Downtown Dayton Partnership

Vinyl Vinyl Sundays
2026-01-04 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sunday – Vinyl Vinyl Sunday – bring your records, we’ll play ’em

Deck the Diamond
2026-01-03 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-02 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Colleen Kelsey: Light & Shadows
2026-01-03 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-02 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Colleen Kelsey
Light & Shadows

December 19 – January 17
Artist Opening: Friday, December 19, 6-9 PM
Artist Talk: Friday, January 9th, 6:30 PM

Dayton Society of Artists
48 High St, Dayton, OH 45403

Saturday Art Workshops
2026-01-03 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Saturday Art Workshops for Kindergarten-12th Grade and Adults. Each month explore a different art medium (Clay, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Mosaics, Drawing, Photography, in a different theme/artistic style (K-12th grade). For Adults classes in Mosaics, Stained Glass, and Glassblowing. Saturday Classes run from September 2025-May 2026. 11:00am-1:00pm. Call for Costs.

Exhibit: Being Seen
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Dayton Metro Library will host Brian Mathus and his exhibit Being Seen in The 2nd Floor Gallery of the Main Library from Friday, January 2, through Saturday, January 31.

Mathus paints with “emotional clarity” on canvas, wood, and paper. He uses graphite and Conte crayon to “draw interwoven relationships between meaning with composition and color,” according to his artist statement.

“Using acrylic and oil paint, I create an atmosphere that shapes meaning through composition and color,” said Mathus. He builds metaphors layer by layer until a piece reaches the ecstatic and the sublime, integrating Fauvism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and African art into his unique language.

For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org/Exhibits or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

Ice Skating
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02, 2026-01-01 | 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.

Rike’s Holiday Windows
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02, 2026-01-01 | 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

Holly Jolly Social: A Christmas Bar Pop-Up
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02 | 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
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02 | 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

Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 – JANUARY 24, 2026

THE DR. ROBERT L. BRANDT, JR. GALLERY
THE IRA & SUSAN THOMSEN FAMILY GALLERY
THE JACK W. & SALLY EICHELBERGER VIDEO GALLERY

The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven, a major solo exhibition bringing together recent works in photography, painting, video, and the world premiere of a new body of bronze sculptures by one of the most bold and visionary artists of our time.

Simmons’ practice is deeply rooted in art history, both through deliberate assertion and continuous engagement, drawing on references that span from antiquity and the American landscape to contemporary media. Her work unfolds through a cinematic sensibility, where narrative, movement, and stillness intersect. This is evident in her photographic series such as American Book Covers and Sundown, in her monumental text paintings, and now in this new body of bronze sculptures.
Performance, choreography, and the sensual are integral to Simmons’ artistic language. In this recent sculptural work, these elements coalesce into forms that feel both classical and contemporary. As with much of her practice, Figure Eleven situates art history within an ongoing continuum, like a film that resists final resolution.
The sculptures recall the Venus of Willendorf and Venus de Milo while simultaneously reflecting the multiplicity of contemporary bodies and motifs. Their power lies in their capacity to collapse and reconcile distinct historical and cultural narratives. The figures embody a poised stillness that resonates with the language of movement and performance. Figure Eleven, both the exhibition’s title and the newest figurative sculpture, appears as if drawn from a film still, a moment suspended between gesture and permanence.
OPENING NIGHT / NOV 14
Member & Sponsor Preview: 5-6 pm
Public Reception: 6-8 pm
Remarks: 6:30 pm

An Afternoon with Xaviera Simmons: Artist Talk & Panel Discussion / NOV 15
2 – 4p
Join us for an afternoon with Xaviera Simmons, featuring an introduction of the exhibition from curator Heather Jones, an overview of the artist’s work and its place in art history from gallerist David Castillo, and a presentation by Simmons. The talks will be followed by a dynamic panel discussion with the speakers and Dr. Judith Huacuja, professor emeritus, University of Dayton.
This event will take place at The Tank, in the lower level of The Dayton Arcade.

RSVP for Artist Talk

Exhibit: The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art
2026-01-03, 2026-01-02 | 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.

Power Up Skate
2026-01-02 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of MetroParks Ice Rink Theme Nights series
Power Up Skate
6:00pm – 10:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00 | Financial Assistance

Hit PLAY and lace up at the MetroParks Ice Rink! Get ready for a night of epic nostalgia as we spin tunes from some of the most memorable video games alongside iconic power anthems guaranteed to keep you moving. Weather Dependent.
Skaters are welcome to relax in one of several warming areas, including a heated comfort tent containing games and seating. The RiverScape Cafe will also be open, offering a variety of food and drinks (including our delicious hot cocoa!) for purchase. For those 21 and over, a variety of alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase as part of the Downtown Dayton DORA. Admission is $7, Skate Rental is $3, and there are a limited number of skate helpers available for free. Visitors receive a 75% discount – $1.75 admission and $0.75 skate rental – on admission and skate rental by presenting either a SNAP/EBT or Access to Nature card at the Rental Office. This discount is made possible by Five Rivers MetroParks’ Access to Nature financial assistance program, supported by the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation.

Friday Night Paint-In
2026-01-02 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-02 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Friday Night Paint-In on first Fridays of every month between October 2025-April 2026. 2 sessions available 4:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm. Bring your own beverage of choice and a snack. $30.00 per person Register online: www.k12tejasgallery.org or in person at K12 TEJAS Gallery 341 S. Jefferson St. Dayton, OH 45402

First Friday
2026-01-02 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Downtown Dayton
The beginning of every month starts with a bang in downtown Dayton. First Friday is a free art hop featuring exhibit openings at the galleries, along with a variety of entertainment options, arts demonstrations, live music and more. Add to that everything going on at the restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theaters, comedy club, movie theater and more that make up the downtown mix. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership. For more info and specific event details, visit the First Friday Facebook page. 224-1518.

Music Bingo Thursdays
2026-01-01 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
We have music bingo every Thursday! It’s free to play, lots of fun, hosted by KG, and there are prizes galore. Come check it out!

Open Mic Night
2026-01-01 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Open Mic Night – sign up online, then show up and show out.

Community Workshop – Flourish and Flow: An Oil Painting Journey
2026-01-01 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
Our artist-led workshops are designed to make community connections between our guests, local artists, and The Dayton Art Institute through conversation and artmaking. Flourish and Flow: An Oil Painting Journey Date: Thursdays, April 10, 17 and 24, and May 1 and 8 – 5:30–7:30 p.m Cost: $100 for museum members; $125 for non-members Ages: 18+ In this multi-session workshop series, local artist Jamaal Durr leads participants through an exploration of the fundamentals of oil painting. Sessions will focus on layering, blending, and texture while developing skills through the creation of personalized artwork featuring birth flowers. Jamaal Durr, a Contemporary Artist, is recognized for his figurative works that intimately blend reality and the surreal. Using materials like oil paint, charcoal, and graphite, he explores themes of identity and self-reflection through his timely narratives. Jamaal has expanded his capacity within the realm of Art, having also gained experience as a Curator, Teacher, and Muralist. Jamaal is primarily self-taught, having only received a couple of years of formal training at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton, OH and a brief stint studying architecture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

New Year’s Day Skate
2026-01-01 13:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
New Year’s Day Skate
1:00pm – 8:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00 | Financial Assistance
Ring in the new year with friends, fun, and ice skating at our New Year’s Day Skate! The RiverScape Cafe will be open and skaters can also relax in our heated comfort tent. Admission is $7 and Skate Rental is $3. Thanks to our Access to Nature Program, SNAP/EBT participants can simply show their card at the Rental Office window to receive 75% off Admission and Skate Rental. Weather Dependent.
