Free, family-friendly fun will continue this holiday season at various downtown locations.
December 5, 2024 (DAYTON, Ohio) – The holiday season is officially here in downtown Dayton! The fun is just getting started after last week’s Dayton Holiday Festival kickoff event. Now that the tree is officially lit, free, family-friendly events and activities will continue throughout December as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio. Guests are encouraged to plan Family Fun Days downtown this month with family, friends, and loved ones to create lasting holiday memories and spread cheer all season long.
Many of downtown’s first-floor storefronts are full of holiday spirit for a friendly competition! You can vote for your favorite decorations in the WHIMSICAL WINDOWS decorating contest! Be sure to visit all of this year’s displays and then vote for your favorite on Dayton.com. The business that receives the most votes now through noon on Friday, December 27, will win a cash prize! While you’re enjoying all of the beautiful decor, be sure to keep a lookout for hidden elves among the decorations to enter our ELF HUNT contest. Simply text us a photo of the elf you find in each window to 937-304-4041 for your chance to win Downtown Dollars! Each photo of a different elf counts as one entry into the contest. A total of four winners will be drawn and contacted weekly through December.
That’s just the start of the holiday fun. Celebrate the season with your loved ones downtown throughout December with these activities during Dayton Holiday Festival’s Family Fun Days, sponsored by AES Ohio and the Downtown Dayton Partnership:
FAMILY MOVIE SERIES
Dec. 7, 14, & 21; 11 a.m.
THE NEON, 130 E. Fifth St.
Bring the family for fun, festive films. Enjoy the following movies during this year’s series. Free admission for kids 12 and under, $2 for adults.
Sponsored by Dayton Children’s & THE NEON.
December 7 – Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
December 14 – Happy Feet
December 21 – Santa Claus: The Movie
Titles subject to change – call theater for confirmation. (937) 222-8452.
VIRGINIA KETTERING’S TRAIN DISPLAY
Now through Jan. 1
Stratacache Tower lobby, Second and Main streets
View in building lobby Mon-Sat, or view through windows anytime. (Use Second St. building entrance)
Visitors can view this one-of-a-kind model train display that was given to the community by Mrs. Virginia Kettering.
WINTER WONDERLAND AT RABBIT HOLE BOOKS
December 7, 14, & 21; 1-5 p.m.
Rabbit Hole Books, 27 W. First St.
Santa’s workshop is coming to downtown Dayton! Little ones are invited to shop for gifts in a kid-sized store, enjoy tasty holiday treats, and take a photo with the big man in red!
RIKE’S HOLIDAY WINDOWS
Now through December 29; Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and before every performance at the Schuster Center.
Closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second & Main Sts.
Presented by Dayton Live
Experience a reimagining of the Rike’s department store holiday window displays that once stood at this busy downtown corner. (Not accessible during private events. Call 228-7591 to confirm hours.)
METROPARKS ICE RINK
Now through February 28
RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.
Sheltered under the covered pavilion, the MetroParks Ice Rink sets the scene as a perfect winter wonderland in downtown Dayton. Patrons may skate daily. While the rink is open, you can enjoy delicious treats from the concession area, including a cup of hot chocolate. Take advantage of fun skating activities, such as lessons, themed skating nights and more. Visit metroparks.org/ice-rink to learn more, find daily open hours and costs, and see a schedule of events.
Even more events are planned around downtown throughout December! For a full list of activities and events, pick up the Dayton Holiday Festival Calendar at participating businesses or download an electronic version at daytonholidayfestival.org. Find dining guides, parking maps and more at downtowndayton.org to keep up with downtown events and news.
The Dayton Holiday Festival is presented by The Downtown Dayton Partnership and AES Ohio and is sponsored by White-Allen Chevrolet, CareSource, and the Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. Additional support comes from the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, NECA/IBEW Electrical Professionals, Premier Health, Sinclair College, Wright-Patt Credit Union, Dayton Children’s Hospital as well as media sponsors iHeartRADIO, Dayton.com, and Key-Ads.
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