24, 2018 (1 to 5 p.m.)
1.3 miles east
Global Connections:Chinese New Year features performances of lion dancing, martial arts, kung fu, drumming, traditional dance, and music in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Free.
Northerly Island adventure
February 24, 2018 (12 to 4 p.m.)
3 miles south
See birds of prey and wolves, hear folk music and a storyteller, walk on snowshoes (if there’s snow), make a craft, and have cocoa (while it lasts) at Polar Adventure Days on three dates: Dec. 16, 2017; Jan. 20, 2018; Feb. 24, 2018. Free except parking.
Tasting event
February 24, 2018 (12 and 3:30 p.m.)
3 miles NW
Chicago Whiskey & Wine Festival is a whiskey and wine tasting event at Joe’s Bar for age 21+.
Craft beer tasting
February 24, 2018
32 miles south
A ticket to Winter Solstice Craft Beer Fest gets you beer, bourbon, and food samples, with 100 beers for sale and live music at Blarney Stone Pub, Oak Forest.
Ale festival
February 24, 2018
41 miles SW
Don a heavy winter parka to enjoy 18 samples from among 150 craft beers, with live music and food vendors in tents on the frozen tundra of Frontier Park at Naperville Ale Fest – Winter Edition for age 21+.
Beer festival
February 24 – 25, 2018
5.9 miles north
A ticket to Frost Fest Craft Beer Festival includes 10 samples of craft beer, spirits, and cider in a heated tent at 3514 N. Halsted Street for age 21+.
Family theater
February 24 – May 12, 2018
34 miles north
A gullible king buys magical clothes “invisible to fools” and only a young boy can teach him an important lesson about outward appearance in The Emperor’s New Clothes at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.
Chinese New Year parade
February 25, 2018 (1 to 3 p.m.)
3.6 miles south
Lunar New Year Parade features lion and dragon dances, marching bands, and floats on S. Wentworth Avenue (from 24th Street to Cermak Road). Free.
Dark beer festival
February 25, 2018 (12 to 5 p.m.)
3.5 miles NW
Your ticket to Darkside includes 40 ounces of dark beer from a dozen breweries, with vintage arcade games at Emporium Arcade Bar.
Soccer lunch
February 26, 2018
0.2 miles SE
The $150 Season Kickoff Luncheon “connects supporters, first team players and coaches, and club partners to celebrate a new season and support the award-winning youth development initiatives of the Chicago Fire Foundation” at Hyatt Regency Chicago.
