Valentine’s Day weekend is all about the love, and this year it happens to overlap with Presidents Day Weekend. In Chicago, means sausage, beer, cheese, ramen, and curling across several consecutive days of debauchery. In addition to edible events, there’s not one, but two hipster music fests this weekend plus the pancakes and booze art show, an underwear run, and a live taping of The Price Is Right. So yeah, a pretty diverse spectrum right there. Here’s everything you need to do in Chicago this weekend.
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Split a romantic meal of SpaghettiOs at The Kennison’s Young Love Valentine’s Day Dinner
Thursday-Saturday, February 14-16
The Kennison
Instead of the same old “flowers, chocolates, and fancy dinner” routine, mix things up this V-Day weekend with some adult takes on classic dishes you enjoyed as a kid like pigs in a blanket, SpaghettiOs, and grilled cheese paired with strawberries and cream soda. Regular dinner menu will be available in addition to the specialty “Young Love” menu.
Cost: Menu items a la carte, prices vary
Get a pancake painted on your stomach at the Pancakes & Booze Art Show
Friday-Saturday, February 15-16
Reggie’s
The winter edition of this biannual art show rager featuring live body painting, music, and pancake bar takes over Reggie’s this weekend for its 10-year anniversary show. Might be time to see what all the fuss is about.
Cost: $10-$15 per show
Rock out with your art out during a miniature Pitchfork Music Fest at Midwinter
Friday-Sunday, February 15-17
Art Institute of Chicago
New this year, this Pitchfork-sponsored mid-winter music festival features live indie bands including Slowdive, Deerhunter, and Kamasi Washington performing in various spaces throughout the Art Institute plus a pre-event dinner, Pitchfork Radio broadcast, and original music inspired by museum art.
Cost: $50+ per day Fri & Sun (Sat sold out)
Melt away your winter blues at Wintercamp Music Festival
Friday-Sunday, February 15-17
Logan Square Auditorium
Thaw out from the polar vortex with a diverse array of indie talent from hip-hop kingpin Sir the Baptist to an LCD Soundsystem cover band with artists, vendors, and “brief interludes” of music played on the balcony in between sets.
Cost: $25-$40
Escort Abe Froman to Haymarket’s SausageFest
Saturday, February 16
Haymarket Pub
This celebration of sausage, beer, cheese, and cider pairs 12+ housemade sausage and 12+ guest sausages with 10 cheeses and 30+ beers and ciders. So whether or not Abe Froman shows up, this thing couldn’t be more Chicago if it tried.
Cost: $60
Run through the streets in your skivvies during Cupid’s Undie Run
Saturday, February 16
Slugger’s
This brief “mile-ish” fun run takes place in the middle of a party. In your underwear. In Chicago. In February. Over Valentine’s Day weekend. Stop looking at us funny. It’s for charity.
Cost: $40-$45
Fill your belly with an upscale take on a college classic at Ramenfest
Sunday, February 17
1400 W. Randolph St.
House of Suntory and urbanbelly present this star-studded assemblage of 20+ local chefs who will be preparing their culinary interpretations of classic ramen dishes with spirits tastings and live DJ.
Cost: $75-$125
Come on down! to a live taping of The Price Is Right at Chicago Theatre
Sunday, February 17
Chicago Theatre
Okay, two things. One: This show is still on? Two: Bob Barker is still alive? While Barker hasn’t hosted the show since 2007 (when he was replaced by Drew Carey), the show goes on. And this weekend they’re taking said show on the road for a live taping in Chicago. Time to kickstart that acting career.
Cost: $32.50+
Breathe in some high-altitude Chicago rooftop air at the J. Parker’s Apres-Ski Party
Sunday, February 17
J. Parker
The J. Parker is opening its rooftop (weather be damned) for this retro-themed après-ski party with themed cocktails, DJs spinning throwback jams, costume prizes, VIP vodka and caviar service and, of course, plenty of sweet-ass ‘80s legwarmers.
Cost: No cover
Dominate the Canadian old-man sport of kings at the Kaiser Tiger Curling Tournament
Sunday, February 17
Kaiser Tiger
Sausage + beer + bacon + curling = a pretty nice little Sunday. Meet People Chicago are hosting this Lord’s Day get-together on the frozen tundra of Kaiser Tiger’s outdoor curling rink. Top team wins a trophy and prize for food and drinks. Do you have what it takes? (See how our local “Gatekeeper” fared here.)
Cost: $20-$25
Run your hearts out in a Presidents Day race
Monday, February 18
Anywhere you want
Good news! You can put that day off to a good cause and get in shape this Presidents Day weekend. This virtual race -- with 5k, 10k, 13.1-mile, and 26.2-mile run/walk events -- will go to benefit Save a Child's Heart.
Cost: Entry starts at $20
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