This weekend, say farewell to February by channeling your inner superhero at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, take a trip to the suburbs for the largest ale fest in the state, experience a groundbreaking exhibit at the DuSable Museum of African American History and more.
C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo
Feb. 28 – March. 1
McCormick Place
The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) is a cosplay and pop culture celebration. Held at McCormick Place, the expo features meet and greet sessions with actors such as Star Trek’s William Shatner, panels with authors and fandom experts, artists, screenings and vendors selling comics, toys and memorabilia. The costumes alone are worth a visit, with the best cosplay receiving the Crown of Championships of Cosplay award.
Tickled Pink for Bright Pink 2020 – 15th Anniversary
Feb. 28 8:00 p.m.
Rockwell on the River
Grab your besties and generate awareness about breast cancer during Tickled Pink for Bright Pink. The charity event benefits Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. The evening will feature live music, dancing, a silent action, chef stations from top Chicago restaurants and more.
Piff the Magic Dragon: The Fun Size Tour
Feb. 28 8:00 p.m.
North Shore Center for The Performing Arts
If you love American’s Got Talent, you’ll love the chance to see Piff the Magic Dragon in person. A mix of wizardry, wit and sarcasm, the evening is a one-of-kind comedy magic show that you have to see to believe. Along with the World’s Only Magic Performing Chihuahua™, the dynamic duo performs nightly to sold-out rooms at his residency at the world-famous Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas in the newly renamed Piff the Magic Dragon Theatre.
“The March: A Groundbreaking VR Exhibit”
Opens Feb. 28
DuSable Museum of African American History
Experience the 1963 March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech through this groundbreaking virtual reality experience from TIME and Executive Producer Viola Davis debuting at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
Naperville Ale Fest
Feb. 29 Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Frontier Park
Grab your long underwear and head to Naperville for winter’s largest outdoor beer festival in Illinois! It may be cold, but the fest will feature 150 different breweries (and don’t worry, there are tents and fire pits). Besides beer, there will be ample food trucks, hot cider, experimental brews and more.
Polar Adventure Days
Feb. 29 Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Northerly Island
Explore Northerly Island during Polar Adventure Days. Come face-to-face with wolves, birds of prey and Siberian huskies, create nature-inspired crafts, sip hot cocoa and celebrate all the beauty winter brings during this free event.
LEAPBeer Run
Feb. 29 11:00 a.m.
Whiner Beer
More Can’t-Miss Events:
- Temple Beth Israel presents a Blood Drive sponsored by Brotherhood through Vitalant on Sunday, March 1 from 8 a.m. to noon. Healthy adults, ages 17 and older (16 with parental permission) who weigh at least 110 pounds may donate. Donors must bring a photo ID and are encouraged to register in advance. Walk-ins are welcome.
- On Feb. 29, Josephine Baker, the first international Black superstar, will be celebrated with a multidimensional performance by the Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, Tsukasa Taiko percussion ensemble and members of Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- Downtown Evanston’s Hygge Fest wraps up this weekend, with a celebration of coziness, warmth and family. See the schedule of participating in-store events here.
For even more fun things to do around Chicago…
…check out our 29 of the Best Things to Do in Chicago This February article or visit our Events Calendar.
Macaire Douglas lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two sons, and covers the Weekend 101 and monthly Recommended Events features. She proudly supports Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns nationwide. Since its inception in 2000, more than 3,600 newborns have been safely surrendered and adopted into loving homes.
