Out & About: Things to do in January 2015

The festivities have all come to an end, the decorations are being stored for next year, and your social calendar is winding down. But there’s still plenty to do this January.

Kick off the new year with our must-dos for the month.

Atlanta

• Start the year off right with a 5K Fun Run and Walk on Commitment Day at Lifetime Fitness on January 1, 2016 at 10 AM.
• Taste 50 wines and enjoy food and live entertainment at the Atlanta Wine Party on January 16, 2016. Festivities start at 6 PM at the Opera Nightclub.
• If wine isn’t your thing, sample 150 beers at the Atlanta Winter Beer Fest on January 30, 2016 at the Masquerade. Also on tap is food, music, and games.

Austin

• Celebrate a week of music during Free Week Austin. Party your heart out the first week of January as local bands, venues, and promoters celebrate the new year and local music.
• The Third Annual Austin Bacon and Beer Festival is back January 24, 2016 at Fair Market. Enjoy bacon-centric food paired with craft beers.
• Looking for some fresh, locally grown produce, dairy, and meat in Austin? Head to SFC Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM, rain or shine. Head to Republic Square Park and enjoy live music and plenty of room to picnic.

Chicago

• Illinois residents can enjoy Free Days at the Museum of Science and Industry January 4 through 29, 2016. Enjoy live science experiences, tour a World War II sub, catch a big-screen film, and more.
• Chicago Restaurant Week returns January 22, 2016. Enjoy two weeks of dining deals at over 250 restaurants. Special prix fixe menus start at 2 for lunch and 3 and/or 4 for dinner.
• Take the Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Michigan for charity at Oak Street Beach on January 30, 2016. The plunge starts at noon as is free to watch.

Dallas

• Enjoy rodeo thrills and livestock shows at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo January 15 through February 6, 2016 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. There will also be an All Western Parade in Downtown Fort Worth, interactive kid-friendly activities, shopping, a “Moo-seum Experience,” live music, a carnival, and great food.
• If you appreciate the hotter things in life, head to ZestFest 2016 January 29 through 31, 2016 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Enjoy cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, live music, interactive contests, and thousands of bold food samples.
• Head to the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market to support small business and enjoy live music, art, jewelry, food, soaps, vintage records and apparel, t-shirts, and all kinds of other locally made and sourced goods.

Denver

• Honor the Old West heritage at the National Western Stock Show January 9 through 24, 2016 just north of downtown Denver at the National Western Complex. Attendees will enjoy more than 15,000 animals, rodeo performances, Mexican rodeos, bull riders, horse shows, livestock competitions, auctions, and booths selling everything from cowboy boots to Native American jewelry.
• Celebrate craft beer from Colorado and beyond at the Winter Brew Fest on January 22 and 23, 2016 at the Mile High Station. Live music and delicious food will also be on hand.
• Although is about a four-hour drive from Denver, the X Games are happening in Aspen January 28 through 31, 2016. Make a weekend of it or just head up for the day to see the winter games and enjoy live music.

Houston

• Head to the 61st Annual Houston Boat Show January 8 through 17, 2016 at the NRG Center to get great deals on new boats and boating gear, and learn about the latest in marine technology and maintenance.
• Explore the latest vehicle’s from the world’s top automakers and learn what’s new in automobile innovation at the Houston Auto Show January 27 to 31, 2016 at the NRG Center.
• Enjoy live entertainment and sample mouth-watering food and beverages from the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, bakeries, deli’s, and beverage companies at the Taste of the Town January 28, 2016 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.

Seattle

• Celebrate your resolutions at the Resolution Run 5K and Polar Bear Dive January 1, 2016 at Magnuson Park. Enjoy awards, snacks and a beer garden after your run, walk, or dip in the chilly waters of Lake Washington.
• Spend the day exploring one of Washington’s 140 state parks on January 1, 17, and 18, 2016 during State Parks Free Days.
• Over 60 area breweries, wineries, distillers, restaurants, cheese makers, bakers, and chocolatiers will fill Pike Brewing Company on January 31, 2016 for Pike Chocofest. Bonus: The event benefits Puget Soundkeeper, who is protecting and preserving the waters of Puget Sound.

Southern California

• Celebrate music, sports, and a festival of flowers at the on New Year’s Day. The 127th Rose Parade kicks off at 8 AM when Stanford and Iowa are set to play in the 2016 Rose Bowl.
• Come to Pasadena for a Cheeseburger Crawl or take the Cheeseburger Challenge during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week January 10 to 15, 2015 at various locations throughout Los Angeles.
• Enjoy a weekend of comedy January 29 through 31, 2016 as Riot LA takes over seven venues in Downtown Los Angeles along Main Street between Second and Fifth.

South Florida

• Garth Brooks makes his first appearance in 19 years in South Florida on January 14, 15, and 16, 2016 at the BB&T Center.
• Magic City Comic Con comes to the Miami Airport Convention Center January 15 through 17, 2016. Enjoy celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, artists, writers, panels, Q&A’s, films & shorts, costume contests, video gaming, and more.
• Taste dozens of craft and international brews and enjoy live music and delicious food at the Fourth Annual Miami Beer Festival January 30, 2016 at Marlins Park.

Have an event you’re attending this month? Share it in the comments. 

Have an event you want featured in February? Email our editorial team.

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