DOWNTOWN EVENTS CALENDAR
CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN DOWNTOWN DAYTON
Because you’re tired of the same routine...
BE DOWNTOWN
Find something fun to do with our calendar of downtown events.
BECAUSE YOU’RE TIRED OF THE SAME ROUTINE…
BE DOWNTOWN
Find something fun to do with our calendar of downtown events.
There’s always something fun going on downtown! Below you’ll find a list of events scheduled for today. Use the filters at the top to find events by date, keyword, and more. You can also view the calendar by month or as a list of 20 events at a time.
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Downtown Events Calendar
Dayton Holiday Festival Kickoff Events: The Grande Illumination & Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights
November 29 @ 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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The Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio, is your source for family-friendly holiday fun in downtown Dayton!
Started by Mrs. Virginia Kettering in 1972 so that all children could enjoy the holiday season regardless of their economic means, the festival continues today with free attractions for the community.
Each year, the festival kicks off Thanksgiving weekend with the Grande Illumination and the Dayton Children’s Parade. The fun continues throughout the month of December with family fun days and other holiday activities.
Mark your calendar to kick off the Dayton Holiday Festival on Friday, November 29, 2024!
Get all the details below.
The Grande Illumination tree lighting
Presented by AES Ohio
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts. 7 p.m.
Watch the holidays light up during Dayton’s traditional tree lighting. At 7:00 p.m., we’ll throw the switch and approximately 50,000 lights will brighten the big tree on Courthouse Square! Free.
Holiday tree sponsored by Premier Health
Media sponsor: iHeartRADIO
The Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights
Presented by White Allen Chevrolet
Along Second & Main sts., 7:00 p.m.
Immediately following the tree lighting, the Children’s Parade will round the corner of Second and Main streets to start its route through downtown, sparkling with more than 100,000 lights! Watch decorative seasonal floats, horses, drill teams and bands, and some special holiday treats. Free.
LED parade lights sponsored by NECA/IBEW Electrical Professionals
NOTE: This year’s parade has a slightly different route from previous years. See the map here.
Magic Glasses
For a fun and special added touch, grab a pair of free “magic glasses” on Courthouse Square before watching the tree lighting and parade to see the holiday lights in a whole new way! Free.
Sponsored by CareSource
But the tree lighting and parade aren’t the only highlights that night!
A full evening of fun holiday entertainment and activities is planned beginning at 3 p.m., including such favorites as:
Live Main Stage Entertainment
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 3-7 p.m.
Enjoy holiday songs and other live entertainment on the Courthouse Square Main Stage leading up to the lighting ceremony. Free.
Sponsored by Sinclair College
3:05-3:30 p.m. – Dayton Celebration Chorus
3:35-4:15 p.m. – SaxTone
4:25-5:05 p.m. – Tori Lee
5:15-5:55 p.m. – Cafe con Leche
6:05-6:55 p.m. – Sam King + The Suspects
Live Reindeer
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Meet our North Pole ambassadors! Santa’s reindeer will be available for photos on Courthouse Square. Don’t miss your chance to take your picture on Santa’s sleigh! Free.
Sponsored by AES Ohio
Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest
The Old Courthouse, Third & Main sts., 3-7 p.m.
View all the delicious contest entries and the award-winning houses, and vote for your favorite! Free.
(Please note that in order to ensure everyone in line will get to view the houses, it is often necessary to close the line earlier than the scheduled end time.)
Street Fair on Third
Third Street between Main & Jefferson sts., 3-8 p.m.
Enjoy free rides and other activities for kids throughout the evening! Free.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
Second Street near Main Street, 3-6:15 p.m.
Enjoy a ride through downtown on a decorated wagon pulled by horses!
(Please note that in order to ensure everyone in line will get a ride, it is often necessary to close the line earlier than the scheduled end time.)
Candy Cane Clubhouse
Stratachache Tower lobby, 40 N. Main St., 3-7 p.m.
Enjoy festive kids’ entertainment, crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and more! Free. Scheduled to perform:
3:00-3:50 p.m. – Magic by Dave
4:00-4:50 p.m. – Juggling by Crazy Craig Muhlenkamp
5:00-6:00 p.m. – Disney Princess Sing-Along and Meet & Greet
6:00-7:00 p.m. – River City Puppet Show
Holiday Adventure
Start at Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 3-7 p.m.
Kids will go on an adventure around the festival footprint. Children who visit all of the stops will receive a free book. Free.
Presented by the Junior League of Dayton. Sponsored by Wright-Patt Credit Union
Food Vendors
Courthouse Square & Third Street near the street fair, 3-7 p.m.
Grab a bite to eat from one of multiple food vendors on Courthouse Square and near the Street Fair on Third. Vendors scheduled to appear include S’more Fun, Courtland Mobile Grill, CupZilla, Hearts Hot Dogs, Wooten’s Chuck Wagon, Spin City Concessions, Little Trolley Donuts, Little Z’s Concessions, Funnel Cakes & More. (Vendors subject to change.)