Top 10 Things To Do in February 2023
By: Jonathan Jones 01/27/2023
February brings the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, the Academy Awards, 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 Feb. 18).
Speaking of wine, take a walk on the Lake County Libation Trail as month two is a cheers to our favorite adult beverages: Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check-in Challenge. Check and taste all of the rich grapey tastes our makers offer in the vino department Glunz Family Winery and Cellars in Grayslake, Lynfred Winery in Wheeling, Pazzo di Vino in Highwood (closed in Feb.), Valentino Vineyards in Long Grove and Vigneto del Bino and Winery in Antioch. Continue here for a full list of our brewery and distillery partners.
After you peruse what to do this February, take a look at some of the exceptional shots from the #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest, and where to go sledding and tubing in the land of lakes. Stay tuned for our Valentine's Day blog coming soon.
So without further adieu, stay warm and peruse your top 10 things to do in February 2023.
The Black Community has deep roots in Lake County. The influence of African American culture is vibrant and resonates in all facets of tourism throughout the land of lakes. In February, we look at Black pioneers, minds, art and movement. Here’s a list of Black History Month programming happening in the land of lakes.
- "The Network to Freedom: Connecting to the Underground Railroad" exhibit at the Dunn Museum (now-through Mar. 19) INFO »
- The Black Experience - What it Takes to be a Black Student (Feb. 3) INFO »
- Black History Pop-Up Event in Waukegan (Feb. 5) INFO »
- 40th Profiles in Excellence: Women in the Greenbelt Cultural Center (Feb. 5) INFO »
- The Commodores at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 16) INFO »
- 33rd Annual Black History Program in Zion (Feb. 25) INFO »
- Salute to Gospel in Waukegan (Feb. 25) INFO »
- "Raised Up West Side" in Highland Park (Feb. 26) INFO »
Let’s toast to the Lake County Libation Trail! “It’s five o’clock somewhere,” as suds aficionados, vino connoisseurs and spirit enthusiasts will be elated with these glasses of “liquid courage.” The Lake County Libation Trail is highlighted by nearly 30 of the most delectable flavors from locally-sourced ingredients. Whether your adult beverage is an ice-cold frothy lager, a dry red merlot or an old-fashioned on the rocks, Lake County has precisely what you need to make your taste buds dance. This Check-in Challenge runs all of February. When craft drinkers arrive at a participating location, they check in using their mobile pass to show they're in attendance. If libation-ers check in to five or more Lake County Libation Trail partners by February 28, they are entered into a sweepstakes to win a prize. Get Trail Hoppin'!
Finally, the snow has fallen! You can’t be the only one having a blast in the snow. Once the snow hits the ground, kids (and children at heart) gravitate towards any hill with a slight incline to race their friends and family. It’s that time of year to inflate that inner tube or dust off that sled and zip through the snow. From park districts to the Lake County Forest Preserves to Wilmot Mountain, the slopes bring an exhilarating experience over the dog days of winter. Never forget to “Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme! Get on up; it’s bobsled time! Cool Runnings!”
From nuggets about the Greentown griot, learn the history of Grayslake, the men and women who sing anchors aweigh to the critters that inhabit Lake County, and the roadsters in our favorite Hollywood flicks and more. Get some education and culture into your youngsters this February and beyond.
- Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods INFO »
- Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe INFO »
- Dunn Museum in Libertyville INFO »
- Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum INFO »
- Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago INFO »
- Heller Nature Center in Highland Park INFO »
- Mundelein Heritage Museum INFO »
- National Museum of the American Sailor at Great Lakes INFO »
- Shiloh House in Zion INFO »
- Sock Monkey Museum in Long Grove INFO »
- The Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington INFO »
- Volo Museum INFO »
- Waukegan History Museum INFO »
- Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest INFO »
Lake County is renowned for its live theatre community. These thespians are performing in fan-favorite productions this month as we return from the holidays into the dog days of winter.
- "Big Fish" at Marriott Theatre (Now-Mar. 19) INFO »
- First Friday Funnies at Improv Playhouse (Feb. 3) INFO »
- Saturday Comedy Shows at Improv Playhouse (Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25) INFO »
- The Christians at Citadel Theatre (Feb. 8-Mar. 13)
- Street Scenes at Carmel Catholic High School (Feb. 10-11) INFO »
- An Afternoon with Teddy Roosevelt at the NMAS (Feb. 11) INFO »
- 18th Annual Valentine's Dinner and Comedy Show at Holiday Inn Gurnee (Feb. 11) INFO »
- Tim Allen at Genesee Theatre ( Feb. 25) INFO »
- 33rd Annual Black History Program in Zion (Feb. 25) INFO »
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Launch Gurnee has been working on renovating its facility. The Gurnee attraction, formerly known as Jump America, is the perfect indoor playground during these brisk months and beyond. The bounce emporium is highlighted by the trampolines you know and love, a ninja course, an arcade, air track basketball, virtual reality, a dodgeball court, a full bar and a restaurant called Krave.
Don’t sit wasting your winter with chestnuts roasting by an open fire. When the temperature drops, a winter festival in Lake County will cure your cabin fever. Here are your February fests.
- Lake County Libation trail Month Check-in Challenge (Feb. 1-28) INFO »
- Frozen Tundra 5K and Post Race Party in Lincolnshire (Feb. 4) INFO »
- Wauconda Winterfest Weekend (Feb. 4-5) INFO »
- 40th annual Profiles in Excellence: Women in Sports in North Chicago (Feb. 5) INFO »
- Street Scenes at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein (Feb. 10-11) INFO »
- Cocoa & Cookies Children's Valentine Party at Lambs Farm (Feb. 11) INFO »
- Sixth annual Cocoa Crawl in Long Grove (Feb. 11) INFO »
- 18th annual Valentine's Dinner and Comedy Show in Gurnee (Feb. 11) INFO »
- Chain O'Lakes Fishing Derby and Winter Festival (Feb. 11-12) INFO »
- Let's Wine About Winter in Libertyville (Feb. 18) INFO »
- 33rd annual Black History Program in Zion (Feb. 25) INFO »
- Maple Syrup Festival at Ryerson Woods (Feb. 25) INFO »
- Lake County Craft Beer Festival in Grayslake (Feb. 25) INFO »
Live entertainment always gets your juices flowing when you’re looking for a new tune to hum. Here are some must-see concerts in the land of lakes.
- LADAMA at the James Lumber Center (Feb. 5) INFO »
- Josh Turner at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 10) INFO »
- The Commodores at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 16) INFO »
- Little River Band at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 23) INFO »
- Tad Benoit and JD Simo at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (Feb. 24) INFO »
- Rick Springfield at Genesee Theatre (Feb. 24) INFO »
- Waukegan Concert Chorus Presents "Handel Celebration" (Feb. 25) INFO »
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.
- LVVA Ice Fishing Derby in Wauconda ( Feb. 10-12) INFO »
- Chain O'Lakes Fishing Derby and Winter Festival (Feb. 11-12) INFO »
"Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you." However, you celebrate the Hallmark holiday with your significant other, show your love and appreciation with one Valentine's Day things to do. Stay tuned for the full blog:
- Make Your Own Heart at Petter Patterson Glassworks ( Feb. 4-5) INFO »
- TRX Love in Mundelein (Feb. 5) INFO »
- Big Bowl Valentine Dinner (Feb. 9-15) INFO »
- Sweetheart Suprise in Highland Park (Feb. 10) INFO »
- Be my Valentine in Waukegan (Feb. 10) INFO »
- Cocoa & Cookies Children's Valentine Party at Lambs Farm (Feb. 11) INFO »
- Skate Date in Mundelein (Feb. 11) INFO »
- Sweetheart Dance in Deerfield (Feb. 12) INFO »
- Just the Two of Us in Vernon Hills (Feb. 17) INFO »
More Lake County happenings not listed in the top 10 things to do in February list, continue here. To learn more about all of the festivals throughout winter, click here.
