Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Locally

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—which means local businesses are offering up a slew of events and specials for celebrating the one you love (or to keep the kids busy while you’re out on the town). Here’s a roundup of some Valentine’s Day activities you won’t want to miss this year: 

Whip Up Some Love in the Kitchen
Evenings, Feb. 10 -14; , Northbrook Court, 847-770-4584
Northbrook Court’s newest cooking store, Sur La Table, offers several cooking classes to bring out the romance around Valentine’s Day. Learn how to make Italian or French during “Date Night” cooking classes Friday, Feb. 10, through Tuesday, Feb. 14.  Find a full list of classes at Sur La Table’s website.

Put the Kids on Ice and Go On a Date
8-10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10; , 1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, 847-291-2993
Looking for some time alone with your spouse? Park the kids at the Northbrook Park District’s Valentine’s Cosmic Skate. Sixth through 12th-graders can enjoy two hours of skating to the music of a DJ, along with prizes, games and treats. $5 per child, $3 skate rental.  

Get Closer Over Chocolate Cupcakes
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, Cooking Studio in Lake Forest, 847 Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, 847-234-8380
Get romantic over pork medallions and cupcakes at this cooking class hosted by Sunset Foods in Lake Forest. Bring your valentine—and your appetite—to prepare a multi-course menu that includes savory mushroom cups, pork medallions with Pinot Noir cherry sauce, potatoes, sautéed baby artichokes and Guinness Stout cupcakes with chocolate ganache. $70 per station.

Get Romantic By Candelight—On Skis
Sunset to 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11; , 3535 Dundee Rd., Northbrook, 847-291-2351 ext. 3
Nothing gets the heart racing like a little exercise. Head out to the trails at Sportsman’s Country Club and enjoy an evening of cross-country skiing by candlelight. $5 per person (not including equipment rental.)

Let The Kids Show Their Love Through Homemade Cookies
Evening of Monday, Feb. 13; , 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433
Prairie Grass Café invites kids to decorate cookies for their parents during dinner Monday, Feb. 13, using the restaurant’s homemade, all natural frosting. Kids will receive three heart-shaped cookies, a card to decorate and a box for the cookies. $14 per child.

Make Your Sweetheart Smile at the Cabaret
8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14; Northlight Theatre at the , 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 847-673-6300
Broadway singers Susie McMonagle, Heidi Kettenring and Christine Sherrill sing romantic tunes from the American songbook during a special Valentine’s Day cabaret at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $35 apiece; dinner and show packages are $120 per couple.   

Dine on Heart-Shaped Pizza and Champagne
Valentine’s Day; , 1150 Willow Rd., Northbrook, 847-480-2323
Everybody loves pizza, and what’s not to love about heart-shaped pizza? Pinstripes will be serving up heart-shaped pies along with a complimentary champagne toast and Frangelico chocolate cake to couples on Valentine’s Day.