Now that January is here this month is all about setting the tone for the rest of 2025 and while Detroit is filled with things to do all the time, we narrowed down a list of 13 things you should aim to do before the end of the month!
1. Take your taste buds on an adventure at Dining in the Dark
Whether you consider yourself a foodie or you want to take someone special to one of the most unique culinary experiences in Detroit, this is a perfect plan for this January in Detroit.
The blindfolded dinner consists of a premium three-course meal tailored to your dietary preferences!
2. Go ice skating at one of the Detroit area’s outdoor rinks
One of the easiest outdoor activities to get into the spirit of the holidays and embrace Winter is to go ice skating outdoors!
While there are a couple outdoor ice skating rinks around Detroit that you can visit this winter, few outdoor ice skating places can match the ambiance of the Campus Martius Ice Rink, which gives you an incredible scenic view of Detroit’s downtown skyline and the Detroit Holiday Tree.
3. Sip on drinks and play a board game at Cadillac Lodge
Located right next to the Downtown Detroit Holiday Tree next to Campus Martius Park and open until the 5th of January, Cadillac Lodge is without a doubt the most iconic holiday pop-up in Detroit every winter. If you haven’t had a chance to visit it yet, we highly suggest you go before they close for the year!
4. Cheer on some of Detroit’s professional sports teams!
The Detroit Lions have had their best season thus far in franchise history and will be hoping to continue their success into January for a deep run into the playoffs!
Aside from the Lions, considering they have some of the most expensive home game tickets in the nation, you could also check out a Pistons or Red Wings game at LCA as both the NBA and NHL seasons approach the halfway points of their seasons.
5. Go snow tubing at Hawk Island in Lansing
This incredibly fun Winter event is one of our favorite things to do with friends and family, no matter what age you are it’s hard not to have fun when you speed down a 500-foot snowy slide with a 60-foot drop built specifically for snow-tubing!
Additionally, when you’re done playing in the snow or just want to take a break, you can get a hot chocolate or s’mores from their snack bar and warm up sitting by one of the outdoor fires set up nearby.
Location: Hawk Island Park, 1601 E. Cavanaugh Rd., Lansing, MI 48910
6. Experience a Candlelight Concert
With multiple options for Candlelight Concert formats, with tributes to your favorite artists today to performances of iconic classical compositions, there’s something for everyone!
These experiences are unique, intimate, and romantic, making it the perfect occasion to take a loved one.
- Candlelight: From Bach to The Beatles – January 4th
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé – January 11th
- Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA – January 11th
- Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles – January 16th
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift – January 17th
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele – January 18th
- Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Strings – January 18th
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer – January 25th
- Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi – January 25th
- Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings – January 30th
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay – January 31st
7. Explore Birmingham with a self-guided foodie adventure!
Taking place throughout the month this January is a unique plan filled with foodie fun in the form of a mystery picnic that will take you across town for hot drinks and tasty bites.
While this unique event does take place outside the city, we found it an incredibly fun plan with friends or family who love good fun and even better food
8. Go to the movie theater and see a film in luxury
Fortunately, you can get discounted tickets for movie tickets to movies that are being shown at Regal Cinemas theaters and AMC theatres!
With these discounted ticket prices you can also purchase discounted refreshments and snacks for you to enjoy during the film.
9. Attend ‘The Big Show’ at Little Ceasars Arena featuring Sexxy Red, Glorilla, and more
You can attend a legendary performance featuring some of the biggest names in music including Sexxy Red, Glorilla, Tee Grizzley, and more this January on the 19th.
The show will start at 6 pm and tickets will start at only $95 per person!
10. Winter Gold at Beacon Park
This free-to-attend event is the perfect family fun plan that will only be going until January 10th, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit the light display or partake in the interactive photo ops, then you may want to plan your visit soon!
11. Celebrate MLK Day
Whether you go on a trip to the Wright Museum of African American History or just decide to support some of Detroit’s local black-owned and operated businesses, you can celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in whatever way that you like the most.
12. See Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
The holiday lights are still shining and will continue to shine each evening until January 5th at the Detroit Zoo!
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Detroit Zoo for this unique light show yet, then we definitely recommend that you book a visit soon as it’s an incredible experience that is perfect for the whole family.
13. Attend the Detroit Fairytale Ball
The Detroit Fairytime Ball is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking for an excuse to dress up and role-play as an iconic story-time princess or a magical fairy.
The event, which will take place on January 25th in Dearborn, is perfect for the whole family with little ones even encouraged to dress up as their favorite princesses to partake in the festivities.