Love is in the air — and so are glitter, candles, and cats. If you’re looking for something to do for Valentine’s Day in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or treating yourself, Chicago has something for every letter of the alphabet.
Here are just a few of the inclusive parties, meet-ups, and events to make your Valentine’s Day in Chicago extra queer this year. XOXO
Artemis Singers Valentine’s Concert
Feb. 1, 2025
Valentine’s Day starts early for Chicago lesbians. Artemis Singers, Chicago’s Lesbian Feminist Chorus, kicks off the season with “All About Love,” a celebration of all kinds of love — romantic, platonic, familial, self, unrequited, and beyond.
Located in the Bronzeville neighborhood, the concert starts at 7 p.m. at VanderCook College of Music Great Hall. Tickets are $25 or on a sliding scale. Free parking is available on-site. This event is welcome to all ages.
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Felines & Valentines
Feb. 8, 2025
Cats, chocolate, and wine — need I say more? Harmony House, Chicago’s eco-friendly, no-kill adoption center, invites you to sip wine, indulge in decadent chocolates, and meet some cute cats and kittens. Shop for Harmony House merch, handcrafted jewelry, Valentine’s gifts, Chicago’s finest catnip pillows, homemade baked goods, and more, with all proceeds benefiting the shelter’s furry residents.
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LGBTQIA+ Candle-Making Workshop for Singles
Feb. 11, 2025
Get crafty and meet new friends (or flames) at Einnim, a woman-owned, Black-owned candle bar and apothecary in Oak Park. Hosted in collaboration with Cannect Wellness, this event invites LGBTQIA+ singles to a candle-making workshop to create a custom soy wax candle. You can choose from over 30 premium fragrance oil options. Tickets are $20.
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Celebrate a Victorian-style Valentine’s Day at Hull-House
Feb. 13, 2025
If you like queer history, this one’s for you. Step back in time during Sweet and Sour: Victorian Valentines at Hull-House event. Co-founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, Hull House was one of the first settlement houses in the United States and home to a historical queer love story.
The event includes a special history tour of the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, a Valentine (or anti-Valentine) making activity, and poetry with the help of Poems While You Wait. Craft materials and treats will be provided. The tour will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
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A Tribute to Sapphic Love & Literature at Haymarket House
Feb. 13, 2025
Channel your inner Sappho and spend Valentine’s Eve writing gay poetry. Hosted at Haymarket, this unique event features bilingual poetry workshops, open mics, love letter writing, and book swaps. Haymarket House provides an accessible and welcoming space for all, with pay-what-you-can admission and virtual options for those who can’t attend in person. While the event is WLW-centered, all are welcome.
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Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dancing at Get in the Kitchen
Feb. 14, 2025
If you haven’t taken a cooking class at Get in the Kitchen (LGBTQIA+-owned), now’s your chance. Get in the Kitchen is a social club/cooking school hybrid. Come make tapas and learn to salsa dance at this Valentine’s Day event. Mix and mingle, and have fun cooking a tasty Latin-inspired meal with your date. The fiesta starts at 7p.m., everyone is welcome.
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Valentine’s Day Burlesque Show Featuring Hot Tawdry
Feb. 14, 2025
Spice up your Valentine’s night with a sultry burlesque show featuring Hot Tawdry at Ina Mae Tavern in Wicker Park. Pair the performance with a four-course dinner inspired by Mardi Gras flavors ($65 per person) for an evening that’s equal parts sexy and delicious. Reservations for dinner are recommended. The show is free and starts at 7 p.m.
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LGBTQ+ Country/Western Tea Dance
Feb. 15, 2025
Dust off your boots (and flannel) and join the Second City Country Dance Association (SCCDA) at the Newport Theater for a fun night of line dancing and two-stepping. SCCDA is a Chicago-based, LGBTQ+-run nonprofit dedicated to providing country/western social dancing and community. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is open to all skill levels–beginners are welcome!
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Be Mine by The Lesbian Social Club at Tunnel Chicago
Feb. 15, 2025
The Lesbian Social Club’s annual “Be Mine” party is back, this time at Tunnel Chicago. Hidden behind a nondescript door, this chic River North venue hosts dancing, drinks, and queer community. Doors open at 4 p.m. Keep in mind that doors open to the public at 9 p.m. Everyone 21+ is welcome.
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