Take a look at some of the fun, February events happening across the state.
Winter Passport on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Jan. 2-Feb. 26, 2026, Pomona
Explore Illinois wine country this winter with the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail passport program. With a purchase of a winery passport for $15, you’ll receive discounts on wine, food and merchandise at member wineries on the trail throughout January and February. Collect stamps at each winery along the way and leave your completed passport at the last winery you visit by Feb. 28 to be entered for the chance to win prizes like overnight stays, event tickets, wine trail merchandise and more. In addition, those who visit all the wineries will receive a souvenir Shawnee Hills Wine Trail corkscrew. To learn more about the wine trail passport program, visit shawneewinetrail.com/passport-program or call 800-248-4373.
Polar Adventure Days
Jan. 24 and Feb. 21, 2026, Chicago
Celebrate winter in Chicago with a variety of exciting outdoor activities for the whole family at the annual Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island. Activities include touring the Northerly Island Natural Area, watching husky teams sled around the peninsula, exploring the island on snowshoes (weather permitting), making nature-inspired winter crafts, roasting marshmallows over a campfire and much more. For more details, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/polar-adventure-day.
Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week
Jan. 30-Feb. 7, 2026, Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week returns, showcasing more than 50 local restaurants and treating customers to flavors from around the world. To join in the fun, check out the participating restaurants and their menus online, then plan a visit any time during the week. Share your experience on social media by posting and using the tag #CURestaurantWeek to enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card to your Champaign-Urbana area restaurant of choice. This fun community event provides the perfect opportunity to support the local hospitality industry while discovering new favorite restaurants serving up everything from classic American fare and soul food to Indian, Mexican, Italian, Thai and Vietnamese foods, and much more. For more details and to view participating restaurants, visit experiencecu.org/events/restaurant-week or call 217-351-4133.
Juniper Junction at The Morton Arboretum
Feb. 14-22, Lisle
All aboard! The Morton Arboretum’s Juniper Junction is a large-scale model train display that will enchant both adults and children alike.
Visitors can enjoy the intricate designs of the “garden railroad” as it winds through carefully crafted scenery in the Arboretum’s Firefly Pavilion.
Entrance is included in the cost of admission at The Morton Arboretum. Please note that the Arboretum may close due to inclement weather.
To learn more about Juniper Junction and The Morton Arboretum, visit mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074.
Fulton-Mason Eagle Day
Feb. 7, 2026, Lewistown
Head to the Dickson Mounds State Museum in Lewistown for the annual Fulton-Mason Eagle Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The daylong event includes live raptor programs, hands-on activities and crafts for children, native and invasive species displays, self-guided nature viewing and eagle nest watching, and bird watching in locations in Lewistown and nearby Havana. Food will also be available for purchase courtesy of The Lunchwagon. The event is free, but space is limited. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. at the museum on the day of the event. Visit illinoisstatemuseum.org/welcome-dickson-mounds or call 309-547-3721 for more information.
Winter Carnival
Feb. 14-17, 2026, Galena
Escape to Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena over Presidents Day weekend for the annual Winter Carnival featuring a packed schedule of fun seasonal activities. In addition to ice-skating, tubing, sledding and snowshoeing at the resort’s Nordic Center, this special multiday event offers everything from balloon glows and children’s activities to ice carving demonstrations, a caricature artist, an ice bar, tractor wagon rides through the beautiful Galena Territory, s’mores roasting around the bonfire and much more. For more information and a complete schedule of events and activities, visit eagleridge.com/ap-winter-carnival or call 815-777-5000.
Argenta IceFest
Feb. 14, 2026, Argenta
Discover a winter wonderland of stunning ice sculptures this February at the annual Argenta IceFest throughout Prairie Park and downtown Argenta. In addition to dozens of impressive sculptures carved by talented artists – including Olympic gold medalist ice carver and Argenta native Aaric Kendall – the event features carving demonstrations, a chili cook-off, a vendor fair and more. To learn more or view the full lineup of activities, visit argentafest.org/argenta-icefest.
Chopin in the City Festival
Feb. 20-March 1, 2026, Chicago
The annual Chopin in the City Festival returns to Chicago for its sixth year this winter. Founded by jazz singer, composer, arranger and producer Grazyna Auguscik, the weeklong festival features a wide range of multicultural performances by musicians and vocalists. Attendees will enjoy performances by jazz, classical, world music and other artists as they offer their renditions of works by Frederic Chopin and other musicians. To learn more about the Chopin in the City Festival or browse the complete festival lineup, visit chopininthecity.com.
Share Your Illinois Event
Are we missing your favorite July events in Illinois? Send the details to ilfbpartners@farmflavormedia.com, and we may feature them on this website and in a future issue of Illinois Partners magazine.
