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FEBRUARY
2025

February is the shortest but sweetest month! Make the Oak Park area your valentine and mark these events on your calendar with a heart. You're sure to fall in love with our communities.

Home/ Events
Jan. 31 - Feb. 7
Bite the burbs

Bite the Burbs

Bite the Burbs is a week-long celebration of the art of cooking, local foods and the chefs who prepare them.

 

Location: Oak Park, Forest Park, Elmwood Park, La Grange Park, Brookfield, Berwyn, Franklin Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, North Riverside, Riverside

Feb. 1 - April 15
hemingway short story contest

Hemingway Short Story Contest

The Ernest Hemingway Foundation's annual short story contest is open! Submit your short story by April 15 for a chance to be featured in the foundation's literary publication and to win a $1,000 prize.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 1
daddy daughter dance

Daddy-Daughter Glow Dance

Get ready to light up the night, dads and daughters! This memorable event includes dinner, music, dancing under neon lights, flowers, a photo with dad and a special treat. Register early; space is limited.

 

Location: Franklin Park

Feb. 1 - 10; Feb. 13 - 14
Valentines Day Market

Valentine's Market

Shop for gifts from the Oak Park Conservatory greenhouse for your valentine or treat yourself! For best selection, order early online February 1-10. You can also purchase in person at the conservatory on Feb. 13 or Valentine’s Day. Locally grown and full of love, choose from blooming plants and flowers such as succulents, tropical houseplants, and more.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 1
Souper bowl

Westchester Annual Souper Bowl

Indulge in all-you-can-eat soup from some of the area's best restaurants at Westchester's annual Souper Bowl. Enjoy the live music while you eat or partake event's in the raffles and silent auction and, of course, save room for dessert! 

 

Location: Westchester

Feb. 2
chamber concert beethoven and mozart (1)

Classic Masterpieces: Mozart and Beethoven

Join the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest for an afternoon of classics, featuring masterpiece chamber compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 4
Fused Glass jewelry workshop (1)

Fused Glass Jewelry Workshop

Make two pieces of stunning jewelry with the Riverside Art Center, while learning glass safety, how to cut glass and how to design an original fused glass pendant. Using regular and dichroic fusible glass, you will take away one-of-a-kind wearable masterpieces! Materials and tools provided. BYOB allowed. Ages 21 and up.

 

Location: Riverside

Feb. 7
pastamaking class

Handmade Pasta Class with Wine

Make homemade gnocchi and tortellini from scratch while enjoying some wine with Table & Lain. You will leave this class with a full belly and the confidence to make your own pasta at home, impressing your family and friends.

 

Location: Forest Park

Feb. 8
seed swap (1)

Seed Swap

Are you a gardening enthusiast eager to expand your plant collection, or a beginner wondering where to start? Head to Franklin Park's seed swap and exchange event! Connect with fellow plant lovers and exchange a variety of seeds. No need to bring your own seeds, the Park District of Franklin Park has plenty to share!

 

Location: Franklin Park

Feb. 8
Forest Park Baptist Church talk on architect Henry Fiddelke

Talk on Architect Henry Fiddelke

Join the Forest Park Baptist Church and the Historical Society of Forest Park for an engaging talk on architect Henry Fiddelke, who designed the Forest Park Baptist Church, numerous homes in Oak Park and commercial buildings along Madison Street. Stick around for the reception after the talk!

 

Location: Forest Park

Feb. 8
superb owl

Owls of Trailside

Learn about the fascinating owls that call Trailside Museum home and meet an ambassador owl! This free program is great for the whole family.

 
 

Location: River Forest

Feb. 9
Victorian Tea Party

Victorian Valentine Tea Party

Step back in time and enjoy a Victorian-era tea party at Pleasant Home for you and your child. The main floor will be decked out with beautiful place settings, delicious treats and teas to taste for you and your valentine, as well as activities, games and crafts. Registration includes one adult and one child.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 9
Super Bowl Party Package

Super Bowl Party Package

Robert's Westside is offering a great experience for you and 40 friends on Super Bowl Sunday at its cocktail bar, Bobby's Eastside. This could be the start of a new tradition for your big family, co-workers or friend group.

 

Location: Forest Park

Feb. 10
mosaic monday

Mosaic Monday

Learn the techniques, tools and materials involved in creating mosaic art! You'll cut glass, arrange it and then use proper adhesives and grouting to secure it. Experiment with color and texture to discover all the possibilities of mosaic. All materials, supplies and use of tools are provided. 

 

Location: Riverside

Feb. 12
blossoms and besties-1

Blossoms & Besties

Join Spilt Milk and Pickle Hill Parties for a fabulous flower-arranging workshop full of friendship, florals and all things pink, pretty and sparkling! You'll get to take home your masterpiece too.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 12
Wine and Wheel Wednesdays

Wine & Wheel Wednesdays

Come on in and enjoy a glass of wine while you work on projects of your choice. An instructor will be there for inspiration, demonstrations and troubleshooting. Demos will be offered. Feel free to work on the wheel or use the time to do some hand building. BYOB welcome.

 

Location: Riverside

Feb. 13
heart-shaped soap making

Lovely Suds: Heart-Shaped Soap Making

By popular demand, celebrate Valentine's Day a day early by creating heart-shaped soaps that are both beautiful and vegan at Einnim Candle Bar & Apothecary.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 14
Valentines Wine, Dine and Dance!

Valentines Wine, Dine and Dance!

Step out with your Valentine at Cheney Mansion for an evening of dining and dancing!  Dinner and cocktails will be provided, followed by lively dancing with your partner, guided by the Park District of Oak Park dance instructors, while a DJ spins tunes! No dance experience is necessary. Come as a couple or register with a friend! Registration for two includes dinner, dancing and two drink tickets per person. Ages 21+

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 14
cupid skate

Cupid Skate

Celebrate Valentine’s Day and love in all forms on the ice! Bring your valentine, galentine, or anyone you care about to the Paul Hruby Ice Arena for a fun day of skating.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 14 & 15
valentines day cooking class

Valentine's Day: A Curated Culinary Experience

Join Table & Lain for a special Valentine’s Day cooking class, where they'll take you through a thoughtfully crafted menu of gourmet dishes designed to impress and delight.

 

The event is BYOB. You are welcome to bring a beverage of your choice to sip during class (wine, beer, seltzers, etc...). We also sell wine and beer on site.

 

Location: Forest Park

Feb. 15
Lets Glow Crazy Valentines Dance Party!

Let's "Glow" Crazy Valentine's Dance Party!

Cheney Mansion becomes immersed in glowing lights, music and dancing for this family fun Valentine's Day dance party. Games and, of course, glow sticks will abound. Dinner is included. Registration includes one caregiver and one child – only need to register one name.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 15
brunch and blooms

Brunch & Blooms

Join Anfora Wine Merchants and Pickle Hill Parties for an extra special celebration of brunch and blooms! Your morning will start with a delicious brunch, followed by a lush, flower-filled, hands-on workshop where you'll make your own flower arrangement.

 

Location: Oak Park

Feb. 16
Espectacular Espanol

España Espectacular

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is performing Chueca's El Bateo, Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol and Falla's Three-Cornered Hat. Concerto-competition winner Neena Agrawal will also perform Stamitz's Viola Concerto No. 1.

 

Location: River Forest

Feb. 18
Fused Glass jewelry workshop (1)

Fused Glass Jewelry Workshop

Make two pieces of stunning jewelry with the Riverside Art Center, while learning glass safety, how to cut glass and how to design an original fused glass pendant. Using regular and dichroic fusible glass, you will take away one-of-a-kind wearable masterpieces! Materials and tools provided. BYOB allowed. Ages 21 and up.

 

Location: Riverside

Feb. 18
linocut printmaking class

Linocut Printmaking class

Discover the art of linocut printmaking in this hands-on, creative course designed for beginners and intermediate artists alike. 

 

Location: La Grange

Feb. 22
margarita day

National Margarita Day at Irish Times

Celebrate National Margarita Day the Irish way at Irish Times, a Brookfield favorite. 

 

Location: Brookfield

Feb. 26
Wine and Wheel Wednesdays

Wine & Wheel Wednesdays

Come on in and enjoy a glass of wine while you work on projects of your choice. An instructor will be there for inspiration, demonstrations and troubleshooting. Demos will be offered. Feel free to work on the wheel or use the time to do some hand building. BYOB welcome.

 

Location: Riverside

Feb. 27
linocut printmaking class

Linocut Printmaking class

Discover the art of linocut printmaking in this hands-on, creative course designed for beginners and intermediate artists alike. 

 

Location: La Grange

Feb. 27 - March 3
la grange restaurant week

La Grange Restaurant Week

Bring your appetite to La Grange this winter as our signature culinary event returns from February 27 - March 9. Popular restaurants will offer value-based menus that reflect La Grange's rich culinary diversity.

 

Location: La Grange

Feb. 28
parent child dance

Parent-Child Dance

Enjoy a fantastic night out with your little one! Dance to your favorite tunes, dig into some refreshments and leave at the end of the evening with a keepsake photo.

 

Location: La Grange