Chicago Events: Valentine's Day Dances and Parties in the Parks

The Chicago Park District celebrates Valentine’s Day in February with numerous dances and parties throughout the city including the traditional daddy-daughter/mommy-son dances.  Most events feature recorded music, refreshments, photo opportunities, games and an arts and crafts station. 

 

Many programs are admission free or have nominal entrance fees.  Please contact each individual park for additional information.   Click here to watch a video about Valentine’s Day events. 

Following are highlights:

 

Valentine’s Day Dance

Thursday, Feb. 2, 7-8:30 p.m.

Durkin Park, 8445 S. Kolin Ave., 773-284-7316

Admission $2, ages 3-5

 

Family Valentine’s Day Dance

Friday, Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m.

Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave., 773-685-7235

Admission $5, all ages

The Horner Park Jazz Band will provide live music for this family event.

Tropical Treat Nights

Wednesdays, Feb. 8 and 15, 3-6 p.m.

Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.,

Admission free, all ages

To honor the red-heart month, this program focuses on the “sweet plants” of the Conservatory.  Fact and flavor stations will be staffed by educators throughout the Conservatory, featuring chocolate, vanilla, banana, cinnamon, chewing gum, and more.  Come taste your way through the Conservatory’s tropical paradise.  Due to extensive hail damage, the Conservatory’s public space is limited.  Tropical Treat Nights are replacing Sweet Saturdays, a regular event which has been cancelled for 2012.

Cupid’s Corner

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m.

Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, 312-742-7726

Admission $5, all ages

 

Family Valentine’ Dance

Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave., 773-685-3270

Admission $5 per couple, all ages

 

Valentine’s Day Dance

Friday, Feb. 10, 4-6 p.m.

Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave., 312-328-0821

Admission $10, all ages

Daddy-Daughter/Mother Son Dance

Friday, Feb. 10, 6-8 p.m.

Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park, 2526 W. Grand Ave., 312-742-7534

Admission $5, all ages

 

Teen Valentine Dance

Friday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m.

Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave., 773-685-3270

Admission $5, ages 11-13

Family Valentine Dance

Friday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m.

Bosley Park, 3044 S. Bonfield St., 312-747-6026

Admission free, all ages

Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance

Monday, Feb. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Skinner Park, 1331 W. Monroe St., 312-746-5560

Admission $5, ages 2-5

Valentine’s Day Dance

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Daley Bicentennial Plaza, 337 E. Randolph St., 312-742-7649

Admission $10 per family, ages 2-5

Valentine’s Day Dance

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3 p.m.

Cole Park, 361 E. 85^th St., 312-747-6063

Admission $3, ages 9-17

Valentine’s Day Dance

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3-6 p.m.

Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave., 312-747-7138

Admission $5, ages 6-12

Valentine’s Day Party

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 4-5:30 p.m.

Cornell Square Park, 1809 W. 50^th St., 312-747-6097

Admission $1, ages 6-12

 

Family Valentine’s Dance

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-8 p.m.

Eugene Field Park, 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave., 773-478-9744

Admission $4, all ages

 

Daddy-Daughter/Mother-Son Valentine Dance

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mayfair Park, 4550 W. Sunnyside Ave., 773-685-3361

Admission $4, all ages

Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

"Powerful: African-Americans in Energy"—Black Creativity 2012Jan. 25 - April 15, 2012

Included in general admission. Requires a free timed-entry ticket (available onsite).This year’s Black Creativity exhibit, Powerful: African-Americans in Energy, lets you explore sources of energy in a fun, hands-on way; discover the impact they have on our lives; and learn about African-American leaders in this field. To engage all ages, the exhibit will feature a unique, “energy landscape” miniature golf experience. In nine holes, learn about energy sources as you “putt” your way through different forms of energy: oil, natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power, just to name a few. The final hole ends with an opportunity to “putt the vote” and choose your energy future.

Learn More »

Spend New Year's Eve with the Blue Man Group!

RING IN 2012 WITH BLUE MAN GROUP!

Multiple Performances, Including a Matinee Performance Makes BMG the Perfect Option for the Entire Family to Celebrate the Holiday!

Blue Man Group, the critically hailed theatrical phenomenon on stage at Chicago’s Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted Street), is wishing Chicago a Happy 2012 with three performances on New Year’s Eve. The day of performances kicks off with a matinee show at 4 p.m. for families to celebrate the holiday together and ends with the 7 and 10 p.m. performances featuring a complimentary champagne and sparkling cider toast and party favors. The final performance of 2011 will feature Blue Man Group counting down to the New Year and playing a special rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” on their custom made instruments including the Tubulum.

Blue Man Group’s production provides its audience with a unique and thrilling multi-sensory experience that blends innovative theatrical spectacle and dynamic original music with hilarious comedy, art, technology and science to create a performance experience unlike any other.

Chris Jones from the Chicago Tribune gave the show a Four Star rating and said the material was “brilliantly revamped” and “truly joyous.” After seeing the new material in a recent performance, Hedy Weiss for the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “The show's creators have cleverly updated the production with new wizardry while retaining its essential mind-set.” Chicago Parent editor Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy said “the coolest blue guys in Chicago just got cooler.”

In the show, the Blue Men encounter a variety of environments to discover, engage with and explore of-the-moment situations with cutting-edge technology. Many of the signature scenes that have made Blue Man Group one of today’s best-loved theatrical productions have been in the show since its opening, though new material has been integrated. Newer passages include Blue Men interacting with “GiPads;” a funny and perceptive look at contemporary communication vehicles; and a pulsating new finale featuring an original Blue Man Group music score.

Currently, Blue Man Group theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Berlin, Tokyo, and on tour throughout the U.S. Blue Man Group can also be seen onboard the new Norwegian Epic by Norwegian Cruise Line – the Official Cruise Line of Blue Man Group.

The company’s music, featuring custom made instruments and signature, percussive sound, can be heard on five albums, including the Grammy-nominated “Audio,” as well as various film and television projects. As the company grows, it remains true to its vision of providing exciting experiences in a variety of media, appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds.

Blue Man Group’s appeal is multi-generational, with several projects specifically designed for young people, including “Making Waves,” a popular touring exhibit for children, and the recently launched national “Invent an Instrument” competition.

BLUE MAN GROUP TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets prices for the 4, 7, and 10 p.m. shows on New Year’s Eve are $55 - $75. Tickets may be purchased at the Briar Street Theatre by calling the box office at (773) 348-4000; by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787; at all Ticketmaster ticket centers or via the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com/bluemanchicago. For more information, visit www.blueman.com/chicago.