Downtown Dayton Partnership

First Friday
2025-01-03 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.

First Friday at Front Street
2025-01-03 17:00 - 21:00 | Front Street Galleries, 1001 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Enjoy an evening of live music, food trucks, studio and gallery hopping, shopping, and more! It is always free to attend and park at our art hops. We are a family and pet-friendly community. With artwork and handmade goods from more than 250 artists, you’re going to want to get here early!

Swiftie! Theme Skate
2025-01-03 19:00 - 22:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Swiftie! Theme Skate
7:00pm – 10:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00
Swifties? We never go out of style! Grab your friends, hit the ice and sing along to all your favorite Taylor Swift songs at the MetroParks Ice Rink. Tell everyone you know, by the way, I’m going out tonight! The RiverScape Cafe will be open and skaters can also relax in our heated comfort tent. Skate admission is $7 and skate rental is $3. Thanks to our Access to Nature Program, residents who receive SNAP/EBT can simply show their card to the rental attendant to receive 75% off admission and skate rental. Weather Dependent.

Comedy Night
2025-01-03 19:30 | Gather by Ghostight, 37 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
It’s comedy night at the gallery! See The Gem City Comedy showcase at 7:30 p.m.! Hosted by Mike Shea and featuring Brent Bowser, Chris Karwoski, Ali Augusta, and Nick Osman. $10 Presale tickets are available online and $15 tickets are available at the door.

The Gem City Comedy Showcase
2025-01-03 19:30 - 22:00 | Gather by Ghostight, 37 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
It’s comedy night at the Dana L. Wiley gallery in Gather by Ghostlight!
Hosted by Mike Shea and featuring Brent Bowser, Chris Karwoski, Ali Augusta, and Nick Osman. $10 Presale tickets are available online and $15 tickets are available at the door. Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

OEchella
2025-01-04 17:00 | Oregon Express, 336 E. 5th Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
This multi genre, two day music fest will be held on January 3rd & 4th, 2025. With a line up filled with everything from Punk, Southern Rock, Hip Hop, Grindcore, Death Metal, Electronic; there is something to offer for everyone!

The Motortown All-Stars
2025-01-04 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Direct from Detroit – and featuring former members of The Capitols, The Miracles, and The Temptations – The Motortown All-Stars stop in Dayton for a night jam-packed with timeless Motown grooves, impeccable harmonies, and dazzling choreography. The All-Stars perform hits by The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and more, with the unmistakable Motown sound that has inspired us since the 1950s.

Learn to Ice Skate! Children’s Course
2025-01-05 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
This program will teach you ice skating skills, include skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hop, lunges, and front and back crossovers! The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on January 5, 12, and 19, with a potential makeup date on January 26. Please arrive 15 minutes early to prepare for the lesson. Weather Dependent.

Learn to Ice Skate! Youth Course
2025-01-05 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
This program will teach you ice skating skills, include skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hop, lunges, and front and back crossovers! The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on January 5, 12, and 19, with a potential makeup date on January 26. Please arrive 15 minutes early to prepare for the lesson. Weather Dependent.

Learn to Ice Skate! Teen/Adult Course
2025-01-05 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
This program will teach you ice skating skills, include skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hop, lunges, and front and back crossovers! The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on January 5, 12, and 19, with a potential makeup date on January 26. Please arrive 15 minutes early to prepare for the lesson. Weather Dependent.

Family Skate Day
2025-01-05 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-12 13:00 - 17:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Family Skate Day
1:00pm – 5:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00
Enjoy child-friendly music and activities that will make you feel like you’re part of the family. The RiverScape Cafe will be open (serving hot chocolate for the kids) and skaters can also relax in our heated comfort tent where we will have crafts and activities. Skate admission is $7 and skate rental is $3. Ages three and under skate free with the purchase of an adult admission. Thanks to our Access to Nature Program, residents who receive SNAP/EBT can simply show their card to the rental attendant to receive 75% off admission and skate rental. Weather Dependent.

Paint-A-Park
2025-01-05 14:00 - 17:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of Paint-A-Park series
Paint-A-Park
2:00pm – 5:00pm
AGE: All ages | FREE
Jack Frost is nipping at our noses but there is still fun to be had outdoors. Come join us at the Riverscape ice rink for a cheerful afternoon of making art! Supplies will be loaned on sight for you to create with and at the end of the program all participants will be given the opportunity to share their art work on our digital gallery. Weather Dependent.

Photographer Vincent J. Musi: Where The Wild Things Are
2025-01-05 15:00 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
In this enlightening talk, Vincent shares highlights from more than 30 years traveling the world for National Geographic, documenting a changing planet – from close to home, to along the iconic Route 66, to what it’s like to live at the base of a volcano, to ancient Sicilian mummies. One story that captured his heart took readers “Inside Animal Minds” (National Geographic cover story, March 2008) and included a deep study of birds, apes, dolphins, and dogs, revealing a wide range of emotions and communication skills. With his trademark dry humor, Vincent takes us into the world of animal cognition and on a tour of some of the world’s most unusual pets, including a hilarious romp through his The Year Of The Dogs project. You may never look at man’s best friend the same way again!
Since 1993, Vincent J. Musi has been a regular contributor to National Geographic, covering a vast range of subjects from the Texas Hill Country to the legendary Route 66, to the ancient crypts of Sicily and life at the base of volcanoes. A specialist in animal portraits, his recent work includes projects on domestication, intelligence and cognition. When Vincent’s work shifted from documenting the world to photographing animals, he knew he was in over his head and feared it would end his career. He’s still unsure, as he works with subjects who routinely growl, bark, roar, bite, hiss, claw, poop, or pee… on him. When the world got smaller during COVID, Vincent and his wife, former White House Photographer Callie Shell, created the Unleashed Studio, where he taps into his inner Dr. Dolittle to capture unique dog portraits. As a way to amuse himself (and us), Vince imagines the inner lives of his subjects and shares often side-splitting and sometimes poignant life stories from their perspective. The weekly Instagram series, which grew into a book – initially planned to last one year – is called The Year Of The Dogs. The project and posts went viral and the world won’t let him end it. Vincent believes that everything we learn about animals teaches us everything we don’t know about ourselves.

Erica Keener and Emily Moores Exhibit Artwork at Sinclair Community College
2025-01-06 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department is pleased to present works by Erica Keener in the Works on Paper Gallery and Emily Moores in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery. Erica Keener is exhibiting a collection of paintings made from pastels. Looking to the ordinary and her everyday surroundings, Keener focuses on observing the extraordinary. Her works often feature the sky, landscapes, and other natural beauty, which she hopes the viewer will find a connection to something larger than themselves. Emily Moores’s large scale collage-style installation features everyday materials like paper, fabric, and plastic. Her bright colors and varied textures create a whimsical space for viewers to experience feelings of joy and play as well as centering them in their physical space. There will be a virtual artist talk via Zoom on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for details. The exhibitions will be on display from January 6–February 5, 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.

Family Program: Plant an Herb Garden
2025-01-08 16:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Family Program: Plant an Herb Garden, Main Library, Children’s Creativity Space, Wednesday, January 8, 4-5 pm: Create a small indoor herb garden to take home – perfect for beginners or seasoned gardeners.

Color Me Calm: Winter Bookmarks
2025-01-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Color Me Calm: Winter Bookmarks, Thursday, January 9, 5:30-7 pm, Main Library, Conference Room 1A: This session’s project is coloring winter-themed bookmarks. (Adults)

Exhibit: The Future of Female
2025-01-10 12:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
January 10th – FEBRUARY 22nd
The Dayton Society of Artists (DSA) is pleased to present The Future of Female, an exhibition focused on the ideals, hopes, and experiences of women identifying artists. The call for art was open to any women identifying artists who are 18 years or older and who live, work, or attend school in the state of Ohio. All art in any medium, style, and technique were considered. $600 in prizes will be awarded; the juror is McLean Emenegger.
Opening Reception: Friday, January 10th, 5 – 8 PM. Awards announced at 6:30 PM

Circle of Ice! Theme Skate
2025-01-10 19:00 - 22:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Circle of Ice! Theme Skate
7:00pm – 10:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00
This Friday night, come be our guest, for a Circle of Ice Theme Skate! Grab your friends and show them a whole new world of ice skating while you’re chillin’ like a villain to your favorite Disney songs. The RiverScape Cafe will be open and skaters can also relax in our heated comfort tent. Skate admission is $7 and skate rental is $3. Thanks to our Access to Nature Program, residents who receive SNAP/EBT can simply show their card to the rental attendant to receive 75% off admission and skate rental. Weather Dependent.

Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
2025-01-10 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Inspired by paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, composer Elena Ruehr’s “Sky Above Clouds” is the middle movement of a musical triptych and perfectly captures O’Keeffe’s flair for contemporary sweeping tableaus. The dramatic evening continues with two orchestral heavyweights: Brahms’s Symphony No. 3 and Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, widely considered to be among his greatest works.

Brick Fest Live
2025-01-11 | Dayton Convention Center, 22 East 5th Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Over a million bricks on display and ready for play! See the most life-size models Engage with the most hands-on attractions Build a Guinness World-Record Setting Mosaic Shopping: Hard-to-Find LEGO merchandise! and more!

Buckeye Wedding Expo and Bridal Show
2025-01-11 13:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Welcome to the Buckeye Wedding Expo and Bridal Show! Join us on Sat, Jan 11 and Sun Jan 12, 2025 from 1pm to 5pm at the historic Dayton Arcade for a day filled with all things wedding. Buckeye Wedding Expo is not your ordinary trade show. It’s educational and informational, but best of all it’s an entertaining experience for anyone planning a wedding or event. We produce wedding shows all throughout central ohio with the goal of connecting vendors and engaged couples in a new and unique way. Our shows are experience driven and interactive focused while also including the opportunity to meet the areas best event and wedding vendors. Meet local vendors, sample delicious cakes, and get inspiration for your big day. Whether you’re looking for the perfect dress, venue, or photographer, you’ll find everything you need to plan your dream wedding.

Buckeye Wedding Expo
2025-01-11 13:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Buckeye Wedding Expo to Host Innovative Wedding Show on January 11 and 12, 2025. Dayton, Ohio – January 2, 2025 – Buckeye Wedding Expo today announced its upcoming Wedding Show, a two-day event focused on helping connect engaged couples with the perfect vendors for their perfect day, taking place on January 11 and 12 at the historic Dayton Arcade. The Buckeye Wedding Expo will bring together engaged couples with the Dayton area’s leading industry experts, trendsetters, and provides a opportunity to meet face to face, in one beautiful location, to answer questions, discover new ideas and get inspired by all this show has to offer. Key Highlights: • Food and Beverage Sampling: Renowned area Caterers will provide many sampling opportunities, giving attendees a peek into menu options. • Showcases: The showcases are a visually stunning example of what a wedding reception can look like with vision and the right vendor team. • Networking Opportunities: Ample time for attendees to connect with potential vendors, such as, venues, caterers, DJ’s, photographers, florist, and more. • Event Décor Re-Sale: Gently used items are given another life at our re-sale market. Local couples and wedding vendors come together to offer wedding decorations of all styles. • Expert Advice Panels: The area’s best wedding professionals pass along their knowledge and experience in vendor talk sessions on the main stage or in break-out areas. Event Details: • Date: January 11 – 12, 2025 • Time: 1pm – 5pm • Location: Dayton Arcade – 35 W 4th Street, Dayton, OH 45402 Registration: To register for tickets to the Buckeye Wedding Expo, please visit www.buckeyeweddingexpo.com.

The Art of Bourbon: A Fundraising Event for the Dayton Society of Artists
2025-01-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join us for an exclusive afternoon of bourbon appreciation presented by Artist/Architect, Filson Academy certified, bourbon aficionado Terry Welker and The Century Bar.
Participants will delve into the fascinating evolution of bourbon bottle design and learn first-hand the art and craftsmanship of bourbons with a curated selection to taste. Enjoy (6) 1 oz pours and enjoy a lively and educational discussion with a certified bourbon sommelier.
A delicious dessert will be provided to accompany the tasting and talk. This intimate event offers a rare opportunity to deepen your appreciation for bourbon, design, and the artistry behind both.
Also featured are raffles prizes from well known and local businesses. Entering for your chance to win helps support DSA’s mission to connect, support, and educate artists and the community.
Tickets are limited, and attendees must be 21+.
Come join us on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 1– 3 PM for your chance to support the Dayton Society of Artists while enjoying an afternoon of bourbon, art, and community!

Six
2025-01-14 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!”
The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed 6 million streams in its first month.

Family Program: Winter Birds
2025-01-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Family Program: Winter Birds, Wednesday, January 15, 4-5 pm, Main Library, Children’s Creativity Space: Learn all about the birds that call Ohio home, and make a bird feeder out of recycled materials. (Families)

Stage & Sip: Six
2025-01-16 16:30 | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
STAGE & SIP redefines the traditional theatre experience for adults ages 21 and up. On January 16 at 4:30 p.m., join us for an evening of Broadway magic and sophisticated entertainment prior to the performance of SIX. Delight in an exclusive workshop, indulge in a curated cocktail, and collect unique tour merchandise. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and you can segue to BACKGROUND ON BROADWAY at 6:30 p.m. or grab a drink or snack at Starbucks or at the Performance Bars.
If you already have your tickets for the January 16 performance, you can add the STAGE & SIP to your evening by purchasing a STAGE & SIP Event Only ticket. Don’t have a ticket to the January 16 performance? No problem! Just purchase the STAGE & SIP + Show ticket! Each STAGE & SIP includes preshow cocktails, an exclusive workshop, and special tour merchandise.
Each person in your party must have a STAGE & SIP ticket to participate.

Adult Craft Club: Ice Painting
2025-01-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Adult Craft Club: Ice Painting, Thursday, January 16, 6:30-8 pm, Main Library, Conference Room 1A: Use frozen ice and food dye to paint on watercolor paper. Registration required. (Adults)

Muse Machine Presents Cats
2025-01-16 19:00 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Once a year, beneath the Jellicle moon, a tribe of cats comes together to tell their stories, to brag, to entertain and astonish… for the chance to be reborn to a brilliant new life! Winner of seven Tony Awards, including best musical — CATS is called “spectacular yet sophisticated” (The New York Times). Praised as “a performing arts all-star effort” (Dayton Daily News), Muse Machine brings an enormous cast of young people from across the Miami Valley to create a fast and funny reimagining of CATS to celebrate the 40th Muse musical!

Levitt UpClose: Secret Concert
2025-01-16 19:00 - 21:15 | Downtown Dayton
Join us on Thursday, January 16, for the next show in the Levitt UpClose concert series presented by CareSource! We’ll give you a little information before you buy, but here’s the fun part: we’ll let you know the exact location the day before the concert, and you’ll find out the bands as you hear them at the show! Sponsored by Faruki+ Location: 45402 zipcode Accessible building with elevator. Seats will be provided. Beverages will be available for purchase at this event. No outside coolers, beverages, or snacks are permitted. Limited tickets available. Tickets – $45
https://buytickets.at/levittpaviliondayton/1471114
