January has a habit of closing in.
The days are shorter. The cold makes staying home feel logical. Screens quietly take over nights that once held plans. Before long, “we should get out more” becomes something we say instead of something we do.
You do not need a big plan. Just one night. Then maybe another.
Below are a few good places to start.
Wednesday, January 14
7:00 PM
🧠 Understanding AI: The Basics
📍 Pine Grove Hall
https://pinegrovehall.com
An easy midweek reset. This is a sit back, listen, and learn kind of evening. No pressure to participate, no homework, just curiosity and conversation in a room designed for focus and comfort.
8:00 PM
🎶 Leo Paterniti with Little Blue and the Stargazers
📍 Manny’s Performance Space
https://mannysstatecollege.com
Manny’s is built for listening. Music-forward, intentional crowd, and an atmosphere that rewards showing up.
Thursday, January 15
6:30 PM
🎵 Live at The Hollow: Kyle Womer
📍 The Hollow
https://thehollowpa.com
A smaller room, attentive audience, and the kind of night where you forget to check your phone. Easy to slip in and out, or stay for the whole set.
7:00 PM
🎶 Paul Leskowicz Quartet with Steve Davis and Jason Kush
📍 Pine Grove Hall
https://pinegrovehall.com
A great option if you want something refined but relaxed. Pine Grove Hall consistently delivers nights that feel special without feeling formal.
Friday, January 16
6:00 PM
🤼 Penn State Wrestling vs Iowa Watch Party
📍 Happy Valley Live
A social way to ease into the weekend with other fans and familiar faces. Low commitment, high energy, and a shared Penn State moment.
7:00 PM
🎸 Jake Eddy Solo Winter Tour
📍 Pine Grove Hall
https://pinegrovehall.com
Warm sound, good food, and a listening room that invites you to slow down.
7:00 PM
💃 Salsa and Bachata Night
📍 Manny’s Performance Space
https://mannysstatecollege.com
If you want movement instead of sitting, this is a great way to shake off the week and leave with more energy than you arrived with.
7:00 PM
🏒 Penn State Men’s Hockey vs Notre Dame
📍 Pegula Ice Arena
https://gopsusports.com
A true night-out hockey game. Dinner first, game after, conversation that carries on.
Saturday, January 17
1:00 PM
🎶 Live Music by Chris Schenck
📍 Seven Mountains Wine Cellars
https://sevenmountainswinecellars.com
Daytime plans count. This is an easy, sunlit way to get out without committing your entire evening.
7:00 PM
🎶 Natascha and the Spy Boys
📍 Pine Grove Hall
https://pinegrovehall.com
A lively Saturday night option that still feels grounded and welcoming.
8:00 PM
🏒 Penn State Men’s Hockey vs Notre Dame
📍 Pegula Ice Arena
https://gopsusports.com
Saturday night includes recognition of Penn State’s Adaptive Athletes, adding meaning to an already strong atmosphere. The later puck drop lets the night unfold without rushing.
Sunday, January 18
11:00 AM
🏒 Penn State Sled Hockey Classic
📍 Pegula Ice Arena
https://gopsusports.com
Fast-paced, inspiring, and deeply human. A reminder of why live sports matter and why shared experiences stick.
5:00 PM
🧭 Stirred, Not Stuck: Jump Start 2026
📍 Pine Grove Hall Upstairs Listening Room
https://pinegrovehall.com
A thoughtful way to close the weekend. Reflective, conversational, and designed to help you head into the new year with a little more clarity.
Why Hockey Fits So Well Into January
Hockey works here because it respects your time.
Games move quickly. The atmosphere is social. You can talk, react, and still be home at a reasonable hour. You do not need to know the rules to enjoy it. By the second period, most people are already leaning in.
Pegula Ice Arena is built for comfort and visibility. The crowd is welcoming. Students bring energy. Regulars bring rhythm. First timers are pulled in without effort.
If you want a low-pressure night out that feels full but not long, hockey delivers.
Pegula Ice Arena information
https://pegulaarena.com
Looking Ahead: A Weekend Worth Planning Around
At the end of the month, hockey expands beyond the arena.
Friday, January 30
1:00 PM 🏒 Penn State Women’s Hockey Outdoor Game
📍 Beaver Stadium
6:00 PM 🏒 Penn State Men’s Hockey
📍 Pegula Ice Arena
Saturday, January 31
1:00 PM 🏒 Penn State Men’s Hockey Outdoor Game
📍 Beaver Stadium
6:00 PM 🏒 Penn State Women’s Hockey
📍 Pegula Ice Arena
Outdoor hockey at Beaver Stadium is rare. Tailgating, winter layers, warm food in the lots, and a shared sense that this is not an ordinary weekend.
Beaver Stadium information and policies
https://gopsusports.com/facilities/beaver-stadium/1
A Final Thought
You do not need to do everything.
Pick one night. Bring someone with you. Stay for an hour or stay longer. Let the room do the work.
Getting out matters. Not because it is productive, but because it is human. Happy Valley’s hosts are opening their doors every week. All you have to do is step through one of them.
For more ideas and easy planning, explore the full calendar at:
https://connecthappyvalley.com/events/
