Downtown Dayton Partnership

Holly Jolly Social: A Christmas Bar Pop-Up
2025-12-01, 2025-11-30 | 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
2025-12-01, 2025-11-30 | 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: Appropriate Everything
2025-12-01 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department is pleased to present “Appropriate Everything” by Darren Haper and John Sousa in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery and Works on Paper Gallery. “Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.” -T.S. Eliot The large paintings featuring white backgrounds and a knocked-together magazine collage vibe in “Appropriate Everything” takes the “great artists steal” adage and looks at it from several angles. Using a shared set of imagery “appropriated” from the Internet, both Haper and Sousa create their own body of work by “stealing” materials and techniques from the other. Despite covering common visual ground, the work lays bare the stylistic distance between both artists. There will be a virtual artist talk via Zoom on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for details. The exhibitions will be on display from November 10–December 13, 2025. Galleries are located on the fourth floor of building 13 (located at West Fifth and Perry Streets). The galleries are free and open to the public from 8am–6pm Monday–Friday and 9am–12pm Saturdays. Free and accessible parking is located in Parking Lot K.

Water Street District Pint Path
2025-12-01, 2025-11-30 | 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

Deck the Diamond
2025-11-30 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-29 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.

Learn to Ice Skate! Teen/Adult Course
2025-11-30 12:20 - 12:50 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Learn to Ice Skate! Teen/Adult Course
12:20pm – 12:50pm
AGE: 14 and up | $50.00 | Financial Assistance
Want to learn the basics of ice skating? We’ve got you covered with these lessons! Our instructor will teach you key skills including skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hops, lunges, and front and back crossovers. The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14, which we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for each day. Makeup lessons will be held 12/21. Weather Dependent.

Learn to Ice Skate! Youth Course
2025-11-30 11:40 - 12:10 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Learn to Ice Skate! Youth Course
11:40am – 12:10pm
AGE: 9-13 | $50.00 | Financial Assistance
Want to learn the basics of ice skating? We’ve got you covered with these lessons! Our instructor will teach you key skills including skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hops, lunges, and front and back crossovers. The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14, which we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for each day. Makeup lessons will be held 12/21. Weather Dependent.

Holiday Greenery Crafting
2025-11-30 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-29 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!

Learn to Ice Skate! Children’s Course
2025-11-30 11:00 - 11:30 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Learn to Ice Skate! Children’s Course
11:00am – 11:30am
AGE: 5-8 | $50.00 | Financial Assistance
Want to learn the basics of ice skating? We’ve got you covered with these lessons! Our instructor will teach you key skills including skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hops, lunges, and front and back crossovers. The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14, which we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for each day. Makeup lessons will be held 12/21. Weather Dependent.

Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays
2025-11-30 08:00 - 18:00, 2025-11-29 08:00 - 18:00 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
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.)

Breakfast with Santa
2025-11-30 | 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.

RTA Historic Christmas Trolley
2025-11-30 | Downtown Dayton
Before nestling the children all snug in their beds, check out the Greater Dayton RTA’s Historic Christmas Trolley – #559! The 1948 Marmon-Herrington TC-48, famous for its simulated fireplace and plush seat for Santa, is back this holiday season for special events featuring photos with the trolley and Santa and a chance to ride through downtown on this piece of Dayton history. Schedule of events at www.iriderta.org.

Ice Skating
2025-11-30 | 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
2025-11-30 | 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.

Rike’s Holiday Windows
2025-11-30 | 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
2025-11-30 | 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.

Exhibit: The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art
2025-11-30 | 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.

Vinyl Vinyl Sundays
2025-11-30 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sunday – Vinyl Vinyl Sunday – bring your records, we’ll play ’em

Q Theatre: Health & Wellness Night
2025-11-29 18:00 | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Join us for a special Q Theatre wellness experience designed specifically for LGBTQ+ teens and allies. This spacious, drop-in style evening invites you to explore calming, creative, and grounding practices (including a sound bath experience) at your own pace.
Throughout the night, participants are welcome to move freely between different wellness stations, each offering a unique way to reset, stay curious, and take care of themselves in a supportive community space. No experience necessary. Simply come as you are, stay as long as you’d like, and take what you need.
Be seen. Be heard. Be well.
For ages 13-18.

2025 McPherson Town Holiday Home Tour
2025-11-29 15:00 - 19:00 | McPherson Town Historic District, 205 W. McPherson St., Dayton, OH, 45405
Ring in the holidays with a tour of historic Dayton homes during the 2025 McPherson Town Holiday Home Tour. Last held in 2023, the popular event returns this year the weekend after Thanksgiving. The tour will be Friday, Nov. 28 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 29 from 3-7 p.m.

“This is a wonderful activity to share with family and friends visiting for Thanksgiving,” said Jenny Cruz, tour co-chair.

Seven historic homes featured on the guided walking tour include several houses not seen on tour for more than a decade. Tours are scheduled every 12 minutes and will accommodate 15-20 people. Guests will also make a stop in a dessert house for refreshments.

McPherson Town, known as ‘Dayton’s most neighborly neighborhood,’ was one of the Gem City’s first suburbs platted by Samuel McPherson in 1845. It was declared a historic district in 1977 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The neighborhood is known for its streetscapes of high style and Folk Victorian and Queen Anne architecture, popular during the late 19th century.

“The McPherson Town Historic District has become one of Dayton’s most sought-after neighborhoods,” said Cruz. “The residents are excited to show off their beautiful homes, each one with its own story to tell.”

Tickets for the timed tours are $20 in advance and can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2025-mcpherson-town-holiday-home-tour-2730169?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=checkoutwidget. Some of the homes require navigating stairs.
Tickets are $25 if purchased the day of the tour at Ed Smith Flowers and Gifts, 209 W. Riverview Ave., where the tour begins.

Family Open Studio
2025-11-29 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.

Saturday Community Tours
2025-11-29 11:30 - 12:30 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
Explore the museum and learn more with a guided tour! Come to the DAI for weekly tour themes like: Dayton History, Art and Architecture, Global Celebrations, and Art Basics for Everyone. Free with museum admission! Sponsored by AES Ohio Foundation. Register here: https://dai.ticketapp.org/portal/product/115/events

Saturday Art Workshops
2025-11-29 11:00 - 13:00 | 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.

Record Store Day Black Friday
2025-11-29 08:00 - 20:00 | OMEGA MUSIC, 318 E 5th St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Omega opens early with the Dayton area’s larges selection of limited edition Record Store Day titles, in addition to hundreds of new and used albums.
