Valentine’s Day happenings: Local events to celebrate love (or skip it!)

• Feb. 14, at 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• 1120 Pleasant St., Oak Park 

Head over to La Notte to enjoy a special Valentine’s Day menu crafted by executive chef and owner Giovanni Mancini. 

• Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. 
• 220 North Euclid Ave., Oak Park 

View the Cheney Mansion decorated in lights at its Glow Valentine’s Day Dance Party. Expect dinner and dancing.

• Feb. 14, Opens at 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• 189 N. Marion St., Oak Park

Visit Little Gem Cafe for its four courses, Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu. Choose between five diverse main courses and three tempting desserts. 

• Feb.14 and Feb.16, at 9 a.m. and 4 a.m. 
• 1011 Madison St., Oak Park 

If you are looking for something festive for your little ones to do this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio’s Valentine Cooking Camp. Want a family activity? Indulge in its Valentine’s Day pizza party for families. 

• Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. 
• 217 Home Ave., Oak Park

Celebrate being single at Love Bites: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Celebration put on by the Park District of Oak Park at the Pleasant home. Expect a night of anti-love ballads and fun activities.

• Feb. 14, at 6:30 p.m. 
• 7321 Madison St., Forest Park

Feel neighborly love at Robert’s Westside’s King of Hearts event. The community is being asked to nominate a person who spreads the most love and joy; then they will be crowning a king or a queen while listening to the music of Jeff Mauro & The Jewel Bags and The Shams Band.

• Feb. 14 -15, at 6:30 p.m.  
• 7322 Madison St., Forest Park

Cook a four-course romantic meal with your loved one at Table and Lain’s Valentine’s Day cooking class. From seared duck breast to a chocolate cake with gold leaf, this elevated experience will surely impress a date. 

• Feb. 15, at noon. 
• 7505 Madison St., Forest Park

Get your gals and your dollar bills out for Valentine’s Diva Drag Brunch at Scratch Public House.

• Jan. 21 to Feb. 15, 
• 3156 N. Austin Ave., Chicago

Su Taqueria Thaly’s is the perfect spot for Instagram-worthy Valentine’s Day food, having all the heart-shaped snacks and love-themed drinks. Order a vitrolero (5-gallon jug) of horchata and a heart-shaped torta or a heart shaped taco platter for a good meal and a good photo. 

• Feb. at 7 p.m. 
• 3732 Prairie Ave., Brookfield

Cozy up with your loved one at Warm Wick Company’s Valentine’s Date Night candle-making event. Work together to create a custom fragrance while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and chocolate-covered strawberries.