Observer Editor
Community Listing
Online Event
Creative Washtenaw Event
Free Event
Donation Suggested
Hybrid Event
Events in January 2025
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Looking for live music tonight?
Visit our Nightspots listing.
January 2, 2025
“Hands-On Holidays”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Observer Editor
Daily Dec. 23–Jan. 7, except Dec. 24, 25, and 31 & Jan. 1 (times TBA): Family-friendly hands-on activities TBA exploring science and nature. With live entertainment each day, including puppet shows, music, and storytelling by performers TBA. Details posted at discoverscienceandnature.org early in December. AAHOM, 220 E. Ann St. $16/person (members, those with WIC EBT cards, $3/person).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Artists' Open Studio: Ann Arbor Senior Center
Observer Editor
Activities: Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin, bit.ly/a2-senior-cnt. Weekly activities. Preregistration required for some events by emailing mfulton@a2gov.org, bpatton@a2gov.org, or calling (734) 794–6250.
Artists' Open Studio (Thurs. 9:30–11 a.m.). $2; members, free.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Hands-On Holidays”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Observer Editor
Jan. 1 (Noon–5 p.m.) & Jan. 2–5 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.): “Hands-On Holidays”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Family-friendly hands-on scientific explorations of nature TBA. Also, live entertainment, including puppet shows, music, and storytelling by performers TBA. Details posted at discoverscienceandnature.org early in December. AAHOM, 220 E. Ann St. $16/person (members, those with WIC EBT cards, $3/person).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Observer Editor
Every Tues.–Sun. (except Jan. 1). All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Preschool Storytimes: AADL
Observer Editor
Every Mon.–Fri. (different times): Preschool Storytimes: AADL. Half-hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver).
Pittsfield (Mon. 10:30 a.m. & Thurs. 11 a.m.)
Downtown (Tues. 11 a.m.)
Malletts Creek (Tues. 11 a.m. & Wed. 10:30 a.m., except Jan. 1)
Traverwood (Thurs. 11 a.m.)
Westgate (Fri. 1 p.m.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Sanctioned Bridge: Ann Arbor Senior Center
Observer Editor
Activities: Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin, bit.ly/a2-senior-cnt. Weekly activities. Preregistration required for some events by emailing mfulton@a2gov.org, bpatton@a2gov.org, or calling (734) 794–6250.
Sanctioned Bridge (Thurs. noon–3:30 p.m.). $9; members, $8.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Frozen Party!”: AADL Malletts Creek
Observer Editor
Jan. 2 (1–2 p.m.): “Frozen Party!”: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids grades K–5 invited to make crafts related to the Disney movie Frozen, and listen to music from the film.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Make Your Own Board Game”: AADL Pittsfield
Observer Editor
Jan. 2 (1–2 p.m.): “Make Your Own Board Game”: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades K–5 to design and create an original board game using paper supplies and glue.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
"Wise Guys: Conversations for Men": U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program
Observer Editor
U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program. (2401 Plymouth Rd.). Weekly activities Jan. 2–31. Free (except as noted). Preregistration required for some events. For Zoom links see calendar at tinyurl.com/a2-turner-cal. (734) 998–9353, michmed.org/tswp, tswp.info@umich.edu.
Wise Guys: Conversations for Men (Thurs. 1–2:30 p.m. via Zoom).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Duplicate Bridge: Ann Arbor City Club
Observer Editor
Every Thurs., Fri., & Tues. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.) and a 499er game (Thurs.) for players with no more than 499 ACBL master points. 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $8 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Magic Show: AADL Downtown
Observer Editor
Jan. 2 (2–2:45 p.m.): Magic Show: AADL Downtown. Popular award-winning Ann Arbor magician Jeff Wawrzaszek presents a magic show for kids in grades K–5.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Annie”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Dec. 5–Jan. 12. Daniel Cooney directs this local professional theater company in Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan’s upbeat Tony Award-winning 1976 musical comedy inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Set in Depression-era New York, the plot follows the adventures of the plucky Annie and her dog as they escape a Dickensian orphanage and find a home with the millionaire Daddy Warbucks. Songs include “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life.” 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat., except Dec. 12), 3 p.m. (Thurs., except Dec. 5) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $43.50–$60.50 (12 and under $31.50) in advance at theencoretheatre.org & at the door. (734) 268–6200.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Repairsday Thursday”: All Hands Active
Observer Editor
Every Thurs. All invited to drop in with broken electronics, furniture, toys, or any other item they’d like to try to repair or repurpose with the help and guidance of AHA members. Repairs not guaranteed. 6–8 p.m., AHA, basement of 255 E. Liberty, ste. 225. Livestream available at meetup.com/allhandsactive/events. Free; donations welcome. info@allhandsactive.org.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Bad Decisions Track Club
Observer Editor
Every Thurs. Runners of all abilities invited to join this eclectic group of runners ranging from people training for their first 5K to marathoners and ultramarathoners. Sessions are typically interval-based track workouts, followed by refreshments and socializing at a nearby brewery. See walline.wixsite.com/bdtc to sign up for email updates on each week’s workout. 6 p.m. Ferry Field, State at Hoover (occasionally meets elsewhere in the event of bad weather). Free.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Group Runs: Ann Arbor Running Company (AARC)
Observer Editor
Every Thurs., Sat., Mon., & Tues. (different AARC locations). Runners of all abilities invited to join a 5K mapped route (Mon. & Thurs.), an interval-based training run (Tues.), or a beginner or advanced group run (Sat.). 6 p.m. (Thurs.), AARC Colonnade, 901 W. Eisenhower; 7 a.m. (Sat.), AARC Downtown, 209 S. Ashley; 6 p.m. (Mon.), Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti; & 6 p.m. (Tues.). Free. annarborrunningcompany.com.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Comhaltas
Observer Editor
Every Thurs. All invited to join members of this local chapter of the Detroit Irish Music Association for an informal evening playing traditional Irish music on various instruments. Lessons offered. 7–9 p.m., place TBA; go to detroitirishmusic.org or email contact@detroitirishmusic.org to find out more. Free.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider
Observer Editor
Every Thurs. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Mike Lebovitz: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Observer Editor
Jan. 2–4. Gregarious Chicago stand-up comic known for his slightly disheveled, wild-eyed stage manner, self-deprecating anecdotes and irreverent personal philosophy. Preceded by opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Annie”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Dec. 5–Jan. 12. Daniel Cooney directs this local professional theater company in Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan’s upbeat Tony Award-winning 1976 musical comedy inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Set in Depression-era New York, the plot follows the adventures of the plucky Annie and her dog as they escape a Dickensian orphanage and find a home with the millionaire Daddy Warbucks. Songs include “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life.” 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat., except Dec. 12), 3 p.m. (Thurs., except Dec. 5) & 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $43.50–$60.50 (12 and under $31.50) in advance at theencoretheatre.org & at the door. (734) 268–6200.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Jeff Daniels: Onstage & Unplugged”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Dec. 31 & Jan. 2–4. Sold out. 3 & 8 p.m. (Dec. 31 & Jan. 4) & 7:30 p.m. (Jan. 2 & 3). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $100–$125 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org & by phone, and (if available) at the door. No discounts available. (734) 433–7673.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Pub Quiz: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub
Observer Editor
Every Thurs. Popular weekly trivia fest. Come with a team of up to 6 people. Prizes. 7:30 p.m. or so, Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main. $5 team fee that goes to the winning team. (734) 665–2968.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Annual Ann Arbor 50 First Jokes”: The Ark
Observer Editor
Fifty comics from around Michigan, both veterans and upstarts, take turns telling the first joke they’ve written in 2025. Similar events, which began at the Bell House in Brooklyn more than a decade ago, now also take place in New Orleans and L.A. 8 p.m., the Ark, 316 S. Main. Tickets $20 in advance at the Michigan Union Ticket Office (muto.umich.edu), theark.org, & at the door. (734) 761–1451.
PLEASE NOTE: The ticket price published in the print version of the Observer ($10) was incorrect.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Eight Crazy Nights”: Michigan Theater
Observer Editor
Michigan Theater. Film screenings every Wed.–Sun. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. (734) 668–8397. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Dec. 27 & Jan. 2: “Eight Crazy Nights” (Seth Kearsley, 2002). Adult animated musical Hanukkah comedy about a Jewish alcoholic, voiced by Adam Sandler, who stumbles into redemption. 9:30 p.m. (Fri.) & 8 p.m. (Thurs.).
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
“Eight Crazy Nights”: Michigan Theater
Observer Editor
Michigan Theater. Film screenings every Wed.–Sun. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. (734) 668–8397. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Dec. 27 & Jan. 2: “Eight Crazy Nights” (Seth Kearsley, 2002). Adult animated musical Hanukkah comedy about a Jewish alcoholic, voiced by Adam Sandler, who stumbles into redemption. 9:30 p.m. (Fri.) & 8 p.m. (Thurs.)
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Live Trivia: Bløm Mead + Cider
Observer Editor
Every Thurs. Bløm staffers lead 2 rounds of trivia. Teams or single players welcome. Prizes. 7 & 8 p.m., Bløm, 100 S. Fourth Ave. Free, but purchase of food & drink encouraged. (734) 548–9729.
Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
