Love is in the Air, Chicago

BEST DATE NEWS

Feb. 12, 2026: Best Date News Volume #165

Welcome to Best Date News, your go-to guide for what’s happening in Chicago! This week, we’re diving into fool’s spring, Halas Harbor, Sueños, Paczki Day, new show announcements, weekend plans and more.

Feb. 12: National Holidays

• Lincoln’s Birthday (State Holiday)

• National Hug Day

• National Freedom to Marry Day

• National Lost Penny Day

• National Plum Pudding Day

Sponsored by our friends at Chicago Artisan Market

Chicago Artisan Market

• Chicago Event Alert: The Chicago Artisan Market is back for the first time in 2026 this weekend, bringing an awesome two-day shopping experience. The market brings together 100+ of the best local artisans all under one roof.

• If you like discovering local artisans and businesses, you’ll love this market. Expect plenty of unique finds and Chicago-specific items.

• This Valentine’s Weekend market takes place at Artifact Events in Ravenswood on Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can eat and drink while you shop indoors, bring your dog and enjoy free parking.

• Tickets are $8 for one or $20 for four, so turning it into a double date makes it an even better deal. See you there!

Chicago News

• Spring Weather: Spring is in the air, or at least fool’s spring. After Chicago experienced three straight weeks, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 5, of daily temperatures not rising above freezing (32°), warmer weather is on the way. Temperatures are expected to reach the 50s this weekend starting Sunday, with next Wednesday currently showing a high of 61°.

• Halas Harbor: The list of cities attempting to lure the Chicago Bears continues to grow as the city of Portage, Ind. entered the conversation this week. Portage officials held a press conference yesterday to unveil renderings for a privately financed $5 billion lakefront stadium proposal called Halas Harbor. The plan includes a 300 acre sports and entertainment district, with the land offered to the Bears for free in an effort to entice them across the state border, roughly 40 miles from their current home at Soldier Field.

• Sueños Lineup: The full 2026 lineup for Sueños Chicago, taking place May 23 and 24 in Grant Park, was announced this week. Headliners for this year include J Balvin, Kali Uchis, Fuerza Regida, Yandel Sinfonico, Danny Ocean, Manuel Turizo and Ryan Castro among others. Tickets just went on sale today at noon.

• O’Hare Airport: The Chicago Department of Aviation shared an updated look at the brand new Concourse D coming to O’Hare in 2028. The airport is in the midst of a massive $8.5 billion construction project called ORDNext, with the new Concourse D making up $1.3 billion of the overall plan. The multi-level satellite concourse will be built next to Concourse C in Terminal 1 and will add more gates, dining and lounges. Its unique architectural design will feature tree-like columns as a nod to O’Hare original name, Orchard Field.

• The Strip Club: A new vintage photobooth studio called The Strip Club just opened in Wicker Park at 1702 N Damen Ave. The studio lets you take your own photos using rare analog and Chicago-built digital photobooths including the oldest operating photobooth in the world, built in the 1940s and brought to Chicago after spending its entire life in California. People and pets of all ages are welcome.

Just For Fun

• Paczki Day: Next Tuesday, Feb. 17 is Fat Tuesday, or as Chicagoans like to call it, Paczki Day. For those unfamiliar, paczki are Polish doughnuts filled with jam or custard and topped with powdered sugar. Traditional flavors include raspberry, rose, prune, custard and apricot among others (Ferrara Bakery pictured above). Chicagoland bakeries have already started taking preorders. See the list of Where to Get Paczki in Chicago.

• Art Institute: The Art Institute of Chicago introduced its first-ever Norman Rockwell painting to the collection this week. Rockwell’s The Dugout, which depicts the Chicago Cubs, was unveiled in Gallery 263 by a pair of employees donning Cubs baseball caps. The 1948 painting is considered one of the most recognizable sports images of the 20th century.

• Chicago Theatre: The Chicago Theatre announced two new shows this week. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and electric blues pioneer Buddy Guy will celebrate 90 years with a special performance on Saturday, July 25. Comedian Ben Schwartz is also bringing his 2026 improv tour, Ben Schwartz & Friends, to the Chicago Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 17. Tickets for both shows go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m., with presale tickets available now using code SOCIAL.

• The Salt Shed: Two big Salt Shed concerts were just announced. Wale and Smino are bringing the Everything Is Tour to The Salt Shed Fairgrounds on July 1. Venue presale went live at noon and the general on sale begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. Lupe Fiasco is also bringing the Food & Liquor 20th Anniversary Tour inside The Salt Shed on June 11. Presale is now live using code LUPE26, with public on sale starting tomorrow, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.

• Celeb Appearances: Several celebrity appearances coming to Chicago were announced this week. Michael Che will perform five live comedy shows at The Hideout from April 16 to 18, though they appear to be sold out, with no word yet on additional ticket releases. Hilary Duff is bringing The Lucky Me Tour to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre on July 26. David Archuleta is also hosting a book signing for his new book Devout at Macy’s on State Street next Thursday, Feb. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with tickets priced at $29.

• Bars & Restaurants: GG’s Chicken Shop is offering a Lovebird BOGO this Saturday, Feb. 14 for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy buy one, get one free fried chicken sandos and chicken tenders in store only. Starting this Sunday at 7 p.m., Big Star Wicker Park is rolling out Movie Night for the next five Sundays. If you want to cheer on Team USA in the Olympics, Ranalli’s will be broadcasting the Americans’ first three Olympic hockey matches on Feb. 12, 14 and 15 at 2:10 p.m. each day at both their Lincoln Park and West Loop locations.

Weekend Plans

• Lunar New Year: West Town’s Asian American market and food hall Gangnam Market is celebrating Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse this weekend on Feb. 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Festivities include live Tanghulu making, Lion Dances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Lucky Red Envelopes, samples and savings from local vendors and New Year sales up to 50% off.

• Navy Pier Fireworks: For the third time in Chicago history, there will be a Valentine’s Day fireworks show. The 10-minute, love-themed Valentine’s Day Fireworks display will take place at Navy Pier on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. You will want to be on the southwest side of Navy Pier for the best views.

• The Wieners Circle: When you think of Valentine’s Day, your first thought is The Wieners Circle, right? Speed Dating at The Wieners Circle is happening on Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. using “The Button” style format. The event is for ages 25 and up and welcomes all sexualities. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes early. Later that evening, Galentine’s celebrations kick off with hot dog charcuterie boards available for purchase starting at 7:30 p.m.

• Illinois Snow Sculpting: Teams from around the state are currently competing in the 2026 Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition. We haven’t been before, but it looks awesome! This year marks the 40th annual event, taking place from Feb. 11 through Feb. 14 at Sinnissippi Park in Rockford. Admission is free, with viewing hours daily from sunrise until 10 p.m. You can also check out the planned sculptures for this year before heading out.

• Turkey Bowling: Murphy’s Bleachers, located on the corner of Sheffield and Waveland behind Wrigley Field, is hosting Turkey Bowling this Sunday, Feb. 15. Sign-ups start at noon and bowling begins at 1 p.m. It’s $40 per team to participate with up to four people per team. There will be prizes for the winning team and all proceeds will go to Nourishing Hope.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week, we asked which team you were rooting for in the Super Bowl. 70% of you said that you were rooting for the Seattle Seahawks compared to only 30% of you rooting for the New England Patriots.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):

• Sunrise: 6:50 a.m. (8 minutes earlier)

• Sunset: 5:19 p.m. (9 minutes later)

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