Downtown Dayton Partnership

Front Street Art Hop
2025-08-02 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Front Street Galleries, 1001 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Art, Music, Food, Community: First Friday Art Hop at Front Street. We are so excited to announce that we have a NEW ART HOP SCHEDULE!! Join us every First Friday & the Saturday after for our monthly art hops. FRIDAY, 5PM – 9PM Explore art studios, shops, and galleries across campus! Live demonstrations, gallery openings, and new work on display by more than 150 artists! Meet our artists, learn about their work, or sign up to take a class! Don’t just see art, live it! Kool Beanz Cafe is open! Order at the tent and step inside to warm up while your made-to-order treat is prepared! SATURDAY, 11AM – 4PM Saturday after is your chance to visit what you couldn’t fit in on Friday! Of course, Kool Beanz Cafe will have things fired up and ready to make your lunch fresh.

Exhibit: Crosstown Connection
2025-08-02 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Crosstown Connection
July 11th – August 23rd
The Dayton Society of Artists (DSA) and the African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) are thrilled to present Crosstown Connections: A Collaborative Exhibition. This group exhibition brings together two of Dayton’s vibrant art organizations in a celebration of shared creativity, artistic mediums, and the connections that unite us. Through this partnership, we honor our commonalities, reflect on past collaborations, and look forward to future opportunities to uplift and support artists in our community. Showcasing a collection of works from both organizations, this exhibition will be held at both galleries, celebrating the rich artistic talent within our community. Make sure to visit the other half of this exhibition at AAVAG! Their gallery is located inside the CSU Dayton Campus on the second floor at 840 Germantown St.
Opening Reception: Friday, July 11th 5 – 8 PM, Free and open to the public.
Closing Reception: Sunday, August 24th, 2 – 5 PM at AAVAG gallery

DLCA Performance: Oliver! JR.
2025-08-02 13:00 (America/New_York) | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Oliver! JR. is a touching show about love, trust, and caring for one another.
There are three performances of this show: Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening.

Art in the City
2025-08-02 13:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Downtown Dayton
Discover the visual and performing arts experience in downtown Dayton at Art in the City, presented by AES Ohio!
Art in the City’s full day of offerings include a variety of Dayton’s best artistic talent – from painting and drawing to spoken word, poetry, and dance – all together filling the streets of downtown Dayton and multiple stages with:
– NEW THIS YEAR! The Great Dayton Cake Off

– Live performances (dance, theater, music & more)

– Live demonstrations (painting, sculpting, and other art-making)
– Hands-on & interactive activities
– Art Full Circle: A Fine Arts Showcase in the Dayton Arcade

– Pop-up performances

– A local Art Bazaar

– “Chalk Walk” featuring chalk artwork from local artists
– A Family Zone with art activities for kids and families
– A Juried Art Show
(sponsored by Dayton.com and the Dayton Society of Artists)

“Something in the Air” Streetwear Block Party & Skate Jam
2025-08-02 13:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | St. Clair Street, St. Clair Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
During 2025’s Art In The City, Join us for the 1st Annual “SOMETHING IN THE AIR” Block Party & Skate Jam Pop-Up August 2nd, from 1PM to 9PM, on Merchant Row right in the heart of downtown Dayton!
This free community event, presented in partnership with Home Ave DIY, is a celebration of local “Doers” the resilience & entrepreneurial spirit of our city.
Get ready for an exciting skate jam pop-up with a custom micro-skate park centered on S. St. Clair Street & local skaters will be putting on a “trick -show”, delicious offerings from food trucks, and a diverse array of popular & prominent local vendor booths lining the streets. You’ll find everything from local streetwear, sneakers, sports memorabilia, art, and vintage goods to skate hardware and unique local merchandise.
The day will also feature energetic sets from a DJ and a live music segment later in the evening, creating a dynamic atmosphere for all ages. Come out and support local!

Caribbean Carnival
2025-08-02 14:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Caribbean Carnival
2:00pm – 6:00pm
AGE: All ages | FREE
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Caribbean culture on Friday, August 2, right here in downtown Dayton! The festivities kick off with a vibrant Parade starting at 1 PM from Deeds Point MetroPark, where participants will walk a colorful path to RiverScape MetroPark and arrive by 2 PM, where the real party begins. Enjoy mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine, infectious reggae and soca beats, and explore vibrant arts and crafts that bring the islands to life. Wear your costume! Show off your creativity during the parade and stick around for the Runway Show at 5 PM, where judges will award cash prizes for the most spectacular outfits (1st and 2nd place winners). This is your chance to shine, celebrate, and immerse yourself in the joyful energy of the Caribbean… no passport required! Weather Dependent.
