2025, 2025, 2025! 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 2025 will bring lots of happiness and joy to you and your family. As you finish out your winter 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!
- 35 Ways to Spend Quality Time Together
- Winter Bucket List
- 20 Things to Do Inside
- Cookie Recipes
- 15 Stay at Home Crafts
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights will be on until January 1, 2025 as well as The Columbus Commons.
The WonderLights’s Christmas Display is on until January 5, 2025. The Conservatory Aglow will be running until January 5, 2025 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 2024/2025!
- 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 2024: 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. – 2:30 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 1-5: 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 12, 2024. Check the website for exact times each day.
January 1-January 5: Conservatory Aglow: Enjoy the lights even after the New Year!
January 2: Family Story Hour: 10:30-11:00 | Learn how you can use books, rhymes, and songs to help the whole family.
January 2: Columbus Blue Jackets: Game at Nationwide Arena! Family Value pack available!
January 2-3: 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 4: Balloon Mystery Magic Show: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at The Westerville Public Library | Solve the twisted mystery of Erica’s missing balloons…with her pet hedgehog as the prime suspect! This family-friendly, interactive magic show will keep the whole family engaged with tricks, helpers from the audience, and Erica’s spiky sidekick.
January 5: Community Days at Franklin Park Conservatory: Free admission for Franklin County Residents.
January 5: Free Day at Columbus Museum of Art: See website for hours | Sundays are free at the museum!
January 8-15
January 9: COSI After Dark Party: 7:00 p.m. at COSI | The Art of Body Modifications is the theme this month!
January 10: Little Adventurers at Columbus Museum of Art: 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Wonder, imagine, think critically, and explore on this specially-designed tour for children 3–5 years old and their caregivers. Children and adults will connect to art and each other through storytelling and play. Participants will build and strengthen skills essential to child development, empathy, creativity, curiosity, and communication.
January 11: 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 11: 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 12: Senior PetCare Donation Drive: 1 – 3 pm at LifeCare Alliance | Children will learn about the benefits of pet ownership and ways LifeCare Alliance and Meals on Wheels and Senior PetCare programs help support pets and people alike. You will tour LifeCare Alliance, make pet toys, bag pet food, decorate bandanas, and more for Senior PetCare clients and their animals.
January 12: Community Day at Columbus Musuem of Art: Free admission on Sundays!
January 12: Family Crafternoon at Westerville Public Library: 2:00 p.m. – 3:-00 p.m. | Create unique pieces of art as a family. All supplies provided. While supplies last. Parents and caregivers actively participate.
January 14-19: Peter Pan Showing at The Ohio Theater!
January 15: 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 16-23
January 17-18: Totally 80’s: Various Showtimes | Relive rock, R & B, and new wave hits from icons like George Michael, Phil Collins, Blondie, Huey Lewis & The News, Robert Palmer, Cyndi Lauper, Journey, Michael Jackson, Mr. Mister, Cher, Kool & The Gang, Tommy Tutone and more. It’s the perfect reason to break out your Swatch watch, tease up your hair, and enjoy some bodacious music!
January 17: Winter Ice Festival: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Franklin Park Conservatory | The event will feature Fire and Ice, a throw down ice carving competition. The professional ice carvers from Rock – On- Ice will be in an all out competition and guests will decide the winner!
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 17: Family Night at Worthington Community Center: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Free program but families are encouraged to register.
January 18: Worthington Indoor Farmers’ Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come to the shops to stay warm and shop local!
January 18: Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Franklin County Fairgrounds | See your favorite reptiles!
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.
January 20: 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 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day at National Veterans Memorial and Museum: $1 admission from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Worthington United Methodist Church: 11:00 a.m. | Keynote speaker, musical performances, and a light luncheon.
January 20: 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 20: MLK Day Skate at Skate Zone 71: 10:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Have a skating good time on the kids day off!
January 24-31
January 24-26: Kids Dream Winter Film Series: This event features a lineup of family films and an opportunity for $3 tickets! Showing Kung Fu Panda 4 this weekend!
January 25: Worthington Indoor Farmers’ Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come to the shoppes to stay warm and shop local!
January 25: 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 25: 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 25: Blanket Making for Ronald McDonald House Families:1:30 – 3 pm at Ronald McDonald House Columbus | Join Seeds of Caring as they teach your kids about the services and support the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio provides families with children facing medical challenges. Kids will take a brief tour of the house and then make an easy no-sew blanket, decorate cards with messages of strength and positivity, and create worry dolls that will provide comfort to kids and families during a difficult time.
January 25: Winter Jam: 6:00 p.m. at Schottenstein Center | Get ready for this great show!
January 25: 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 26: Snack Bag Assembly and Food Drive: 2 – 3:30 pm at
Clintonville Resource Center, Choice Food Pantry| Learn about food insecurity through age-
appropriate discussions and activities. Then, get busy making snack bags and helping
with hands-on tasks in the food pantry! Families are invited to collect food donations
ahead of time and then bring them with them to the Food Choice Pantry on the day of
the event. A flyer will be provided in your confirmation email to help your child conduct
their neighborhood food drive.
January 30 – February 2: Disney On Ice (Frozen and Encanto): Various times at Nationwide Arena | This adventure on ice transports fans into two of the most popular Disney films as audiences can sing-along to their favorite songs while embracing world-class ice skating, aerial acrobatics and more. Other popular characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and more will be present.
We hope you and your family stay safe and well. We are hopeful for a happy 2025!
