Entertainment February 2020
We recommend the best events, festivals, and fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois.
Fringe theater festival February 1 – 23, 2020 ▸ Rhinoceros Theater Festival (Rhino Fest) is billed as Chicago’s longest-running fringe theater festival. Choose from dozens of creative new shows for only $15 at Prop Thtr. Closed Tuesdays.
Brazilian Mardi Gras February 22, 2020 (9 p.m.) ▸ 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.
Dinner cirque show February 1 – 29, 2020 (also Jan.) ▸ Love, Chaos, and Dinner is an aerial and acrobatic show performed around you by Teatro ZinZanni as you eat dinner in a giant tent on the 14th floor of Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop. Recommended for age 13+. Chinese New Year parade February 2, 2020 ▸ Lunar New Year Parade features lion and dragon dances, marching bands, and floats on S. Wentworth Avenue (from 24th Street to Cermak Road). Free. Free science museum February 3 – 27, 2020 ▸ Show Illinois ID to enter the Museum of Science and Industry free during Free Days in February and September, including Feb. 3-6, 10-13, 1820, 24-27.
Bar crawl in pajamas February 8, 2020 ▸ Wear your favorite PJs to the The Pajama Crawl, which includes a breakfast buffet and drink specials at five bars in Wrigleyville for age 21+. Travel show February 8 – 9, 2020 ▸ Chicago Travel & Adventure Show has travel experts and travel industry vendors at the Rosemont convention center. Your children to age 16 are free.
Champagne tasting February 14, 2020 (7 to 11 p.m.) ▸ The Chicago Champagne & Sparkling Wine Fest offers champagne and sparkling wine tasting, passed hors d’oeuvres, a dessert table, fire pits, and a panoramic view at IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge.
Motorcycle show February 7 – 9, 2020 ▸ Find sport bikes, dirt bikes, scooters, ATVs, expert advice, live entertainment, and family activities at the International Motorcycle Show in the Rosemont convention center.
Chinese New Year February 8, 2020 (1 to 4:30 p.m.) ▸ Celebrate the end of Chinese Lunar New Year with Chinese storytelling and lantern making workshops, plus a visit of the new Chinese bronze exhibition. At sundown, lion dancers lead a procession of lanterns from the Art Institute of Chicago to Maggie Daley Park.
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Valentine’s dining cruise February 14 – 15, 2020 ▸ Enjoy a Valentine’s Day Cruise on the lake or river, with views, brunch or dinner, and DJ dance music. • Odyssey Cruises • Spirit Cruises Folk music festival February 14 – 15, 2020 ▸ Celebrate traditional music from around the world in concerts and workshops at University of Chicago Folk Festival at Mandel Hall, 1131 E 57th St. Beer tasting February 15, 2020 (12 to 5 p.m.) ▸ Try strong ales, barrelaged brews, sour and live beers from 50 breweries at the Vintage Beer Festival at Delilah’s. Pay $20 at the door for 20 samples.
Auto show February 8 – 17, 2020 (preview Feb. 7) ▸ Admire nearly 1,000 new vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show, billed as the nation’s largest at McCormick Place convention center. Orchid show February 8 – March 22, 2020 ▸ See 10,000 blooms at The Orchid Show, which has a photographer hour, orchid sales, and an Evening with Orchids cocktail tasting at Chicago Botanic Garden.
February 2020 Ukrainian People
Valentine’s dinner at the zoo February 14, 2020 ▸ Valentine’s Dinner includes a cocktail reception at Habitat Africa and then a four-course meal in Bocaditos dining room for $230 per couple at Brookfield Zoo, with zoo admission included.
Jazz festival February 20 – 23, 2020 ▸ Hear the best college jazz bands plus jazz professionals at Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. Japanese wine tasting February 22, 2020 (2 p.m., VIP 1 p.m.) ▸ Taste 20 varieties of sake plus Japanese spirits and beers at Sake & Japanese Spirits Fest at Katana Chicago.
Tasting at the zoo February 22, 2020 ▸ Enjoy wine and whiskey samples, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and animal visits during Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest at Brookfield Zoo for age 21+. Dark beer festival February 23, 2020 ▸ Your ticket to Darkside includes 40 ounces of dark beer from a dozen breweries, with vintage arcade games at Emporium Arcade Bar. Northerly Island adventure February 29, 2020 ▸ See birds of prey and wolves, make “nature-inspired winter crafts,” walk on snowshoes (if there’s snow), and drink cocoa (while it lasts) at Polar Adventure Days on three dates in December, January, and February. Free except parking. Whiskey tasting February 2020 ▸ Taste 20 brands of whiskey and spirits, meet the distillers, taste gourmet bites, and hear DJ music during Barrel Night at Lacuna Artist Lofts for age 21+.
