Bundle up and get ready for fun – from Winter Festivals, to the Auto Show and the Lunar Eclipse – there’s LOTS to do this weekend!

 

ALL WEEKEND

ANN ARBOR RESTAURANT WEEK

Sunday, January 13 – Friday, January 18

@ Downtown Ann Arbor

Restaurant Week is your opportunity to try as many great Ann Arbor restaurants as your schedule allows for one incredibly low fixed price. $15 for lunch and $28 for a three course dinner with many restaurants offering 2 for 1 pricing!

 

WINTER FESTIVAL

Friday, January 18 – Sunday, January 27

@ Michigan Central Station, Detroit

Ford is hosting a FREE 10 Day festival in Corktown. The festival will also include graffiti painting, live performances, s’mores, food trucks and beverage stations, ice carving, vendor booths, kids’ activities and a Michigan Central Station history and artifacts exhibition curated by the Detroit Historical Society.

 

FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL

Friday, January 18 – Sunday, January 20

@ Downtown Rochester

The 12th Annual Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester is back for another year of family fun and festivities. Enjoy the ice sculptures along Main Street, tube sledding hill, ice skating rink, dog sled rides, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, fireworks, food trucks and tent and so much more!

 

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Saturday, January 19 – Sunday, January 27

@ Cobo Center, Detroit

Experience an automotive event unlike any other. At NAIAS you have the opportunity to see up-close the vehicles and technologies that will shape the future automotive landscape. From muscle and electric cars, to high-performance supercars and full-size trucks, NAIAS has something for everyone to enjoy.

 

WINTER BLAST

Saturday, January 19 – Monday, January 21

@ Campus Martius Park, Detroit

Experience winter in Detroit like never before during Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends! The traditional Winter Blast event has expanded to four festival weekends at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit! Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends features winter activities (ice skating, zip line, winter slide and more) , live entertainment, and delicious local restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.

 

ERIE ICE DAZE

Saturday, January 19 – Sunday, January 20

@ Lake Erie Metropark, Brownstown

Join us for a two-day celebration of winter fun, combining traditional outdoor activities such as snowsnake and atlatl throwing, with some comfortable indoor crafting, fly-tying, flint-knapping and live dulcimer music performed by the Silver Strings Dulcimer Society. Don’t forget the bonfire on Saturday night. It’s just the thing to keep the winter chill away.

 

US FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, January 19 – Sunday, January 27

@ Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

U.S. Figure Skating announced the selection of Detroit, Michigan, as the host city for the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Jan. 19-27, 2019. All junior free skate/dance and championship level events will be held at the newly opened Little Caesars Arena and all junior short programs/dance, novice, intermediate and juvenile events will take place at the Detroit Skating Club.

 

BLOOMFIELD WINTER PARK

Saturday, January 19 – Sunday, January 20

@ Charles L. Bowers School Farm, Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield Winter Park is a revitalization of the Farm Activity Building on the property of the Bowers School Farm! There will be activities and programs planned each day the Winter Park is open, along with concession items available for purchase. If the winter weather is favorable, we are planning on sledding and ice skating (bring your own sled & ice skates).

 

TINKERBELL VISITS STORYLAND

Saturday, January 19 – Sunday, January 20

@ Northville Marquis Theatre, Northville

Join Tinkerbell as she visits classic storybook lands and characters, and helps save the day when friends are in need. Live on the Marquis Theatre stage! Tickets available at the door or from the Theatre Box Office

 

FRIDAY

NATURE TOTS

Friday, January 18 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

@ Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit

Join us for a FREE program for children ages 2-4 and their adult caregivers. Enjoy stories, crafts and activities as we use our senses to explore nature together! Programs will be held on the third Friday and Saturday of each month at the Belle Isle Nature Center.

 

KINDERCONCERTS

Friday, January 18 / 10:00 am – 11:30 am

@ Ann Arbor District Library

Music comes alive in KinderConcerts – FREE 30-minute concerts designed especially for children 2- to 5-years old. No worries about wiggly tots sitting still for a concert – they’ll dance and move while listening to the music. Then they’ll be mesmerized by hearing a story being told with musical accompaniment. Members of the A2SO join movement specialist Gari Stein and pianist Kathryn Goodson for a guided introduction to the instruments of the orchestra.

 

KNEE HIGH NATURALISTS

Friday, January 18 / 10:00 am – 11:30 am

@ Stage Nature Center, Troy

Children, ages 2-4, with a parent/grandparent partner will enjoy this January program that takes a look at the difference between hibernators and mammals that just sleep more than in the summer. On the hike, they will look for evidence of animals that are active throughout the winter .

 

DETROIT CITY CHESS CLUB OPEN PLAY

Friday, January 18 / 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

@ Detroit Institute of Arts

Join the Detroit City Chess Club in their regular Friday meet-ups in Prentis Court. Watch as these young players hone their craft or even sit down to test your own skills. Open play takes place most Fridays throughout the year.

 

INSIDE OUT

Friday, January 18 / 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

@ WIlliam Costick Activities Center, Farmington Hills

Enjoy the OUTSIDE-INSIDE! Start your evening off with a picnic dinner of deli sandwiches and dirt pudding. Learn to fish, shoot archery, or jump for joy on our bouncer. Dan the creature Man from The Little Creatures Co. will be presenting a hands-on display featuring healthy exotic animals at 7:15 PM.

 

PARENTS’ SURVIVAL NIGHT

Friday, January 18 / 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ The Little Gym, Plymouth

Parents call it a break from the kids. Kids call it a break from their parents. That sounds like a win-win situation to us. Our Parents’ Survival Nights out let you enjoy some adult time to see a movie, catch up with friends or enjoy a meal without—ahem—your pint-sized food critics in tow. Meanwhile, your children get some quality “kid time” in a safe, fun, familiar place with trained instructors who lead them through music, games, and fun LEGO® DUPLO® and LEGO® Juniors building activities. We schedule Parentsʼ Survival Nights out for select Friday and Saturday evenings. Spots fill quickly, so book soon for your win-win night off.

 

DETROIT PISTONS V. MIAMI HEAT

Friday, January 18 / 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

Get ready for some DEEEETROIT Basketball! Cheer on Griffin, Drummond and the rest of the Pistons at Little Ceasars arena.

 

SATURDAY

WILD WINTER

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

@ Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak

Embrace the winter weather this season during our Wild Winter weekends at the Detroit Zoo. Wild Winter is a fun way to experience the magic of the Zoo in winter. Enjoy your favorite habitats indoors and out along with special activities, zookeeper talks, crafts and more.

 

CARDS, COCOA AND MLK DAY OF SERVICE

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

@ Palmer Park, Detroit

Join Exploration Saturdays at The DEN in Palmer Park! All activities are free and open to the public!

 

POP-UP MAKERSPACE

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

@ Ann Arbor Hands On Museum

Join us at AAHOM for our Pop-Up Makerspace! 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays. Design – Build – Test! Discover your inner engineer in our Pop-Up Makerspace.

 

MAKE SOMETHING: SATURDAYS

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

@ Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn

Motivate your kids to be the next great inventors or entrepreneurs with stories of past and present-day change makers at this weekly program in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.  Explore the innovations — big and small — that make the world what it is today, and learn by doing with hands-on, minds-on activities designed for youth ages 8 – 12.

 

GUYS AND DOLLS JR. AUDITIONS

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

@ The Community House, Birmingham

Don’t miss your chance to audition for Sara Smith Youth Theatre’s Production of Guys and Dolls Jr! Auditions are Saturday, January 19 and slots are available at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Actors should prepare a one minute monologue (preferably memorized) and the audition music cuts will be emailed in advance. Please note that there will be a short dance audition.

 

OUTDOOR SURVIVAL CAMP FOR KIDS

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

@ Oakwoods Metropark, New Boston

Shelter building, fire starting, and many more topics will be covered during this fun, hands-on camp. Test your skills against whatever Mother Nature throws at us this day.Dress for the weather, we will spend time both inside and out.  Don’t forget to bring a lunch. Ages 8-14. 

 

GRAVITY WORKS! SLEDDING FUN

Saturday, January 19 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

@ Lake St. Clair Metropark, Harrison Charter Township

Come out and enjoy the snow! Build a sled and race a park interpreter down the hill. We’ll see who can make the most creative and fastest sled. We’ll have snow snakes, snow painting and snowshoes to try. Then warm up with hot cocoa at the Nature Center. All ages. 

 

KINDERCONCERTS

Saturday, January 19 / 12:00 Pm – 12:30 Pm

@ Chelsea District Library

Music comes alive in KinderConcerts – FREE 30-minute concerts designed especially for children 2- to 5-years old. No worries about wiggly tots sitting still for a concert – they’ll dance and move while listening to the music. Then they’ll be mesmerized by hearing a story being told with musical accompaniment. Members of the A2SO join movement specialist Gari Stein and pianist Kathryn Goodson for a guided introduction to the instruments of the orchestra. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and day care leaders can introduce classical music to even the youngest listeners at your local libraries.

 

FAMILY DAY: CHARACTERS

Saturday, January 19 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@ Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills

Create your own masterpiece inspired by the museum’s exhibition, Wild Vinyl: Designer Art Toys. Drop in to explore studio offerings through hands-on art-making in our interactive learning space. Teaching artists will provide instruction and materials. Free for ArtMembers and with gallery admission.

 

SPANISH PARA NIÑOS

Saturday, January 19 / 11:30 am – 12:15 pm

@ Detroit Mama HuB

Join us for a bilingual story time featuring tales in Spanish and English from around the world. Babes from 0-4 years are invited to come sing, learn, and play! Siblings may attend as guests, and all children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver — mamas, papas, sitters, and other family members welcome!

 

AFTERNOON SNOWSHOE HIKE

Saturday, January 19 / 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

@ Stony Creek Nature Center, Shelby Township

Enjoy a quiet snowshoe hike through the winter woods on snowshoes in search of animal signs! You will learn the proper use of snowshoes, which are provided for program participants. This program is dependent on the weather. We have a limited supply of snowshoes, so be sure to reserve your spot. Ages 10 and up.

 

WINTER WALK

Saturday, January 19 / 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

@ Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter

While we often hide inside this time of the year, life goes on outside at Hudson Mills Metropark.  The constant search for food and shelter brings our local animals out during the relatively warmer time of the day. Get outdoors and see all that’s going on in the winter woods. Stop out at the Activity Center to join an interpreter for this refreshing walk. Dress for the weather. Ages 7 and older.

 

FAMILY NATURE EXPLORERS

Saturday, January 19 / 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Stage Nature Center, Troy

Enjoy some screen-free quality time for the whole family while exploring the natural world. Families will participate in hands-on, outdoor experiences that will inspire curiosity and a connection to nature.

 

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT / LSNC: CRITTERS THAT SQUIRM IN THE NIGHT

Saturday, January 19 / 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm

@ Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ann Arbor

It’s a night out for grown-ups while the kids enjoy an exciting evening at LSNC. Uncover the fascinating and secretive night life of nocturnal creatures as we discover what animals come out when the sun goes down. We’ll take a hike to see what we can find and then meet a nocturnal critter up close.

 

KID’S NIGHT OUT

Saturday, January 19 / 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

@ The Robot Garage, Birmingham

DROP YOUR CHILD OFF AND ENJOY A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN! Register to bring your kids to The Robot Garage for a Kid’s Night Out and they will LOVE that you’re leaving them behind for a night to yourself.  Our amazing staff will lead LEGO and robotic activities for ages K-8.

 

DETROIT PISTONS V SACRAMENTO KINGS

Saturday, January 19 / 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

Get ready for some DEEEETROIT Basketball! Cheer on Griffin, Drummond and the rest of the Pistons at Little Ceasars arena.

 

SUNDAY

MICHIGAN FIREHOUSE MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, January 20 / 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

@ Michigan Firehouse Museum, Ypsilanti

Encompassing over 26,000 square feet, the Museum is an educational treasure trove that includes an original 1898 firehouse and modern, multilevel exhibit display area. Walking through the restored firehouse, visitors can view a fire engine steamer replete with horses, ready to go on their way to a fire. The large, modern addition offers 25 changing exhibits of antique fire trucks and early fire rigs, multiple displays of historic artifacts including tools, equipment, memorabilia and the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country.

 

MOONLIGHT MADNESS

Sunday, January 20 / 8:00 pm – 11:59 pm

Kensington Metro Park, Milford

It’s time for the first eclipse of the year! Although lunar eclipses are not as rare as some people believe, viewing a total lunar eclipse is uncommon. Totality occurs at 12:12 a.m. so be prepared to stay up late. View the lunar eclipse through our spotting scopes, learn how eclipses happen, make s’mores at the campfire, drink hot chocolate and create some moon crafts. For the more adventurous, take a nocturnal hike to learn about nature’s relationship with the moon. Drop in anytime- come by for an hour or come for the night. Dress for the weather. Ages 7 and older. Viewing is weather dependent, please call the Kensington Metropark Nature Center for program information.

 

TOTAL ECLIPSE, TOTAL FUN

Sunday, January 20 / 8:00 pm – 11:59 pm

@ Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills

Join the Cranbrook Institute of Science for a special evening of moon-related activities leading up to the total lunar eclipse beginning on January 20, 2019. The Institute will not be open during regular Sunday hours! Instead, our doors will open at 8pm when the night sky fun begins! Of course, the Cranbrook Observatory will be open, and members of the Warren Astronomical Society will have more telescopes set up outside for additional viewing. But even if the Michigan sky plays coy, there will be more fun inside the museum!

 

For MORE EVENTS happening this weekend, please check out our full EVENT CALENDAR!

 

Find Fall Favorites HERE! Check out these ideas for how to enjoy these cool autumn days.

• Winter Fun For Kids in Wayne County
• Winter Fun For Kids in Oakland County
• Winter Fun For Kids in Ann Arbor
• MLK Day Activities & Events For Kids
• Family Guide To The Detroit Auto Show

 

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