I have spent a week in Riomaggoire in early October (and absolutely loved it) Now we are looking at revisiting the area in January 2009. Who can enlighten me as to the weather; whether anything will be open; what it is like there at that time of the year? Etc Etc
this time around we will be taking our daughter, son in law and two grandchildren 6 and 8 years. Would love any suggestions

Hellon macca, as I am sure you know it will be winter and you will be right along the coast. Personally the area of Cinque Terre is not where I would chose to be in January. By the way, a young family member spent his senior year of high school in Italy. He was with a family in Monterosso. He was so miserable when winter arrived he was moved to another area for the duration of his time in Italy. I would truly rethink this plan. Best regards.

We stayed just before Christmas last year and it was lovely but I think the fine weather was unseasonal. There was very few people but enough things open. I think we couldn't have picked a better time. Maybe check January weather this year or ask some locals. We stayed at Mar mar apartments and they would answer this sort of question for you I would think.

Winter can be chilly and windy (and rainy)in the Cinque Terre as well. After all, this still is Northern Italy. But when the sun shines -- even in January -- it is like spring time. Personal experience: it happened to me more than once to walk the paths in a T-shirt in the middle of the winter.
So what it comes down to is: check the weather forecast a few days ahead.
In terms of hotels, etc.: people LIVE there, so there always are shops, restuarants, etc, who are open all year. Granted, many hotels will be closed, but some do stay open.

macca:

I had visited the CT in early March one year. I had a great time. If you get good weather, and by good I mean sunny with no rain, it will be a lovely place to walk and tour the area. (although I just re-read that you will have little ones to tote around!)
The milk trains are less crowded, the "Rick Steve's" tours and book toting believers will be limited.

Yes, it will be 'way off season' but I think that would be a 'good thing' in that area!!!

We have been in January before, and the weather was beautiful, around 60 degrees (F) and sunny. We stayed in Monterrosso (at La Poesia). A lot of hotels and restaurants were closed, but we really enjoyed having the place to ourselves.

Our family also likes Italian resort towns off-season-very atmospheric, moody and, as other posters have mentioned, with the chance for a sudden burst of spring. The nice part is that even with a group of the size you mention, you will be able to be flexible in shifting from place to place as hotels that do stay open have lots of space.(You will have a car, right?)

It is heartening to hear the positive responses. Of course we are aware that over winter there will be adverse weather. The posts that mention what is/isn't open are really useful.
No we will not have a car as all our previous trips to europe we use and enjoy the wonderful public transport system.
We will be travelling to Italy after three weeks in the Scandanavian countries for a "white Christmas"

Macca: sounds like you are hardy souls and will do just fine.

However, in your place I would seriously re-think doing without a car. Were you thinking of staying in one place? I hope it is a villa/apartment? Personally, the idea of hotel rooms with little kids and the possiblity of rainy weather and no car, does NOT sound like a good time.

We really, really enjoyed CT in September but on the one rainy day we had, it was pretty miserable.

I wouldn't go to CT in January, both because of the weather and because so much is closed. Even much further south, the coastal resorts of Italy tend to be pretty dead in the winter. There is not a whole lot to do indoors in CT. Even if you had the great luck of the best weather, there must be better places to go at that time.

I'm curious why you've chosen the Cinque Terre for a January destination. If you lived in Europe and the trip was an easy one, I'd think, "What the heck, give it a try." But if you're traveling half way around the world and making a significant investment (in time, effort, and money), I wouldn't take the risk. You might luck onto pleasant weather, but the odds are better that you won't, in which case the pleasures of the Cinque Terre are significantly diminished.

My general rule of thumb is, if you're travel in Italy in the winter, stick to the cities, where you can see the sights regardless of the weather while enjoying the benefits of fewer fellow tourists. If I were traveling with a family, I'd rent an apartment in Rome. If the weather happened to turn nice and you wanted to get out of the city, there are several good day trips you could take.

Of course much depends on the sensibilities of your fellow travelers, your budget, etc., but those are my two cents.