What to Do in Dry January: An Idea for Every Day of the Month - Gimme the Good Stuff

Share

0 comments

In This Guide

Are you participating in Dry January? I'm not this year because I've managed to become a much lighter drinker throughout 2025. I definitely overindulged for the holidays, so I am going to at least a week or two dry to kick of 2026 before going back to my baseline of about three drinks a week (which is at least half of what I used to drink).

After the indulgences of the holidays, I always look forward to this chance to clean up my act, prioritize rest, and spend more time at home. Of course, January in the Northeast is cold and dark, so removing alcohol can increase the chances of feeling a little bit bored.

For that reason, I usually spend the last couple days of December planning out specific activities that I know I can enjoy without being tempted to drink.

What follows are 31 ideas–one for every day of the month–of things to do without alcohol. I hope you’ll find this helpful if you’re doing Dry January–or even if you’re not! Most of these could be done with a drink in hand, too ;).

Stock up on alcohol-free drinks to get excited about what you can drink this month. You could try Curious Elixirs for a variety of healthful non-alcoholic cocktails (Number 2 is my favorite). Or you can get your haul from Amazon--I like Recess right now.
Consider signing up for a cleanse for part of the month. I always do a Sakara’s program in the new year. Use code MAIASAKARA for 25% off everything at Sakara. You could also build a Daily Harvest box for a more affordable option.
Go out to breakfast. I love eating in restaurants, but it’s hard for me to go out to dinner without ordering a drink. So I am going to plan some fun restaurant breakfasts in January, including at this fun diner. As a bonus, I know these meals will be much cheaper than their evening equivalents.
Host a mocktail night with friends who are also doing Dry January. I am dying to try this non-alcoholic espresso martini (I’d use coconut sugar instead of brown, and do decaf espresso).
Go to a spa. My all-time favorite is Aire Ancient Baths in Manhattan (they also have a location in Chicago)–and they are open until 11 p.m., so you can totally do an evening session.
Take an evening fitness class. When I take a 5:30 p.m. Pure Barre class, I find that I come out without any desire to drink. This month, I am going to stack more classes at night, which will also free up my mornings for productive time (I may even join the 5:00 a.m. club, but don’t hold me to that.)
Do an at-home spa night. For me, this means a bath (with salts!), a face mask, a hair mask my best attempt at a manicure with safer nail polish , and sitting in front of LUME (it's 40% off with that link).
Meet a friend for dessert. Last January, I did this in a coffee shop rather than a restaurant to avoid a drinking atmosphere. (If you live in New York: There is nothing healthy about this place, but it's really yummy.)
Drink fancy tea from your favorite mug. I’ve upgraded my tea game with this kettle, and this blend is great for winter evening sipping.
Shop for something online with all the money you’re saving. There are still some pretty amazing sales happening post-holiday, like: a walking pad at 21% off, a refill of the peptide serum I've used for years at 49% off, latte blends at up to 50% off, a toxin-free mattress at 20% off, and non-toxic cookware at up to 35% off.
Go for a mani-pedi. This is another activity you can do in the evening at the time you might normally reach for a drink. If you can find a less-toxic nail salon (this is my favorite local one), all the better.
Visit a shopping mall in the evening. I also like to go to Whole Foods or Target at 7 p.m. or later when the crowds are gone.
Take a long walk with a friend. Walking in the winter is actually really wonderful if you wear long underwear! (I've been wanting to try the ones from this brand.)
Go to a book reading. Books Are Magic is your best bet if you live in Brooklyn!
Get a massage. I love the walk-in places around New York City, where I can get a neck and head massage for $20 for as many minutes–even at 7:00 p.m.
Make breakfast for dinner. We will make pancakes or waffles, plus turkey bacon, omelettes, and even Trader Joe’s hash browns (which aren’t healthy, but ya know).
Go to a live sporting event. We are planning a night watching the Brooklyn Nets in early January at Barclays Center, where they serve non-alcoholic beer and vegan bratwurst!
Plan a game night. Of course you can have a fun game night with alcohol, but it’s also fun to do with kids and no booze. Some of our favorite family games include Pictionary, Sushi Go, and Beat the Parents.
Visit a museum. Here in New York, the Met is open until 9:00 p.m., so you can totally do this activity at night, too!
Treat yourself to a case of flavored seltzers. I normally try to limit how many canned drinks I bring into our house (we use our Sodastream instead), but in January, I am ordering cases of Sprindrift, and guzzling them to my heart’s content!
Go to a concert. While live music is often a place to drink, it doesn’t have to be! I’m thinking less jazz club and more New York Philharmonic.
Take a clean CBD (or THC!) edible. I wish I liked marijuana as much as I like booze, since I believe that it is a much healthier vice.
Get tickets to a play. On Broadway, you can usually order virgin “Doubles,” which are the extra large signature cocktails in the souvenir cups.
Buy yourself new books and go to bed early to read them. There is little I love more than getting into what my mom calls my “nest”–preferably with freshly cleaned sheets–with a pile of brand new books. I've recently read and recommend: Long Island Compromise, The Overstory, The Best We Could Hope For.
Take a bath. Make it special with the best soaking salts.
Go ice-skating. If you’re me, this probably means watching others skate more than skating myself, but this is a fun evening winter activity to do with hot cocoa instead of a hot toddy.
Host an at-home movie night where you watch several of the movies that are likely going to be nominated for an Oscar. One worth renting: If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.
Edit your closet. Put on some fun music and purge your closet–I plan to consign some items and donate the rest.
Go see a movie in the theater. There are so many good movies in the theater right now--I am planning to see Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value this month. I’ll smuggle in Lesser Evil popcorn, Olipop root beer, and Panda strawberry licorice, as always.
Try a new hobby. I have several paint-by-number and embroidery kits, and I hope this January is when I finally bust them out!
Plan a vacation. I recently read a study that showed that people’s happiness levels are higher during the planning stage of a trip than during the trip itself! So I’ll spend a few of my January evenings fantasizing about future trips, and maybe even planning a real one. (Inspo!)