Top 10 Things To Do in February 2019
By: Jonathan Jones 01/28/2019
February also brings Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, the Academy Awards, the Grammy's, Fat Tuesday, Groundhog Day and of course – everyone’s favorite day: National Plum Pudding Day (Feb 12). Finally last, but not least, National Drink Wine Day (the convention and visitor bureau’s favorite holiday on February 18).
Speaking of wine, take a walk on the Lake County Libation Trail and taste all of the wonderful grapey tastes our makers offer. Check out the vino from Glunz Family Winery and Cellars in Grayslake, Lynfred Winery in Wheeling, Valentino Vineyards in Long Grove and Vigneto del Bino. Continue here to learn more.
And speaking of wine, don’t forget to mark your calendars from March 1-10 as Visit Lake County throws their fourth annual Lake County Restaurant Week: 10 Days to Savor. This delectable event enables foodies to find new favorites, sample local cuisine and share their experiences on social media. Click here for the sake of your taste buds.
So without further adieu, stay warm and peruse your top 10 things to do in February 2019!
Ladies and gentlemen, start your sweet teeth. Downtown Highland Park has families feeling like they're kids in a candy store. The city hosts a slew of confectioners to participate in their Cupcake Challenge for Charity on Saturday. The sleuth who locates the hidden Sweet Star Cupcakes will receive gifts from participating vendors like a shopping spree gift basket and other gift cards.
Thursday, January 31-Sunday, February 3; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Downtown Highland Park.
Live entertainment always gets your juices flowing when you’re looking for a new tune to hum. There’s nothing like going to a live show – from reciting your favorite song while singing along with your favorite singer – to the atmosphere of everyone rocking their socks off to a legendary performance.
This show follows a woman named Sharon in her mid-50s who’s recently divorced and needs a roommate to share her Hawkeye State home. Robyn answers Sharon’s prayers and moves in with her. However, as time goes on Sharon tries to uncover a few hidden secrets about her newly acquired roomie. This dark comedy is a perfect date night and gift for the holidays. The show runs on select days from February 1-March 3.
February 1-March 3; 7:30 or 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest.
Don’t sit wasting your winter with chestnuts roasting by an open fire. When the temperature drops, a winter festival in Lake County will warm yourself up. From exploring a Lake County winter wonderland to playdates with cold-blooded creatures to escaping reality in beautiful snowy murals to hunting underwater dwellers and so many other events, Lake County is the place to indulge in frosty festivities.
Valentine's Day Events in Lake County (Feb. 7-18)
Time to find all the corny movie quotes so you can have them in your arsenal, i.e., "You complete me.", "You had me at hello.", "You’re so beautiful it hurts," and so on and so forth (just in case you want a good ol' fashioned eye roll). On Valentine’s Day in Lake County, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get." Our Valentine's Day Guide will be available shortly.
"You sunk my Battleship." No, it's not the Hasbro Games classic, but the National Museum of the American Sailor invites the Historical Miniature Gaming Society-Midwest for an educational and fun re-creation of Guadalcanal. The Guadalcanal is the first major offensive victory during WWII over the Empire of Japan that took place at the British Solomon Islands. The battle was fought for just over six months. The Naval Station Great Lakes museum will explore the strategy and tactics as well as the historical significance of the win. Codename: Operation Watchtower is a commemoration to the 75th anniversary of the event.
Saturday, February 9; 1-5 p.m. National Museum of the American Sailor, 2531 Sheridan Rd., Great Lakes.
Get your ice fishing on Lake County. There are two angler events with a lot of longevity and history to fulfill your snow fishing expeditions. Pack up your lines, hooks and spears, and go for the gold trying to nab some fresh pike, crappie, perch and bluegill that Bangs and the Chain O' Lakes have to offer. Cash and prizes will be rewarded to anglers in big and small fish catches, an auction, raffles and more. Let's take a look at our derby days.
Roses are red; violets are blue. Orchids range from gray, purple, pink and red, and the Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting a show of it, too. The Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, a one-of-a-kind display in the Chicago area, features the striking Phalaenopsis ‘V3’ orchid this year. More than 12,000 brilliantly beautiful and unusual orchids from around the world will extend throughout the Regenstein Center, including lush presentations within the greenhouses. There are several unique events during the show including a preview, live music and more.
February 9-March 24; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $8-$12. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
Black History Month is not only celebrated in the United States, but it's also an annual observance in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. However, just the two aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries celebrate it in February. Historian Carter G. Woodson created it in 1926 as it also is the same month that hosts notable Civil Rights figures Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Zion-Benton High School and the Zion Park District host a program that includes a diaspora of singing, dancing, guest speakers and poets. The family-friendly celebration also provides a delicious dinner following the program.
Saturday, February 23; Free admission. Zion-Benton Horizon Campus High School, 3921 21st St., Zion.
You only witness the best vessels on the waters of Lake County. Embrace that taste of summer in Lake County at the Northern Illinois Boat Show. You and the family will see the latest in pontoons, family runabouts, ski boats, jet boats, fishing boats, bayliners, alumacrafts, sea ray boats and then some at this festive event at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Events Center in Grayslake. Many Lake County vendors will be exhibitors at the four-day event
Thursday-Sunday, February 28-March 3; Thurs: Noon-8 p.m., Fri: Noon-8 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $6-$8. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
For more things to do in February, continue here.
