January Festivals & Events in Ohio

Enjoy Ohio’s winter fests and events in January, including New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day.




A Christmas Story House

Admission to A Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland: $18/adult, $16/senior, and $13/children age 3-12.   Group discounts are available. The price of admission includes a guided tour of the house and yard and admittance into the museum.

  • When: Open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm except for major holidays
  • Where: (Map It) 3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, OH  44109. Admission tickets to A Christmas Story House can be purchased at the giftshop (3166 W. 11th Street) located directly across the street from the house.
  • Phone: 216-298-4919
  • Web: click here

A Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland, Ohio:  The house used in the popular holiday classic “A Christmas Story” has been restored to its original 1983 movie appearance. Purchased and renovated by Brian Jones, a true fan of the movie who sells leg lamps for a living, the house takes visitors on a nostalgic journey to the sights and scenes where Ralphie Parker dreams of nothing but receiving a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle for Christmas. In addition to A Christmas Story House, visitors can explore the museum where items from the movie are on display, more than 100 behind-the-scenes photos are featured and movie-related memorabilia can be purchased.

Ma & Pa’s Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

The fee for Ma & Pa’s Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides in Northeast Ohio: Family rates start at $25/adult and $12-15/child. Couples’ rate ranges from $75-85.

  • When: Annually from December 1 through the end of February
  • Where: (Map It) Main Market Road, (State Route 422), Troy Township, Ohio
  • Phone: 440-548-5521
  • Web: click here

Ma & Pa’s Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides in Northeast Ohio:  How does “Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh” sound?  The excursion begins at Ma and Pa’s 1820 log cabin, where you will find various rustic items such as chainsaw carved bears, log furniture, hunting, fishing, and everything for the rustic home. Then, out into the woods, one of their draft horses will pull one of two old-fashioned sleighs, wandering out into an open field where, during the evening rides, the horses often stop so that guests can gaze up into the star-filled sky. When the trip has ended, visitors are welcomed back to the cabin for hot chocolate or maple coffee and cookies baked by Ma herself!

Valentine Re-Mailing Program From Loveland

The Valentine Re-Mailing Program From Loveland, Ohio, is a special stamping for free, but proper postage to envelopes must be applied.  

  • When:  January 1st through February 14th
  • Location:  (Map It) Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce in Loveland, Ohio
  • Phone:  513-683-1544
  • Web: click here

Valentine Re-Mailing Program From Loveland: Send your Valentine’s stamped with a romantic cachet and postmark from Loveland, Ohio.  Prepare your Valentines, affixing proper postage, address, and return address, and include them in a larger envelope addressed to The Valentine Lady, 514 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland, OH  45140.

All of the Valentine Ladies, past and present, members of the sweetheart court, and Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce staff members will affix the special cachet bearing our signature slogan, “There is nothing in this world so sweet as love.”  After the special cachet is stamped upon the Valentine envelopes, they are taken to the Loveland Post Office, where they are hand-canceled bearing the passionate postmark from Loveland, OH.  Please don’t wait until February to send your Valentine’s!

A Bi-Cycling Dandy Excuse For Getting Hibernated

New Year’s Day Bike Ride in Medina, Ohio.

  • When: January 1 (Ride begins at Noon, so come early for the map)
  • Location: (Map It) In front of the Courthouse at Medina Square in Medina, Ohio
  • Web: click here

Medina, Ohio’s A Bi-Cycling Dandy Excuse For Getting Hibernated In January! (ABCDEFGHIJ!) This free bike ride is 3, 24, or 12 miles on New Year’s Day – despite the weather. A map is provided, but NO other services are provided. NO sag wagon, NO snack stops, NO closed course, NO first aid cars, NO food. Get the idea? Then come prepared! The route goes through a couple of cities where food may be purchased if needed.

The Great Sled Dog Race Classic of Northeast Ohio

Admission to The Great Sled Dog Race Classic of Northeast Ohio is free.

  • When: Usually early to mid-January, weather permitting
  • Location: (Map It) Punderson State Park, in Newbury, Ohio
  • Phone: Mary Groth – Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland – 330-659-7330
  • Web: Click here

The Great Sled Dog Race Classic of Greater Cleveland is the only sled dog event in Ohio attracting mushers from across Ohio and other states. Teams will cover one to six miles through woods and across open fields. Because the weather doesn’t always cooperate, an alternate race date will be announced. Park Accommodations: Punderson State Park offers a beautiful lodge (Manor House) for overnight stays or many rustic cottages that can sleep 8-10 people. Call the lodge for rates at 440-564-9144 or 1-800-282-7275. Camper hookups are also available.

Mohican Winterfest

Mohican Winterfest in Loudonville is free.

  • When: January 13, 2024
  • Location: (Map It) Downtown Loudonville, Ohio
  • Phone: 419-994-4789 or 419-994-2519
  • Web: click here

Mohican Winterfest is a winter festival in Loudonville, Ohio. Centering around Olympic Ice Carvings, this event has much to offer in the way of free family entertainment. Bring the family down to check out all the ice sculptures that line the street and watch the live carving demos, Model Train Expo, and many other activities! For a complete list of events, visit DiscoverMohican.com.

Cleveland Boat Show

The Cleveland Boat Show tickets are available through the link below.

  • When: January 18 – 21, 2024
  • Where:  (Map It) International Exposition (I-X) Center, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Phone:  440-899-5009
  • Web: click here

The Cleveland Boat Show at the Cleveland I-X Center is one of the largest indoor boat shows in the country. The event will feature the best prices in years on powerboats, sailboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft, trailers, and accessories. It will be the best place to shop from more than 50 exhibitors from across the state and would be a perfect winter rendezvous point for all your boating buddies!

Winter Hike At Hocking Hills

Winter Hike at Hocking Hills is free.

  • When: January 20, 2024. The hike begins with continuous starts between 9am and 11am.
  • Location: (Map It) Start at Old Man’s Cave Visitor’s Center.
  • Phone: 740-385-6841 or 740-385-6842
  • Web: Click here

Winter Hike at Hocking Hills: Over 5,000 outdoor enthusiasts will participate in the Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike. Hikers should assemble at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center from 9am to 11am. The Winter Hike and all pre-hike and post-hike activities are free. Donations are encouraged for the refreshments and the return ride to Old Man’s Cave. Commemorative patches and hiking stick medallions are available for purchase. Hikers should come dressed in layered clothing and sturdy shoes.  Hocking Hills State Park is about 55 miles southeast of downtown Columbus on State Route 664 in Hocking County.

IceFest Hamilton

Hamilton Ice Fest is free.

  • When: This biannual event occurs every other January. The next event date has not yet been announced.
  • Location: (Map It) Downtown Hamilton, Ohio
  • Phone: 513-844-8080
  • Web: click here

Hamilton Ice Fest:  The winter season is approaching quickly, which can only mean one thing…the return of IceFest in Hamilton, Ohio! The ice festival whisks visitors away to a winter wonderland filled with ice sculptures, ice carving competitions, yummy hot chocolate, and family-fun activities. The Hamilton-based organization, City of Sculpture, leads the way in planning the event. An estimated 200 blocks and 40 tons of ice are needed for the event; locally and nationally based carvers will chisel and create to bring the works of art to life. IceFest has featured a Technicolor Ice Walk, Human Dog Sled Races, and competition carving.

More Things to do This Month in Ohio

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