January and February in Shores & Islands Ohio offer a refreshing winter landscape filled with events and activities for all to enjoy. From winter festivals to cozy indoor experiences, this region brings the best of the season to life. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures like quiet hikes through snow-covered woods, or looking to warm up with local art exhibits, live performances, or a relaxing drink by the fireplace, Shores & Islands Ohio has something special for every winter wanderer. Join us as we explore the top events happening these two months with unique opportunities to relax and reconnect with nature and the community!
Family Fun Night
Wednesdays, Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025
4-8 pm
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Sandusky
For $7.00 a person enjoy Roller Skating with the choice of roller skates, roller blades or a razor scooter, 2 slices of pizza and a small drink, and for ages 12 and under enjoy the Bounce House and Play Area. Don’t miss out on the perfect midweek break – where fun and family time come together!
Dinner With a Brew
Fridays, Jan 10 and Feb 14, 2025
6 pm
Twin Oast Brewery, Catawba
Get ready to enjoy a delicious meal thoughtfully paired with craft beers from our Brewery as you relax in our private, cozy Pergola! Guests can take a private brewery tour from your knowledgeable beer-tenders, Brian and Jim, to learn about the history of our brewery and the brewing process that produces our beloved beers. Dinner With a Brew is a 21+ monthly beer pairing dinner at Twin Oast Brewing held on the second Friday of each month. January features food from Bistro 163 and February features Mesenburg Creative Catering. Price varies per event.
Atmosphere of Emotions
Sunday-Friday, Jan 12-Feb 16, 2025
1-4 pm
Sandusky Cultural Center, Sandusky
Check out the latest artist exhibition, Atmosphere of Emotion. Thanks to the support and generosity of the community, Sandusky Cultural Center continues a tradition of bringing to the gallery known and aspiring artists, tapping talent regionally, and frequently, nationally or internationally as well. Visitors are afforded opportunities to view and acquire images and objects in diverse media. The gallery is open to the public free of charge during scheduled events.
Progressive Cleveland Boat Show
Thursday-Sunday, January 16-19, 2025
Thurs 12-9 pm, Fri 12-9 pm, Sat 10 am-9 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm
I-X Center, Cleveland
Join The Cleveland Boat Show as they celebrate 68 years as Ohio’s largest and longest-running boat show! The Progressive Cleveland Boat Show has always been about more than just buying your next vessel. They are a celebration of our North Coast lifestyle. As seasoned boaters know, this is where you begin to prepare for and dream of a new season on the water. They have re-imagined the Cleveland Boat Show into a nautical event like no other, including a live stage with the region’s best music. Unique educational tracks for novice, intermediate, and experienced boaters. Local food and drink, family activities, live fishing stages, and more! They can’t wait to set sail and share new show experiences with you at the 2025 Cleveland Boat Show!
Family Winter Hike with a Naturalist!
Saturday, Jan 18, 2025
11 am-12 pm
Osborn MetroPark, Huron
Enjoy the fresh crisp winter air as you walk through the trails of Osborn MetroPark! Can you find all the hidden snowflakes along the way? Each snowflake will have a fun fact about a hibernating animal. Walk ups welcome, no registration required.
Bird is the Word
Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
9:30-11 am
Roger Johnson Nature Center, Osborn MetroPark, Huron
Come and learn about the symbolism and the importance of birds in our world with a short presentation and a winter walk to view some of Ohio’s winter birds. All ages. Walk ups welcome, no registration required.
Hot Cocoa Walk
Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
1 pm
Depot Park, Elmore
Enjoy a self-guided animal track scavenger hunt, children’s craft, hot cocoa stations in the Elmore Historical Society Barn, and tours of the Elmore Railroad Depot and 1840s log house. Free and open to the public, rain or shine.
The Blue House Farm Market
Saturday, Feb 1, 2025
10 am-3 pm
The Blue House Co-Op, Sandusky
Blue House Co-Op is excited to introduce The Blue House Farm Market! It is an indoor, wintertime farm market featuring local growers, bakers, artisans and makers from the Sandusky and surrounding areas!
Ice A Fair
Saturday, Feb 1, 2025
11 am-7 pm
Downtown Vermilion
Main Street Vermilion will host Ice A Fair! This popular one-day event welcomes families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy in the winter! The Ice A Fair will return for the 16th year of ICY fun! ~Ice Sculptures ~Live Demos ~Trolley Tours ~Raffles and Drawings ~Shopping and Dining. Thank you to Shores and Islands Ohio and the Erie County Community Foundation for their ongoing generous support of Ice A Fair, as well as that of more than 50 local businesses who sponsored sculptures, the Frozen Play Space, and Fire & Ice.
Valentine's Adult Skate Night (21+ ONLY)
Friday, Feb 14, 2025
9:30 pm-12 am
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Sandusky
Valentine’s Day for Adult Skate Night! 21 yrs. and older, BYOB (no glass bottles), $10/person or $25/couple includes skate rental and enjoy skating plus a 12” pizza to share! Grab your sweetheart or your besties and roll into the night. It’s the perfect way to make Valentine’s Day unforgettable!
5th Annual Valentine's Wine & Chocolate Walk
Saturday, Feb 15, 2025
1-5 pm
Downtown Marblehead
Bring your Valentine or Galentines out for a fun day in Marblehead! Visit participating businesses located in downtown Marblehead and in Lakeside Chautauqua. Sample wine & chocolate treats while you shop.
Love You to Death Murder Mystery Tea and Dessert in the Wright Mansion
Saturday, Feb 15, 2025
2-3:30 pm
Historic Lyme Village, Bellevue
Enjoy an event to die for! The historic 1882 Wright Mansion at Historic Lyme Village is the scene of the crime with an authentic gangster ambiance complete with passwords, crooked officials, Big Band swing music, and...MURDER! Indulge in Desserts and Teas served in a setting that feels like it is right out of an Agatha Christie novel. 1920s attire is encouraged. Prize for the best costume! Self-guided tour of the Wright Mansion to follow. Presented by Get Away with Murder, Inc. - Reservations are required.
Firelands Symphony Orchestra presents: Love in the Air
Saturday, Feb 15, 2025
7:30 pm
Sawmill Creek Resort Convention Center, Huron
Celebrate your valentine with a concert dedicated to love. The full orchestra will perform great songs of love and passion, including Mendelssohn’s Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, a symphonic poem based on Shakespeare’s play. The concert also features a variety of love songs in a variety of genres, and solos from FSO musicians Victor Beyens (violin), Emily Laurance (harp), Jesse Martin (oboe), and Kimberly Zaleski (flute). Guest vocalist Natalie Green provides the air of love with songs from the Great American Songbook.
Presidents Day Celebration 2025
Monday, Feb 17, 2025
9 am-5 pm
R.B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
Enjoy free admission to the Hayes Home and museum and free activities for kids throughout the day. Hayes Home tours are of the first floor only and last a half hour. They will take place every 15 minutes starting at 9:15 am with the last tour leaving at 4:30 pm. Those going on a Hayes Home tour must check in at the museum front desk to receive their tour time and ticket. There will be a variety of events and activities in the museum, including scavenger hunts, a campaign lantern craft, presidential photo station, artifact display, presidential trivia, and story time.
The Family Freeze 2025 at Burning Snowman Fest!
Friday, Feb 21, 2025
5-7 pm
Dock’s Beach House, Port Clinton
Join friends, family, and the rest of this wonderful community the night before the Burn for a free, all ages welcome event! Let the kids watch a smaller version of the Burning Snowman.
Harlequins Community Theatre presents: The Outsider
Friday-Sunday, Feb 21-Mar 2, 2025
Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm Sunday 2 pm
Harlequins Community Theatre, Sandusky
Ned Newley doesn't even want to be governor. He's terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive Chief of Staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for... the worst candidate to ever run for office. A timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy. Reserved seat ticket $20 + $1.65 fee or $25 at door.
Apiarist George Talks Honey
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
10 am-1 pm
Farmer Jones Farm Market, Huron
Learn about the hives kept at the Chef's Garden and taste their sweet creations.
Burning Snowman 2025!
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
12 pm, Burning 7:30 pm
Dock’s Beach House, Port Clinton
By the end of February, Northwest Ohioans are ready to put the cold winter behind them and step into the warmth of spring. In Port Clinton, they’ve found a unique way to say goodbye to winter. They burn it down! Thousands of people will flock to downtown Port Clinton and Dock’s Beach House and Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grill for the annual Burning Snowman Fest. The winter music festival for the 21 and over crowd features live music, food, drinks and a burning 25-foot snowman. Tickets required.
Mark Kosower, Principal Cello Cleveland Orchestra
Sunday, Feb 23, 2025
3:30 pm
Firelands Presbyterian Church, Port Clinton
Musical Arts Series Port Clinton presents Principal Cello from the Cleveland Orchesta Mark Kosower for a powerful concert at Firelands Presbyterian Church. Tickets available at the door $20.00 (Students admitted free of charge.) Sponsored by: Dubbert’s Outdrive Services and Bassett’s Market.
Planet Parade
Friday, Feb 28, 2025
7-8 pm
Castalia Quarry MetroPark, Castalia
All seven planets within our solar system will be visible and the cooler weather offers the perfect backdrop for this special celestial event! Join Erie MetroParks at Castilla Quarry and walk to the quarry floor to view this rare and beautiful celestial sight! Please bring a chair. All ages. Walk ups welcome, no registration required.
