Chicagoland in February is filled with celebrations for Black History Month and Lunar New Year. Additionally, the month is peppered with Valentine’s Day activities, perfect for those looking to celebrate love and friendship in special ways.
The season also brings classic winter fun, such as sledding down snowy hills and gliding on outdoor ice skating rinks. A mix of indoor and outdoor activities provide endless fun for kids of all ages.
Check out our list below of the best kid-friendly Chicagoland events in February. Don’t forget to check our our calendar for more family fun!
Best February Family Events in Chicago
This month, many Chicago Public Libraries are celebrating Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. Don’t forget the big annual Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown. Find even more February events in Chicago on our calendar.
Lunar New Year Stories and Craft at South Shore Branch
Feb. 6, 2024
- Address: 2505 E. 73rd St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 5-12 can join the library to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with stories and a craft for Lunar New Year.
Chicago Auto Show 2024 at McCormick Place
Feb. 10-19, 2024
- Address: 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $17/adults, $12/ seniors 62+ and kids 4-12, free/kids 3 and under | Get tickets
Enjoy more than 1,000 domestic and imported vehicles, auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles and project, antique and collector cars. Kids will enjoy getting in the drivers seat of vehicles, racing simulator areas and more.
Check out our family guide to the Chicago Auto Show in 2024.
Winter Wonderland at Garfield Park Conservatory
Feb. 10 and 24, 2024
- Address: 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy the Winter Wonderland at Garfield Park Conservatory with fort building, whammy doodles, fairy furniture, s’mores and more.
African Dance at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Feb. 16, 2024
- Address: 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago
- Cost: $12.50-$14.50/adult, $9-$11/student, $4-$5/child, free/members | Get tickets
Enjoy dance sessions with Najwa and performances at The DuSable Black History Museum for Black History Month.
The Diary of Anne Frank at The Greenhouse Theater Center
Begins Feb. 16, 2024
- Address: 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $25/12-plus, $19/11 and younger | Get tickets
Ages 10-plus can see the Young People’s Theatre of Chicago’s new one-act adaptation based on Anne Frank’s diary entries. Also, view the lobby exhibit from the Anne Frank Center free of charge.
Polar Adventure Day at Big Marsh Park
Feb. 17, 2024
- Address: 11555 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
There will be tons of winter activities, including birds of prey, nature art activity, storytelling, guided winter hike, hot cocoa and more.
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Feb. 18, 2024
- Address: Chinatown, Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road
- Cost: Free
The Lunar New Year Parade kicks off at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and heads north up Wentworth to Cermak Road. The parade features traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, marching bands, marching groups and colorful floats.
Black Creativity Career Showcase at Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Feb. 24, 2024
- Address: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free with museum admission
In celebration of Black Creativity, kids of all ages can talk with Black artists, scientists and engineers about innovative work happening in Chicago. There will be demonstrations, hands-on activities and one-on-one conversations. While there, make sure to stop by the Black Creativity exhibit.
Check out our family guide to the Museum of Science and Industry.
Family Event | Black History Month at Chicago History Museum
Feb. 24, 2024
- Address: 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free w/general admission
Enjoy this family-friendly Black History Month event at Chicago History Museum. This year’s theme is African Americans and the arts.
Dog Man: The Musical at the Studebaker Theater
Through Feb. 25, 2024
- Address: 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $44.50-plus | Get tickets
This family-friendly musical is based on the bestselling Dog Man book series by Dav Pilkey. Dog Man is the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture.
Celebrate Black Joy with Nanny Nikki at Rogers Park Branch
Feb. 25, 2024
- Address: 6907 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free | Register
Ages 2-6 can join Nanny Nikki at Rogers Park Branch for a celebration of Black joy in honor of Black History Month. There will be singing, dancing, puppets and more. Registration required.
Best February Family Events in North/Northwest Suburbs
This month, the new Titanic exhibit at Westfield Old Orchard opens and the Book Stall has some great story time events. Also, Disney on Ice is in town, as well! Find even more February events in the north/northwest suburbs on our calendar.
Disney on Ice Presents Magic in the Stars at Allstate Arena
Feb. 1-4, 2024
- Address: 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont
- Cost: $20-plus, free/ages 2 and younger | Get tickets
At this show, families can enjoy seeing Mirabel, her sisters Isabela and Luisa, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and more.
Check out our family guide to Disney on Ice.
Sunny Makes Her Case: An After-School Event with Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm at The Book Stall
Feb. 6, 2024
- Address: 811 Elm St., Winnetka
- Cost: $20-plus, free/ages 2 and younger | Register
Stop by to see graphic novelists Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm for an after-school discussion and book signing. For ages 8-12. Registration required.
Lego Ninjago Dragon’s Rising Event at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago
Begins Feb. 9, 2024
- Address: 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $21.99-plus | Get tickets
The event includes limited edition dragon power pop badges and stickers, the baby dragon Riyu, an epic dance party and more.
Flower Pounding Valentine Cards at Emily Oaks Nature Center
Feb. 10, 2024
- Address: 4650 Brummel St., Skokie
- Cost: $10/resident, $13/non-resident | Register
Families can learn the art of flower pounding to make beautiful Valentine’s Day cards using real flowers and rubber mallets to create unique designs. For ages 6-plus. Registration required.
Valentine’s Day Storytime & Craft at Palatine Library District – Main Library
Feb. 13, 2024
- Address: 700 N. North Court, Palatine
- Cost: Free | Register
Ages 2-6 can enjoy a Valentine’s story time with songs, stories and a special craft. Registration required. The same event is also scheduled for a different time on Feb. 14.
Titanic: The Exhibition at Westfield Old Orchard
Opens Feb. 16, 2024
- Address: 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie
- Cost: $29.50-plus, free/4 and younger | Get tickets
This immersive touring exhibition is a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the sinking ship, Titanic.
Winter Chilly Fest at Emily Oaks Nature Center
Feb. 17-18, 2024
- Address: 4650 Brummel St., Skokie
- Cost: Admissions without Chili Dinner: $8/person; Admissions with Chili Dinner: $17/adult, $13/child younger than 10 | Get tickets
Families can enjoy some winter fun and a cozy indoor chili dinner. There will also be snowshoeing, hayrides, ice skating, campfire with roasted marshmallows and more.
Snowflake Snapshots at Wilmette Historical Museum
Feb. 20, 2024
- Address: 609 Ridge Road, Wilmette
- Cost: Free | RSVP
Come to the museum for a reading of Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s book Snowflake Bentley, crafts and activities that explore early photography. RSVP recommended.
“I’ll Have What She’s Having”: The Jewish Deli at Illinois Holocaust Museum
Through April 14, 2024
- Address: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
- Cost: Free with museum admission: $18/ages 12-plus, $6/ages 5-11, free/ages 4 and younger, and members | Get tickets
Learn about deli history with menus, advertisements, neon signs, photographs, uniforms and film and TV clips. There are also interactive and photo opportunities.
Best February Family Events in South Suburbs
This month, the south suburbs has some great Valentine’s Day events for different ages. Find even more February events in the south suburbs on our calendar.
Victorian Valentine Tea at Senator John Humphrey House
Feb. 10, 2024
- Address: 9830 W. 144th Place, Orland Park
- Cost: $17/members, $22/resident, $27/non-resident | Register
Ages 13-plus can celebrate Valentine’s Day by enjoying cookies and herbal teas. Attendees can also see 19th-century Valentines from the Village’s historic collection and make a Victorian Valentine. Registration required.
Valentines Craft with Recycled Items at Frankfort Public Library District
Feb. 13, 2024
- Address: 21119 S. Pfeiffer Road, Frankfort
- Cost: Free
Ages 8-12 can drop into Frankfort Public Library District to create Valentine’s Day crafts using recycled items.
Valentine’s Day Storytime at Fountaindale Public Library District
Feb. 14, 2024
- Address: 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook
- Cost: Free
All ages can come out to Fountaindale Public Library District to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special storytime.
Best February Family Events in Western Suburbs
This month, the western suburbs have some really great winter festivals and Valentine’s Day events. Wonka fans will love the Wonka-themed events in downtown Glen Ellyn. Find even more February events in the western suburbs on our calendar.
Ice Festival Downtown Downers Grove
Feb. 2-4, 2024
- Address: Downtown Downers Grove
- Cost: Free
Enjoy nearly 60 pre-carved ice sculptures that will line the streets of Downtown Downers Grove. There will also be live carving demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.
Victorian Valentines at DuPage County Historical Museum
Feb. 3 and 10, 2024
- Address: 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton
- Cost: Free; $3 suggested donation | Register
Create a Victorian style Valentine for someone special using feathers, beads and bits of fabric. Registration required.
Winter Fest at Sunset Knoll Recreation Center
Feb. 3, 2024
- Address: 820 S. Finley Road, Lombard
- Cost: Free
Enjoy an indoor/outdoor winter fest with crafts, games, hot chocolate, ice carving, dog sledding, visits from special guests and more.
Wonka Walk in Downtown Glen Ellyn
Feb. 10-11, 2024
Address: Downtown Glen Ellyn
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a Wonka-themed and fun-filled Valentine’s weekend in Downtown Glen Ellyn. Find the golden ticket to turn in for a scrumdiddlyumptious treat. Head to Glen Art Movie Theater to watch the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie.
Heart Puzzle Wreath at Geneva Public Library District
Feb. 13, 2024
- Address: 227 S. Seventh St., Geneva
- Cost: Free
Families can come to the Geneva Public Library District to create a heart-shaped wreath with puzzle pieces and cardboard, while supplies last.
This post is updated monthly.
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