As January’s hushed winter days arrive, we find ways to embrace the cold and the cozy with supper clubs at a historic mill, snowy wine walks, comedy nights and guided birdwatching expeditions. If you’re looking for ways to get out and enjoy all this region has to offer, here are 15 local events to check out this month.
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January 4 | Right Brain Brewery Pinball Wars | Traverse City
Drop in for pinball wars every Thursday night at Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City. The league includes beginner and advanced levels, with double-elimination tournaments.
January 5-6 | Comedy with Katrina Brown | Traverse City
Don’t miss this hilarious comedic act by Katrina Brown at Traverse City Comedy Club.
January 6, 20 | Winter Wine Walk | Gaylord
Take a scenic stroll through the woods at Otsego Resort during this wine walk event, where participants will sample wine and enjoy roaring bonfire rest stops along the way.
Photo by Otsego Resort
January 7-28 (Sundays) | Sunday Brunch on the Farm | Suttons Bay
Have a delicious, farm-fresh brunch at the newly-imagined Bistro Polaris at Black Star Farms. Choose a starter, entrée and dessert from the brunch menu, including breakfast and lunch options.
January 7, 14, 21, 28 | Snow Days Day Pass | Traverse City
Adults deserve snow days, too! Head on over to The Delamar this winter for a relaxing day enjoying amenities including the outdoor heated pool, on-site gym, Cabanas, yoga and more.
January 8-14 | Amical Cookbook Dinner Series | Traverse City
This month’s Cookbook Dinner Series features the vibrant cuisine of Western China from New York’s favorite noodle shop–Xi’an Famous Foods.
January 12 | Blanco Suave with Waterbed | Traverse City
Blanco Suave returns to The Alluvion! Based out of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Blanco Suave is a genre-defying powerhouse of a band with lofi hip-hop, jazz and pop influences. Opening the night, Waterbed blends live looping, soul-jazz-beats and feel-good hip-hop-oriented improvisations.
January 13 | Winter Birdwatching | Traverse City
Join Grand Traverse Conservation District naturalists and Grand Traverse Audubon Board member Kirk Waterstripe for a morning of winter birdwatching at the Natural Education Reserve. The loop hike (less than 1 mile) is free and open to all ages.
January 19 | Ski Jumping Tournament | Ishpeming
Watch U.S. and international ski jumpers defy gravity as they soar off the historic K90, Suicide Hill ski jump at the 137th Ishpeming Ski Jumping Tournament–the longest consecutive tournament in the country.
January 26 | Supper Club | Glen Arbor
Honoring The Mill’s roots of Midwestern hospitality, corral your favorite people for family-style supper club dinners housed inside this newly-renovated historic property. Dinners start with a social cocktail hour featuring a light grazing course.
January 26 | Global Cheddar & Wine Tasting | Suttons Bay
Stimulate your tastebuds with a wine and cheddar cheese pairing! From England to Vermont, this popular cheese has many different styles, and each is vastly different in taste, texture, and age. The Leelanau Cheese Company and Black Star Farms will take you on a delicious journey at this exclusive workshop.
Photo by Black Star Farms
January 26 | Comedy with Steve Sabo | Traverse City
Comedian Steve Sabo brings nonstop fun and laughter wherever he goes. No stage is too big or too small for him to conquer! Be prepared to get your tickets, because Steve is coming to Traverse City Comedy Club for two shows.
January 27 | The Bill Sears Quintet | Traverse City
This month, Bill Sears has put together an incredible quintet to kick off The Alluvion Jazz Series, an eight-concert series spanning January to June featuring a unique array of world-class jazz artists.
January 28 | Family Movie Matinee: The Lego Movie | Curtis
Celebrate World Lego Day at Erickson Center for the Arts in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with a special viewing of, “The Lego Movie.”
Photo by Traverse City Comedy Fest
January 31 – February 3 | Traverse City Comedy Fest | Traverse City
It’s back! Traverse City Comedy Fest returns in 2024 for a lineup you won’t want to miss, including Rory Scovel, Zainab Johnson, Joe List, Dwayne Kennedy and Norm Stulz. Get more details here!