For winter birthday babies like myself, finding ways to celebrate in a city like Chicago can be tough. On a few occasions, I’ve even left Chicago to spend my birthday in warmer climates.
Instead of staying cooped up in the house for my birthday or even going to dinner alone, I frequently treat my birthdays in Chicago like a series of events, and this year it was no different. From axe throwing with my girlfriends to a candlelight music performance with my boyfriend, my birthday this year was everything and more than I could ask for!
If you are looking for ways to celebrate your birthday, Chicago is definitely a great place to celebrate all year long. Check out some unique activities below.
How to Celebrate a Birthday in Chicago

Practice Your Aim Axe Throwing
Release some rage and learn a new skill with axe throwing. If you are looking for something fun to do for your birthday in Chicago, axe throwing is a great activity. This is the perfect thing to do with a small or large group. You’ll get a great coaching session, a few axes for your group, and games that you can play to really bring some competition to your birthday celebration.
Haute Tip: Go early with a small group on a Friday and enjoy walk-in prices.

Sip Tipsy Tea at a Downtown Chicago Hotel
Celebrate your birthday with a group of friends at Kostali by Nahaduring their Tipsy Tea. The food, environment, and service are great at the hotel bar and restaurant. The experience includes bottomless tea or boozy beverages, plus a delicious tower of treats that is plenty for your and your group to share. This is great for anyone looking for a unique experience for their birthday or celebration in Chicago.

Listen to Romantic Music at a Candlelight Concert
A candlelight concert is a soothing, multisensory musical experience. For my birthday, I enjoyed classic Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop music at a stunning location in Wicker Park. The atmosphere, music, and serenity of a string quartet playing your favorite tunes is a great way to celebrate a birthday in Chicago.

Celebrate with Dinner at Fancy Gold Coast Restaurant
Putting on your best birthday outfit and dressing up to go out to dinner never goes out of style. What makes this birthday dinner unique is where you actually go. The Gold Coast, Chicago’s most posh neighborhood, has some of the best high-end restaurants in the city. Some of my favorite options include Maple & Ash, Esquire, and Hugo’s Frog Bar.

Explore and Wander at a Chicago Museum
Spend a day exploring and wandering a Chicago Museum. The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is one of my favorite museums in Chicago. You can spend one day and only make it through half of the museum! Museums make great day dates and are a fun way to learn something new during your birthday celebration.
Relax for Hours at a Mysterious Day Spa
A day of relaxing at Aire Ancient Baths is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday in Chicago. Experience a journey of relaxation in a candlelit historical building, that consists of a tour at your own pace through different baths at different temperatures. Optimize your total body experience with a massage to really make your birthday magical.
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