Lake County's Complete Guide to Valentine's Day

By: Jonathan Jones 02/13/2015

Continue Here for an updated version of the Valentine's Day Celebrations in Lake County.

Valentine’s Day is that tough time of year where your significant other wants a perfect date night. Luckily, Lake County has things covered for you. All over the area, there are plenty of diverse events to maybe even appear at more than one. Get out there and spoil your significant other with plenty of good eats, drinks, live performances and lots, lots more. Since there is so much at your disposal, we broke down your Lake County Valentine’s day events by city. Here is your complete guide to the annual sweetheart’s day.

Gurnee

Valentine's Day Deal at Rink Side

Let’s not forget its winter time. How romantic is having your beau on your arm as you glide across the ice at Rink Side? That’s why Rink Side Family Entertainment Center is throwing their date night for $25 per couple for not only public skate, but an individual pizza and $5 game card. Each couple will get enrolled into a ‘sweet contest!’ How sweet is it? How about the potential to earn a pair of free Chicago Blackhawks tickets on Valentine’s Day!? The drawing will be during the 8:45 – 10:15 pm skate time, and the couple must be present to retrieve the tickets.

Saturday @ 7 p.m.

10^th Annual Valentine’s Dinner & Comedy

On the biggest date night of the year, 95 Will Rock will host perfect Valentine’s Dinner and Comedy show combo at the Holiday Inn Gurnee. Before the comedy show, you will be served a scrumptious gourmet dinner buffet. Your MC is Tom Kief while comedians Kevin Bozeman and Geoff La Fleur do what they do best: make you laugh. Overnight packages are available and reservations are required!

Saturday @ 7 p.m.

Antioch

The Fourth Annual Peoples’ Choice Exhibition

Starting earlier this month, Antioch Fine Arts Foundation has been hosting the Annual Peoples’ Choice Exhibition. This is an especially intriguing event for couples finding a thing or two to do for Valentine’s Day in Lake County. The artists whose work is on display created their working utilizing mediums such as paintings, photography, stained glass, sketches, wood burning or pyrography, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, scarves and much more. If you can’t get to on Valentine’s Day, the exhibition runs through February 28^th, and you the public has the ability to vote.

Saturday @ 10-4 p.m. (also runs Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. -4 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

Meet Me in St. Louis @ PM&L Theatre

No, we’re not telling you to go to Missouri. Stay in Lake County to watch Meet me in St. Louis at the PM&L Theatre. PM&L Theatre has run the acclaimed show, since February 6 and will stretch its performances till Saturday February 21. The play is set during the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Fair in 1904. This well-known movie originally featured Judy Garland. The original movie debuted “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Buy your ticket now for this two-week showing at the Antioch Theatre. Go see this 1940s classic of the Gateway to the West. Adult admission is $13 while seniors and kids entry fee is $11.

Saturday @ 8 p.m.

David’s Bistro

Searching for superb cuisine with splendid ingredients? You and your special someone should head to David’s Bistro. You two will have a romantic five-course meal topped with live entertainment. Make reservations as soon as possible. There are two time slots to make reservations for and per couple it costs $79 for Dave’s impressive cooking paired with fine wine. Bon appetite!

 

Lincolnshire

La Cage Aux Folles

Surely your significant other would appreciate a night on the town at the Marriott Theatre. This three-time winning Tony Award musical follows a middle-aged gay couple who decide to keep their relationship a secret when their son returns home with his fiancée. The relationship is kept incognito because of the son’s fiancé, who has extremely conservative parents. A 1996 film adaptation called ‘The Birdcage’ featuring Nathan Lane and the late Robin Williams was created from La Cage Aux Folles template. The play will run from Wednesday, January 28 – Sunday, March 29.

Saturday @ 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Bliss @ Sullivan’s House

Craving some steak and seafood with your loved one? Don’t look any further than Sullivan’s Steakhouse. From Friday February 13 to Sunday February 15 (just in case you accidentally forget about Valentine’s Day), enjoy these scrumptious dishes for only $59. Don’t just treat that special someone, treat your appetite.

Valentine’s Dinner for Two @ Wildfire

It takes two isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s the offer that Wildfire is giving you lovebirds. From Friday, February 13-Monday, February 16 Wildfire is serving appetizers and a salad to share, a choice between Cedar Planked Salmon, Roasted Prime Rib of Beef or Seas Scallops de Johnge including a side and mouthwatering dessert for $90 per couple.

Grayslake

Beer Lovers Meetup at the Lake County Fairgrounds

Are you single? Here’s a place you can find your Cinderella or Prince Charming. The inaugural Beer Lovers Meetup at the Lake County Fairgrounds to mingle with beer thirsty peers. As a matter of fact, you and your date could attend this Lake County Fair event to start a new Valentine’s Day trend. All attendees will enjoy 25 Lake County craft beer vendors, wine, new friends and live entertainment from Dave Dallison and Friends as well as The Vagabonds of the Runaway Circus. Cheers!

Waukegan

Mr. Benny at Clockwise Theatre

The theatre is the perfect place for a date night. Clockwise Theatre in Waukegan is showcasing the life and times of the legendary, homegrown Jack Benny. This highly acclaimed one-man show, called Mr. Benny stars Tim Newell. Benny was known for his days as a Vaudeville actor, radio personality and movie and television actor. This is the final weekend the Benny play will be showing at Clockwise, so grab your dates hand and giggle with Jack Benny because ‘Gags die, humor doesn’t.’

Of Mice and Men at Dr. Lynn Schornick Theatre

‘I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.’ Not only is that how you view your relationship with your special someone, but it is also a quote from the legendary Of Mice and Men, which is showing at Dr. Lynn Schornick Theatre. Bowen Park Theatre Company presents one-act plays along with a short original play by a new playwright. The adaptation is taken from author John Steinbeck, who also wrote the celebrated Grapes of Wrath. Live on the ‘fatta the lan’ for Valentine’s Day.

The Complete History of America Abridged at Three Brothers Theatre

There’s nothing like a history lesson with a little bit of humor. If you’re looking to learn and laugh during your date night, Three Brothers Theatre is in their second week of showing The Complete History of America Abridged. The show covers six centuries of U.S. History featuring as early as the Revolutionary War to the 60s revolution and much more. The show is for all ages, if you want to treat the children.

Saturday @ 8 pm

Roar’s Love to Laugh Comedy Night at the Waukegan Yacht Club

All you need is love…to laugh. Waukegan Yacht Club is hosting Roar’s Love to Laugh Comedy Night on the February holiday. Come with you sweetheart and join the Waukegan Yacht Club as they welcome stand-up comedians Mike Preston, Sydney Adeniyi and Tim Harrison. These three gentlemen have been nationally acclaimed headliners at the famous Zanies. You won’t walk out on an empty stomach though. WYC provides a romantic four-course dinner complemented with champagne.

Saturday @ 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Libertyville

Sweets for Sweetie at Lambs Farm

We understand that it is the parents needing their alone time. However, the kids love the sweets from Valentine’s Day. That’s why the Lambs Farm Magnolia Café & Bakery is hostingSweets for Sweetie. Although the café is now a boutique transformed for the holiday. The Magnolia Café & Bakery offer delicious items that are perfect favors for mom, dad, husband, wife, significant others, crushes, friends, siblings and kids for Valentine’s Day. In the banquet room, you can decorate heart-shaped cookies and have them packaged with care. Just for $3 you can show the thought that counts by creating a hand craft Valentine’s Day Card. Other sweets that are available are fudge, truffles and taffy apples sported by the culinary team of Eurest Dining Services.

Saturday @ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

No Question @ Mickey Finn’s

Searching for a place to bust a move on the dance floor? Don’t inquire anywhere else, because Mickey Finn’s has No Question on stage free of admission. Watch, listen and party as this band covers 90s music and current chart topping songs. This five piece group from Antioch always has fresh music that they’ve added to their repertoire.

Cupid’s Dance Party @ Austin’s

Austin’s “got a brand new dance, you gotta move your muscle; a brand new dance, it's called the Cupid Shuffle!” Austin’s Fuel Room headlines Fast Eddie and Sundance in their up close and personal tour. The Libertyville bar also will be host DJs Tim Spinnin’ Schommer, Harry Hotmix’n Hernandez, DJ Crank, DJ Sandy and DJ Jedi Henry spinning records for everyone to get out and shake what their mothers gave them. The DJs will play top 40 dance, house, old school and slow jams for Valentine’s Day Couples. Get tickets in advance for this hopping dance party.

Saturday @ 9 p.m.

Other Lake County Events

Shh it’s a mystery. The Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center is hosting Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre ‘My Fatal Valentine.’ The event that’s 16 and older includes a catered dinner buffet, beverages (non-alcoholic) and dessert. The mystery begins at 8 pm after dinner. Pregistration is encouraged.

Saturday @ 6:30 p.m.

The Orchid Show @ Botanic Garden

What better way to bring in Valentine’s Day than watching the bloom of orchids. It reminds you that spring is right around the corner. The Orchid Who is one of a kind in the Chic ago

area. Chicago Botanic Garden boasts over 12,000 vivid wonder and unusual orchids from all across the planet. Members receive $2 off admission. Absents

Romantic Night Hike @ Ryerson Woods

Is dinner not enough for you and your significant other? What about walking off (or skiing off), that big snazzy dinner with a Romantic Night Hike at Ryerson Woods? The Lake County forest preserve is hosting a hike or cross country ski for Valentine’s Day. You can also take matters into your own hands for a more secluded nature walk. On the guided tour, you will explore the wildlife courtship behaviors. After the snowy stroll, Ryerson Woods invites you in to munch on hot chocolate and s’mores. Hikers and cross-country skiers must be 18 years old. Register at online at lcfpd.org.