Whirl and twirl your way through the month of February on the ice or on the stage at the free Chicago Winter Dance festival in the award-winning Millennium Park.

From ice dancing and ice skating lessons at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink to dance lessons behind the glass doors on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage, there is something for everyone this winter in Chicago.

“February is a great time for both visitors and residents to get out and enjoy Chicago,” said Dorothy Coyle, Director, Chicago Office of Tourism.

“Millennium Park’s central location, superb facilities, and natural beauty make it the perfect location for a new winter festival. With free Chicago Winter Dance activities every weekend and great rates at hotels, Chicago is an ideal destination for visitors looking for a refreshing winter getaway.”

Visit explorechicago.org for more information about Chicago Winter Dance or to book hotel accommodations. Following is a schedule of free events and programs taking place this February:

Ice Skating Lessons

Saturdays and Sundays, February 6 – 28, 8 – 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.

Ice Dancing Performances and Extended Rink Hours for Public Skating

Fridays and Saturdays, February 5 – February 27, 7 – 11 pm
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

Weekend nights will offer spectacular Ice Dancing performances, live DJ sets and extended ice rink hours for skating and ice dancing. Special themed nights highlighting a variety of music genres will be announced.

Dance Lessons and Dancing

Saturdays and Sundays, February 6 -28
Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 1 pm Dance Lesson
• 2 – 4 pm Open Dancing
• 5 pm – Dance Lesson
  
• 6 – 8 pm – Open Dancing
  

In SummerDance style, visitors will be offered one hour dance lessons followed by open dancing behind the glass doors on the Pritzker Stage.

The 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. Dance styles will include Steppin’, Tango, Swing, Country Line Dancing, World/Folk, Ballroom and Cajun, and will be accompanied by a DJ or live music.

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.

Chicago Winter Dance is presented by the Chicago Office of Tourism. A division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Chicago Office of Tourism is the official City agency dedicated to promoting Chicago to domestic and international visitors and to providing innovative visitor programs and services.

Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by calling toll-free 1-877-CHICAGO (1-877-244-2246), or visiting explorechicago.org.

Brochures and information on Chicago’s events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street.

The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294.

The Chicago Office of Tourism (@explorechicago) provides a seven-day-a-week Twitter Concierge Service offering advice and suggestions about the city.

Visitor service representatives answer questions and provide information with a focus on free and discounted events and activities in neighborhoods throughout Chicago.

About Millennium Park

Millennium Park, managed and programmed by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design.

The result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philanthropic community, the 24.5-acre park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers.

Among Millennium Park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor’s hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture. Since its opening in July 2004, Millennium Park has welcomed more than 16 million people, making it one of the most popular destinations in Chicago.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Joyce Rowe, 312-742-2036
joyce.rowe@cityofchicago.org

Karen Vaughan, 312-744-2390
kvaughan@cityofchicago.org

For Millennium Park:

Jill Hurwitz, 312-742-1149
jhurwitz@cityofchicago.org