Whether you’re planning a romantic evening for two or a fun-filled celebration with your best friends, Chicago has something for everyone this Valentine’s season. From fireworks over Lake Michigan to candlelit fondue dinners, couples cooking classes to Galentine’s Day happy hours — here’s your complete guide to celebrating love (in all its forms) in the Windy City. We’ve got our favorite events and places from Lincoln Park to Wicker Park and River North to the Gold Coast.
❤️ Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas
🎆 Navy Pier: Fireworks & The Centennial Wheel
Nothing says romance like fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Valentine’s Day Fireworks
- 📅 Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 9 PM
- 📍 Navy Pier — Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park
- 👀 Best viewing along the South Dock
- 🎟️ FREE
Centennial Wheel
Take a spin on the iconic Centennial Wheel, lit up in Valentine’s hues. The heated gondolas offer 360-degree skyline views — perfect for a romantic moment. VIP private rentals available.
🍽️ Most Romantic Restaurants in Chicago
Make your reservations now — these spots book up fast!
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | What to Expect | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geja’s Café | Lincoln Park | Candlelit fondue since 1965 — cheese, beef tenderloin, lobster, chocolate dessert | $$$$ |
| North Pond | Lincoln Park | Michelin-starred 5-course tasting menu with pond views | $$$$ |
| Mon Ami Gabi | Lincoln Park | French bistro — steak frites, oysters, wine carts | $$$ |
| The Publican | Fulton Market | A la carte specials: steak tartare, roasted sea bass, lamb for two | $$$ |
| Art Smith’s Reunion | Navy Pier | 5-course prix fixe: crab cakes, steak frites, scallops, “Love Goddess” cake | $$$$ |
Pro tip: OpenTable named Geja’s Café, Mon Ami Gabi, and North Pond among the most romantic restaurants in the U.S. for 2026!
💆 Couples Spa Day
Relax and reconnect with a couples massage at one of Chicago’s luxury spas.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
- 📍 120 E Delaware Pl (Gold Coast)
- 💕 “Perfect Pair” couples massage (50 or 80 min, from $260/person)
- ✨ Includes take-home gift and dessert
- 🔗 fourseasons.com/chicago
Chuan Spa at The Langham
- 📍 River North
- 💕 50/80-min couples massage with exclusive Valentine’s “lip print reading” enhancement
- ✨ Pair with River Romance package (overnight stay, champagne, breakfast)
- 🔗 langhamhotels.com
The Peninsula Chicago
- 📍 108 E Superior St (Gold Coast)
- 💕 Range of couples treatments for Valentine’s relaxation
- 🔗 peninsula.com/chicago
👨🍳 Couples Cooking Classes
Learn something new together — and eat your creation!
CocuSocial (Multiple locations)
- 📅 February 13: Classic French Macaron ($75)
- 📅 February 14: Hand-Rolled Sushi, Pasta Carbonara & Cake, Handmade Pasta ($59–$79)
- 📅 February 15: Handmade Pasta ($65)
- 🔗 cocusocial.com
Get in the Kitchen (Lakeview East)
- 📅 Sunday, February 15 | 1–4 PM
- 🍴 Tapas & Salsa Valentine’s — cook tapas, learn Latin dancing, dine together
- 🔗 getmeinthekitchen.com
Eataly Chicago
- 📅 Friday, February 13 | 6–8 PM
- 🍝 Valentine’s Festa — Italian cooking and wine
- 🔗 eataly.com
💃 Valentine’s Day Ball
Ballroom Dance Chicago Valentine’s Day Ball
- 📍 4039B N Ravenswood Ave
- 📅 Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:30–10 PM
- 🎟️ $199/couple (BYOB, 21+, limited to 30 couples)
- 🔗 ballroomdancechicago.com
🏃 Valentine’s Day Fun Runs
Burn some calories before your romantic dinner!
| Race | Date | Location | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run for Chocolate 5K/10K/13.1 | Saturday, February 14 | Chicago/Evanston | runsignup.com |
| Valentine’s Day Spirits Run 5K | Saturday, February 14 | Chicago | runguides.com/chicago |
🎬 Alternative Valentine’s: Horror Movie Night
Not into the mushy stuff? Celebrate with a cult classic horror film.
Valentine (2001 Horror Film)
- 📍 Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave
- 📅 Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 🎟️ General admission
- 🔗 musicboxtheatre.com
🍸 Low-Key Date Night Ideas
The Getaway (Lincoln Square)
- $9 beer/shot combos, $14 cheese boards
- DJ and crafts
aliveOne (Lincoln Park)
- Half-price happy hour 4–6 PM
- Late-night DJ
👯♀️ Galentine’s Day: Celebrate Your Friends
February 13 is Galentine’s Day — a day to celebrate the amazing women in your life. Here’s where to gather your crew:
🥂 Galentine’s Day Party & Happy Hour
Parlay River North
- 📍 112 West Hubbard Street
- 📅 Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7–10 PM
- ✨ Signature cocktails, live saxophonist with DJ, photo ops, roaming photobooth
- 🎟️ Limited spots, 21+
- 🔗 eventbrite.com
🍹 The Bamboo Room at Mon Ami Gabi
Renaissance-Era Melodrama Experience
- 📍 Mon Ami Gabi, Lincoln Park
- 📅 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 4–10 PM
- ✨ Curated cocktails and small bites, 4 full-sized cocktails included
- 🎟️ $100/person (18% gratuity included), 21+, 1.5-hour seatings
- 🔗 lettuce.com
🛍️ Sip & Shop at Beatrix
Beatrix Fulton Market
- 📅 February 2026 (check dates)
- ✨ Shopping, cocktails, and girl time
- 🔗 beatrixrestaurants.com
💅 Galentine’s Ideas: DIY Your Own Celebration
Can’t find the perfect event? Host your own!
Ideas for a Perfect Galentine’s:
- Book a group cooking class at CocuSocial or The Chopping Block
- Reserve a table at a BYOB restaurant and bring your favorite wines
- Spa day at Allyu Spa or Milk + Honey
- Brunch at Beatrix, Summer House Santa Monica, or Lula Cafe
- Comedy night at Second City (see “The Black Excellence Revue” or “It’s Hard to Be Hot”)
📅 Valentine’s Week at a Glance
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Feb 11 | Bamboo Room Galentine’s Experience | Mon Ami Gabi, Lincoln Park |
| Thu, Feb 13 | Galentine’s Day Party | Parlay River North |
| Thu, Feb 13 | Valentine’s Festa | Eataly Chicago |
| Fri, Feb 13 | CocuSocial Macaron Class | Various locations |
| Sat, Feb 14 | Run for Chocolate 5K/10K | Chicago/Evanston |
| Sat, Feb 14 | Valentine’s Day Ball | Ballroom Dance Chicago |
| Sat, Feb 14 | Navy Pier Fireworks | Navy Pier, 9 PM |
| Sat, Feb 14 | Valentine Horror Screening | Music Box Theatre |
| Sat, Feb 14 | Josh Johnson Comedy | Chicago Theatre |
| Sun, Feb 15 | Tapas & Salsa Couples Class | Get in the Kitchen |
💕 Make It a Weekend
Turn Valentine’s Day into a full Chicago staycation:
- Friday night: Galentine’s happy hour or couples cooking class
- Saturday morning: Fun run followed by brunch
- Saturday afternoon: Couples spa treatment
- Saturday evening: Romantic dinner + Navy Pier fireworks
- Sunday: Lazy brunch at Summer House Santa Monica
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re celebrating with your partner, your best friends, or treating yourself to some well-deserved self-love, Chicago has endless ways to make this Valentine’s season special.
Which celebration are you planning? Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram @maureenmoran.realtor — I’d love to see how you’re spending the most romantic weekend of the year!
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