Chicago Winters - Outdoors!

Are you brave enough to face the cold weather? If so, there's a lot of outdoor fun taking place this winter that you can take advantage of.

On weekends in February, the City of Chicago offers Chicago Winter Dance Festival at Millennium Park. With free ice skating lessons, ice dance parties and indoor dance lessons (mom and dad, take note!), there's something for everyone.

Here's the schedule:

Ice Skating Lessons
Saturdays and Sundays, February 6 – 28, 8 – 10 am
Beginner lessons, 8 – 8:30 am and 9 – 9:30 am
Intermediate lessons, 8:30 am – 9 am and 9:30 am – 10 am
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Learn the basics of ice skating and play fun and interactive games on the ice in the beauty of Millennium Park. These family friendly morning sessions are open to Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and skill levels.

Late Night Ice Dance Parties, Ice Dancing Demonstrations, and Extended Rink Hours
for Public Skating
Fridays and Saturdays, February 5 – February 27, 7 – 11 pm
Ice Dancing Demonstrations at 7, 8:30 and 10 pm
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Weekend nights will offer spectacular ice dancing demonstrations, and extended ice rink hours for skating and late night dance parties on the ice.

Special Ice Dance Party Night Themes and Music:
-Friday, February 5: Sock Hop/1950s
-Saturday, February 6: Tribute to Michael Jackson/1980s
-Friday, February 12: Show Tunes
-Saturday, February 13: Love Songs
-Friday, February 19: Disco
-Saturday, February 20: Country Western
-Friday, February 26: Twilight
-Saturday, February 27: Big Band Jazz/1920s

Dance Lessons and Dancing
Saturdays and Sundays, February 6 -28
1 pm Dance Lesson
2 – 4 pm Open Dancing
5 pm – Dance Lesson
6 – 8 pm – Open Dancing
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
In SummerDance style, visitors will be offered one hour dance lessons followed by open dancing behind the glass doors on the Pritzker Stage. Music will be broadcast through the speakers on the trellis of the Great Lawn so that even those strolling through the Park can enjoy the sights and sounds of dancing on the Pritzker Stage. Unless otherwise noted, dance lessons and dancing are accompanied by recorded music.

Find more schedule details online.

Admission is free but space is limited. Doors open 30 minutes before the lessons begin. Early arrival is recommended.

Beverages and warm refreshments from the Park Grill will be on sale in the Pritzker Pavilion and near the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.

Get more information online at www.explorechicago.org.