Valentine’s Day for Adults: Where to Go and What to Do in Champaign-Urbana
Leave the kids at home and celebrate Valentine’s Day with these ideas for laughter, love and togetherness — for grown-ups
Any time of year is a great time for a date! But Valentine’s Day lends itself to all kinds of special events for grown-ups to plan a night out without the kids. Dinner and a movie? How about a show? Perhaps you want a weekend getaway? First things first; find a sitter.
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. And we will continue to add to this list as we find others.
Date night, any time. Get more than 75 ideas for a night out here. How about a restaurant to enjoy for a kid-free outing? We have a list of our picks for dining, too.
Eat at a Restaurant
Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, so it will be a busy night for area restaurants. Call ahead and make reservations ASAP. Want some ideas? Here are some of our favorite date night restaurants.
Pro-tip: you can always pick another, less crowded night to go out for dinner.
Adult Valentine’s Day Event Ideas
Saturday, Feb. 7
Singles Mixer — The Caffeine RX, 5 – 8 p.m.
For ages 25 – 35.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Project READ: Valentine’s Day Social — The Urbana Free Library, 4 – 6 p.m.
Join Project READ for a Valentine’s Day party! Come for snacks, good conversation, and fun. You can also meet new people, practice your English, and learn about tutoring in the community! Stop in at any time. All are welcome.
Project READ provides free tutors at the Library most Monday mornings to help adults who are learning English or working to improve their reading or math skills.
More info on the library website.
Thursday, Feb. 12
Valentine Bingo — Mahomet Public Library, 1 p.m.
Celebrate Valentine’s season with a fun afternoon of bingo at the library. Enjoy friendly competition, light refreshments, and the chance to win fantastic prizes generously donated by local businesses. Bring your friends, your sweetheart, or come solo.
Please register; space is limited.
Head Over Heels, A New Musical — Station Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (shows on Feb. 12, 13 & 14)
Head Over Heels is the bold new musical comedy from the visionaries that rocked Broadway with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening. This laugh-out-loud love story is set to the music of the iconic 1980’s all-female rock band the Go-Go’s, including the hit songs, “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” and “Mad About You.”
Buy tickets on the Station website for any of the shows.
Friday, Feb. 13
Weekend Wind-Down — Allerton Park, Monticello, 5 – 10 p.m.
Wind Down and take in the lovely ambiance of Allerton. The Solarium Bar will be open from 5-10 p.m. Stop by for happy hour, warm up by the fire after a hike, or bring the crew for a fun night out. While there is no food service available on-site during the winter season, feel free to bring your own or check out the restaurants in Monticello just five miles away.
Valentine Mystery Dinner – Kickapoo Tea Room, Downs, 6 p.m.
The evening’s entertainment is a Sherlock Holmes Mystery adapted by Jon Jory, performed as a bygone era radio broadcast live play presented by the senior members of the Crossroads Area Student Theatre.
Set menu dinner includes: choice of house drinks, green-leafy starter salad, Coquilles au Parmesan (stuffed pasta shells with cheese, aromatic herbs, and chicken in a rich parmesan sauce – no chicken option available), decadent Black Forrest Lava Cake, and an after dinner savory snack for the performance. Gratuity is included. You may BYOB.
Get your tickets now on the website, select reservations, Feb. 13, mystery dinner theatre, 6 p.m.
Love is a Joke Comedy Tour — Yellow and Co., Mahomet, 7 p.m.
Love’s a Joke is a raucous and not-to-miss comedy tour as America’s top comedy couples take the stage to dish on marriage, sex, divorce, parenthood, fighting, weddings, and who — or what — they fantasize about when their spouse isn’t looking.
There’s also a show on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Get your tickets now for either Feb. 13 or Feb. 14 before it sells out.
Love Fest — The City Center, Champaign, 7 p.m.
A night of glitter, glam, and heart-pumping LIVE entertainment. This year, featuring Carnivale Debauche, Burlesque and Vaudeville Extravaganza paired with high energy music from DJ Silkee. Food, drink and more.
Learn about ticket options and get yours here.
Valentine’s Stand-Up Comedy — Alto Vineyards Champaign, 7:30 p.m.
Live stand-up comedy inside Alto Vineyards in Champaign — Valentine’s Day edition. Perfect for Valentine’s Day date night, parties or group outings. Featuring comedian Brent Terhune — seen and heard on Bob & Tom Radio, DryBar Comedy, Sirius XM, and through his huge social media following.
Get your tickets here or Venmo @cucomedy ($25 per ticket).
Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble: Moon — Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana, 7:30 p.m.
MOON, the latest work by choreographer Mark Morris, is a captivating exploration of our enduring fascination with the lunar world and how the moon came to be our fall-in-love token, and the mystery and glamour of it. It interweaves live music by György Ligeti and Marcel Dupré for keyboards and bass with vintage recordings of moon-themed songs from the 1930s and ’40s.
There will also be a performance on Saturday, Feb. 14. Get your tickets for either night now.
Saturday, Feb. 14
OUTside in Champaign Forest — Love Birds Edition — Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 10-11:30 a.m.
This February, come out for a heartwarming twist on monthly OUTside Hikes. Queer-identifying individuals, allies, and their loved ones are invited to share in the joy of birdwatching and hiking together. In celebration of the Great Backyard Bird Count, tune into the rhythms of nature by watching, listening and counting birds during the February hike. Celebrate love—in all its forms—and the beauty of the wild together.
Cupcakes and Beer Pairing — Riggs Beer Company, Urbana, 1 p.m.
Grab your partner and head to Riggs for a unique experience of combining delicious cupcakes with refreshing beers. Indulge in a variety of sweet and savory flavors and discover how different cupcakes complement various beer styles.
Ice Skating — U of I Ice Arena, Champaign, 1:30 – 4 p.m.
Perhaps we are just girlie girls, but we think ice skating makes for a very romantic date. Just be aware it can be tricky to park there.
Valentine’s Date Night Flower Class — A. Hunt Design, Champaign, 5-6:30 p.m.
Start your Valentine’s evening with a fun Flower Class! $100 per ticket for a couple’s arrangement. Together, you will design a romantic floral arrangement to take home afterward! It makes a terrific gift and is a great way to start your night with something different.Enjoy 10% off shopping at the Flower House after the class. Event is BYOB, so bring a beverage to sip on or shop from Ladro Zero for an incredible NA option!
Valentine’s Day at the Historic Fischer Theatre — Danville, 6 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate love in classic Hollywood style at the historic Fischer Theatre this Valentine’s Day. Step into a night of romance, nostalgia, and cinematic charm with a special Valentine’s Day Movie Night featuring the 2010 romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day.”
Tickets include pre-show entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres and decadent desserts. Handcrafted cocktails, along with curated wine and champagne selections, will be available for purchase to complete the experience.
Candlelight Concert — The Orpheum, 6:30 or 8:45 p.m.
We haven’t been to the candlelight concerts at the Orpheum Champaign, but we can’t think of a better night to try out “the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience. Enjoy a concert of popular music — think love songs such as “My Heart Will Go On” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” — played by a string quartet in the dark.
Casablanca on the Big Screen — Savoy 16
It’s a special showing of this classic romantic tale on Saturday, Feb. 14. It will also be available Sunday, Feb. 8 and Wednesday, Feb. 11. Regular ticket prices apply.
