Columbus Mom Guide to the Month of January

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2024, 2024, 2024! Woohoo! It’s here! Wow, that feels crazy to say! Last year seemed to fly by, especially the month of December! We are hopeful that January and the rest of 2024 will bring lots of happiness and joy to you and your family. As you finish out Christmas Break, be sure to check out fun things to do in Columbus in our guide this month! In addition to our events, see the links below to find ways to stay entertained this winter. We hope you find lots to do by using our Guide to the Month of January!

Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights will be on until January 1, 2024 as well as The Columbus Commons.

The  WonderLights’s Christmas Display is on until December 31, 2023. The Conservatory Aglow will be running until January 7, 2024 as well at The Columbus Zoo.

In addition, we also have a list of 75 Ideas to do this Winter Break!

Perhaps there will be a snowy day and you will be ready to hit the hills! Check out our list of sledding hills for many options.

Additional Entertainment Ideas

  • Check out the ice rink at Riverside Crossing Park (located near Bridge Park, Dublin). There is also a location at Coffman Park!
  • Go Tubing at Snow Trails– reservations are still required in 2024!
  • Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
  • Attend a Seeds of Caring event
  • Try out the Winter Hike Series: Bundle up and put on your hiking boots – it’s time for Metro Parks annual winter hikes! This year, the winter hike series takes on a new look as your ticket to travel through 18 different parks and hike miles and miles of trails. Visitors can hike in six different parks per month and have their ticket to travel booklet stamped.

January 1- 7

Month of January: Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink: The temporary ice rink is located near the Dublin Link pedestrian bridge and will be open on Friday nights and Saturday and Sundays!

January 1: First Hike of 2023: 7:45 a.m. – Come to the lake at Blendon Woods at dawn to welcome in the New Year!

January 1: New Year’s Day Skate Zone 71: 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.| Come celebrate the New Year with family and friends during their Holiday skating sessions! They have many events going on all month long.

January 1-2: Merry on Main: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Marysville | Simulated ice rink will be open on New Year’s Day and beyond. Free! Begins on December 19, 2023. Check the website for exact times each day.

Having a great time ice skating!

January 1-January 7: Conservatory Aglow: Enjoy the lights even after the New Year!

January 2-10: Moulin Rouge: Come out and see this exceptional show!

January 3: Family Story Hour: 10:30-11:00 | Learn how you can use books, rhymes, and songs to help the whole family.

January 4-5: Winter Art Breaks at Columbus Museum of Art: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  | Spend your winter break getting creative in the museum’s Studio. Visitors are invited to pull up a chair and explore seasonal materials designed for art-making and gift-giving. Included with cost of admission and is open to all ages.

January 5: Winter Wonderland Storytime at Main Library: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Enjoy cozy stories and songs with a Winter Wonderland theme and tips to get ready for kindergarten. Additional story times on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.!

January 5: Sunset and S’mores at Quarry Trails Metro Park: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Enjoy watching the sunset while eating a s’more! Campfire and all s’more making supplies will be provided!

January 5-7: Kids Dream Winter Film Series: This event features a line up of family films and an opportunity for free tickets when you redeem vouchers through American Family Insurance. Clifford the Big Red Dog!

January 6: New Albany Farmer’s Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in New Albany | Enjoy their seasonal offerings as well as local fresh baked goods and so much more! One Saturday per month.

January 6: Scidome Preview at The Works: 10:00 a.m. | A members-only previews of NEW SciDome films! Exclusive member screenings are on Saturdays at 11:30 AM for these upcoming films. January is Experience the Aurora (All Ages).

January 6: Three King’s Day at Hilliard Library: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Listen to local author Mariel read her new book Dreams of Green about the Three Kings’ Day holiday celebrated by families from Latin American and Caribbean countries.

January 6: Superhero Hedgehog Magic: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Westerville Library | Local author and magician Erica Carlson performs a family-friendly, interactive magic show that keeps children engaged with tricks, helpers from the audience, and her spiky sidekick.

January 6: Columbus Blue Jackets: Game at Nationwide Arena! Family Value pack available!

January 6-7: Brick Fest Live at Great Columbus Convention Center: Over a million bricks on display and plenty to play with! Life-sized models and more!

January 6-7: Dinosaur Adventure at Greater Columbus Convention Center: 9:00 a.m. | You can walk through the exhibit of life-sized, moving dinosaurs. Other activities include obstacle courses, bounce houses, dinosaur riding and more.

January 7: Bird Feeding Basics at Blendon Woods Metro Park: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Blendon WOods| Learn how to attract birds to your own feeders.

January 7: Community Days at Franklin Park Conservatory: Free admission for Franklin County Residents.

January 7: Free Day at Columbus Museum of Art: See website for hours | Sundays are free at the museum!

January 7: Cat Party at Westerville Public Library: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Ages 6-11- celebrate cats with crafts, trivia, funny cat videos and more!

January 8-15

January 8: Cake Decorating with Plenty O’ Cookies New Year’s Edition: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Franklin Park Conservatory | Watercolor cakes are unique and versatile edible “paintings.” Thanks to the dreamlike movement of the colored icing it’s difficult to mess up, making it the perfect cake decorating technique for new cake decorators.

January 9: Stitching in the Stacks: 6:30 p.m. at Pickerington Public Library | A monthly get-together for beginners and experienced crafters.

January 9: Reading to Rover: 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Practicing readers in grades K-5 will improve reading skills by sharing stories and socializing with trained therapy dogs from Therapy Dogs International. Drop in anytime between 6:30-7:30 p.m.

January 10: Kids Craft at Ikea Polaris: 5:30 p.m. | Storage Craft event at IKEA where kids can decorate a storage cube at the Swedish restaurant. It is free but you must register. Get creative with your kids the second Wednesday of each month!

January 11: Sock Skating at Main Library: Take off your skates and sock skate on a synthetic ice rink at the Main Library! Check out the historic skating memorabilia in preparation for the US Figure Skating Championship coming to Columbus!

January 11: Literary Libations: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Old Worthington Library | Join Worthington Libraries staff for a “spirit”ed discussion of some great books! Selected title: “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel.

January 11: COSI After Dark Party: 7:00 p.m. at COSI | The Art of Body Modifications is the theme this month!

January 12: Little Gym Playtime at Westerville Public Library: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Join the Little Gym of Polaris at the library for tumble time!

January 12:Sunset and S’mores at Quarry Trials Metro Park: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 pm. at Quarry Trails: Watch the sunset while eating smores!

January 12: Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Open Studio at CMA engages creative thinking through material exploration with local community partner, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE). There will be an enhanced session each month with a teaching artist who will lead a program based on prompts and provide creative instruction. Open Studio encourages visitors to think and make like artists. Individuals of all ages are welcome to step into the Studio to explore and experiment with our wide range of materials and supplies.

January 12-15: Kids Dream Winter Film Series: This event features a lineup of family films and an opportunity for $3 tickets! Showing Super Mario Brothers this weekend!

January 13: Worthington Farmer’s Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come out the Shops at The Worthington Mall to shop and support local!

January 13: PBJ and Jazz Family Concert: 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Lincoln Theater | One-hour interactive concert for kids and families to introduce them to Jazz music.

January 13: Genesis : In The Air Tonight: Showing at The Davidson Theater!

January 14: R rated Magic Show: Side-splitting comedy and mind-blowing magic are brought into the spotlight as comedy magician Grant Freeman brings his unique, raunchy show full of surprises to Columbus!

January 14: Community Day at Columbus Musuem of Art: Free admission on Sundays!

January 14: Sunday Swim in Upper Arlington: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Register required, for the entire session or by day at parks.uaoh.net. Two and under free. Participants will enter through the Natatorium vestibule on the south side of the High School.

January 14: Bison Behind the Scenes: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Learn how staff take of of Bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

January 15: MLK Day of Learning at Capital University: 8:00 a.m. | A day of learning includes music, keynote speakers, workshops and a Kids Korner with activities for various ages. Register Online.

January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day at National Veterans Memorial and Museum: $1 admission from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Worthington United Methodist Church: 11:00 a.m. | Keynote speaker, musical performances, and a light luncheon.

January 15: Kid’s MLK Day Art Camp at Busy Bees Pottery and Arts Studio: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Includes art projects and games.

January 15: MLK Day Open House at Ohio History Center: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Attend the MLK Day Open House to enjoy music, live performances and learn about the civil rights movement.

January 15: MLK Day Skate at Skate Zone 71: 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Have a skating good time on the kids day off!

January 16-23

January 18-31: The Color Purple: Various Showtimes | This powerful musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will leave a lasting impression. Presented by Short North Stage. Click here to learn more!

January 19: Preschool Winter Dance at Blendon Woods: 10:00 a.m. | Learn about foxes and wildlife with stories, a craft, and activities. Ends with a winter walk!

January 19: Sock Skating at Main Library: Take off your skates and sock skate on a synthetic ice rink at the Main Library!

Month of January: Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink: The temporary ice rink is near the Dublin pedestrian bridge and will be open for skating on Friday nights Saturday and Sunday. The rink is open until Mid-March.

January 19: Sunset and S’mores at Quarry Trails: 5:30 p.m. | Enjoy watching the sunset while eating a smore! Campfire and smor’e equipment will be provided.

January 19: Family Night at Worthington Community Center: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | National popcorn is the theme! Free program but families are encouraged to register.

January 19-21: Kids Dream Winter Film Series: This event features a lineup of family films and an opportunity for $3 tickets! Showing Small Foot this weekend!

January 19-21: Jurassic Quest: Get your tickets today for this awesome dinosaur event!

January 20: Worthington Indoor Farmers’ Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come to the shops to stay warm and shop local!

January 20: Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Franklin County Fairgrounds | See your favorite reptiles!

January 20: Baby Shark Storytime: 10:00 at Westerville Public Library | Listen to shark stories, make puppets, and dance along to Baby Shark!

January 20: Hawaiian Luau at Franklin Park Conservatory | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Watch the Manivic’s Dance Company perform a traditional Hawaiian hula dance. Kids can learn the dance and make a tropical flower craft.

January 20: Columbus Beer Fest: 11:30-3:30 p.m.. | Over 130 breweries to choose from!

January 20: Blacklick Woods Frozen Experience: 1:00 p.m..- 3:00 p.m. | Enjoy a frozen celebration at Blacklick Woods Metro Park where it will be turned into Arendelle! Build a snowman craft, do a scavenger hunt, and more!

January 20: Kids Slime Marking: 1:00 p.m. at Terra Gallery | For all ages that will include slime making and acrylic paint pouring.

January 20: Orchids Opening at Franklin Park Conservatory: Thousands of vibrant orchids blanket the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse! The orchids are presented in striking color combinations and creative displays, creating a colorful and uplifting tropical escape.

Make Kindness Kits with Seeds of Caring

Words are important and powerful. In partnership with My Special Word, children will explore and choose their special word that will help guide their choices and behaviors throughout life. Then, they will share what they have learned about empowering words with hospitalized children at Nationwide Children’s Hospital by creating kindness kits.

January 21: Hilliard Sunday Concert Series at Hilliard Library: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Enjoy a women’s barbershop quartet at the Hilliard branch!

January 22-27: Restaurant Week: Over 150 restaurants are offering 3 courses at a discounted price ranging from $15-$50. Use the link to check out the participating restaurants and what is offered.

January 24-31

January 22-27: Restaurant Week: Over 150 restaurants are offering 3 courses at a discounted price ranging from $15-$50. Use the link to check out the participating restaurants and what is offered.

January 26: The Magic Duel: 6:30 p.m. | Come out for magic show fun!

January 26-27: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Get your tickets for this concert at The Ohio Theater!

January 26-28: Kids Dream Winter Film Series: This event features a lineup of family films and an opportunity for $3 tickets! Showing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this weekend!

January 27: Worthington Indoor Farmers’ Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come to the shoppes to stay warm and shop local!

January 27: Winterfest: 6:30 a.m. | Come out to Buckeye Lake for lots of Winterfest fun!  Read about one of our contributor’s experience with this unique event: Buckeye Benny!

January 27: Wild Ohio Day: 11:00 a.m. at Ohio History Center | Buckeyes, snakes, and spotted salamanders- Oh My! Join us to learn about the plants and animals that call Ohio home. Partner organizations from around Central Ohio will be on-site and we will have several natural history programs to attend throughout the day!

January 27: Winter Jam: 6:00 p.m. at Schottenstein Center | Get ready for this great show!

January 27: Wonderball: 8:00 p.m. at The Columbus Museum of Art | By purchasing a ticket, you not only gain entry to “Columbus’ party of the year” but also contribute to the Museum’s mission of nurturing creativity and fostering lifelong learning.

January 28: Ohio Princess Ball: 2:00 p.m. at Greek Orthodox Cathedral | A Magical Experience like no other !!!! A musical and dance performance and Ball with all your favorite Princesses !! Also another performance at 5 p.m.

 

We hope you and your family stay safe and well. We are hopeful for a happy 2024!

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Maureen Ingham
Maureen Ingham has enjoyed living in the great city of Columbus for nearly 13 years! Originally from Canton, Ohio, Maureen attended Ohio University and will always be a bobcat at heart! After completing her education degree in Athens, she made her way to The Ohio State University to obtain a Masters degree in Special Education. She fell in love with Columbus then and convinced her now husband to join her in this awesome city! She taught 5th grade for 6 years, before deciding to stay home to raise two beautiful girls. Their family has recently moved to Worthington with their two girls and are excited to plant their roots here! Their first daughter, Maeve is 6 and her sister, Reese will soon be 5 years old. They welcomed a son, Miles in March 2020. Maureen has been with The Columbus Moms Blog since the beginning and now enjoys working on editing and events for the blog. She also works as a Postpartum Doula with her sister at a company called Together Wee Grow. They provide night nursing services, as well as daytime support to local families and babies in Columbus. It is a wonderful job to work along her sister and help families with their precious little ones in a vulnerable time period. In between the night shifts, sweeping up crumbs, exploring Columbus, and getting kids to where they need to be, Maureen enjoys working out, trying new recipes and restaurants, traveling, spending time with family, being crafty and trying to help others whenever she can! Maureen has many Columbus favorites. Her go-to restaurant is Third and Hollywood, she enjoys a sweet treat at Sassafrass Bakery or Fox in the Snow, a slice of pizza at Dewey's Pizza and a warm cup of joe at Highline Coffee. A perfect Saturday involves an outdoor activity with her family and trying a new restaurant when they can! She is excited to be a part of an excellent team here at Columbus Moms blog and hopes to be able to inspire mothers that small acts of kindness go a long way in raising their kids and the city they live in!

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