February may be a shorter month, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Chicago. Try a new cuisine during Chicago Restaurant Week, shop at an artisan pop-up market, celebrate Valentine’s Day, explore a new museum exhibit, honor Black History Month, and so much more. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Check out even more things to do in Chicago this February 2026 and mark your calendars for a jam-packed winter in Chicago.
Top events in Chicago this February
Argyle Lunar New Year parade
Chicago Theatre Week (Feb. 5 – 15): Theatre lovers won’t want to miss this annual event, when they can score discounted tickets at $15 or $30 (or less) for dozens of productions across the city.
Windy City Open (Feb. 5 – 11): The world’s leading squash players are coming to the University Club of Chicago for this highly anticipated annual tournament.
Chicago Auto Show (Feb. 7 – 16): The largest auto show in the nation takes over McCormick Place with hundreds of unique vehicles on display, indoor and outdoor test drives, and interactive exhibits.
Chicago Restaurant Week (ends Feb. 8): This year is the largest-ever Chicago Restaurant Week, featuring over 550 of the city’s top restaurants offering special fixed-price menus.
Chicago Black Restaurant Week (Feb. 8 – 22): Experience the city’s dynamic array of Black-owned eateries with two weeks of incredible eats during this annual event.
Valentine’s Day fireworks at Navy Pier (Feb. 14): Celebrate love with a special Valentine’s Day edition of the award-winning fireworks show on the lakefront.
Chicago Auto Show 
Chicago Auto Show
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb. 21): The Uptown neighborhood will welcome the Year of the Horse with the annual parade, featuring community groups, cultural institutions, dancers, and performers.
Polar Adventure Days (Feb. 21): Immerse yourself in nature at Big Marsh Park during Polar Adventure Days, featuring husky sled teams, ice carving, nature crafts, live music, hot cocoa, and more.
Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell (through February): Film and fashion lovers won’t want to miss this new exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, showcasing iconic outfits from Wicked, West Side Story, and so much more.
Chicago Beer Festival (Feb. 28): Sample seasonal brews from over 65 local breweries, all while exploring select exhibits inside the historic Field Museum.
Commemorative Day: Black History Month (Feb. 28): Honor Black History Month during this interactive event that includes art activities, music, and speakers at the Chicago History Museum.
Chicago Architecture Biennial (through Feb. 28): Don’t miss your last chance to explore the world’s largest free architecture showcase, with exhibits happening across the city.
More events in Chicago this February
Ice Skating in Maggie Daley Park
Drumline Live (Feb. 1): A rousing celebration of the HBCU marching band tradition, this performance at The Auditorium features soulful top 40 hits and original compositions.
Musical Tribute to Paris in Black (Feb. 1): Black Voices in Cabaret will pay tribute to the newest exhibit at the DuSable Black History Museum with this special musical performance.
Fika Fest in Andersonville (Feb. 7 – 8): Get cozy during this Swedish-inspired festival, which includes a coffee and hot cocoa crawl and a puzzle exchange.
Stereophonic (through Feb. 8): The most Tony Award-nominated play of all time arrives in Chicago, telling a behind-the-scenes story of a rock band on the brink of stardom during an intimate recording session.
Dozin’ with the Dinos at the Field Museum (Feb. 13 and 27): Spend the night inside the Field Museum, when families can enjoy science activities and explore exhibit halls after dark.
Chinese New Year Dumpling Making Dinner (Feb. 14): The beloved event returns to Hing Kee in Chinatown. Guests can enjoy an interactive dumpling-making lesson, complete with a family-style meal and cultural performances.
Valentine’s Winemaking & Dinner Experience (Feb. 14): This hands-on winemaking experience at Wild Blossom Meadery includes dinner, a wine and mead tasting, and the opportunity to create your own custom blend to bring home.
Family Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Feb. 14): Families will enjoy free admission to this day-long celebration, which includes activities and live music for kids.
Architecture & Design Film Festival (Feb. 19 – 22): The Chicago Architecture Center hosts this annual film festival that highlights innovation and sustainability in architecture, design, and fashion.
Chicago Bulls at United Center (through February): The NBA season is heating up at the United Center, where the Chicago Bulls take the court throughout the month.
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind (through Feb. 22): It’s your last chance to catch the groundbreaking Yoko Ono exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, which includes performance footage, photography, film, interactive-based artworks, and more.
North Side Restaurant Week (starts Feb. 26): Visit favorite local restaurants across the city’s North Side and discover a world of flavors across eight unique neighborhoods.
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago at the Intuit Art Museum
The Orchid Show: Feeling Groovy (starts Feb. 7): The Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting its annual orchid show, featuring more than 10,000 delicate blooms and a fun ‘70s theme.
World of Chocolate (Feb. 27): Taste carefully crafted treats from top Chicago chefs, featuring sweet and savory items made with chocolate. This annual fundraiser also includes cocktails and a live DJ.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Gangnam Market (Feb. 14 –15): The Asian market and food hall will celebrate the Lunar New Year with lion dancers, appearances from Pokémon characters, and complimentary food and beverages from market vendors.
Chicago Artisan Market (Feb. 14 – 15): Head to Artifact Events in Ravenswood to shop this massive artisanal marketplace, featuring local favorite food, fashion, art, and more.
Brothers from Another Planet film series (starts Feb. 16): The historic Music Box Theatre is celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting films featuring iconic Black protagonists.
American Icons from the Joffrey Ballet (Feb. 19 – March 1): This acclaimed ballet company celebrates influential American artists in their newest performance at the Lyric Opera.
Folk Fest at the University of Chicago (Feb. 20 – 21): This year is the 66th annual Chicago Folk Fest, with musical performances and workshops on quilting, puppetry, fiddle, dance, and more.
Chicago Irish Film Festival (Feb. 26 – March 8): A tradition for more than two decades, the Chicago Irish Film Festival brings some of the year’s best movies and documentaries from Irish filmmakers to Chicago audiences.
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago (through February): The first exhibition to open in Intuit’s newly renovated museum space highlights immigrant artists.
Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition (through February): The nation’s longest-running exhibition of African American art has been a tradition at the Museum of Science and Industry since 1970.
Peter Pan from the Chicago Kids Company (through February): The classic children’s story comes to life on the stage of the Stahl Family Theatre, featuring plenty of all-ages fun.
Balloon Museum: EmotionAir (through February): This interactive exhibit is made up of larger-than-life inflatable art installations, dedicated to the range of human emotions.
Mutuality: The Center Program Biennial Exhibition (through February): The Hyde Park Art Center’s newest exhibit showcases themes of collaboration and community through the work of up-and-coming Chicago artists.
Ice Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley (through February): Lace up your skates and hit the ice at Maggie Daley Park, home to a whimsical ice skating ribbon.
Not a Soft Thing at the Chicago Cultural Center (through February): The current exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center tells the story and stages of caregiving, showcasing an array of artist mothers.