Chicago Celebrates Valentine's Day with Navy Pier Fireworks and Shedd Aquarium's 'Nature's Rage Room'

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Chicago is offering a variety of Valentine's Day events this year, including a fireworks show at Navy Pier and a 'Nature's Rage Room' at the Shedd Aquarium where visitors can cut down and burn invasive European Buckthorn plants to work off frustration. For those looking for a more romantic experience, the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier will be lit with special colors for the holiday.

Why it matters

Chicago's diverse range of Valentine's Day events caters to all moods and preferences, from traditional romantic activities to more unconventional ways to celebrate the holiday. The 'Nature's Rage Room' at the Shedd Aquarium provides a unique outlet for those feeling more rage than romance, while the Navy Pier fireworks and Centennial Wheel offer classic Valentine's Day experiences.

The details

Navy Pier will host a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on Valentine's Day, and visitors can also enjoy a romantic ride on the Centennial Wheel, which will be lit with special colors for the holiday. Meanwhile, the Shedd Aquarium invited people to Bob Mann Woods in LaGrange Park for its 'Nature's Rage Room' event, where participants could blow off steam by cutting down and burning invasive European Buckthorn plants. This activity not only provided a cathartic experience but also helped improve the local ecosystem by making room for native flora and fauna to thrive.

• The Navy Pier fireworks show will take place at 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
• The Shedd Aquarium's 'Nature's Rage Room' event was held on Saturday, February 14, 2026.