The New Year has begun and the busy holiday season has ended, but there’s still plenty going on in Cleveland during the month of January.
Although it can be cold and snowy outside, you can take advantage of the weather for fun seasonal experiences like snowshoeing and ice skating. And if you’d rather stay cozy and warm indoors, there are other options for indoor things to do in Cleveland this January.
Here are some of the best things to do in and around Cleveland in January.
Weather in Cleveland in January
January is the coldest month in Cleveland. The average high for the month is 34° F and the average low is 23° F, so most days are below freezing.
This is also the month where Cleveland usually experiences the highest snowfall, averaging over 18 inches and 13 days of snow. When exploring Cleveland in January, you’ll want to make sure you’re bundled up and have the proper winter gear!
Top 10 Things to Do in Cleveland in January
1. Hand-feed chickadee birds
When: Weekend mornings in January
Where: Brecksville Nature Center, 9000 Chippewa Rd, Brecksville
Brecksville Nature Center, part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, is located about 25 minutes outside of downtown Cleveland. It’s home to one of the most unique winter activities you can try: hand-feeding chickadee birds.
The tradition goes back to at least the 1940s, not long after the historic Brecksville Nature Center was built by Works Progress Administration (WPA) craftsmen in 1939.
The program will take place this year on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon at Brecksville Nature Center. Birdseed and some guidance will be provided.
Since this is an outdoor activity that requires you to stand for a while in cold wintry temperatures, be sure to come prepared. Warm clothing, winter coats, boots, hats, and gloves are all recommended.
2. Enjoy National Mocktail Week
When: January 11-17, 2026
Where: Various locations
Having a “Dry January” has become a popular trend in recent years, in order to do a reset in the New Year and take a break from alcohol after the holiday season. The second week in January has been dubbed National Mocktail Week, and there are several ways you can “celebrate” in Cleveland.
The easiest would be to visit the new Verbena Free Spirited Shoppe in Ohio City, which is a fully alcohol-free cocktail bar and shop. Buy some non-alcoholic spirits to try at home, or order a tasty mocktail to enjoy at the bar.
There are also these events during the week:
- A “dry” tasting at Red, Wine & Brew in Mentor (January 8)
And some other great local spots with several mocktails on their drinks menu include:
- Cloak & Dagger in Tremont
- Heck’s Cafe (their Passion Fruit Picante is my favorite)
- Alley Cat Oyster Bar in The Flats
- LBM in Lakewood
RELATED: Where to Find the Best Mocktails in Cleveland
3. Check out the Cleveland Boat Show
When: January 15-18, 2026
Where: International Exposition Center, 1 I-X Center Dr, Cleveland
The Cleveland Boat Show is the largest and longest-running boat show in Ohio, perfect for everyone from seasoned boating enthusiasts to those with a casual interest in boating.
Held indoors at the I-X Center, this multi-day event features educational tracks for beginner, intermediate, and experienced boaters, live local music, food and drink, family activities, and unique experiences like a sailing simulator.
Tickets are $20 in advance online, or you can get a family 4-pack of tickets for $66. Kids 6 and under are free.
4. Have a museum day
When: All month long
Where: Museums around Cleveland
Cleveland is home to some really great museums. And there’s no better way to spend a bitterly cold January day than indoors exploring a new one.
Some of the best museums in Cleveland to check out are:
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- Cleveland History Center
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
- Children’s Museum Cleveland
5. Celebrate MLK Day
When: January 19, 2026
Where: Various locations
MLK Day honors civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. every third Monday in January. There are many ways you can commemorate this day in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Orchestra is hosting its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert at 7 p.m. on January 11, 2026 (tickets are free, but you need to claim one on January 3rd), as well as a free MLK Community Open House & Day of Music at Severance Music Center on Monday, January 19, 2026, starting at noon. The day will include family-friendly community performances and activities, and is completely free to all.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is also hosting a celebration in honor of MLK on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This family-friendly event includes art-making inspired by Dr. King’s writings (and remember that the CMA is always free to visit).
6. Go to Guards Fest
When: Not held in 2025, it *should* be back in 2026. Date TBD.
Where: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, 300 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland
Guards Fest is an annual event for fans of the Cleveland Guardians MLB baseball team. Although baseball doesn’t officially start until spring, this is a great winter activity for fans.
The event includes panels from players on the main stage, autographs and photo opportunities with players, and interactive games for the whole family.
7. Try snowshoeing
When: All month long (pending snow)
Where: Various locations
Snowshoeing is a great outdoor activity to try in January if you don’t mind braving the cold.
There are many locations around Cleveland that rent snowshoes during the winter when there’s enough snow, including:
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Chapin Forest Reservation (Lake Metroparks)
- Penitentiary Glen Reservation (Lake Metroparks)
- North Chagrin Nature Center (Cleveland Metroparks)
- Liberty Park Nature Center (Summit MetroParks)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is especially good for exploring during the winter, and you can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, hiking, and seeing frozen waterfalls.
8. Pierogi Week
When: January 19-25, 2026
Where: Various locations
A pierogi is a delicious stuffed dumpling with origins in Poland. Due to Cleveland’s Polish influence, these yummy dumplings are popular around the city, and there’s no better time to indulge than during Pierogi Week.
This week-long event features more than 15 participating locations where you can get at least 3 pierogi for just $8.
You can download the Pierogi Week app to see the full list of locations and details. If you check in to at least 4 restaurants through the app during the week, you will be entered for a chance to win $250 in gift cards.
9. Attend an Ice Festival
When: January 30-February 1, 2026
Where: Crocker Park in Westlake
January is the month for local ice festivals!
The main one to know about is the Crocker Park Ice Festival, January 30-February 1 this year. There will be live ice sculpting and live music all three days. You can enjoy ice sculptures placed throughout Crocker Park, and plenty of photo ops.
Note that if the weather is warm, you’ll want to go earlier in the weekend before everything melts!
10. Polar Blast Snow Tubing
When: All month long, Friday through Sunday
Where: 1146 West Highland Rd, Sagamore Hills
Located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park about 30 minutes from Cleveland, Boston Mills Brandywine Resort offers snow tubing during the whole month of February.
The Polar Blast Snow Tubing Park is a fun place for families with tons of tubing lanes to choose from. Tubing costs $37 per person, and kids must be at least 42″ to ride.
In addition to snow tubing, Boston Mills Brandywine Resort also has skiing and snowboarding throughout January.
READ NEXT: 10 Best Indoor Things to Do in Cleveland
What are you most excited to do in Cleveland in January?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’s sharing her love of the Cleveland area, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.