Downtown Dayton is the place for free, family-friendly fun this holiday season.
December 1, 2023 (DAYTON, Ohio) – The tree is lit, the music is playing, and the holiday season is in full swing in downtown Dayton! Free, family-friendly events and activities are planned throughout December as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio. Guests are encouraged to plan Family Fun Days downtown this month to keep the holiday cheer going strong all season long.
Enjoy a free light show choreographed to some of your favorite holiday songs with the DOWNTOWN JINGLE LIGHTS! This interactive light show is set to music along East Monument Avenue and Main Street to enjoy on foot with speakers along the route or by tuning in to 95.1 FM in your vehicle. Of course, the Dayton Holiday Festival tree will also remain lit all season long for guests to visit in Courthouse Square.
Downtown businesses are showing their holiday spirit and you can vote for your favorite decorations in the WHIMSICAL WINDOWS decorating contest! First-floor windows around downtown have been transformed into winter wonderlands and YOU get to decide the winner of this friendly competition. 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 29, will win a cash prize! While you’re taking in the sights, keep a lookout for hidden elves among the decorations to enter our ELF HUNT contest. Text us a photo of the elf you find in each window to 937-668-7887 for your chance to win Downtown Dollars! Each photo of an elf in a different window counts as one entry into the contest.
That’s just a sneak peek 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. 2, 9, & 16; 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 Rubi Girls.
December 2 – Frozen
December 9 – Home Alone
December 16 – The Muppet Christmas Carol
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 through windows anytime.
Visitors can view this one-of-a-kind model train display that was given to the community by Mrs. Virginia Kettering.
UNO’S PIZZA WITH SANTA
Dec. 9, 10, 16, & 17; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill, 126 N. Main St.
Have a special lunch with Santa Claus! Reservations required. Call 937-910-8000 for cost and reservation information.
RIKE’S HOLIDAY WINDOWS
Thru Jan 3; Mon-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and before every performance at the Schuster Center.
Closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, 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 – but now all indoors and cozy warm. (Not accessible during private events. Call 228-7591 to confirm hours.)
METROPARKS ICE RINK
Thru March 1
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 see a schedule of events.
More events are planned 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 and Miami Valley Chevy Dealers, CareSource, and the Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. Additional support comes from the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, altafiber, NECA/IBEW Electrical Professionals, Premier Health, Sinclair College, Wright-Patt Credit Union, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Dayton Children’s Hospital as well as media sponsors iHeartRADIO, Dayton.com, and Key-Ads.
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