Champaign-Urbana Grown-Up Valentine's Day

How to Have a Grown-Up Valentine’s Day in Champaign-Urbana

Leave the kids at home and celebrate Valentine’s Day with these ideas for romance.

Thanks to Lodgic Everyday Community for presenting our Grown-Up Valentine’s Day roundup. The folks at Everyday Kitchen Restaurant & Bar believe in feel-good food, crafted with soul. The menu draws on American traditions and infuses a vibrant melting pot of flavor, color, and texture to elevate familiar dishes beyond the expected. Expert mixologists can shake you an expertly crafted cocktail or pair your meal with the perfect wine or brew. Everyday Kitchen brings honest goodness and fresh inspiration to every plate and glass. Join them for Restaurant Week and stay tuned for a Valentine’s Day feature you won’t want to miss. Check out the menu and book your table HERE today! Everyday Kitchen is conveniently located on South Neil Street in Champaign.

Ah, Valentine’s Weekend in Champaign-Urbana.

Dinner and a movie? How about a show? Perhaps you want a weekend getaway? First things first: Find a sitter, stat! (Or register for one of the kids’ programs on our calendar.)

Now make those reservations so you can have a lovely Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart in Champaign-Urbana. Note: These events have a specific Valentine’s Day theme, or they fall on Valentine’s Day. We have more date night ideas on the site here, including 75 Champaign-Urbana Date Night Ideas.

Looking for Family Valentine’s Day events, we have a post for that too!

Eat at a Restaurant:

If you’re new to town and haven’t heard, we have delicious restaurants in Champaign-Urbana. In fact, we’ve been voted one of The Top Most Delicious Cities in the Midwest.

Since Valentine’s Day is on a Friday this year, it will be a busy night for area restaurants so call ahead and make reservations ASAP. Our advice: pick another, less crowded night to go out. If you’re looking for a restaurant with a great date-night atmosphere, check out our list here. And of course, don’t forget about Everyday Kitchen.

Grownup Valentine’s Day Event Ideas. Most of these aren’t even on Valentine’s Day at all – but around that week.

Early Valentine’s Comedy Night – Alto Vineyards: Live Stand Up Comedy returns to Alto Vineyards on Friday, Feb. 7. Headliner is Luke Swanson, an affable storyteller and seasoned comedian. You’ll hear about old friends and junk cars and all the jobs before comedy.

Argenta Ice Fest: It’s the return of this unique event set for Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. This year’s event will feature carved ice sculptures and live carving by Olympic gold medalist Aaric Kendall and his team. There will be fair food both uptown and at the park.

Chocolate Fantasy in Monticello: This chocolate-filled event is Friday, Feb. 7, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in downtown Monticello. Check out the delicious offerings from a variety of businesses around downtown. Tickets are $20 and available online only. This event typically sells out.

Love Letters a Play by A.R. Gurney, Presented by Darkhorse Theatre Co.: A unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of the author, “needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines, and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance.” The piece is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. Tickets are $15, drinks not included. Sunday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m.

Volunteer: Looking for a fun, unique Valentine’s Day activity? Volunteer at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank on Feb. 14 – repackage food into smaller portions and enjoy wine and snacks in the warehouse after. If you’re anti-Valentine’s and just want to give back, or looking for a fun date night, visit eifoodbank.org/news/events/valentines-repack.html to sign up today.

Do Yoga Together: Amara Yoga and Arts is offering two evening events for couples, on both Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. On Valentine’s Day, get in touch with your partner while experiencing spa bliss in the yoga studio; on Feb. 15, learn more about partner yoga. Both events feature a toast at the end. For more info and fees, visit the Amara Yoga website.

Go to the Symphony: The University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Valentine’s Day night with selections from Romeo and Juliet, among other pieces. Friday, Feb. 14; Tickets $10 per person at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Somi at Krannert Center: If jazz is your jam, don’t miss this night with a Champaign-Urbana native. Recognized with the 2018 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, Somi and her vocal stylings have drawn comparisons to Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, and Sarah Vaughan, but her mesmerizing singing and songwriting have created an identity all her own. Friday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

I Hate Hamlet: I Hate Hamlet tells the story of an early 90’s TV actor, Andrew Rally, taking a role outside of his comfort zone — the title role in Hamlet for Shakespeare in the Park. The NYC apartment Andrew finds himself inhabiting happens to be a former residence of the late John Barrymore, who also portrayed Hamlet during his years. Via seance, Barrymore is brought back to life and instructs Andrew how to perfect the role, despite disagreements and sometimes physical skirmishes between them. Performing Feb. 13-29 at the Station Theatre. Tickets are $15.

A Grown-Up Splurge-Worthy Weekend Event:

Valentine’s Weekend Retreat:

Tired of the same old Valentine’s Day routine? Have a sitter for the entire (or even part) of the weekend? Valentine’s Day at The Mansion at Allerton Park in Monticello may just be the thing you’re looking for. Enjoy a Dueling Pianos show, a romantic dinner in the Carriage House, and more. You can choose the registration option that works best for you: Prices vary from $35/ person for the Saturday night only Dueling Pianos experience to $125/person for the entire Weekend Package. Lodging is also available.

All-inclusive night out at the Holiday Inn: Enjoy a concert, lodging and dinner on Feb. 14.

Maybe you just want to get cozy this Valentine’s day. Never fear! We have tips for How to Have a Great Date Night At Home here.

75 Champaign-Urbana Date Night Ideas | How Much to Pay a Babysitter in Champaign-Urbana | How to Find a Babysitter in Champaign-Urbana | 8 Great Date Night Restaurants in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond | Have a Great Date Night At Home | Family Valentine’s Day Events in Champaign-Urbana

Did we leave something out? How will you and your sweetie celebrate Valentine’s Day?