July 4 First Friday: Independents’ Day Edition

Since July’s First Friday falls on America’s birthday this year, we have a lot to celebrate! As we mark Independence Day, we’re also giving a special shout-out to the small, independent businesses that make our community thrive! Downtown Dayton’s businesses have fun events and specials planned all holiday weekend and starting on First Friday, July 4, from 5 to 10 p.m. This is the perfect time to get a sneak peek of all the fun happening this summer in Downtown Dayton. Whether you’re shopping downtown’s unique retailers, taking in art at downtown’s signature galleries, or celebrating happy hour on your favorite downtown patio, there’s plenty to see and do!

Don’t forget to grab a 2025 Downtown Dayton Summer Passport and start earning stamps this First Friday! All summer long, guests are invited to pick up a free passport and earn stamps from more than 70 participating businesses. It only takes 16 stamps to win! Once a passport is completed with a total of 16 stamps, guests can turn it back in at a designated drop-off location to score a Downtown Dayton prize pack worth at least $25! That’s not all – all completed passports will be entered into a monthly grand prize drawing! Check out how to get started, participating locations, rules, eligibility, and more at downtowndayton.org/passport.

First Friday is part of Summer in the City, presented by AES Ohio. Check out the individual First Friday listings below, and remember the most up-to-date event listings can be found in the online calendar published on the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website. Subscribing to the weekly e-vents email newsletter also keeps one up to speed. For more information about First Friday, or to find business addresses, parking, upcoming activities and more, visit the DDP website at DowntownDayton.org. Invite friends and family to partake in First Friday fun! “Like” and share the First Friday Facebook page.

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Closed Friday for the holiday, but come back on Saturday, July 5, for more local comedy from Saturday House Team “Healthy Mischief” and an improv Town Hall. Tickets and more info at https://www.daytonblackboximprov.com/
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Catch a weekend of live music! Friday is a Dayton Disco Dance Party w/ J[REDACTED], Shmorgue, and Generik. Saturday is live music from Heisey Glass Company, The Fotons, and Adam Papalios. Sunday is more live music from Freya’s Felines, Undefeated, and She’s Deadly. All three events are 8pm doors, 21+, $10
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: Closed Friday for the holiday, open on Saturday & Sunday! See “Laura Sanders: Force of Nature,” “Erin Holscher Almazan: What These Arms Hold,” and “Christine Gaffney: Well-Balanced.” The gallery is open 11a-6p. Free and open to all.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: The museum is closed on Friday, July 4, but visit on Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6, to see current exhibitions, “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” “Themes in Yoshitoshi’s 100 Aspects of the Moon,” “Wonders in Color: Art by Alexander Calder & Others,” and “Cats in Art / Dogs in Art.”
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: It’s Free Juke Box Friday from 6-7 p.m.! Stick around for Irish First Fridays with a Miami Valley Pipes & Drums performance at 7 p.m. and more music at 9 p.m. On Saturday, July 5, catch a live acoustic performance from Pearl Street starting at 8:30 p.m.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: Fireworks are great but you can also visit the bursting brilliance of the LIVING COLOR group art exhibition at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery featuring several Dayton area artists. The gallery will be open each day of the 4th of July weekend, Friday 3pm-8pm and Sat & Sun 12pm-5pm.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Explore art studios, shops, and galleries across campus! Live art demonstrations, gallery openings, and new work on display by more than 150 artists!  Meet our artists, learn about their work, or sign up to take a class!  Don’t just see art, live it!  Hops will take place on Friday from 5p-9p and again on Saturday from 11a-4p.
• Levitt Pavilion, 134 S. Main St.: Friday, July 4 at 7 PM – Honoring Our Veterans Concert ft The Scotty Bratcher Band. Saturday, July 5 at 7 PM – Free concert ft Sinkane with Gem Series opener Solistic
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Catch a live performance from Faye Williams out front!
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com
• Two Social, 123 E. Third St.: Catch a live performance from Miah Qumsieh out front!
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Join us at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 4, for a free community cookout at Yellow Cab Tavern. We will be cooking up some grilled dogs and burgers dealsplus we will have tons of drink specials while Chambers spins some summer classics! Then on Saturday, July 5, see Harpoetic and Melina Marie is a stunning RnB Artist with a vibe that’s irresistible! $15 cover.

DINING AND DRINKS

• The Century Bar, 18 S. Jefferson St.: Stop in to try the new Summer Cocktail Menu!
• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: You Dropped the Bomb on Me First Friday – get $1 cherry bombs and $3 Jager bombs!
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3-6 p.m. on Friday!
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: Try the NEW wraps: Chicken Caesar, Tuscan Italian, and Kickin’ Chicken Ranch. For dessert, grab a Lemon Sunshine Cookie for a limited time!
• Jollity/Koji Burger, 127 E. Third St.: Join us Saturday, July 5th for an all-out Koji Burger takeover. We’re celebrating what’s to come with burger giveaways, a limited merch drop, test menu previews, and a sneak peek at our future space before the full remodel drops later this summer. Happening 11-8 (or until sold out!)
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials on Bao Buns and wine, highball cocktails, and craft beers on tap from 4:30-6:30 p.m.!
• Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St.: Join us for Happiness Hours from 4-6 p.m. with $2 off draft beers and $2 off shareables, ½ price bottles of wine, $8 Old Fashioned, and $9 Manhattans.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Join us for Happy Hour deals from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop in for some of the best pizza in Dayton. Dine in, carryout and curbside pickup available.
• RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.: The RiverScape Café and RiverScape MetroPark will be closed on Friday, July 4. Come back on Saturday, July 5, for some summer fun! The café is open for the season offering sides, flatbreads and desserts. Because RiverScape MetroPark is part of the downtown Dayton DORA footprint, visitors can also enjoy a variety of beer, wine, cocktails and hard seltzers. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4 to 9 p.m., with Happy Hour specials offered daily from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour wine is $7 a glass from 4-7 p.m.!

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• 6668 Kitchen Incubator, 32 S. Ludlow St.: The 6888 Summer Marketplace is back on Saturday, July 5! Shop with local vendors from 10a-2p
• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
• Blind Rage Records, 508 E. Fifth St.: Saturday, July 5, is opening day for downtown’s newest business! Stop in to welcome Blind Rage Records to the community and find your new favorite record.
• Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Spend $50 at Varsity House to receive 10% off from your Choice Juice Boxx purchase.
• CORPORATE, 119 E. Third St.: First Friday sale! Get 15% off from 11a-6p every First Friday
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: Board game fans: stop by the Main Library on Saturday, July 5, from 2-4 p.m.! Bring your friends or make some new ones while enjoying an afternoon of games from chess to Settlers of Catan.
• Gem City Jewelry, 110 North Main Street, Suite 125: Mention First Friday at checkout for 40% off of your purchase!
• Gem City Tattoo Club, 436 E. Fifth St.: Tattoo flash sale! From 12:30-7:30 p.m., GCTC will offer traditional designs from our group of professional artists at a discounted price of $80-$100! Stop in and choose from 100s of designs. First come first serve!
• Mintha’s Boutique, 520 E. Third St.: Get 20% off your entire purchase when you mention First Friday!
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: New release day! Explore the new releases on vinyl, CDs, and more. All day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Oregon District.
• The Oregon District, Fifth Street: Visit the pedestrian promenade at Out on 5th! Enjoy extended outdoor seating, vendors, entertainment, and more as you visit your favorite Oregon District businesses. Saturday, July 5, is the Independents’ Day Block Party from 12p-6p with vendors, live music, and more!
• RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave: RiverScape MetroPark will be closed on Friday, July 4. On Saturday, July 5, come back for more summer fun! Taiters Kayak is offering an additional day of kayak rentals on Saturday, July 5, from 5-9p.
• Pedal Wagon Dayton: Pedal Wagon Dayton: Hop around to some of Dayton’s best breweries on the Brewery Cruise! Seats are $39.50 for adults 21+ or rent a private ride for up to 15 people! com/dayton/brewery-cruise/
• The Silos, 810 E. First St.: Grab your helmet – The Silos is a Dayton Bike Meet stopping point with a drink special every First Friday (weather permitting)
• Sole Touchers, 37 S. St. Clair St.: Mention First Friday to receive 25% off all shoes in store!
• Square One Salon & Spa, 506 E. Third St: Enjoy First Friday & Saturday Styles! A new way to experience Square One with Preferred Pricing on Select Services! Available only on First Friday & Saturday of each month with select service providers. Book early – appointments fill quickly!
• Urban Krag Climbing Center, 125 Clay St.: First Timer Friday! First-time visitors can register for a belay class at urbankrag.com to get a day pass, rental gear, and free week membership! Must be 14 years or older to qualify.
• Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 20% off your entire purchase! Shop in-store and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.
• Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St.: Stop in on Saturday, July 5, for Christmas in July! Shop store wide sales.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

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