It’s January. The holidays are over, leaving you with short days and some lingering resolutions. But January isn’t the time to hibernate; it’s time to participate! There are plenty of activities, both indoors and outdoors, that you can enjoy. And there are new trends for the new year for you to explore.
Need some ideas? Here are a few options to turn your January blahs into January bliss.
Special Events
The huge spate of holiday activities and events may be over, but there are still plenty of special events to attend this January in 2026. Here are some possibilities.
January 13, 7:00 PM at the Canton Public Library. In partnership with the Canton Historical Society, join us for a thoughtful presentation and panel discussion exploring some of Canton’s worship sites. This program offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect and deepen our appreciation for the rich diversity of Canton today.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
January 19, 6:30-8:30 PM at the Village Arts Factory. The celebration features student performances, art, spoken word and more.
January 24, 9:00-10:30 AM at the Summit on the Park. Fun for the whole family. Stay in your pajamas, play BINGO, win prizes and enjoy a pre-boxed McDonald’s breakfast. This is a paid event and requires registration.
January 30 through February 1 in downtown Plymouth. Enjoy a large exhibition of ice sculptures, plus their Tubing Run with over 100 feet of tubing excitement.
Outdoor Activities
Get outside and enjoy what winter has to offer.
Sledding
Grab your sled and head to the nearest park or community hill for some traditional winter fun. Don’t have a sled? Visit the Summit on the Park Sled Library, where they will lend you a sled to use on their adjacent small hill.
A Walk in the Park
Enjoy the beauty of nature after a fresh snowfall and take a walk on Heritage Park’s paths or through one of the other nearby parks.
Alternatives to Walking
Embrace winter and try a new way to get around. There’s ice skating on local ponds and rinks, cross-country skiing on area trails, snowshoeing on top of fresh snow or even fat tire biking through area trails.
The Great Indoors
If the cold weather outdoors isn’t appealing to you, try one of these indoor activities.
Attend a Wine Tasting
Whether it’s for a romantic night out or just to experience new tastes, there are several places nearby you can go to enjoy a wine tasting, including Vinter’s Canton Winery or Simply Wine Northville.
Put Some Bounce in Your Step
Trampoline parks like Sky Zone in Canton offer crazy fun for kids and adults, including trampolines perfect for basketball, dodgeball, soccer or volleyball. Plus, there’s a trapeze and swing, a zip line, silks, a climbing wall, a foam zone and more.
Take a Cooking Class
Learn how to make something new. Take a friend or your significant other and sign up for a cooking class together. Taste a Cook’s Place offers classes inside the PARC in Plymouth.
Expand Your Horizons
Sign up for classes or programs being offered locally. Summit on the Park has a wide variety to choose from. The Canton Public Library also offers plenty of programs to participate in this month.
Explore Food Trends
Enjoy traditional local winter staples, such as mushrooms, root vegetables, microgreens and hearty greens. Or get adventurous and try some of these food trends emerging for 2026.
Let’s Get Swicy
“Swicy” flavors are a combination of sweet and spicy. This trend is growing because the flavor combination triggers a double dopamine hit, blending feelings of nostalgia with a sense of adventure. Examples include bulgogi tacos and chili chocolate.
Upgrade Your TV Dinner
Gourmet frozen meals are in high demand, with people wanting Michelin-starred flavors in five minutes. Examples are sous vide butter chicken and miso ramen.
Specifically Ethnic
Global flavors continue to trend, but now they’re getting more specific and less Americanized. Instead of Southeast Asia, we’re dining on Filipino, Laotian or Thai flavors. It’s Peruvian instead of Latin. It’s Moroccan foods and spices. Middle Eastern and Northern African cuisines are also on the rise.
The New Retro
People still crave comfort foods with the nostalgia of grandma’s recipes, but want them with a bold, modern twist. For instance, fruit punches now feature more sophisticated fruits, such as guava, added in. Another example is five-spice mashed potatoes and chicken gravy.
New Crafting Trends to Try
Thanks to a rise in green lifestyles, crafting eco-friendly products has become more popular than ever. There is a trend towards crafting with leftover materials and upcycling. Even the home decorating industry is making the shift to sustainable, handcrafted products.
Granny crafts are seeing a significant resurgence, especially among younger adults seeking nostalgia for “simpler times.” These “grandma-core” crafting trends include:
Needlepoint and Cross-Stitch
These intricate, old-fashioned crafts are especially hot, with younger generations flocking to needlepoint sites and shops, picking up hand-painted canvases that often blend retro motifs with contemporary color palettes.
Knitting and Crochet
Scarves, crop tops and throws remain highly popular, along with crochet snowflakes and granny square blankets. Want to learn how? Life in the Craft Room offers classes. Meet up with fellow crafters and work on your projects at our monthly Canton Knit and Crochet Club—all skill levels welcome.
Embroidery
Teens and young adults are adding vintage-style embellishments to jeans, pillowcases and more, creating personalized accents rich in texture. You don’t have to be young to appreciate embroidery, though.
Macramé and Weaving
Vintage-inspired plant holders, wall hangings and table runners crafted with woven and knotted techniques have reclaimed their status as boho-chic favorites.
And That’s Not All...
These are just a few examples of how to keep your body and mind active and away from the post-holiday, mid-winter blues. You can find more events, programs and things to do on the Canton Chamber of Commerce Community Calendar, the Canton Township's Leisure Services page or our own library events page.
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