New England Events: January 2012
The New England holidays have ended, but the sparkle is still in the air. Check out upcoming major New England events, festivals and activities in January. See specific web sites to confirm dates and times, associated fees and parking information. Some events require advance ticket purchases.
For a full list of January events in New England, see the individual state links at the bottom of this page.
DINNER IN A COUNTRY VILLAGE
Saturday evenings, January through March 2012 (and by appointment)
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Enter the Village by candlelight and learn how to cook a meal 1830s-style over the hearth. Bake rolls and pies in the brick oven, whip cream with birch twigs, simmer soup and roast coffee over the coals. Then, enjoy the delicious dinner you have made. This unique experience can accommodate 14 people, and sells out quickly, so book your date today.
NATIVE AMERICAN ALL-STARS Exhibit – The Institute for American Indian Studies
Through January 31, 2012
The Institute for American Indian Studies – Washington, Connecticut
This exhibit highlights some of today’s American Indian “heroes” ranging from professional athletes to U.S. Senators, actors to musicians, and writers to astronauts. Did you know that NY Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlin is of Winnebago descent or that golfer Notah Begay is the only Navajo on the PGA tour? Learn more about Astronaut John Herrington of Chickasaw descent who carried the flag of his tribal nation with him into space, the 31st Vice-President of the United States, Charles Curtis of Kaw decent and many more!
Ice Skating at Bank of America City Center
January 2, 2012 through March 18, 2012
Bank of America City Center – Providence, Rhode Island
One of New England’s most popular winter destinations, the Skating Center offers a fun, family activity at an affordable price. The 14,000-square-foot skating rink is twice the size of Rockefeller Plaza’s ice rink in New York City! Nearby, you’ll find shopping, restaurants and entertainment at Providence Place.
The 16th Annual Moby Dick Marathon
January 6-8, 2012
New Bedford Whaling Museum – New Bedford, Massachusetts
The New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Moby-Dick Marathon celebrates its sixteenth annual non-stop reading of Herman Melville’s literary masterpiece with a 3-day program of entertaining activities and events. Since 1995, the Museum has marked the anniversary of Herman Melville’s 1841 departure from the Port of New Bedford and Fairhaven aboard the whale ship Acushnet with this midwinter tradition, which attracts hundreds of Melville enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Steam in the Snow PHOTOGRAPHER’S SPECIAL
January 7, 2012
Conway Scenic Railroad – North Conway, New Hampshire
A special charter by the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, this excursion is open to the public. Departing from the North Conway station for Sawyers River, the train will be powered by Steam Locomotive #7470. On the return trip, numerous stops will be made for photo “run-bys,” so be sure to bring your camera! Reservations can also be made online. This event usually sells out — so make your reservations early!
Music & More – Cape Cod Museum of Art
Select Sundays from January 8 – March 25, 2012
Cape Cod – Dennis, Massachusetts
The Music & More series at Cape Cod Museum of Art returns for 2012. On select Sundays, come to enjoy intimate concerts with musicians from a vast variety of disciplines, including bluegrass, Dixieland jazz, acoustic folk pop, Celtic music, Latin and Brazilian, jazz standards and classical music. Following each performance, join the musicians for conversation and light refreshments. Tickets are $15, $12 for members. Reservations are recommended.
January 14-16, 2012
Billings Museum & Farm – Woodstock, Vermont
Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides through the frosty farm fields, go sledding on jack jumper sleds, visit the dairy farm and restored farmhouse, view farm programs and participate in hands-on activities.
Loon Independence Weekend
January 14-15, 2012
Loon Mountain – Lincoln, New Hampshire
This annual event celebrates Loon’s snowmakers and its rich winter traditions. Ski with Uncle Sam on Stilts, and don’t miss the fireworks show on Saturday night!
New England Air Museum – Open Cockpit Sunday
January 15, 2011
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Visitors will be permitted to climb into the cockpits of up to 12 vintage aircraft, a full-motion flight simulator and two static flight simulators. The aircraft include the famous Vought Corsair of WWII, the North American F-100 Super Sabre, a DC-3 airliner, several helicopters and more. There will be additional hands-on activities for the enjoyment of the younger visitors during the event. The special program for January will be a plastic scale model show presented by the Wings & Wheels Modelers Club. The Open Cockpit program runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with the Museum and Gift Shop staying open until 5:00 PM.
January 16-29, 2012
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe Winter Carnival is a fun-filled, zany, winter festival of entertaining events, such as snowvolleyball, snowgolf, ski races, a kids carnival and ice carving. Plus there’s a village night family block party and live music throughout the last two weeks of January. On January 22, come to the 11th Annual NICA-sanctioned Ice Carving Competition at Stowe Mountain Resort.
January 19-22, 2012
Killington Resort – Killington, Vermont
Entering its fourth season, the top athletes in the world will take part in the 2011-12 Winter Dew Tour, all competing for the highly coveted Dew Cup that will be awarded at the Toyota Championship at Snowbasin Resort in Ogden, Utah. The top snowboard and freeski athletes will compete in slopestyle and superpipe disciplines for the coveted Dew Cup awarded at season’s end and for a total of $1.5 million in prize money.
Killington Resort will host the second of three stops for the Tour’s third season. The four-day event will feature a 22-foot superpipe while showcasing the top winter athletes from around the world competing in freeskiing (slopestyle and superpipe) and snowboarding (slopestyle and superpipe).
January 21-22, 2012
Boston, Massachusetts
Come to the largest trade and consumer wine event in the United States. No other event in New England, or the whole country for that matter, offers as wide a variety of wines to tantalize your palette. Over 450 wineries from around the globe pour over 1,800 wines for you to sample.
Biathlon North American Cup
January 21-22, 2012
10th Mountain Ski Club – Fort Kent, Maine
Exciting competition is coming back to Fort Kent and the St. John Valley with the 2012 Biathlon North American Cup. Thousands of fans are expected. The Biathlon Cup combines cross country skiing with rifle marksmanship. Biathletes compete under the pressure of the clock.
January 23, 2012
Rockland, Maine
The Historic Inns of Rockland and over 20 participating “Pie Town” restaurants celebrate National Pie Day in “Pie Town U.S.A.” with the eight annual Pies on Parade® Pie Tour. Recently dubbed “Pie Town U.S.A.” by The Food Network, the city’s popular pie event will feature samples of more than 45 pies of all types made and presented by local inns and businesses. Common fruit pies, shepherd’s pie, pizza pies, Italian galettes, seafood pies, whoopie pies, quiches, and healthy gluten-free or sugar-free pies have been part of past pie tours. Walk to tour stops, or take a free trolley. Special lodging offers are extended by participating inns.
MAINE LAKES Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival
January 21-22, 2012
Bridgton, Maine
Snow dog racing competitors from throughout the northeastern United States and parts of Canada will take part in this annual event. Also, skijoring (where a person is pulled on skis by a dog), a craft fair, ice skating, horse-drawn hayrides, and more.
January 21-22, 2012
Black Mountain – Jackson, New Hampshire
Sculptors create magical snow art for everyone to enjoy. Each team will be given a cylinder shaped block of snow 4 feet in diameter by 8 feet tall to create their snow sculptures. Judging is based on creativity, technique and message. Other activities planned for the snow sculpture winterfest weekend include; Sleigh Rides, Children’s “Snow Art”, welcome dinner reception, Torchlight bonfire parade, S’Mores and other fun desserts!
The Sun WinEfest – Mohegan Sun Casino
January 27-29, 2012
Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, Connecticut
A fabulous wine event at one of Connecticut’s famous casinos. Come for the Grand Tasting, Celebrity Chef Dine Around, Elite Cru Tasting, Bourbon Tasting and Bubbles & Bon Bons.
Main Stage events and celebrity chef demonstrations during the Grand Tasting include demonstrations by Bobby Flay, Todd English, Robert Irvine, the Mohegan Sun WineFest Grape Stomp, the 8th annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open and more. Guests can sample more than 1,000 fine wines and specialty beers. The Celebrity Chef Dine Around will feature delectable dishes prepared by world-famous chefs, television celebrities and cookbook authors. Each dish will be paired with extraordinary wines whose winemakers will be on-hand to meet and greet guests.
Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River
Saturdays – January 28 (also Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 3)
The Audubon Shop – Madison, Connecticut
See America’s national symbol in the wild. Each winter Bald Eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada in search of ice-free fishing. On this tour you will observe these majestic birds from a variety of locations along the river. Tours are usually sold out, so get your tickets early.
Old Sturbridge Village Fire & Ice Days
January 28-29, 2012
Old Sturbridge Village – Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Old Sturbridge Village embraces the joys of an old fashioned winter with a “Fire and Ice” celebration, complete with ice skating, sledding on vintage 1830s sleds, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Visitors can watch the Mill Pond ice harvested with vintage ice-cutting tools and learn how early New Englanders cut blocks of ice and shipped them around the world before the invention of electrical refrigeration. Afterwards, guests can warm up with hot cider, stories, songs and fireside tales at the Bullard Tavern.
Heritage WinterFest at Smuggler’s Notch
January 28-29, 2012
Smuggler’s Notch – Jeffersonville, Vermont
Smugglers’ Notch Resort and neighboring Jeffersonville share a community celebration of Winter! Festivities in town include sleigh rides, children’s story time, and an art gallery walk. Smugglers’ Nordic Center hosts a guided snowshoeing nature walk Saturday afternoon. Evening events in town include a contra dance, dinner, bonfire and fireworks. The famous Primitive Biathlon takes place on Saturday and Sunday at the Sterling Ridge Inn. Spectators are welcome to watch the competition with many of the participants in period dress. Fee for some events.
January 29, 2012
Craftsbury Common, Vermont
The TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon is the largest nordic ski event in the east: a twenty-five kilometer loop course, classic technique ski marathon or tour, traversing Vermont’s spectacular Northeast Kingdom. The marathon offers 25 and 50 kilometer races This event is part of the prestigious American Ski Marathon Series and the New England Marathon Series.
Explore MORE NEW ENGLAND EVENTS:
- Connecticut Events
- Maine Events
- Massachusetts Events
- New Hampshire Events
- Rhode Island Events
- Vermont Events
- New England Winter: Travel Ideas
- New England Winter Adventures
- New England Skiing & Snowboarding
- New England Zip Lining
