The state has a slew of snow-related stuff to do this month.
The U.P. figures prominently in the program for January. Here’s a look at the state’s best bets to kick off 2025.
Get ready for the Fire and Ice Festival in Detroit, January 10-12. It includes an ice carving contest, roaring fires and tasty turkey legs.
Frozen star Elsa will be available for photos. The Fire and Ice Tower is a grand finale for the ages.
A Free Snowmobiling Weekend is on deck Jan. 17-19.
The weekend allows snowmobilers to operate their machines without a snowmobile registration or trail permit. Operators still must follow the rules and regulations for snowmobiling in Michigan. This allows snowmobilers to hit the trails quickly and lets out-of-state visitors check out the wide variety of trails that Michigan has to offer.
Mackinac Island’s Twilight Turtle Trek is slated for Saturday, Jan. 11. Ski or snowshoe through the 2-mile trail by the twinkle of lantern light.
The excursion is set to begin at 4 p.m. And of course, hot chocolate is on the docket.
The Detroit Auto Show is open to the public Jan. 11-20 at Huntington Place.
22 auto brands will be featured, along with four immersive driving tracks: Ford Bronco Built Wild Track, Camp Jeep, Detroit Grand Prix track and Powering EV Michigan Experience.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Seniors pay only $12.
Pure Ludington Brrrewfest is booked for January 25.
A bunch of Michigan-based breweries will serve up an array of beers, wines, ciders and meads. Brrrewfest happens at Legacy Plaza in Ludington.
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased online at $40 per person, with seven drink tokens included. Each token is good for 5 ounces of beer or cider.
Tecumseh’s Annual Ice Sculpture Festival is the town’s main attraction January 17-18.
More than 45 spectacular ice sculptures will be on display Downtown during this two-day affair. Some of the highlights are: dueling ice carvers, ice demos, and a raffle with prizes.
This year the festival will feature an extended ice trail to the local Farmer’s Market, plus food trucks and kids activities.
Tip-Up Town USA on Houghton Lake is a Northern Michigan tradition.
The dates are January 18-19, and the following week Saturday, January 25. Among the activities are: Amusement Rides & games, Family Fun & Merchant Tents, a Frosty Fingers 5K run and a Wood Carving Demo.
In addition, there’s a Bull Riding Rodeo, Ice Fishing competition, Live Music, Pony Rides & a Petting Zoo.
The Snowmobile Races and a Vintage Snowmobile expo are not to be missed.
Winterfest Grand Haven is going down January 23-26. Winterfest features a Euchre Tournament, Glowbowl, a Slopestyle Competition and Freeze 4 All Snow Volleyball.
Flannels and Flapjacks, a Bonfire Bash and the World Famous Cardboard Sled Race round out the fest.
Zehnder’s Snowfest in Frankenmuth is Michigan’s must-see winter event. Snowfest is scheduled from Jan. 29 until Feb. 2 with the World Class Double and Single Block Snow Sculpting Championships, a State Snow Sculpting Competition, All Things Chocolate Baking Contest and Saturday Night Fireworks Show.
Upper Peninsula
Tahquamenon’s Country Sled Dog Race will be held in the village of Newberry Jan. 11-12.
Watch as 45 mushers vie for supremacy in the Pro and Sport Divisions. This draws people from across the United States and Canada.
The 138th Annual Ski Jumping Tournament takes place January 17-19 at the UP Nordic Ski Complex in Ishpeming.
It’s part of the US Cup Tournament, with bonfires, beer tents, food trucks and tailgating on tap.
A US Cup Nordic Combined 5km ski race is on the schedule as well.
Also happening in Ishpeming – the Noquemanon Ski Marathon January 24 and 25.
Noquemanon are known as the premier Cross-Country ski races in the Midwest
The race course stretches from Ishpeming all the way to Marquette
It will include a 50K Marathon, 50K Relay, 50K Classic Touring and 24K Half Noque, to name a few.
Beyond that, a 15 Mile Snowshoe, Adaptive Ski and Junior Noque are on the schedule.
For registration information, check the Noquemanon web site.
Gear up for The International 500 Snowmobile Race of Sault Ste. Marie.
Since 1969, the International 500 Snowmobile Endurance Race has been one of the most prestigious and thrilling snowmobile races in the world!
Witness the world’s best snowmobile riders roaring down the track at 100 mph. The #SooI500 Snowmobile Endurance Race guarantees to rock every sense you have: the roar of the engine, the bite of the cold, the glory of the race, the sweet smell of victory.
The I-50 starts Sunday, January 26 and finishes Saturday, February 1.