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.
Have an event to submit to our calendar? If it is located downtown (within our service area) and open to the public, it’s likely we’ll include it. Send us your event info using our event submission form.
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Downtown Events Calendar
Dayton Holiday Festival – Grande Illumination Tree Lighting & Parade
November 28 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Event Navigation
The Dayton Holiday Festival 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 tree lighting and 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 28, 2025!
The Grande Illumination tree lighting
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts. 6:30 p.m.
Watch the holidays light up during Dayton’s traditional tree lighting. At 6:30 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 Grande Illumination parade
Presented by White Allen Chevrolet
Along Fourth & Main sts., 6:30 p.m.
Immediately following the tree lighting, the parade will start at the corner of W. Fourth and Ludlow sts. and round the corner onto Main Street on 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.
Live Main Stage Entertainment
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 4-7 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
4:05-4:30 p.m. – Dayton Celebration Chorus
4:35-7:00 p.m. – Live DJ from Electric Vibe Entertainment.
Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second & Main sts., Friday 4-7 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m.-6 pm.
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 and Food Trucks on Second
Second Street between Ludlow & Jefferson sts., 4-7 p.m.
Enjoy free rides and other activities for kids throughout the evening! Grab a bite to eat from one of multiple food vendors while you’re there. Vendors scheduled to appear include S’more Fun, Courtland Mobile Grill, Iggy Ragu’s, Potato Tornado Gals & More, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Hearts Hot Dogs, Spin City Concessions, Funnel Cakes & More. (Vendors subject to change.)
Candy Cane Clubhouse
Stratachache Tower lobby, 40 N. Main St., 4-7 p.m.
Enjoy festive kids’ entertainment, crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and more! Free. Scheduled to perform:
4:00-4:50 p.m. – Juggling by Crazy Craig Muhlenkamp
5:00-6:00 p.m. – Elsa & Anna Sing-Along and Meet & Greet from Fairy Godmother Events
6:00-6:30 p.m. – Roz Puppet Show
Holiday Adventure
Start at CURIO on Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 4-7 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.