The new year is coming and it’s bringing happenings and returning annual events to the Ann Arbor area—all worth attending! This January, our event guide features concerts, comedy shows, marathons, cheese tastings and so much more.

Keep reading to start filling up your calendar. No matter what your new year resolution is—budgeting, fitness, attending more cultural activities—there’s an event to help fulfill it. Happy New Year!

 

Jump ahead:

Arts + Culture | Community Celebrations | Sports | Food + Drink

 

Arts + Culture

50 First Jokes | Ann Arbor

Where: The Ark

When: January 2, 7:30 p.m.

The tradition that started more than a decade ago at the Bell House in Brooklyn, and is now a much-anticipated event in Los Angeles and other cities around the country, is coming back to Ann Arbor this month! 50 of the area’s up-and-coming and veteran comics will come together and tell the first jokes they’ve written for the new year. Tickets are just $10 so come out and experience a few Michigan comic voices you may not have heard about!

 

Comedy Night at Bløm | Ann Arbor

Where: Bløm Meadworks

When: January 3, 7: 30-9 p.m.

Head to Bløm Meadworks for an evening of standup from Andrew Yang and his crew! The entire event is open to the public for free with a suggested donation. But if you want to really make sure you’ll get a seat, you can reserve one by purchasing the $12 Comedy Night Package. This deal gets you two 12-ounce pours of regular priced mead or cider and a reserved seat for the show. Click here to learn more.

 

Collage Concert | Ann Arbor

Where: The Hill Auditorium

When: January 18, 8 p.m.

Collage Concert is a tradition that brings together an incredible range of University of Michigan ensembles and programs for one riveting work played nonstop. The program features songs and performances one after the other without pause, including solos, 17th-century music, jazz, theatre monologues and choir performances.

 

National Theatre Live in HD: All My Sons | Ann Arbor

Where: The Michigan Theater 

When: January 19, 7 p.m.

Academy Award-winner Sally Field and Bill Pullman will be starring in Arthur Miller’s incredible drama All My Sons this month! See the show broadcasted live from London in the comfy seats of the Michigan Theater for just $22. Click here to reserve your seats.

 

Community Celebration

Ann Arbor Folk Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Hill Auditorium 

When: January 31-February 1, Times Vary

Ann Arbor Folk Festival, a fundraiser for The Ark, began in 1977 and is now one of Ann Arbor’s most anticipated events. Over the course of two days, Hill Auditorium will host the likes of Calexico and Iron & Wine, Ingrid Michaelson, The Lone Bellow, Rainbow Girls and many more. Tickets are available for single nights, or both, and you can get more information here.

 

Plymouth Ice Festival | Plymouth

Where: Downtown Plymouth

When: January 10-12, Times Vary

Photo courtesy of Richard Lovelace III via the Plymouth Ice Festival

This month, take the whole family to downtown Plymouth for a magical night! Incredible ice sculptures will be stationed around the area that are available to view all day long. There are several events going on throughout the festival—including a ribbon cutting, interactive sculptures and photo sessions, and a dueling chainsaw competition! Click here for the full itinerary.

 

Winter Fun Fest: Snow Much Fun! | Ypsilanti

Where: Rolling Hills Metro Park

When: January 25, 12-3 p.m.

A petting zoo, face painting, sledding, crafts and hot cocoa are just some of the things waiting for you at the Winter Fun Fest in Ypsilanti this month! Tickets cost $5 per person and there will also be a hat/mitten tree set up where you can donate gently used or new hats and mittens/gloves to the Ypsilanti Clothes Closet.

 

Sports

A Very Nice Run | Ann Arbor

Where: Washtenaw Dairy

When: January 1, 9 a.m.

Legendary running coach Ron Warhurst has fed his world-class athletes Washtenaw Dairy donuts for years. Now, we can’t say that the donuts are the reason his runners are so great, but it certainly can’t hurt to enjoy one or two every once in a while! This 7.36-mile run starts and ends at the Washtenaw Dairy and is the perfect way to kick off the new year. Register to get entered into a raffle for a handful of great prizes from local businesses and get ready to enjoy a run—and plenty of Washtenaw Dairy donuts of course!
 

Frosty Freestyle & Krazy Klassic Ski Weekend | Brighton

Where: Huron Meadows Metropark

When: January 11-12, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Just a quick drive north of Ann Arbor, Epic Races, Huron Meadows Metropark and Team NordicSkiRacer are teaming up to host the Frosty Freestyle & Krazy Klassic. The two-day event offers cross-country races with distances perfect for first-time skiers and experienced Nordic competitors alike. For more details and registration, click here.

 

Food + Drink

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week | Ann Arbor

Where: Ann Arbor

When: January 12-17, Times Vary

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week is a biannual event hosted by Main Street Area Association. The event brings together upwards of 50 restaurants all over town, which offer special lunch and/or dinner menus for a fixed price. It’s a great opportunity to introduce yourself to some of our town’s best local eats! Check out the winter menus here.

 

Onesie Bar Crawl | Ann Arbor

Where: Bar Louie

When: January 18, 4-11:59 p.m.

Who says onesie are only for kids? This special event starting at Bar Louie encourages adults to throw on their favorite unicorn, cat, panda or any other onesie for the comfiest party of the year! Tickets cost $15 and include exclusive drink and food specials, free cover at crawl venues, a custom badge, and the opportunity to enter in a $500 photo contest.

 

Cheese & Beer Pairing | Ann Arbor

Where: Zingerman’s Creamery

When: January 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Zingerman’s Creamery

Do you know which type of beer goes best with your favorite cheddar? Zingerman’s Creamery does and they’re going to be sharing that knowledge with you during a special tasting this month! Guests will be able to try a wide range of beer styles from our favorite breweries paired with artisan cheeses. Bread and additional accompaniments will be provided. Click here to grab your tickets.

 

Happy January!

What will you be doing in Ann Arbor this month? Let us know in the comments!