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Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, and More Things To Do in Chicago February 2024

Love Bug Dance photo courtesy of the Dupage Childrens Museum
Love Bug Dance photo courtesy of the Dupage Childrens Museum
1/28/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Between Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day, and Black History Month, there are tons of fun things to do with kids in Chicago this February 2024. Here's a list of the best.

Looking for things to do in February with kids? Let's be honest; every Chicagoan is relieved that it's a short month, but there are so many fun holidays and celebrations!

Start the month off with Groundhog Day—celebrate by seeing where the movie was filmed in far northwest suburban Woodstock. On the first Saturday of the month, Chicago families can celebrate National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Jeni's stores in the city and suburbs. Celebrate Valentine's Day with the kids by dancing away the night at the Love Bug Dance in Naperville. February is Black History Month, and families can learn more at the Chicago History Museum and celebrate Black communities at Homan Square Park.

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Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Best Things To Do in February in Chicago

Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars

Rosemont
February 1-4, 2024
Chart a story through the night sky where every story is about a wish in this new Disney on Ice show. Characters from Frozen II, Encanto, and Aladdin star in the show at the Rosemont Arena. READ MORE

Downers Grove Ice Fest

Downers Grove – FREE
February 2-4, 2024
More than 60 creative ice sculptures will line the streets of Downtown Downers Grove at this annual festival. Sculptors carve on Friday evening at Main and Curtiss and during the day on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. READ MORE

Dog Man: The Musical

Downtown
February 2-25, 2024
Fetch tickets for Dog Man: The Musical. Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, this play follows the chronicles of Dog Man, who with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum Chocolate Weekend

Lisle
February 3 & 4, 2024
The Morton Arboretum celebrates the cacao tree at this annual party centered around chocolate. Dozens of vendors will have chocolate available for sampling or purchase for Valentine's Day, or just for a treat. READ MORE

Ice-A-Palooza

Wheaton
February 3, 2024
The Wheaton Park District invites families to break their winter blues and experience Ice-A-Palooza! The event includes a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa, open skating, hockey and kids games. Play It Again Sports will be on site to sell or rent ice skates, while Center Ice DuPage puts on special performances. The event wraps up with a Wheaton Polic Department vs. Wheaton Fire Department hockey game. Concessions will be available for sale.   READ MORE

National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Multiple locations
February 3, 2024
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is scooping out Banana French Toast ice cream into French toast waffle cones for National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. In-store parties in each of Jeni's locations will feature fun surprises, coloring sheets and exclusive menu items for the day. READ MORE

Wonka Walk

Glen Ellyn – FREE
February 10-11, 2024
Enter a world of pure imagination in downtown Glen Ellyn by looking for a Golden Ticket in the store front windows the weekend before Valentine's Day. Ticket finders will receive a special prize from the businesses. Everyone wins with a free showing of the original 1971 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at the Glen Art Theater. You can also find Willy Wonka and an Oompa Loompa strolling downtown or at Chocolaterie Stam. READ MORE

Chicago Auto Show

Motor Row District
February 10-19, 2024
McCormick Place hosts the annual Chicago Auto Show, featuring nearly 1,000 different vehicles on display, including domestic and imported cars and trucks, sport utility vehicles, experimental or concept cars, antique and collector cars, and auto-related exhibits. READ MORE

Presidents Day at the Chicago History Museum

Old Town – FREE
February 19, 2024
Celebrate the four U.S. Presidents who have lived in Illinois at the Chicago History Museum on Presidents Day. Families can learn more about Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama with family friendly activities, including writing letters to the President and free museum admission. READ MORE

Laser Taylor Swift

River Forest
Saturdays in February
Cernan Earth and Space Center had a blank space in their schedule and they knew just whose name to write... Taylor Swift. Swifties of all ages can get sparkly and enjoy a laser light show set to Taylor Swift's music every Saturday night in January and February. Tickets are only available day of starting at 6 p.m. READ MORE

Farmhouse Tours: Curing a Cold in the 1890s

West Chicago
Thursdays - Mondays in February
Families can learn about how families in the 1890s took care of each other when they were sick at these tours at Klein Creek Farm. Learn about the kinds of foods that were prepared for ailing family members and the use of candy as medicine. Tours are at the top of the hour each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. READ MORE
Sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Dusable, founder of Chicago. Photo courtes
Sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Dusable, founder of Chicago. Photo courtes

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Chicago

UMOJA Black History Month Celebration at Homan Square

North Lawndale February 22, 2024
Homan Square Park hosts its annual UMOJA Black History Celebration, featuring performances by children and adults in park programs, vendors of African American products and attire, and food vendors featuring soul food menus. READ MORE

Black History Month Family Event at the Chicago History Museum

Old Town February 24, 2024
Join historians at the Chicago History Museum to learn more about Black figures who have had an impact on the national and local level. Learn about how Black History Week started in Chicago and celebrate the history and contributions of this vital third of the city’s population through activities that center on this year’s theme of “African Americans and the Arts.” READ MORE

Black History Month: Underground Railroad Walks

South Holland – FREE February 24 & 25, 2024
Sand Ridge Nature Center has set up a self-guided tour for families to walk themselves through a portion of the Underground Railroad that ran through the Calumet Region during the mid-1800s. READ MORE
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Photo courtesy of the Woodstock Illinois Facebook page
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Photo courtesy of the Woodstock Illinois Facebook page

Fun Events for Groundhog Day in Chicago

Groundhog Days

Woodstock February 1-4, 2024
The Chicago area's own Woodstock Willie will predict whether we will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter at Woodstock Square. Families can tour the grounds where the classic movie was filmed and participate in a Groundhog Day bags tourney. READ MORE

Groundhog Weekend at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center

Lemont – FREE February 1-4, 2024
Will Sagawau Sam see his shadow on the ski trails this year? Families can sky or hike by an outdoor exhibit to learn about groundhogs and other winter hibernators. Weather dependent. READ MORE
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Asia Society. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Asia Society. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society

Things To Do for Lunar New Year in Chicago with Kids

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration & Parade

Uptown – FREE
February 17, 2024
Kick off the Year of the Dragon with this decades-old Uptown tradition kicking off near the Argyle "L" stop, complete with music, lion dances, floats, entertainment from local groups, activity "pop-ups" and more. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Parade

Chinatown – FREE
February 18, 2024
The whole family can celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a Lunar New Year parade through Chinatown! The parade will feature traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, colorful floats, marching bands, and marching groups. READ MORE

Things To Do for Valentine's Day in Chicago with Kids

Mommy & Me Kids Valentine Tea Party

Logan Square
February 4, 2024
Celebrate Valentine's Day with mom with high tea and cupcake decorating at Park & Field. Admission includes tea sandwiches, cookies, bars and scones. Kids can choose soft drinks or juice and grown ups can have a hot tea, hot toddy, or glass of champagne. READ MORE

Love Bug Dance

Naperville
February 8, 2024
Kids and their parents can celebrate love, friendship, and family at this dance at the DuPage Children's Museum. DJ Bach to Rock will be spinning the tunes while kids indulge in tasty treats, create corsages or boutonnieres for their dates, take dance lessons, create cards, and play in the museums exhibits. Bubble Blizzards will take place at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30. READ MORE

Family Valentine's Dance at Gompers Park

North Park
February 9, 2024
At this annual event, families enjoy an evening of dancing at the park. The event features a DJ, crafts, and photo opportunities. Food and beverages are available for an extra cost. READ MORE

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