As January in Illinois brings along cold temperatures, snow and ice, are you looking to have some winter fun?

Alongside sledding, skiing, or making a snowman, ice rinks are a fun and popular place for kids and families to gather and enjoy a winter activity. Illinois is home to many ice rinks that house a plethora of different opportunities for everyone to enjoy!

Kick off the new year by exploring flavors of food scenes in cities across Illinois this month.

With hundreds of options from casual eateries to fine dining establishments, Illinois restaurant week celebrations offer options for every taste and budget and provide the opportunity to find your new local favorite.

Aurora Restaurant Week

Aurora will be hosting its first-ever restaurant week, highlighting the city’s rapidly growing and diverse culinary scene. Aurora Restaurant Week will run from Jan. 21 through Feb. 4. View a list of participating restaurants here. 

Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week

The 9^th annual Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week will be held Jan. 24 through Feb. 1. The nine-day celebration will feature restaurants serving cuisines from across the world. View a list of participating restaurants here.

Though not as snowy as states like Wisconsin and Colorado, Illinois is still a northern state and the ground turns white several times a year. Whether you’re with your friends or family, Illinois has many snow parks to enjoy during the wintery months. Whether you’re into sledding, tubing, or throwing snowballs, this list of snow parks is sure to fill your winter recreation needs:

Alpine Hills Adventure Park (Rockford)

Polar Peak's tubing lanes stay snowy all season thanks to snowmakers. A conveyor lift whisks you back to the top, so you can enjoy run after run without the hike.

Alpine Hills Adventure Park & Golf Center | Enjoy Illinois | Enjoy Illinois

Mount Hoy (Blackwell Forest Preserve)

Join the weekend fun when snow blankets this natural hill. Inner tubes are available for rent on-site, making it a convenient and affordable winter outing.

Are you a Broadway fan? Then you might be surprised to know that famous performer and choreographer, Bob Fosse, was from Illinois!

Born and raised in Chicago, Fosse was drawn to dance at a young age. Starting at age 13, he had the opportunity to perform professionally in Chicago with Charles Grass as the Riff Brothers. Their performances toured venues across Chicago, as well as USO theaters and Eagles Clubs.

Every winter and holiday season, Illinois hosts numerous festive light shows in your favorite local spots! Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll through a forested park with towering illuminated pine trees or a downtown experience driving through magical displays, Illinois has a light show for you to keep holiday traditions going.

Here are several notable displays to see: