Brrrrr! It’s cold outside in northern Ohio! But that won’t stop us from getting out and enjoying a number of special events this winter – some that will celebrate the season, and others that will have us warming up indoors. Whether you embrace the chill or prefer to chill out, Shores & Islands Ohio brings the fun. Here are some of the most anticipated events in January and February in the region:
Planetarium Show: Great American Solar Eclipse
Thursday and Sunday, Jan 18 & 21, 2024, February 8 & 11, 2024
Thurs 7 pm, Sun 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm
Sidney Frohman Planetarium, Sandusky High School, Sandusky
Learn about this once-in-a-lifetime event and experience an indoor recreation of a total eclipse at the Sidney Frohman Planetarium! The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will be here before you know it, and we are right in the path of totality! Learn more at SHORESandISLANDSeclipse.com!
Bullets for Broadway
Friday & Saturday, Jan 19 & 20, 2024
7-10 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Mesenburg’s Plaza Place, Huron
The newest Murder Mystery Dinner Theater experience in the northern Ohio area! All tickets include entrance to the show and a four-course meal served by the actors who will be interacting with you in character! Come see the current show: "Bullets for Broadway"! A story that answers the question, what would happen if the Sopranos met The Producers? It's a brand-new evening of mystery, comedy, music, and great food which just goes to prove that sometimes when people say they're going to make a hit, they mean it!
Fire & Ice Walk
Saturday, Jan 20, 2024
11 am-3 pm
Vermilion River Reservation/Mill Hollow, Vermilion
Winter rings in with fun at Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow! With the beautiful Vermilion River valley as your backdrop, take a wintry walk through extraordinary ice sculptures and warm fire pits. Enjoy ice carving demonstrations, roast s’mores (while supplies last), and visit with Siberian husky sled dogs and fun Frozen characters. Snowshoes will be available for hikes, weather permitting, on a first-come, first-served basis. Food vendors will be selling concessions.
5-Course Wine Dinner, Feat. Far Niente Winery & Toledo Symphony
Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024
6:30 pm
Orchard Bar & Table, Catawba
Orchard Bar & Table presents a 5-Course Wine Dinner featuring Far Niente Winery & the Toledo Symphony. Attendees will be entered into chance to win trip for two to Napa Valley, including airfare & accommodations, with a VIP tour of Far Niente Winery. A Ticket includes 5-course dinner paired with Far Niente Winery portfolio, live Toledo Symphony performance throughout the evening, and service fee. An Assortment of wine will be available to purchase for retail at conclusion of event.
Hot Cocoa Walk
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024
1 pm
Depot Park, Elmore
Warm up your winter with the Park District of Ottawa County! Join in during this beautiful season for a winter stroll followed by a cozy cup of cocoa with all the sweet fixins! Special thanks to the Elmore Historical Society for hosting!
Art Show, Open House & Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024
2:30-4:30 pm
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and The Arts Garage (TAG) of Port Clinton invite you to a special Community Chili Cook off! The event will be part of the open house to announce TAG's newest Ottawa County location; St. John's! The community will be able to meet the artists, view their work, create your own art and sign up for interested art classes! The event is open to adults and children of all ages. TAG will begin offering classes in early Spring of 2024. Snacks, desserts and beverages will be provided, along with a variety of homemade chili. Prizes will be awarded in categories like best, spiciest, etc!
Owl Prowl
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024
6:30-8:30 pm
Huron River Path MetroPark, Huron
Tiptoe on out to the Owl Prowl. Join Erie MetroParks naturalists in the search of owls and other night-time wildlife at Huron River Path MetroPark and DuPont Marsh State Nature Preserve. All ages are welcome to this event, Walk ups welcomed as well and no registration is required. Meet up for this event will be Huron River Path MetroPark, 1805 River Rd., Huron.
Ice A Fair
Saturday, Feb 3, 2024
11 am-7 pm
Downtown Vermilion
Main Street Vermilion will host the 15th annual Ice A Fair. This popular one-day event that welcomes families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy in the winter! ~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.
To Rise Above: Journey of a Tuskegee Airman
Saturday, Feb 3, 2024
7:30 pm
Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts, Huron
The Michael Shirtz Quartet along with vocalist Sadiyah Babatunde, narrator William Barrett, and conductor Van Parker perform the dramatic musical narrative about the life of the late Lt. Col. Harold Brown and a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. Based on the 2017 biographical memoir, Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman, this musical dramatization, written by Michael Shirtz, presents the story using the elements of jazz, narration with soloists, and an accompaniment by strings and a chorus of singers.
Pizza on the Peninsula
Sunday, Feb 4, 2024
6-9 pm
Rocky Point Winery, Marblehead
It's that time of year! Our popular Pizza on the Peninsula is back on Saturday, February 4th from 6-9pm. Tickets include all-you-can-eat pizza, wine, and beer plus retail sales.
4th Annual Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Walk
Saturday, Feb 10, 2024
Check-in 11:30 am-1 pm, Walk 1-5 pm
Marblehead Peninsula
Join friends, family and everyone in between for the Annual Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce's Valentine's Wine & Chocolate Walk! Bring your Valentine or Galentine out for a fun day of sampling delicious wine and tasty chocolate treats! At check-in you will receive a fun item that identifies you as a participant and also an event souvenir (sponsored by Shores & Islands Ohio). A map of participating businesses and a walking card will be provided. Drop your walking card off at your last stop for a chance to win prizes and even a chance to win the grand prize basket as well! This event will happen rain, snow or shine!
Mad Dog Adams Live!
Saturday, Feb 10, 2024
Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grille, Port Clinton
Mad Dog Adams is Back! After this cold weather Mr. Ed's Bar & Grille will be ready for a Mad Dog Night! This night always sells out!! Discounted Rooms are available Commodore Perry Resort.
Thomas Edison’s Birthplace Celebration!
Sunday, Feb 11, 2024
1-5 pm
Edison Birthplace, Milan
Celebrate Thomas Edison’s Birthday with friends and family at Edison Birthplace on Feb 11th! Enjoy free tours of the birthplace from 1-5 pm. Please be aware that their office will be closed temporarily due to construction on the Don Gfell Education Center. Public restrooms will not be accessible.
Valentine’s Day Three Course Dinner
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2024
6:30 pm
Firelands Winery, Sandusky
Woo your loved one with a special Valentine's Night out at Firelands Winery with a lovely evening of delicious food, wine and romance!
Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting & Five Course Dinner
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2024
6:30-8:30 pm
Quarry Hill Winery, Berlin Heights
Come on out with your loves or your besties to Quarry Hill Winery on Wed, Feb 14th starting at 6:30 pm for their Valentine's Day Five Course Dinner Tasting Event, a wine tasting and food pairing event. Each person will receive five 3oz tastings paired with a five-course plated dinner.
Presidents' Day Celebration
Monday, Feb 19, 2024
9 am-5 pm
RB Hayes Presidential Library & Museum, Fremont
Celebrate Presidents’ Day with a day of activities at America's First Presidential Library. Admission to the museum will be free, and 30-minute tours of the first floor of the Hayes Home will be available for free. No reservations are required. All interested in touring the home must check in at the museum to receive a tour time. Tours will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis as long as spots are available. There also will be free activities in the museum. Trolley rides with a costumed living history presenter will be offered through Spiegel Grove from 1-4 pm for a fee.
Burning Snowman 2024!
Saturday, Feb 24, 2024
12 pm, Burning 7:30 pm
Dock’s Beach House and Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grille, 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! On Sat, Feb. 24, thousands of people will flock to downtown Port Clinton 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.
