Things To Do in Southeast Michigan in January 2017 {Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing Areas}

Looking for something fun to do this month? There are plenty of snow-centric events happening across Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing…and also tons of fun indoors where it’s warm, too!

Things To Do in Southeast Michigan in January 2017:

January 2 — Salvation Army’s 50% off Clothing Day {Metro Detroit} — This is my absolute favorite day to hit up “Sally” for awesome thrifted clothing deals. All metro Detroit, Washtenaw and Livingston County stores participate. Get there at 7 a.m. for the best items.

January 6 — Free Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science {Bloomfield Hills} — Visit after 5 p.m. the first Friday of every month, courtesy of the MASCO Corporation, for FREE.

January 6-8 — Plymouth Ice Festival {Plymouth} — The Plymouth Ice Festival features ice sculptures, live entertainment, activities and food. FREE entry.

January 7 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE thanks to Farm Bureau.

January 7 — Shoe Year at For-Mar Nature Preserve {Flint} — This partnership between the Michigan Recreation and Park Association (MParks), the Michigan DNR, and local parks and recreation agencies includes a one-mile hike, snowshoe or ski. Bring your own cross county skis and snowshoes. Some snowshoes will be available to check out on a first come, first served basis. For families, suggested for ages 5 and older. 1-3 p.m. $1/person.

January 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 — FREE Dinosaur Tours at the University of Michigan Natural History Museum {Ann Arbor} — Visit the museum at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for a free, 30-minute docent-led tour of the dinosaur exhibits. Sign up on the day of the tour. Limited to 15 people. Sponsored by U-M Credit Union.

January 7 — Kid’s Workshop at Home Depot {Nationwide} — Make a crate tool box for FREE at Home Depot.  Hands-on workshops are designed for children ages 5 – 12 and take place between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Advance registration encouraged.

January 7 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Visit Michael’s to make a kid’s kindness box. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included.

January 7, 14, 21, 28 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art  {Flint} — This museum is FREE to visit every Saturday thanks to First Merit Bank.

January 8 — My Turn Sensory-Friendly Sunday {Ann Arbor} — Families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder are invited to attend an Instrument Petting Zoo with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in a less sensory stimulating and crowd-free environment at Washtenaw Community College. 1:30-3:30 p.m. FREE, but registration required.

January 8 — FREE admission to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History {Detroit} – The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History opens its doors for FREE, thanks to DTE Energy Foundation. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

January 10 — Little Critters at Howell Nature Center {Howell} — Children explore wildlife biology through songs, stories, crafts and more. This month it’s all about opossums! Two sessions available: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $6 per child/adult pair Pre-registration is required, call 517-546-0249 to save a spot.

January 11-22 — The Phantom of the Opera at the Detroit Opera House {Detroit} — Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command. Ticket prices start at $35.

January 14 — PBS Kids Day at WKAR-TV {East Lansing} — Bring your whole family for a day of fun celebrating the new WKAR PBS Kids 24/7 channel and WKAR’s new educational platform: WKAR Family. Cat in the Hat and other PBS Kids characters will be there, as well as Rob Stephenson and the Curious Crew cast! Attendees will have a chance to win a PBS Kids Playtime Pad. 12:30-3:30 p.m. FREE.

January 14 — Cold Rush {Warren} — A family fun event in Warren’s City Square featuring ice sculptures, a petting zoo, an ice skating show, live music and more. FREE.

January 14 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Visit Michael’s to make a snowman canvas. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included.

January 14-22 — North American International Auto Show {Detroit} — Car fanatic or not, this is one of the premier events to attend in the Detroit area! See more than 500 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world. Tickets: Adults – $13/tickets, seniors and children 7-12 – $7, children under 6 are free {senior and child tickets must be purchased at the door}.

January 15 — Rubber Ducky Day at the Howell Aquatic Center {Howell} — Celebrate National Rubber Ducky Day a day early with this fun-filled event to celebrate the date Rubber Ducks were invented! Prizes for those finding specially marked ducks. $5/person {$18/family of 4}. 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Advance registration required.

January 15-20 — Ann Arbor Restaurant Week {Ann Arbor} — Get discounted meals at a number of fab, high-end restaurants around Ann Arbor. Perfect for a date night or a special night out with older kids.

LIST OF MLK FUN HERE!

January 16 — FREE Admission to The Henry Ford for MLK Day {Dearborn} — Visit THF from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day includes free admission and free parking, activities and dramatic presentations.

January 16 — FREE Admission to Michigan Science Center {Detroit} — Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free general admission, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., courtesy of the Ford Motor Company. Registration is required – click here. Public parking is $7.

January 16 — FREE Admission to Sloan Museum {Flint} — In honor of Dr. King’s legacy, visitors will receive free admission to Sloan Museum and Buick Gallery. Visitors can play in Wisner’s Whizbang Emporium gallery and explore Flint history in our permanent galleries. The Buick Gallery’s exhibit Proof of Concept features four legendary Dream Cars, and also the production models they inspired. Parking is free too!

January 16 — Discounted Admission to Ann Arbor Hands On Museum {Ann Arbor} — Special admission price of $6 to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Ron Loyd, The Bubble Man! will perform at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

January 20 — Harlem Globetrotters World Tour {Ypsilanti} — The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are coming to EMU with their family show, featuring some of the greatest athletes on the planet. With incredible ball handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy and unequaled on-court fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family. Tickets start at $18.

January 20-22 — Meridian Winter Blast {Detroit} — Visit Campus Martius for winter activities, live entertainment, and delicious local restaurants featuring a new Winter Food Truck Rally for the whole family to enjoy. Entry is $3 or three canned food items.

January 20-22 — Fire & Ice Festival {Rochester} — Celebrating all things winter, the Fire & Ice Festival in downtown Rochester has an ice sculpture show, beer tent, tube sledding run, fireworks, dog sled demos, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, carriage rides, and Downtown Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show. FREE entry.

January 21 — Curious George: Let’s Get Curious Exhibit Opens at Impression 5 {Lansing} — Introduce young children to Curious George’s world through a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure. This exhibit is included with admission, which is $8.50/adults and children 2+, $7/seniors/military families, and children 1 and younger are free.

January 21 — Meet Your Favorite PBS Kids Characters at Oakland Mall {Troy} — Meet and take pictures with Detroit PBS KIDS’ characters Super Why, Clifford, and Buddy from Dinosaur Train starting at 1 p.m. in the Oakland Mall food court. Featuring a special appearance by DPTV Kids Club hosts Fred Nahhat and Lauren Smith. FREE, but registration is required.

January 21 — Snowfest at Howell Nature Center {Howell} — Come beat the “winter blahs” and enjoy outdor sports, indoor sports, wildlife presentations, zip lining and much more! 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Pre-registration required. $10/adults; $8/child. Zipline rides are an additional $5.

January 21 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Visit Michael’s to make a craft stick cocoa mug. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included.

January 21 — Wild Winter Weekends at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — Wild Winter Weekends features arctic-themed arts and crafts, games and entertainment. All activities are free with zoo admission and take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ford Education Center. Admission range: Free for 2 and under, otherwise priced $10-$14.

January 21-May 21 — Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Opens at Sloan Museum {Flint} — Make a chronological journey through the life of the Titanic, moving through the ship’s construction, to life on board, to the ill-fated sinking and amazing artifact rescue efforts. Tickets include museum admission are are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, children 2 and up are $11. Read my tips here.

January 26 – February 12 — Sesame Street Live at The Fox Theatre {Detroit} — Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend” offers a fun-filled, interactive learning experience, including up-close and furry interactions on the audience floor! Like television’s Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless tunes and lessons for all ages. Tickets range from $17-$70.

January 28 — Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam at Ford Field {Detroit} — Monster Jam stars the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam Trucks! The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and repping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over or smash through. 7 p.m. show. Tickets range from $15-$70.

January 28 — Saline Winterfest {Saline} — There will be 35+ indoor and 10+ outdoor activities scattered among 20+ locations in the 4 blocks of Downtown Saline. This will be fun for the whole family, including a scavenger hunt, Broomball, live music, games and more. FREE.

January 28 — Hartland Family Winterfest — Visit Heritage Park for sledding, skating, fireworks, ice bowling, ice carving, face painting and more family fun. FREE. 

Looking for some extra fun? Make sure to check out this list of snow-friendly fun or this list of indoor activities for kids!

What events are you looking forward to this month?