Spending Valentine’s Day in Chicago and looking for unique things to do instead of the usual dinner and drinks? Here are the most romantic things to do in Chicago for Valentine’s Day.
Things to Do in Chicago on Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
AirOtic Soirée Presents: LoveStruck
Take your significant other to Love Struck – AirOtic Soirée, a Valentine’s themed burlesque-style cirque cabaret where sultry performances blend with dazzling cirque acts featuring world-class acrobats. Only for adults 21+ with valid ID.
When: February 5-28
Where: Experience 868, 868 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Price varies. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place on Valentine’s Day weekend include:
Candlelight Valentine’s Day: Classical Romance
Candlelight: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay
Candlelight: 90s Unplugged
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here
Take a Cooking Class
Looking for a fun activity with your loved one? You can take a hands on cooking class together like this Valentine’s Day pizza cooking class and dinner by Pizzeria UNO.
Cookie and coffee lovers might prefer this Valentine’s Day cookie decorating class and this Latte art class for beginners.
You can find more cooking classes at Eataly, Baker Bettie, Sur La Table and The Chopping Block.
Take a Couples Yoga Class
Couples can join these Valentine’s Day themed yoga classes:
Couples Yoga Love in Every Form Valentines edition at Lure to Yoga (1229 N North Branch St)
Valentine’s Kundalini Workshop — Venus Kriya & Sacred Connection at Sat Nam Yoga (1304 West Washington Boulevard)
Take a Dance Class
Looking for a fun and active Valentine’s Day activity? Join a couples dance class:
“Dirty Dancing” inspired Dance class at Duet Dance Studio (2412 W North Ave)
Valentines Salsa Class for Couples at Ballroom Dance Chicago West Loop (845 W Fulton Market Rd #215)
Valentines Country Dance Class for Couples at Ballroom Dance Chicago West Loop (845 W Fulton Market Rd #215)
Take a Candle Making Class
Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day activity? Join one of these candle making classes where you and your date can create a signature scented candle together:
Candle Making Class (900 North Michigan Avenue, Level 6)
90’s R&B Sing-A-Long + Mini Candle Making at Above Average Candle Studio (3414 West Foster Avenue)
Forever Love! Couples Hand Casting +Candle Making Workshop at Above Average Candle Studio (3414 West Foster Avenue)
Love After Dark – Sensual Couples Candle Making Experience at Above Average Candle Studio (3414 West Foster Avenue)
Valentine’s Candle Making + Wine at Vault Gallerie (2015 South Laflin Street)
Other Couples Classes
Join a couples class and create something unforgettable together:
Valentine’s Day Ceramic Mug and a Bowl at Color Cocktail Factory (1142 W 18th St)
Date Night on Fire: VIP wheel-Experience at Color Cocktail Factory (1142 W 18th St)
Valentine’s Night — a Paint & Sip Experience at Art City (1400 North Halsted Street)
Valentine’s Day BYOB Sip and Paint at Toast To Paint (7185 W Bloomingdale)
Valentine’s Painting + Wine (Vault Gallerie, 2015 South Laflin Street)
Couples Fragrance Making Workshop + Trivia Game at Above Average Candle Studio (3414 West Foster Avenue)
Walk Through the Tunnel of Love and Watch Fireworks at Navy Pier
Couples can celebrate Valentine’s Day at Navy Pier with a free fireworks show at 9pm.
Couples can also take a stroll through Navy Pier’s illuminated Tunnel of Love which is adorned with giant hearts and twinkling diamonds, making it a great photo-op for Instagram or popping the big question.
Couples that visit Navy Pier earlier in the day can ride the Centennial ferris wheel for amazing skyline views (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line) and check out Flyover in Chicago, an immersive flyover experience.
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
Looking for a fun outdoor activity in Chicago? There are many places to go outdoor ice skating in the city on Valentine’s Day.
One of the best and instaworthy places to go ice skating in downtown Chicago skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park which has a path twice the length of a lap around a traditional skating rink. Online reservations are required.
The Gallagher Way ice rink at Wrigleyville has ice bumper cars through Valentine’s Day.
You can find more places outdoor ice skating in Chicago here.
Sail on a Yacht Cruise
Couples that want to party can cruise the lake and enjoy skyline views on this Tipsy Cupid Sip & Sail Valentine’s Day Yacht Cruise.
Relax in Thermal Baths at AIRE Ancient Baths
Relax and enjoy thermal baths, massages and exclusive rituals with your loved one at AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago. Inspired by the tradition of baths from ancient Roman, Greek and Ottoman civilizations, AIRE Chicago is located in a restored historical building lit by candlelight in River West.
From February 12-17, they are offering a limited edition romantic experience for couples. Enjoy a relaxing body massage for two performed with a soothing floral oil and hot basalt stones, hydrating eye patches and a nourishing hair mask. Followed by their magical thermal baths, chocolate treats and a glass of virgin sparkling rosé wine.
Where: AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago, 800 West Superior St., Chicago, IL 60642
Cost: Price varies.
See the Spring Flower Show at Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the US. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world throughout eight indoor display gardens. Reservations are required.
Visitors can see the annual Spring Flower Show.
Hours: Open from 10am-5pm on Valentine’s Day
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60624
Cost: Admission is free for Chicago residents
Take Instagram Photos at the Museum of Illusions Chicago
From February 7-15, Reimagine Valentine’s at Museum of Illusions with Valentine-themed photo ops at selected exhibits. There is also a trail of hearts guiding you through the museum to the Love Wall and a heart origami workshop in the Brain Gym.
Where: 25 E Washington St., Chicago, Illinois
Admire Famous Works at the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is frequently found on lists of the top museums in the world. In addition to its large permanent collection of art from around the world, you can see rotating exhibitions. (Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines).
Where: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Hours: 11am– 5pm
Cost: Price varies. Entry is free for Illinois residents on Valentine’s Day.
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
Go Outdoor Curling
View this post on Instagram
Below is a list of places offering outdoor curling (along with drinks) on Valentine’s Day weekend:
Upstairs at The Gwen, 521 North Rush Street
Harry Caray’s Tavern – Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave
Kaiser Tiger, 1415 West Randolph St
Have Drinks in an Igloo
View this post on Instagram
Here are some of the best outdoor igloos in Chicago (advance reservations are required).
Kennedy Rooftop, 1551 W North Ave
I|O at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago, 127 West Huron Street
Hold and Feed a Bunny
Looking for a unique thing to do in Chicago with your Valentine? Visit the Cuddle Bunny to snuggle with their cuddly bunnies (and each other). On Valentine’s Day you can join their bunnies by candlelight special evening event exclusively for couples. Advance reservations are required.
Where: Cuddle Bunny, 2901 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
Chicago Valentine’s Day Events
In addition to the activities mentioned above, other events on Valentine’s Day (February 14) include: Valentines Day Ball, Winter Tequila Tasting Festival,
The Poetry Brothel Chicago: Devotion, Chemistry in Nature: The Birds, The Bees, and Biology at the Field Museum, Valentine’s Day with Rapt In Plastic at the International Museum of Surgical Science and Heartbeat House Party at the Shedd Aquarium.
Chicago Valentine’s Day Weekend Events
In addition to the activities mentioned above, other events during Valentine’s Day weekend include: Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party (February 13), Valentines Day Comedy Jam at European Chalet Banquets (February 13), Chicago Theatre Week (February 5-15), Chicago Auto Show (February 7-16) and Chicago Black Restaurant Week (February 8-22).
For more Valentine’s Day weekend events in Chicago, you can find more of the best weekend events here.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on Valentine’s Day and even more Valentine’s Day weekend. If you are spending more time in Chicago, here are more things to do in Chicago in February.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
