50+ Valentine's Day Date Ideas in Lake County 2026

By: Sam Ornig 02/06/2026

There's love in the air in Lake County — Valentine's Day is just days away! The Land of Lakes has dozens of romantic events, family-friendly activities, dinner deals, hotel packages and other unique attractions to show that special someone you care. 

Browse over 50 Valentine's Day date ideas in Lake County 2026 to find the perfect way to celebrate and treat your loved one this February. 

Valentine's Day Events

Businesses across Lake County are hosting a variety of events perfect for you and your Valentine. Plan your special date from one of the following events: 

• Valentine's Day Craft Fair at Gurnee Mills (Feb. 6-8) INFO»
• Cookies and Cocoa Children's Valentine's Day Party at Lambs Farm (Feb. 7) INFO»
• The Joyful Gourmet Valentine's Chocolate Class with Gale Gand (Feb. 7) INFO» | Handmade Pasta With Surf and Turf Class (Feb. 14) INFO» | Mommy and Me Valentine's Cupcake Decorating (Feb. 14) INFO» | Chocolate Desserts Hands-On Class (Feb. 14) INFO»
• Valentine's Day and Demo Tasting at Lake Forest Public Library (Feb. 10) INFO»
• Ma and Pa’s Kid’s Chocolate Class (Feb. 10) INFO» | Dubai Chocolate Workshop (Feb. 26) INFO»
• Valentine's Floral Workshop at Broken Earth Winery (Feb. 11) INFO»
• Wine and Chocolate Flights for Your Valentine at Lynfred Winery (Feb. 11-15) INFO»
• Taste Buds Kitchen Valentine's Handmade Pasta Class (Feb. 12) INFO» | Valentine's Rustic Italian Cooking (Feb. 13) INFO» | Valentine’s Handmade Pasta Class (Feb. 14) INFO»
• The Station 51 Signature Wine Experience (Feb. 12) INFO»
• Sweethearts Cocktail Class at Mickey Finn’s (Feb. 12) INFO»
• North Shore Distillery's Valentine’s Day Special (Feb. 12-13) INFO»
• Heart to Heart Painting Event in Waukegan (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Chapin Jazz X-tet Valentine's Jazz at 129 Center Cut (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Tango & Chocolate Valentine's Day at Fred Astaire Dance Studios (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Romantic Bonfire Date Night at Heller Nature Center (Feb. 13) INFO»
• O’Toole’s Libertyville  Family Valentine's Day Party (Feb. 14) INFO» 
• Valentine's Day Sock Cat Workshop at the Sock Monkey Museum (Feb. 14) INFO»  
• Waukegan Concert Chorus presents "Songs from the Heart" at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts (Feb. 14) INFO» 
• Love You to Death Valentine’s Murder Mystery Improv Playhouse Jimmy’s Charhouse (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Tango and Chocolate at Fred Astaire Dance Studios (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Valentines Candle-Making: The Notebook at Romney Brown Candle Company (Feb. 14) INFO»
• 3rd Annual Grayslake Charity Bachelor Auction at First Draft in Grayslake (Feb. 27) INFO»

For the Gals

"What's Galentine's Day? Oh, it's only the best day of the year" says "Parks and Rec's" Leslie Knope. Celebrate the holiday of love and friendship with your gal pals this February at one of these Galentine's Day events in Lake County: 

• Galentine's Day Market at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort (Feb. 7) INFO»
• Ultimate Girls' Night Out Presents Galentine's Vendor and Craft at The Vine Martini and Wine Bar (Feb. 10) INFO»
• Galentine's Girls Night at BBQ''d Productions in Lake Zurich (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Galentine's Day Market at The Ten Hotel (Feb. 15) INFO»
• O'Toole's Libertyville Galentine’s Day Party (Feb. 26) INFO»

Other Date Ideas

Still looking for the perfect way to celebrate? Here are other events and happenings in Lake County to treat your date. 

• Take your significant other to a delectable evening compliments of Visit Lake County as you dine together during February Flavor Festival. There are 100+ restaurants, wineries, breweries and distillieries to select from! Check in to win and be eligble for a ton of prizes! (now-Feb. 28) INFO»
• What about a night out at a show? Here are some theatre productions and comedy shows  in Lake County over Valentine's Day: 
  • "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire (All February through March 15) INFO»
  • Jay Leno at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan (Feb. 6) INFO»
  • "Admissions" at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest (Feb. 13-March 15) INFO»
  • George Lopez at the Genesee Theatre (Feb. 14) INFO»
  • "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at the Marriott Theatre (Feb. 13-March 29) INFO»
• Take your music-loving date out for a concert in the Land of Lakes this February: 
  • An Intimate Evening With JJ Grey and Mofro at the Genesee Theatre (Feb. 7) INFO»
  • Lake County Symphony Orchestra Presents "Triumph and Tragedy" at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (Feb. 7) INFO»
  • Rendezvous Arts: Kaia String Quartet & Fareed Haque at the Gorton Center (Feb. 13) INFO»
  • Neil Diamond & Friends - Dinner and a show at Lindy’s Landing (Feb. 13) INFO»
  • Yonder Mountain String Band at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (Feb. 15) INFO»
  • Dueling Pianos: Pianomonium at the Genesee Theatre (Feb. 20) INFO»
  • Back to the 80's Anniversary Party at American Place Casino (Feb. 21) INFO»
  • The Ultimate Doors: Tribute to the Doors at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 22) INFO»
  • Neil Forever: Love at the Greek Tour at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 27) INFO»
  • Frontiers: The World's Number One Tribute to Journey at Gorton Center (Feb. 28) INFO»
  • 41st Salute to Gospel Music in Waukegan (Feb. 28) INFO»
• Carmel Catholic High School's Annual Street Scenes Festival "Under the Sea" (Feb. 6-7) INFO»
• The Orchid Show: Feelin' Groovy at the Chicago Botanic Garden (Feb. 7-March 22) INFO»
• 9th Annual Cocoa Crawl in Historic Downtown Long Grove (Feb. 7) INFO»
• Village of Antioch's Annual Princess Dance (Feb. 7) INFO»
• Father-Daughter Date Night in Waukegan (Feb. 7) INFO»
• Rob Reiner's "When Harry Met Sally" at Wayfarer Theaters in Highland Park (Feb. 8 and 11) INFO»
• Monthly Mixer (55+): Lunar New Year Celebration in Gurnee (Feb. 10) INFO»
• Candles & Cannolis DIY Event at Romney Brown Candle Company (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Roaring 20s Party at 28 Mile Distilling Co. (Feb. 14) INFO»
• 66th Annual Chain O'Lakes Fishing Derby and Winter Festival (Feb. 14) INFO»
• Make Fresh Made Cannoli with Tony Cannoli (Feb. 18) INFO»
• Bartending Class at 129 Center Cut in Grayslake (Feb. 18) INFO»
• International Rotary Festival at The Art Center Highland Park (Feb. 21) INFO»
• Soul Food With Sylvia in Waukegan (Feb. 21) INFO»
• Top Shelf Ice Arena and Bar and Grill INFO»
• A Lake County's architectural tour with your Valentine INFO»
• Improv Playhouse Theater in Libertyville: Friday Night Comedy Shows and Saturday Night Improv Shows (Throughout February) INFO»
• An overnight stay at a Lake County luxury hotel and resort INFO»
• Extreme Flight Simulator in Gurnee (year-round) INFO»
• Play WhirlyBall, Laser Tag, Bowling and more at WhirlyBall in Vernon Hills INFO»

Restaurant Specials and Options

• Beelow's Steakhouse in Lake Zurich: Valentine's Wine Dinner (Feb. 10) INFO»
• Big Bowl Chinese and Thai in Lincolnshire Valentine's Menu (Feb. 12-15) INFO»
• Bill's Pizza and Pub in Mundelein Heart-Shaped Pizzas INFO»
• Gale Street Inn in Mundelein Valentine's Dinner (Feb. 14) INFO»
• Lindy's Landing Restaurant and Marina in Wauconda Dinner and a Show: Neil Diamond and Friends (Feb. 13) INFO»
• Lynfred Winery in Wheeling Valentine's Week Specials and Offers INFO»
• Oaken Bistro and Bar in Lake Forest Valentine's Day Dinner (Feb. 14) INFO»
• Perry's Steakhouse and Grille in Vernon Hills Valentine's Menus (Feb. 12-15) INFO»
• The Gallery Lake Forest Bestie Brunch (Feb. 14) INFO»
• Wildfire Steak, Chops & Seafood in Lincolnshire Valentine's Dinner for Two (Feb. 12-15) INFO»
• Rainforest Cafe inside Gurnee Mills Valentine's Special: Southern Cross Lasagna (Feb. 14) INFO»

Check out more events in Lake County. Learn more about Lake County's February Flavor Festival.