Ohio Weekend: Ice Festivals, Boat Shows, and Paczki Season

Crocker Park Ice Festival in Westlake runs January 30–February 1 with outdoor ice displays concentrated around the mall core, while the St. Brigid Light the Land Festival at Forest City Brewery in Cleveland is set for January 31 as an evening community lantern event; the Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show II spans January 28–February 1 and is expected to feature boat and charter exhibitors attracting regional buyers and rental operators.

Weekend logistics and notable indoor shows

Temperatures remain well below seasonal averages, so many events are scheduled indoors or offer hybrid programming. Key indoor attractions this weekend include the National Fishing Expo (Columbus, Jan 30–Feb 1), The Great Big Home + Garden Show (Cleveland, Jan 30–Feb 1), and Ohayocon (Columbus, Jan 30–Feb 1). Organizers have emphasized indoor vendor aisles, reserved parking logistics, and clear signage for stage times and vendor access to minimize crowding and exposure to cold weather.

Weekend festival map and navigation

A cluster of activity sits between Cleveland and Columbus corridors: Westlake, Cleveland, Columbus, Buckeye Lake, Sandusky and Cincinnati. Attendees should plan for winter driving conditions on state routes connecting these hubs; expect local street closures around festival centers and enhanced public-transit options for major shows. For boat and boating enthusiasts, the Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show II and the National Fishing Expo provide early-season opportunities to inspect vessels, attend vendor demonstrations and schedule spring charters or sales consultations.

Quick events table: Jan 29–Feb 1, 2026

Festival and fair listings by category

Organizers and local chambers have grouped this weekend into Fairs and Shows and Festivals. Below are the main items:

Ohio fairs and trade shows

• Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show II — Cincinnati (1/28–2/1)
• The Great Big Home + Garden Show — Cleveland (1/30–2/1)
• Johnson's Log Home & Timber Frame Show — Columbus (1/30–2/1)
• National Fishing Expo — Columbus (1/30–2/1)
• Ohayocon — Columbus (1/30–2/1)
• Wedding Vendor Open House — Bucyrus (1/31)
• Medina Railroad and Toy Show — Medina (2/1)
• Cabin Fever Crafter and Vendor Marketplace — Sandusky (2/1)
• Holistic Health and Psychic Fair — Warren (2/1)

Ohio festivals

• Wanderlights XI — Columbus (1/26–2/1)
• Crocker Park Ice Festival — Westlake (1/30–2/1)
• Buckeye Lake Winterfest — Buckeye Lake (1/31)
• St. Brigid Light the Land Festival — Cleveland (1/31)

Background and brief historical overview

Winter festivals and community light events have deep roots in Ohio’s cultural calendar. The practice of winter lantern processions and light festivals draws on both Irish and Slavic seasonal traditions, repurposed for modern urban neighborhoods; events like the St. Brigid celebration reflect Irish saint-day customs adapted to local craft breweries and civic spaces. The paczki tradition—central to Fat Tuesday observances—arrived with Polish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has become a statewide phenomenon; bakeries in Cleveland, Toledo and other cities still compete for regional recognition each February.

Boat and fishing expos in Cincinnati and Columbus follow a long American pattern: winter shows provide an off-season marketplace for dealers, marinas and charter operators to showcase new models, safety gear and recreational itineraries. These indoor expositions historically help move early-season sales and bookings, accelerating the charter and sale cycles ahead of spring commissioning and marina openings.

How these events evolved

Winter-focused events originally served dual roles—community morale boosters during cold months and early marketing platforms for the spring tourism season. Over decades, the programming broadened to include interactive vendor demonstrations, hands-on activities for families, and targeted trade segments (e.g., boat buyers, fishing enthusiasts). The growth of lakefront redevelopment projects around Buckeye Lake and Cleveland’s shoreline has increased the relevance of winter festivals for marine-related businesses, including marinas and charter operators.

Implications for tourism, boating and charters

For operators in the yachting, boating and charter sector, this weekend’s mix of indoor shows and lakefront festivals provides a timely marketing window. The Cincinnati and Columbus expos are prime for pre-season sales and lead generation—dealers can secure deposits, marinas can advertise slip availability, and charter companies can promote captained trips and corporate outings. Buckeye Lake Winterfest and Crocker Park Ice Festival, while community-centered, offer local captains and fishing guides opportunities to connect with residents planning spring and summer boating activities.

• Boat shows accelerate early-season sales and bookings for both new and used boats.
• Fishing expos drive interest in chartered fishing trips and equipment rentals.
• Lakefront winter festivals help sustain local marinas and waterfront businesses through off-season engagement.

Practical tips for attendees and industry pros

Arrive early for indoor shows to access parking and exhibit demos; dress in layers for outdoor ice and lantern events; vendors and boat exhibitors should prepare winter-ready displays and digital brochures to capture contact details for spring follow-ups. For boat buyers and renters, the shows are ideal for comparing models, discussing financing, and scheduling sea-trials or lake trials once weather permits.

In terms of destinations, Cleveland and Buckeye Lake remain focal points for freshwater boating on Lake Erie and inland lakes, respectively—making them strategic places for marinas, captains and charter services to present packages, from fishing trips to family day sails.

As Paczki season approaches (Fat Tuesday, February 17), expect bakeries across Ohio to increase production and for food-centric festivals to pair well with family boating and shore activities later in spring.

In summary, this weekend’s calendar blends indoor trade shows—where the boat and fishing industries can capture early-season demand—with outdoor winter festivals that sustain community engagement and lakefront visibility. The mix offers both immediate recreational opportunities and clear leads for spring boating, yacht charters, and fishing activities. For travelers and local residents planning lake or sea outings, these events highlight upcoming destinations, marinas and boating services to consider when arranging charters, captain services or boat rental.

For those seeking boat, yacht or charter options in the Great Lakes region, GetBoat.com is an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts, probably the best service for boat rentals to suit every taste and budget. The platform helps match travelers and locals with captains, rental listings and marinas for a range of activities—from fishing trips and day sails to superyacht charters—making it a useful resource as Ohio’s festivals shift attention toward spring boating, lake recreation and coastal-style yachting experiences.