Downtown Dayton Partnership

Polar Bear Express
2026-01-01, 2025-12-31 | 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
2026-01-01, 2025-12-31 | 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
2026-01-01, 2025-12-31 | 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.

New Year’s Eve Silent Disco & Ball Drop
2025-12-31 20:30 - 23:30 (America/New_York) | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Dayton’s 8th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Silent Disco hosted by Zac Pitts! Ring in 2026 at Dayton’s 8th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Silent Disco at The Brightside on Dec 31st – It’s Dayton’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop tradition!
In our eighth year, we are incredibly excited to welcome back our host Zac Pitts to count us down through the evening with Dayton’s Silent Disco holding down the dance floor!
Dance in the New Year with three different stations to choose from! KimL will be on the green station with EDM, Sexbox on the blue station with 70s, 80s, and 90s, and John Chapel on the Red station with modern Hip Hop! You will not want to miss this classic Dayton event!
Tickets and more details at daytonsilentdisco.com Single day tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the doors. https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/event-details/new-years-eve-silent-disco-ball-drop We’re offering “Group Tickets” – Save 20% when you bring a group of 10! (Pre-sale only) *Discounted single day presale tickets end at Midnight on Dec 30th. This event is 21+ Produced by Level Up Productions

Wu-Tang Wednesdays
2025-12-31 19:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Dayton’s legendary Ike B spins old school hip hop and whateva else he wants.

Low Key NYE
2025-12-31 19:00 (America/New_York) | Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Do you like celebrating New Year’s Eve but hate crowded places, fancy events, and dressing up to do it? WE GOT YOU!Do you usually stay at home to avoid the chaos, and to keep our comfy clothes on? WE GOT YOU!
Join us at Yellow Cab Tavern for “LOW KEY NYE” on Wednesday, December 31st, where you can Auld Lang Syne without Anxiety!AND IT’S FREE!!!
We are going to have a chill evening full of easy fun and activities. Participate in as much or as little as you want.Wear whatever makes you feel your best, whether it be a glittery gown or your favorite hoodie.
Schedule of Activities:7:30-9:30 – Live Trivia: our usual weekly trivia with Sarah G, but with a special New Year’s twist10-11 – Viral Video Bingo: watch clips from the biggest events of 2025, from viral videos, to scandals, to big movie moments. Mark them on your bingo card to winMidnight – INDOOR Ball Drop and Toast. No need to put on your jackets to count down to 2026!

The Foundry’s Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve Party
2025-12-31 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Foundry, 124 Madison St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
earching for a swingin’ NYE party in Dayton? The Foundry’s Roaring ‘20s party is just what you’re looking for! Enjoy gourmet food from their extensive buffet: Raw Bar, Pasta Bar, Entree Bar, Charcuterie, 1920’s Theme Appetizers, Salads, Assorted Desserts (served until 11 pm), desserts, beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, live DJ and dancing. The countdown to midnight will include complimentary bubbles. The Foundry’s New Year’s Eve Roaring 1920’s Party is a celebration for guests 21 years and up. General admission tickets are $50, reserved bar seating is $60, and $150 for reserved table seating with complimentary bubbles. All pricing includes gratuity. Reservations can be made at the link. https://www.thefoundryrooftop.com/store/event/new-years-eve-2025-roaring-20s/

Live Trivia
2025-12-31 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
We are excited to host live trivia every Wednesday at The Yellow Cab Tavern! Since there are a limited number of indoor tables, so please reserve as soon as possible.
Pepper Sprout Productions will be doing 3 rounds of general trivia from 6:30 – 8:30! Win prizes and gift cards! Watch their page on the day of for a clue about the bonus round theme!
You can enjoy pizza from The Pizza Bandit and beverages from The Yellow Cab Tavern!Pizza Bandit’s standard carryout, delivery, and onsite dining will be available from 4-9pm!

Deck the Diamond
2025-12-31 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.

Adult Weekday Classes
2025-12-31 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-31 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-31 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Tuesday and Wednesday weekday classes: Tuesdays (September-May) Stained Glass Classes: 1:00pm-3:00pm Ceramics/Clay Classes: 3:00pm-5:00pm Glassblowing Classes: 3:30pm-5:30pm Wednesdays (September-May) Still Life Oil Painting Classes: 1:00pm-3:00pm Glassblowing Classes: 2:00pm-4:00pm or 6:00pm-8:00pm. Call for Costs.

NYE Four-Course Dinner
2025-12-31 15:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Bistecca, 137 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Before the ball drops, Bistecca is dropping a four-course New Year’s Eve menu that is perfect for a pre-party celebration! The menu will be available on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 3 to 10 p.m., giving guests plenty of time to get to their next spot to ring in the new year!
Executive chef Jacob Rodibaugh has crafted a four-course menu featuring a variety of festive, seasonal dishes that guests can choose from. Menu highlights include:

Heirloom Tomato Caprese with heirloom grape tomato, arugula, fresh mozzarella, balsamic glaze, basil, fresh black pepper and smoked sea salt
Cup Zuppa Toscana with Spanish onion, kale, garlic, cream, herbs, white bean and sausage
10-ounce Gorgonzola-crusted Filet with gorgonzola crust, chianti reduction, roasted garlic mash and a rosti potato cake
Lobster Risotto with lobster, arborio rice, cream, sherry, chives, garlic, pecorino and butter
Prosecco Sabayon with Winter Fruit with egg, Italian white wine, strawberry, fig, pears, citrus, pomegranate and mint

Drinks are available à la carte, and guests can enjoy the full cocktail menu and wine list.

Tickets are $85 per person and can be purchased on OpenTable.

Artist in Training (AIT) Program
2025-12-31 15:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
After school Artist in Training program geared for grades 3rd-12th grades. Classes are Monday-Wednesdays from 3:00pm-6:00pm. Open Studio time to explore different types of mediums such as Drawing, Painting, Clay, Digital Art. 20.00 per session for Members/40.00 per session for Non-Members.

New Year’s Eve Skate
2025-12-31 11:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
New Year’s Eve Skate
11:00am – 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 Eve 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.

RTA Holiday Bus
2025-12-31 | 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.

Ice Skating
2025-12-31 | 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
2025-12-31 | 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
2025-12-31 | 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
2025-12-31 | 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

Water Street District Pint Path
2025-12-31 | 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

Karaoke with Zane
2025-12-30 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Yellow Cab Tavern Karaoke is BACK every Tuesday at 8pm with MC Zane Gerlach!
Entry is always free!
With a catalog of over 60,000 songs, we have your favorites to sing…and if we don’t, we’ll do everything we can to get it for you!
Get your friends and family together and we’ll see you on Tuesday nights at The Yellow Cab Tavern!

Karaoke
2025-12-30 19:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Tuesdays – Karaoke with @raineyday.entertainment – $5 off full draft flights until 9 p.m.

Dayton Loves Chelsea
2025-12-30 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Our beloved Chelsea is moving on to bigger and better things as she begins her career in the medical field, which she’s been going to school for over the past few years. While we’re super sad to lose her, we couldn’t be happier for her and wish her nothing but the absolute best.
We’ll be celebrating with karaoke, putting on whichever keg she picks from our cellar, and lots of hugs and happy tears.
Please join us on Tuesday, December 30th as we send off one of our most tenured employees into the medical sunset

Trivia Tuesday
2025-12-30 19:00 (America/Detroit) | OH
Trivia Tuesdays are fun for everyone at The Dayton Beer Company! Get $3.50 DBC Pints every Tuesday with trivia starting at 7:00 p.m. Cheers!
