16 things to do in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this January

Beat the winter blues and get the new year started right! From family-friendly theater to live comedy to professional sports, these are the best things to do in the Cincy Region this January.

Free things to do in January

Experience the best of Cincy without spending a dime.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Photo: Morgan Pelt)

Winter Nights & River Lights (Through 1/7/24): Experience the Purple People Bridge in all its holiday splendor and a beautiful view from the Ohio River.

Fifth Third Bank Community Days at National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Jan. 15 & 21): Enjoy free admission to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.    

Contemporary Arts Center at 21c Museum Hotel (Jan 26): Enjoy a complimentary tour with the docents of the Contemporary Arts Center, through captivating art displays of both the 21c Museum Hotel and the Contemporary Arts Center's exhibitions. 

Outdoor Gear Sale at MadTree Brewing (Jan 27): Get geared up for adventures this year at this outdoor gear sale! Don’t forget to grab a beer while you’re there. 

Family-friendly events in Cincy this January

From holiday lights to kid-friendly shows check out these events for the whole family. 

PNC Festival of Lights (photo: @anadventureshared)

PNC Festival of Lights (Through Jan. 7): Enjoy a magical visit to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Wild Winter Wonderland while you can!

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live King for a Day: Based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV and Emmy Award-winning series that has delighted live audiences on stages across the country, is back. Join Daniel and his friends for a brand-new adventure where beloved characters come alive on stage with new songs to sing along to, magical moments, and surprise guests along the way.

Goldilocks & Three Dinosaurs (Jan. 27): “Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur ... and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.” Original music by Ben Folds brings author Mo Willems’ fractured and funny iteration of Goldilocks & the Three Bears to life on the Music Hall stage. Perfect for children, ages or abilities, of 2-9. Come early for activities and crafts!

January sporting events and outdoor activities in Cincy

Cheer on your favorite sports stars at these Cincinnati sporting events!

Bengals vs Browns (Jan. 7): Cheer on the reigning AFC North Champions as they take on the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. If it’s your first time, check out everything you need to know about attending a Bengals game. 

Cincinnati Cyclones (Jan. 19, 24, 26, 27, 31): Hockey is more than a game in Cincy–it's where non-stop action meets affordable family fun. Bring the whole family to cheer on the two-time Kelly Cup Champion of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL)! 

Ice Skating: There’s nothing more fun than ice skating under the stars and enjoying a hot cup of cocoa! Check out ice rinks in Fountain Square, Summit Park in Blue Ash, and more. 

Can’t-miss shows in January

Get your tickets to the hottest concerts and shows in Cincy. 

Notorious B.I.G. x Tupac x Mahler (Jan. 10): A symphonic mixtape detailing the life and legacy of two of the most impactful artists of all time. 

Candlelight Concert, The Best of Joe Hisaishi (Jan.11): Enjoy an immersive, sensory, live music experience unlike any other. 

Chicago the Musical in Concert: Cincinnati Pops brings the razzle-dazzle of Chicago the Musical to Cincinnati. 

Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate it Tour (Jan. 13): Actor, comedian, and Daily Show correspondent, Ronny Chieng goes on the road with a brand new set of comedy. 

January food and drink events in Cincy

Toast Cincy’s delicious food and drink scene at these events in January. 

Ethnic Eats Tour in OTR (Saturdays): Join Riverside Food Tours for a three-hour walking tour of Cincinnati’s historic neighborhood, Over-the-Rhine, and enjoy tasty drinks and food from local restaurants.

Bricks & Beer: Cincinnati Music Hall History and Hops (Jan 17): Discover the surprising intersection of the Cincinnati beer industry and its contributions to the development of Music Hall. Tour parts of the building and quench your thirst with beer selections from Rhinegeist. This tour is for adults 21 and over. Limit 4 tickets per transaction.   

Check out our full Cincinnati events calendar for everything happening in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this month. Start planning your Cincy adventure now!