February 2022 events calendar for Chicago

The holidays and all their associated markets and festivities might be over, but you'll still find plenty of ways to keep occupied this winter at Winterland, the 8,000-square-foot ice rink inside of Wrigleyville's Gallagher Way. In January, prepare to bop around in the rink's colorful ice bumper cars, which can be rented for 10-minute rides across the rink seven days a week. In February, learn how to curl during hour-long courses offered at the rink across two weeks of sessions. And of course, if you prefer to keep things simple, feel free to lace up and go skating through February 20. 

Every Sunday from 11am to 3pm, Time Out Market Chicago's chefs offer a variety of delicious brunch dishes, from Hangover Ramen with shrimp and smoked pork to a stack of Buttermilk Pancakes layered with whipped mascarpone. Order as much as you want, grab a mimosa pitcher from the bar and stick around from 1 to 3pm for a set of tunes from the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective. 

Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago, with the city's sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction unlike any other. Skaters can lace up and wind around a winding ice-covered path that's twice the length of a lap around a traditional rink. This year's edition of the ribbon will be decorated with designs inspired by Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night" paintings, a collaboration between the art exhibition "Immersive Van Gogh" and Chicago Park District.  Admission to the Skating Ribbon is free during weekdays if you bring your own skates; otherwise, reservations are $5 (with skates on weekends on holidays) or $16–$20 if you need to rent a pair. The Ribbon stays open through March (weather permitting) and even offers limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Step inside of Starry Night and The Bedroom in Arles with the help of more than 50 digital projectors in this high-tech exhibition that explores the work of Vincent Van Gogh. Designed by the Italian creative team that worked on the "Atelier des Lumières" exhibitions in Paris, "Immersive Van Gogh" covers 35-foot walls with animated versions of the Dutch painters work, accompanied by a score that blends electronic and classical compositions. The show takes up residence in the Germania Club Building in Old Town, which will go by the name Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago and host additional interactive art exhibitions in the coming years. Occupying four rooms in the space, the "Immersive Van Gogh" presentation is around 35-minutes in length, with mostly-identical projections displayed in each of the rooms throughout the show.

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.

Skate under the Chicago skyline and within eyeshot of the Chicago Christmas Tree at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Admission to the rink is free, and you can rent skates for $13–$15. Plus, take advantage of free skating lessons on most Saturdays and Sundays from 8am–9am, where you can learn both beginner- and intermediate-level skills. Note that you'll need to make a free online reservation for both regular skating and lessons this year, and if it seems too warm to skate, call ahead—this rink is open through March 6, weather permitting.

Chicago's notorious frigid winter temperatures and the possibility of snow don't stop the Empty Bottle from throwing an outdoor concert in February. The Music Frozen Dancing block party sets up a stage outside of the Ukrainian Village rock club, fires up some heat lamps, stocks the coolers wil Goose Island beer and presents an afternoon of live music that you can take in while bundled up in your warmest winter coat. This year's lineup features psychedelic pop-rock outfit Divino Niño, jangling punk duo Sweeping Promises and dark club-pop puryevors Pixel Grip. Los Angeles post-punk act Automatic, noisy New York quartet Surfbordt and local rockers Stuck will also perform. As usual, admission to Music Frozen Dancing is free, but the Empty Bottle will collect donations for Chicago Coalition for the Homeless at the gate.

Calling all The Office fanatics: The same team that created "The Friends Experience" is back with another nostalgic pop-culture experience that will make you feel like a Dunder Mifflin employee. Spread across two floors, the pop-up features 17 rooms that recreate sets from the show, including the Scranton Business Park workplace (which features Michael's office, Pam's reception desk and Ryan's closet) and Schrute Farms. Guests will be able to ecreate moments like Kevin's chili spill and the Dundie Awards—and you'll also find a few original props and costumes on display. Don't forget to stop by a gift shop that's dressed up like the Warehouse, featuring merch like "World's Best Boss" mugs, sweatshirts that say "Nard Dog" and staplers (Jello not included). The gift shop will be open to both ticketed and non-ticketed guests, so even those who don't spring for the photo-friendly experience have a chance to buy some branded shirts and tchotchkes.

Teaming up with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Weinberg/Newton Gallery presents a group show that balances works by contemporary artists with commentary from climate scientists and experts about how to build a sustainable future. "Human/Nature" confronts an uncertain future with works like a mossy installation from Regan Rosburg and a multi-media piece by Obvious and French collective that uses images taken by Russian photographer Stas Bartnikas to reimagine the Doomsday Clock. Admission is free with a reservation via Tock.

Learn how to roll during this hands-on sushi class, followed by a delicious omakase dinner. An Arami chef will show participants how to make a simple negi hamachi roll as well as a spicy salmon hand roll. Once you've gained some sushi knowledge, you'll get to enjoy a dinner of nigiri (salmon, tuna, hamachi and unagi) accompanied by a spicy tuna roll and a hand roll.