Downtown Dayton Partnership

Last Minute Holiday Artwork Sale
2025-12-21 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Finish your Holiday shopping with the gift of Art. Dozens of local artists will have artwork, jewelry and more available for you to complete your gift giving for the season. There will also be a unique artist vendor table each day along with a raffle: Friday – Erin Smith-Glenn Saturday – Mikee Huber Sunday – Sarah Wrona. Small works, wall reliefs, abstract & portraiture paintings and more will be on display and available for this 3-Day Event. FRIDAY 3PM – 8PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12PM – 5PM 222 N. St. Clair Street

Holiday Greenery Crafting
2025-12-21 11:00 - 16:00 | Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Stop in for a jolly good time with whimsical holiday plant projects, including terrarium snowmen, air plant ornaments, and more!

Santa Walks the Market
2025-12-21 11:00 - 13:00 | 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
Join us on December 14th & on December 21st, a Sunday as Santa walks the Market and get ready to experience the magic of the season. Santa will be here to meet everyone as he walks the Market handing out candy canes.

Breakfast with Santa
2025-12-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-21 08:30 - 09:30 | 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
oin Santa and his Elves for a tasty buffet breakfast prepared by 2nd Street Market vendors. Watch for details on the Market’s Facebook page. So that more children in the community can attend, we ask that no more than two adults per child attend. This is a registration breakfast only. There are two seatings today, one is from 8:30 to 9:30 and the other is from 10:00 until 11:00.

RTA Holiday Bus
2025-12-21 | Downtown Dayton
Santa is coming to town aboard the Greater Dayton RTA’s holiday bus! This year’s holiday bus will run along Dayton routes through Dec. 31 with holiday music, free candy canes, and appearances by the big man himself – Santa! For the holiday bus route and schedule information, visit iriderta.org.

Breakfast with Santa
2025-12-21 | The Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
Enjoy a cozy holiday breakfast, festive cheer, and plenty of smiles as the kids meet Santa and share their wishes. Reserve your spot today – seats fill up fast! 461-1101.

Ice Skating
2025-12-21 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sheltered under the covered pavilion, the MetroParks Ice Rink sets the scene as a perfect winter wonderland in downtown Dayton. 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. Admission: $7 daily, ice skate rental: $3 daily. Season passes available. Ages 3 and under are free with a paying adult. 278-2607.

Downtown Dayton Holiday Hop
2025-12-21 | Downtown Dayton
Downtown Dayton’s small businesses need our help now, more than ever! This holiday season, while you’re celebrating and shopping small and local, you can Play, Shop, & Dine your way to some easy money to spend on yourself!
How to Play
1. Visit three of the 40+ participating businesses between November 29 and December 22, 2025.
(See participating businesses here: https://downtowndayton.org/hop/)
2. Collect three different stamps by making a purchase – one for each category of Play, Shop, and Dine – to complete the Hop.
3. After collecting three stamps, turn in your completed card to one of the drop-off locations to get $25 in Downtown Dollars*.
(See drop-off locations below)
Drop-off Locations
Base Camp Outdoors – 420 E. First St.
Downtown Dayton Partnership Office – 10 N. Ludlow St., Suite 901
Heart Mercantile – 601 E. Fifth St.
Omega Music – 318 E. Fifth St.
Rabbit Hole Books – 29 W. First St.
RiverScape MetroPark – 237 E. Monument Ave.

*While supplies last. Purchase required to get stamps. Must provide an email address to receive Downtown Dollars. $25 prize will be emailed after Dec. 12 or Dec. 29, 2025. Limit one entry per person. Limit one stamp per business. Submit by December 22, 2025.

Whimsical Windows & Elf Hunt
2025-12-21 | Downtown Dayton
Dec. 5-29
Select businesses throughout downtown
This annual contest shows off the creativity of downtown Dayton’s collection of small businesses as they decorate their storefront windows for the holidays in their own unique ways. Enjoy shopping, dining, and exploring downtown Dayton in this fun and festive atmosphere! Vote for your favorite window display online at DaytonDailyNews.com starting Dec. 5. YOU can be the winner in the Elf Hunt contest! Simply find elves hidden among holiday decorations in first-floor storefront windows and text a photo of it to 937-304-4041. Each photo taken of a different elf counts as one entry toward a weekly drawing for $100 in Downtown Dollars! Free.
Sponsored by Dayton Daily News
Whimsical Windows Locations:
Art + Soul Maison, 135 E. Main St. – Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St. – Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St. – CrossFit Dayton, 150 S. Patterson Blvd. – The Dayton Arcade, 23 & 25 S. Main St. – Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, 8 N. Main St. Ste. 100 – The Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Avenue – Golden Hour Piercing, 411 E. Fifth St. – Joui Wine, 117 E. Third St. – League of Women Voters, 127 N. Ludlow St. – Lisse Beauty Bar, 21 W. First St. – Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St. – Reduce & Reuse Refillery, 133 E. Fourth St. – Secret Beauty Hats & Boutique, 131 N. Ludlow St. #129 – Space Three, 39 S. St. Clair St. – Val’s Bakery, 25 S. St. Clair St. – Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St.
Elf Hunt Locations:
Art + Soul Maison, 135 E. Main St. – Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St. – Chairapy, 605 E. Fifth St. – Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St. – CrossFit Dayton, 150 S. Patterson Rd. – The Dayton Arcade, 23 & 25 S. Main St. – Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, 8 N. Main St. Ste. 100 – Dayton Church Supply, Inc., 136 E. Third St. – Dayton Live, PNC Arts Annex, 46 W. Second St. – The Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Avenue – Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St. – Golden Hour Piercing, 411 E. Fifth St. – Hotel Ardent Dayton Downtown + Bistecca, 137 N. Main St. – Joui Wine, 117 E. Third St. – Lucho, 37 W. Fourth St. – Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St. – Reduce & Reuse Refillery, 133 E. Fourth St. – Secret Beauty Hats & Boutique, 131 N. Ludlow St. #129 – Space Three, 39 S. St. Clair St. – Table 33, 45 W. Fourth St. – Tony & Pete’s, 19 E. Third St. – Val’s Bakery, 25 S. St. – Clair St. – Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St. – Winans Coffee & Chocolate, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.

Rike’s Holiday Windows
2025-12-21 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
November 28-January 4
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second & Main sts.;
Hours of operation vary – for the most up-to-date info, visit daytonlive.org/rikes.
Closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day

Experience a reimagining of the Rike’s department store holiday window displays that once stood at this busy downtown corner. Free. (Not accessible during private events. Call 228-7591 to confirm hours.) Presented by Dayton Live

Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display
2025-12-21 | Stratacache Tower, 40 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45423
November 28-January 1
Stratacache Tower lobby at the corner of Second & Main sts.
View in building lobby Mon-Sat, or through windows anytime.

View this one-of-a-kind model train display given to the community by Mrs. Virginia Kettering. (Use Second St. building entrance.) Free. 224-1518.

Holly Jolly Social: A Christmas Bar Pop-Up
2025-12-21 | Two Social, 123 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
A festive Christmas pop-up where holiday cocktails, sparkling decor, and cozy seasonal vibes transform the space into a winter wonderland. 2socialdayton.com
Nov. 7-Jan. 15

Polar Bear Express
2025-12-21 | Downtown Dayton
Book a ride on the abominably decorated Pedal Wagon for a 2-hour pedaling adventure through the fest streets of Dayton and to the best bars and restaurants. Reservations required. pedalwagon.com/dayton

Exhibit: The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art
2025-12-21 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
October 18, 2025–January 11, 2026
The Triumph of Nature presents the refined, ever-popular and elegant curvilinear designs and nature-based motifs of Art Nouveau. From the rich holdings of the Chrysler Museum of Art, more than 120 turn-of-the-20th century treasures are included, with works by Tiffany, Mucha, Gallé, Beardsley and many others. Furniture, paintings, sculpture, mosaics, books, posters, prints, lamps, glass art and more highlight the innovative ways artists made harmonious visual arrangements. The DAI is the exclusive Ohio venue for this major traveling exhibition.

Water Street District Pint Path
2025-12-21 | Water Street District
Sip your way through local brews, grab a bite at buzzworthy spots and discover why Water Street District is where Dayton comes to play. Pick up a free Water Street District Pint Path passport from any participating business. Once a passport has been picked up, purchase a menu item of choice at each stop to receive a stamp on the passport. Once you’ve sipped and stamped at all 14 locations, turn in your passport to Water Street District’s leasing office (115 Madison Street) to claim your prize. Pint Path Passport stops can be completed at the leisure of each participant. Cheers! Please remember to drink responsibly. Find a list of participating businesses and more details here: https://www.waterstreetdayton.com/wsdpintpath

Vinyl Vinyl Sundays
2025-12-21 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sunday – Vinyl Vinyl Sunday – bring your records, we’ll play ’em

Annual Holiday Show
2025-12-20 20:00 | The Black Box Improv Theater, 518 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
IT’S THE MOST IMPROVISED TIME OF THE YEAR…
You’ve waited all year, and it’s finally time! We’re gearing up for the Annual Black Box Holiday Show! Two nights of holiday cheer and laughs on Friday, December 19th, and Saturday, December 20th! This year’s Holiday Show includes a very special Black Box ladies’ number, “Greatest Hits,” and as always, the Improvised Musical! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with shows beginning at 8:00 p.m.

An Evening With Peter Billingsley And A Christmas Story
2025-12-20 19:30 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable evening featuring a screening of the beloved classic A Christmas Story followed by a moderated interview and audience Q&A from its iconic star Peter Billingsley, a.k.a. Ralphie! Relive the Christmas classic on the big screen through all the hilarious mishaps and heartwarming moments. Following the film, Peter Billingsley – the actor who immortalized Ralphie – takes center stage for an intimate and nostalgic conversation about his experiences making this holiday classic, his unique behind-the-scenes stories, memorable moments, and how the movie has remained a cultural phenomenon for decades. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions during this rare appearance, making it a truly interactive celebration for fans of all ages and generations.
Throughout a career spanning four decades, Peter has achieved success both in front and behind the camera producing such films as the first Iron Man, The Break-Up, Four Christmases, and directing the Vince Vaughn starrer Couples Retreat. In 2022, he cowrote, produced, and starred in a Christmas Story Christmas for Warner Bros. His television producing credits include Bill Burr’s “F Is For Family” and Jon Favreau’s “Dinner For Five.” Billingsley began his acting career at the age of three, in some of the ’70s most memorable television commercials and became a pop-culture icon when he played Ralphie in A Christmas Story. Billingsley has been nominated for three Emmys and a Tony Award®.

The Nutcracker
2025-12-20 19:30, 2025-12-20 14:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
After a record-breaking run in 2024, Brandon Ragland’s THE NUTCRACKER returns, bringing holiday magic back to Dayton! Set in our very own city, this beloved tale follows Clara on a breathtaking, time-traveling adventure filled with dazzling choreography, enchanting sets, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. A heartwarming tradition for all ages, THE NUTCRACKER is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and loved ones.

Seasonal Shorts
2025-12-20 19:30, 2025-12-20 14:00 | The Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
DECEMBER 10 – 21, 2025
Seasonal Shorts
Playwrights: Kelsey Celek, Chris Leyva, Marley Masterson, Aleah Vassell, Torie Wiggins, Robb Willoughby
Director: Heather Wilson-Bowlby
Six short plays celebrating seasonal memories, moments and silliness—for adults only! Featuring all the ups and downs of winter, our local playwrights’ original plays will have your sides splitting and leaving the theatre in a festive mood.
Recommended if you liked… Who’s Holiday, Reindeer Sessions, A Frosty Night

Twilight Tunes
2025-12-20 19:00 - 23:00 | The Century Bar, 10 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Join us Upstairs at Century Bar for a festive Winter Solstice celebration! Each ticket includes winter-themed cocktails, curated small bites, live jazz, and entry into our raffle giveaways. Tickets are limited, so be sure to reserve yours early. Enjoy an evening filled with music, games, dancing, and seasonal cheer! $50. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1969996976989?aff=oddtdtcreator

Relentless Fest featuring Miss May
2025-12-20 18:00 - 23:30 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
RELENTLESS FEST IS BACK! Get ready for an explosive night of heavy music as Relentless Fest returns with a powerhouse lineup featuring: MISS MAY I | WAR OF AGES | ENMY | THE CRIMSON ARMADA | GOROH Five incredible bands. One unforgettable night of metalcore, hardcore, and everything in between. EVENT DETAILS: Saturday, December 20, 2025 Doors: 5:30 PM Tickets: $30 presale All Ages Welcome Get tickets here: https://dice.fm/partner/tickets/event/wwloev-relentless-fest-20th-dec-the-brightside-dayton-tickets The Brightside | Dayton, OH Presented by BravoArtist Don’t miss your chance to witness these heavy-hitters tear up the stage. Grab your tickets before they’re gone!

Deck the Diamond
2025-12-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Day Air Ballpark, 220 North Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH, 45402
Step into a winter wonderland at Day Air Ballpark, where the magic of the season shines bright! Experience the enchantment of over 1.1 million dazzling lights and enjoy a festive lineup of holiday activities perfect for the whole family. Make unforgettable memories together at this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration. Enjoy festive displays, a themed light show, live performances and entertainment, family fun, holiday shopping, delicious treats, photos with Santa, ornament decorating, rides on the North Pole Express, fire pits and s’mores, carnival games, photo opportunities, letters to Santa, the grand tree, and so much more! For tickets and more information, visit dragonsdeckthediamond.com.

DLCA Performance: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – The Musical
2025-12-20 17:00 | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
A Dayton Live Creative Academy production!
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world – so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.
There are three performances of this show: Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening.

Family Open Studio
2025-12-20 15:00 - 16:30 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
Join us in Studio A in the Education Wing of Rike for a time of open-ended creativity and art making. Browse our weekly selection of open studio materials and unleash your inner artist. No Signup Necessary. Drop-ins Encouraged! Sponsored by AES Ohio Foundation. Free with museum admission.

Winter Wonderland at Rabbit Hole Books
2025-12-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Rabbit Hole Books, 27 W. First St., Dayton, OH, 45402
December 6, 14, & 20; 1-4 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! 999-4092.

Special Interest Tour – Food Tour
2025-12-20 13:00 - 14:30 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
Join us at the DAI for our Food Tour! Explore unique portrayals of food and the ways the world is connected through appetite. End your tour experience with a customized charcuterie board created by you! DAI’s Special Interest Tours are community tours with specialized themes! Explore the museum and make new connections! Invoke your creative spirit following the tour with a quick, make-and-take art activity. Sponsored by AES Ohio Foundation. $35 Non-Member Cost: $40 (18+ years). Register here: https://dai.ticketapp.org/portal/product/87/events
