8 Winter Events To Beat Cabin Fever In Illinois

Now that the holidays are no longer competing for Illinoisans’ time, cabin fever may have started to set in.

It’s a perfect time to take in a concert or show, layer up and embrace the outdoors, explore a new hobby or try new cuisine.

We’ve rounded up eight winter events from around the Chicago area, from pro wrestling to ice skating to watching Woodstock Willie's Groundhog Day prognostication.

Are you planning an event this winter? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here are our picks:

Woodstock Groundhog Days, Jan. 29 to Feb. 2: Celebrate the 34th anniversary of the classic Bill Murray movie, check out filming locations including the Cherry Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and watch Woodstock Willie's prognostication to find out whether we'll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Events begin Jan. 29 and include a dinner dance, 5K, "Groundhog Day" trivia, a pub crawl, a wood-carving demonstration, a meeting with "Ned Ryerson" actor Stephen Tobolowski and a drink to world peace. Many events are free. Check the Woodstock Groundhog Days website for full schedule and details.

$1 Movie Mondays at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora: Shake off the winter blues with movie screenings for just $1. Screenings are most Mondays at the theater, 23 East Galena Boulevard. Starting on Feb. 9 with "Black Panther," the series also features "Soul" (2020), "Pretty Woman" (1990), "Pocahontas" (1995), "The Hunger Games" (2012), "Sixteen Candles" (1984), "Pride & Prejudice" (2005), "The Blues Brothers" (1980) and more.

Hot tub boats on the Chicago River: Want to brave the winter cold on the water while taking the plunge in a hot tub? Chicago Boat Company offers both public and private cruises for up to six passengers for the ultimate cold weather Chicago River adventure." Depending on the day of the week, private cruises start at $300. All participants must be age 13 or older.

Winter Wonderland Ice Rink in Orland Park: The ice rink, 15600 West Ave. & Fun Drive, is open daily from sunrise until the warming house closes at 7 p.m. The rink and warming house are subject to close during severe weather conditions and/or due to low attendance. Skate rentals are $3 per person during warming house hours. Skaters may skate for free with their own skates from dawn until the warming house closes. Free skate aides/walkers are available any time the warming house is open. A "Glow on Ice" event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7: Lace up and hit the ice as vibrant neon lights, glowing gear and pulsing beats turn the rink into a nighttime party!

110th Chicken Noodle Dinner: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 at Hope United Methodist Church in Joliet, 2506 Caton Farm Road. Continuing the tradition of Plainfield's Sharon UMC Chicken Noodle Dinner. Dine in and carry-outs available for $15 for adults, $8 for kids ages 5 to 10 and free for kids under 4. Proceeds support Bags of Hope, a non-profit providing meals for hungry students around the Will County area.

Naperville Ale Fest - Winter Edition: Saturday, Feb. 28, "on the frozen tundra at Frontier Park," 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville. Organizers promise, "It will be cold, yes, but also filled with beer." Bundle up and brave the elements as you sample beers at Illinois' largest outdoor winter beer fest, featuring more than 100 craft brewers as well as food trucks. Tickets are on sale now; use promo code "Beer" to save $5 per ticket.

Cupid's Carnage Rocket Pro Wrestling Championship: Doors open at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at St. Joseph Park, 700 Theodore St. in Joliet. The event features five scheduled title matches between the best wrestlers from the Midwest and beyond. The event boasts "New Arena improvements, Food and Drink Specials, and the Most entertaining show in the Galaxy!" as well as $3 beers. General admission is $20 or $25 for front row. Tickets available at the door; cash only.

Restaurant Week: Chicago and multiple suburbs are offering restaurant weeks featuring specials at the best restaurants in town. Aurora Restaurant Week ends Feb. 3; Naperville Restaurant Week ends Feb. 8; Palos Restaurant Week ends Jan. 29; St. Charles Restaurant Week is Feb. 2 through Feb. 6; Chicago Restaurant Week ends Feb. 8. Click for details on schedules, menus and participating restaurants.