Things to Do in January

THINGS TO DO

JANUARY 2023

SUN 01 Light in the Forest Enjoy a peaceful walk in the winter woods at the annual holiday lights event! The expanded trail will feature a beautifully lit forest, new installation, added children’s activities, live music, a bonfire, a historic home with nature inspired decorations and holiday shopping. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center Time: 5:30-9p cincynature.org

Christmas at the Junction Create a holiday tradition for your family! See the magic of Christmas at the home of the World’s Largest Indoor Train Display. Take a “Journey to the North Pole”, where you can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa himself. • Location: EnterTRAINment Junction Time: 12p-6p

entertrainmentjunction.com

SUN 01–MON 02 Coney Island Night of Lights This Cincinnati holiday classic is back. Your family will love driving through the region’s largest synchronized holiday light spectacular. Experience more than one million lights synchronized to a mix of traditional and rocking holiday music. Visitors of all ages will be awed by larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes, fantastic tunnels of lights, and more. • Location: Coney Island Time: 5p

coneyislandpark.com

Duke Energy Holiday Junction Trains The Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati holiday staple since 1946, delighting generations since they first debuted downtown in 1946. Track-level views reveal intricate details of the display, where over 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives steam past anxious passengers waiting to board while cars sit with snow to their hubcaps and the perfect trees strapped to their roofs. • Location: Cincinnati Museum Center Time: 10a-5p cincymuseum.

org/holiday-junction

MON 02 Family Storytime It is story time! Bring your entire family to enjoy stories, activities, songs and fun while building literacy skills. • Location: Cheviot Library Branch Time: 10:30a chpl.

org FREE

Monday Night Football Watch the Bengals take on Buffalo for Monday Night Football! Join the watch party on Fountain Square at 5p. • Location: Paycor Stadium Time: 8:30p bengals.com

TUES 03 Movers and Shakers Sing, dance and enjoy music, movement and fun. • Location: Delhi Library Branch Time: 10:15a chpl.org

FREE

WED 04 Wednesday Playdate Adults, bring your children to meet other children as they play with educational toys geared towards social emotional learning. Recommended for families with children ages 1-6. • Location: Northside Library Branch Time: 10a chpl.org FREE

REC Reads Bring your toddler or preschooler to the Rosenthal Education Center for a morning of art-themed story books, songs, and sensory activities. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 11:30a

cincinnatiartmuseum.org

THURS 05 Preschool Nature Storytime Bring your “wild ones” to the Clifton Branch Library for two unique offerings. Story Time with Mr. Eric and a Nature Encounter with Mr. Mike! Bring the entire family to enjoy books, songs, and nature activities with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Parks. • Location: Clifton Branch Time: 10:30a-11a cincinnati-

oh.gov FREE

FRI 06 Play and Learn Facilitators from Best Point lead young children and their parents/ caregivers through a play experience designed to promote cognitive, language and social-emotional development. We'll have fun singing songs, telling stories, creating art, playing, and enjoying a snack. Registration is required. • Location: Amelia Library Branch Time: 10:30a clermontlibrary.org

SAT 07 Curious Kid Explorers Club Curious Kids Explorers Club! Explore the world through stories, songs, activities and discussions. A new adventure every month! Best for 1st-3rd grade kids. • Location: Clifton Library Branch Time: 11a

chpl.org FREE

CAM Kids Day: Winter Wonderland Spend the morning in our galleries with hands-on preschool activities then enjoy a family-friendly performance. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 11a cincinnatiartmuseum.org

SAT 07–SUN 08 Winter Blow Out Sale Shop the CNC fabulous Winter Blow Out Sale and find hot deals on all the coolest Cincinnati Nature Center stuff 25-90% off! • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center Time: 10a-5p cincynature.org

SUN 08 Cincinnati Royal Princess Ball Your little one will get to participate in princess games, story time sing along, learn some ballroom dance moves and more. Our event is geared towards your 3 - 7 year old princess fan, though all are welcome! • Location: Cincinnati Airport Marriott Time: 10a-1:30p dreampartyforyou.com

Sunday Family Dinner Cruise Experience the Mighty Ohio River with the whole family on our Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Guests will enjoy a wonderful buffet meal, a two-hour river cruise, and a DJ for entertainment. And with an earlier cruise time, you can have great family fun and still get the kids to bed on time. • Location: BB Riverboats Time: 5:30p bbriverboats.com

MON 09 CAC Homeschool Join the Contemporary Arts Center for a special workshop focusing on contemporary art for students. Stop by the library to participate in hands-on art making, learn about contemporary artists and take home an extended learning sheet. • Location: Symmes Library Time: 1p chpl.org

Tech Basics 101 Never say "I'm computer illiterate" again! For individuals with limited to no experience using computers. Learn the fundamental skills that every computer user needs to know. Registration Required. • Location: Downtown Main Library Time: 10a chpl.org FREE

TUES 10 After School Art: Snowflakes in Circles Create with liquid watercolors and watch snowflakes magically appear using a fun resist art technique. For ages 6-12. • Location: Reading Library Branch Time: 4-5p chpl.org

FREE

WED 11 After School STEAM Join us after school to build your own Rube Goldberg machine. Your goal? Move a bouncy ball from one end of the meeting room to the other! This program is for ages 8-12. Registration is required. • Location: Westwood Library Branch Time: 3:15p-4p chpl.org

FREE

THURS 12 Winter Adopt-a-Buddy Young readers Pre-k through 4th grade can adopt a reading buddy to help encourage them to read. All buddies come with a poem and adoption certificate. Stop in any day during branch hours, pick out at least three children’s books, and adopt a new buddy. Limit one book buddy per child/month, while supplies last. • Location: Batavia Library Branch Time: 10a-6p

clermontlibrary.org FREE

FRI 13 Dayton Funk Night Join the MetroParks on select Friday evenings in January and February for our theme nights! Skate along to your favorite tunes, played by a live DJ! Enjoy a cup of delicious cocoa from the Cafe and warm up in the Kettering Health Comfort Tent during your visit. • Location: RiverScape MetroPark Time: 7-10p

metroparks.org

CAM KIDS DAY: WINTER

WONDERLAND AT

CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM

Cyclones Hockey Help the Cyclones raise awareness and funds for the Dragonfly Foundation. The Cyclones will wear specialty jerseys to be auctioned off after the game. • Location: Heritage Bank Center Time: 7:30 cycloneshockey.com

FRI 13–SUN 15 Fishing Expo The National Fishing Expos - Cincinnati returns to the Sharonville Convention Center with one of the largest groups of handmade tackle, guides, clothing, accessories and Canadian outfitter vendors in the country. We've got the gear you need and deals you won't believe. Kids 17 and under are free. • Location: Sharonville Convention Center Time: Friday 12p-7p, Saturday 10a-6p, Sunday 10a-3p Creative Reuse One person's trash is another artist's treasure! Drop in with Indigo Hippo for art with recycled materials! • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 11a cincinnatiartmuseum.org

SUN 15 Maple Tapping Help CNC tap the trees as they start the sugaring season then come back next weekend to experience maple syrup making from the sap! • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center Time: 2-4p cincynature.org

Cavalcade of Customs Bring your car-loving kiddo down to O’Reilley’s 63rd annual Cavalcade of Customs. • Location: Duke Energy Center Time: January 13-15, Friday 3-9p, Saturday 10a-9p, Sunday 10a-6p duke-energycenter.com MON 16 Sensory Storytime Engage the senses in this interactive storytime every 3rd Monday afternoon. This program is designed with autistic children in mind but is open to all children and their families. • Location: Cheviot Library Branch Time: 12:30p chpl.org FREE *SN

FRI 13–MON 16 Young’s Jersey Dairy 154th Celebration Celebrate with Young’s Dairy with specials on the farm all week long. $1.54 off all cones, all burgers, Deep Fried Breaded Cheddar Cheese Curds, Chedda Cheese Crispys, 4 Pack Homemade Buckeyes, 1/2 Gallons of Homemade Ice Cream and kid’s meals. Specials on mini golf and cheese, too! • Location: Young’s Jersey Dairy youngsdairy.com TUES 17 Feathered Friends Join a Naturalist from the Clermont County park district and learn basic identification skills, understand bird behaviors, and make a simple pine cone bird treat. • Location: Owensville Library Branch Time: 6:30-7:30p

clermontlibrary.org FREE

SAT 14 Heritage Kids Club Children will learn about the history of early Cincinnati, as well as, the historic crafts, trades, and skills of its settlers. They will have the opportunity to explore the past with items from the Heritage Village Museum collections and exploration of the Village’s historic buildings. There will be related stories, activities, and a light snack provided. Everyone will have something to take home to show off their handiwork. Open to ages 5 through 15. • Location: Heritage Village Time: 9:30a-12p heritagevillagecincinnati.org STEM Fun: Lava Lamps Create your own groovy lava lamp while learning the science of density. For ages 8-12, or younger with a grown-up. • Location: Reading Library Branch Time: 4p chpl.org

FREE

WED 18 Teen Cafe Teens can enjoy games, challenges, crafts and other fun activities at the library. Hang out with Mallory Mahaffey, a prevention specialist with Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health. • Location: Bethel Library Branch Time: 3-5p clermontlibrary.org

FRI-SUN, JAN 13-15

CAVALCADE OF

CUSTOMS AT DUKE ENERGY CONVENTION CENTER

REC Reads Bring your toddler or preschooler to the Rosenthal Education Center for a morning of art-themed story books, songs, and sensory activities. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 11:30a

cincinnatiartmuseum.org

THURS 19 Mysterious Mussels Have you found shells in rivers and lakes of Ohio? Rather than the seashells you might find on the beach, these are mysterious freshwater mussels. Join the Clermont County Park District for some fun activities to explore these strange critters. You’ll also get to make your own mussel and lure. • Location: Union Township Branch Library Time: 1:30p clermontlibrary.org FREE

FRI 20 90s Night Grab your friends and fanny packs and skate at the MetroParks Ice Rink to the biggest hits of the 90's, played by a live DJ! Children ages 3 and under are free with a paying adult. • Location: RiverScape MetroPark Time: 7-10p

metroparks.org

Secret Life of Stars Twinkle, twinkle, little star… how I wonder, what you are. Well, now we know, and you can too! The big ones live fast and die young. Some eat their neighbors. While others go out with a bang! From nebulas and novae to star formation and more, this show has it all! Programs are open to adults and children ages 5 and older accompanied by an adult. • Location: Burnet Woods Time: 7p-8p cincinnati-oh.gov

Baby Tours: Texture Play This 40-minute experience will introduce you and your infant (ages 0-2) to the world of art with a tour designed to stimulate their developing minds. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 11a, 2p, 3p

cincinnatiartmuseum.org

SAT 21 Artist Workshop Learn about techniques and materials used by professional artists in these fun, educational and hands-on workshops. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time: 1p

cincinnatiartmuseum.org

SUN 22 Maple Syrup Making Experience the whole process of producing liquid gold from maple sap. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center Time: 12-1p cincynature.org MON 23 Pokemon Drawing Class, Class 1 In this 6-week class series, participants will learn how to draw a different Pokemon character each week. After drawing and coloring the image, attendants can spend the remaining class time trading cards. • Location: Nakama Studio Time: 5:30p

nakamastudio.org

TUES 24 Healthy Snacks Keep that New Years’ Resolution by learning how to make your own after-school snacks. • Location: Amelia Branch Library Time: 4:30p clermontlibrary.org FREE

Wild Card Tuesday Come in for a new tween activity every third Tuesday of the month! Recommended for ages 8-12. All abilities welcome, no registration required. • Location: Mt. Healthy Library Branch Time: 4p chpl.org FREE

WED 25 Kids Adventure Challenge: Winter World Join Great Parks to face the unique winter themed challenges. Explore, learn and build community with other kids. Perfect for homeschoolers. Dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. • Location: Glenwood Gardens Time: 11a-12:30p

greatparks.org

THURS 26 Bert & Ernie Show: Turtle Tales Join the front desk staff inside the Rowe Visitor Center for a 10-20 minute miniprogram on our indoor native Eastern box turtles, Burt & Ernie. Please meet at the front desk of our Rowe Woods Visitor Center. No registration necessary for this drop-in program. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center Time: 11a cincynature.org

FRI 27 Queen Head to the MetroParks Ice Rink to rock out to Queen's biggest hits for our third Theme Night of the season! Children 3 and under are free with a paying adult. • Location: RiverScape MetroPark Time: 7-10p metroparks.org

FRI 27–SAT 28 Cyclones Hockey

Marvel Weekend Cyclones Fans Assemble!! Meet some of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes throughout the game and the Cyclones will wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off. • Location: Heritage Bank Center Time: 7:30p

cycloneshockey.com

SAT 28 Sensory Saturday Join CAM for a socially distanced version of the Cincinnati Art Museum program for families with children who have developmental disabilities. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Time; 11:30a cincinnatiartmuseum.org

*SN

The Nikolai Tesla Story Travel back in time to the late 1800s and enter the dazzling mind of Nikola Tesla, a brilliant young engineer. Learn the true story of this often ignored inventor, whose work as a “mad scientist” eventually led to the Tesla coil, X-ray, RADAR, wireless energy, and artificial lighting. Reservations required. • Location: Memorial Hall Time: 12p and 2p memorialhallotr.com FREE

SUN 29 Tools of the Sugar House Get a behind-the-scenes look at the maple syrup evaporator and sugaring tools like skimmers, filters, and thermometers. You will be able to look inside the sap storage tanks, help set up for the day’s programs, and help prepare the materials to fire up the evaporator. Preregistration required. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center Time: 11a-12p cincynature.org

MON 30 Pokemon Drawing Class, Class 2 In this 6-week class series, participants will learn how to draw a different Pokemon character each week. After drawing and coloring the image, attendants can spend the remaining class time trading cards. • Location: Nakama Studio Time: 5:30p

nakamastudio.org

TUES 31 Curious Kids Club Join us each month as we explore science, technology, art, engineering and math in a fun and hands on way while using our imaginations! For ages 6-12. Capacity is limited, pre-register online. • Location: Anderson Library Branch Time: 4p chpl.org FREE

ONGOING

Winter Woodland January 1-20 Step out of the cold and into a cozy winter woodland scene right in Ellenwood Nature Barn! Make a craft and warm up from the winter weather by a log fire. • Location: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve/Ellenwood Nature Barn Time: 11a-3p greatparks.org FREE

Middletown Holiday Whopla Through 16 Located in historic and charming downtown Middletown, the third annual Middletown Holiday Whopla features a state of the art ice skating rink, beer & wine garden, food trucks, and Holiday Whoville train rides. It is surrounded by larger than life interactive light displays, nestled amongst specialty shops, bars, restaurants, and so much more. Continue a family tradition or start a new one with us this holiday season! • Location: Middletown N. Broad Street holidaywhopla.com

FRI-SAT, JAN 27-28

Fountain Square Ice Rink January 1-February 20 The UC Health Ice Rink, presented by Fifth Third Bank, is an outdoor ice arena that takes over Fountain Square daily through February. • Location: Fountain Square

myfountainsquare.com

Celestial Holiday at Krohn Through January 7 Come to the Krohn Conservatory this holiday season to enjoy our Celestial Holiday. Krohn will be transformed into a glowing winter wonderland surrounded by the shimmering lights and twinkling stars. Join us for the unveiling of the newest landmark piece created by the talented artists of Applied Imagination, Music Hall! • Location: Krohn Conservatory Time: January 1-7, 10a-8p

cincinnati-oh.gov

Festival of Lights Through January 8 In addition to admiring the beauty of 4 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands. • Location: Cincinnati Zoo Time: Sunday- Thursday 10a-9p, Friday-Saturday 10a-10p cincinnatizoo.org/events/

festival-of-lights

Anastasia January 3-15 Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is on a journey across America at last! From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s. • Location: Aronoff Center cincinnatiarts.org

Winter Escape January 1-31 Come in from the cold and visit the Junction this January! Save $2 off a full-price Do-It-All ticket, when you purchase online!! Plus, 1st Class Boarding Pass members can Bring-A-Friend FREE! Note: The Junction is closed Wednesdays in January. • Location: EnterTRAINment Junction Time: 10a-6p entertrainmentjunction.com

Get Into Nature Gallery Through January 31 The 20,000-acre Richard & Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve System in Adams County is home to hundreds of plant, mammal, insect and bird species. By bringing it to the heart of Cincinnati, you will be able to start your own adventure. Sensory-rich pathways will fill you with the sights, sounds, textures and smells of the natural world. Exhibit elements will encourage you to explore and live animal encounters will introduce you to our wild neighbors. • Location: Cincinnati Museum Center cincymuseum.org

Penguin Parades January 9- March 10 Penguin Parades are Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday Mondays (Jan 16 & Feb 20) with special discounted zoo admission. It must be colder than 50 degrees for the penguins to participate in the Penguin Parades. • Location: Cincinnati Zoo Time: 11a and 2:30p cincinnatizoo.org

MetroParks Ice Rink January 1-February 26 Whether you’re a skating rookie or have been lacing up your skates for decades, and whether you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon with the family or a competitive night on the ice, there is a full slate of activities to choose from at the MetroParks Ice Rink. • Location: Riverscape MetroPark

metroparks.org/ice-rink

Dinosaurs of Antarctica Venture into one of the most isolated environments on Earth on a journey into the unexpected. Uncover never-beforeseen dinosaur fossils buried beneath snow and ice in Dinosaurs of Antarctica: The Exhibition. • Location: Cincinnati Museum Center, Time: 10a-5p

cincymuseum.org/dinosaurs-of-antarctica

PLEASE NOTE We work hard to ensure our calendar and guide information is accurate. Occasionally, event specifics change after we go to press. Therefore, we encourage our readers to call locations or visit them on the web to verify information.