Polar Bear Express
2026-01-24, 2026-01-25, 2026-01-26, 2026-01-27 | 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

Ice Skating
2026-01-24, 2026-01-25, 2026-01-26, 2026-01-27 | 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.

Exhibit: Being Seen
2026-01-24, 2026-01-25, 2026-01-26, 2026-01-27 | 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.

Jason Cytacki, Haley Prestifilippo, and Yoshiko Shimano Exhibit
2026-01-24, 2026-01-26 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department is pleased to present “Knickknacks” by Jason Cytacki and Haley Prestifilippo in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery along with “Lasting Memories” by Yoshiko Shimano in the Works on Paper Gallery. Cytacki’s work critically examines the American mythological landscape, particularly suburban life, through his paintings. He utilizes tenuous, anxious humor, and unexpected juxtapositions to question the underlying narratives that shape our shared identity, asking the question: “Is this all there is?” Prestifilippo explores the way histories adhere to physical forms, layering and ossifying into material residue of experience. Her detailed drawings of personally precious objects are woven with her hair collected post-partum. Viewers are invited to consider the stories embedded within both her works and outside objects such as a tree’s rings, holding the history of its growth. Shimano utilizes the traditions of her Japanese heritage through printmaking to express the depth of beauty that can come through the complexities of the human experience. “Lasting Memories” aims to keep record of her friends’ life stories as they live to the fullest despite old age, memory loss, and eventually death. There will be a virtual artist talk via Zoom on January 30, 2026, at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for details. The exhibitions will be on display from January 5 – February 2, 2026. 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.

Dan Cleary: Five Views of Ohio
2026-01-24 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Dan Cleary: Five Views of Ohio January 7-31, 2025 Opening Reception: Jan 7, 2026 Closing Reception: Jan 31, 2026 Dan Cleary: Five Views of Ohio features work from the Dayton-based photographer’s ongoing Ohio Landscape series, in which he turns his lens toward the places that shape daily life across the region. For years, he has traveled throughout Ohio’s cities, rivers, and countryside, capturing scenes that reveal the quiet rhythms of a landscape both familiar and constantly shifting. In these five photographs, Cleary explores his connection to home through light, water, and motion—moving from the still surface of a backwater stream to the rush of a downtown river or streetcar. Cleary is drawn to the moments when nature and the built environment meet: reflections that ripple across moving water, light that bends along a city street, ordinary places that transform for an instant into something newly seen. His images invite viewers to recognize these in-between spaces in their own surroundings, where history, community, and landscape intersect. Through this series, Cleary offers a meditation on the layered beauty of everyday Ohio and the fleeting, sacred moments found along the paths people travel each day.

Intersex Group: Information & Planning Session
2026-01-24 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Dayton Metro Library will host an Intersex Group: Information & Planning Session on Saturday, January 24, 11 am-12:30 pm, in the Main Library’s Conference Room 3A. Intersex individuals interested in forming a group in Montgomery County, led by and for members of the intersex community, are invited to attend. Take the first steps in creating a group that focuses on nurturing the social, emotional, and informational needs of intersex people. For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

Saturday Art Workshops
2026-01-24 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.

Tropical Terrarium Workshop
2026-01-24 12:00 - 15:00 | Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Create your own lush, self-sustaining tropical ecosystem. Choose from a variety of colorful, humidity-loving plants and ferns, then personalize your terrarium with curated natural embellishments and accents. These closed terrariums thrive on condensation, creating their own watering cycle—making them both beautiful and easy to care for. Join us for a creative good time! Project includes; 1 gal. glass vessel, plants, natural embellishments and accents, take-home boxing and care information. Our studio assistants are always on-hand to help to create and design. This registration is non-refundable. However, you may use fees towards a future workshop. Quick Question? Text 937-287-1733

Billy Goats Gruff And Other Tales
2026-01-24 13:00, 2026-01-24 16:00, 2026-01-25 14:00 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 1 & 4 p.m. Traditional Performances
Sunday, January 25, 2026 – 2 p.m. Sensory Inclusive Performance
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s newest production, BILLY GOATS GRUFF AND OTHER TALES, presents a fresh and engaging reimagining of three cherished children’s stories – “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” “The Three Little Pigs,” and “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Filled with adventure, humor, and heroism, the story follows a brave raccoon and clever mouse who are on a journey to collect treasure. Along the way, they unknowingly help the goats, bears, and pigs, preventing disaster – without any of the animals ever encountering a true villain. This imaginative retelling seamlessly interweaves three classic tales into a heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship and courage.

Closing Reception: Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven
2026-01-24 16:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
4-6p – Light Refreshments and a final chance to view the exhibition.

A Night Of Symphonic Rock
2026-01-24 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Turn it up to eleven! Your orchestra is going full throttle with the biggest anthems in rock history. A NIGHT OF SYMPHONIC ROCK fuses a six-piece band of rock veterans with the raw power of a full symphony to deliver epic hits by Led Zeppelin, Journey, Joan Jett, Kansas, Pat Benatar, and more. This is the ultimate rock-meets-orchestra experience!

The Mystery Of Edwin Drood
2026-01-24 20:00, 2026-01-25 14:00 | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Join TheatreLab Dayton for the hilarious whodunit musical, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD! This madcap romp through Victorian England invites the audience to decide how the story ends, meaning no two performances are ever the same. A comic adventure full of wild characters, catchy tunes, and a mystery only you can solve! Based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens and featuring incredible local artists.

Vinyl Vinyl Sundays
2026-01-25 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sunday – Vinyl Vinyl Sunday – bring your records, we’ll play ’em

Animal Adventures
2026-01-25 13:00 - 17:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of MetroParks Ice Rink Family Skate Days series
Animal Adventures
1:00pm – 5:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00 | Financial Assistance

Ready to set out on an animal adventure? Join us at the MetroParks Ice Rink for a day to learn about our furry, feathered and scaly friends! Skate to your favorite family-friendly hits, grab some hot chocolate, and visit with MetroParks Animal Ambassadors to see some of the animals that live around us. Weather Dependent.
Guests are encouraged to participate in family activities including a featured theme table, coloring pages, scavenger hunt, and Penguin Toss. The Penguin Toss is free to all skaters and takes place at approximately 3pm. Participants will receive a penguin to toss onto the ice, and whoever lands their penguin closest to the target will receive one of three prizes.
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. 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.

“Clue” 40th Anniversary Interactive Movie Mystery Party
2026-01-25 18:00 - 21:00 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
You’re invited Dayton Dinner Theater’s famous interactive movie experience with the classic, comedy murder mystery Clue! Themed Food : Mystery snacks and appetizers, Creative themed Pizza by Dayton’s own Flying Pizza, Fancy Salad, and mystery dessert Themed Drinks TBA: Maybe some bourbon for the Colonel, Green, Plum, or white wine?? Themed Attire: Pick your favorite character and be ready to be sus (as the young people say). Cute maids will not be put to work Themed Music for Name that Tune: Something about being clueless, someone doing you wrong, or perhaps a good old death son HOW TO GO? Jan 25, 2026, 5:45 PM – 9:10 PM Dayton, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402, USA Doors open at 5:45 – Food and live music is available from 6-7 pm – Movie starts at 7 pm. A short intermission for dessert and trivia will start at 8 pm – Movie ends around 9:15 pm. Alcoholic drinks available for purchase Tickets $36 – Get tickets here: https://www.daytondinnertheater.com/events/clue-40th-anniversary-interactive-movie-mystery-party Table reservations only for parties of 6 or more, otherwise we have open seating. For table reservations or other questions, please email Daytondinnertheater@gmail.com

Artist in Training (AIT) Program
2026-01-26 15:00 - 18:00 | 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.

Wassail, Wit, and Who Done It? presented by Mayhem & Mystery
2026-01-26 19:00 | Spaghetti Warehouse, 36 W. Fifth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
It’s Christmas time and The Wassail Warblers, a group of long-time friends and semi-committed amateur carolers, are making their annual rounds of holiday cheer. Armed with matching scarves, an curated setlist, and exactly one person who can actually sing, they’re determined to brighten their town with off-key classics and questionable choreography. Midway through “Good King Wenceslas,” one of the carolers slips away. But when they’re still missing by dessert, the group begins to panic. Can you solve the mystery? Join us for holiday fun and see. Join Mayhem & Mystery for their always popular interactive Holiday Who-done-it? Seating begins at 6:45 when salads and bread are served. Dinner (several choices) arrives after Act 1 is finished. Act 2 finishes with a dessert (full-sized, several choices) and a call to write down your thoughts on the crime. Solutions are revealed in Act 3 followed by prizes recognizing the three most correct answers and the three most entertaining (cast choice). Show runs Mondays, November 10, 2025 – January 26, 2026, plus Wednesday, December 10, and Fridays, November 14, December 26, and January 9. Seating begins at 6:45 PM with Act 1 beginning around 7:00 PM. The evening runs through 9:00-9:30 PM, depending on audience size and interaction. Reservations are required and can be. made by calling 937-461-3913. https://www.facebook.com/MayhemMystery $39.95 per person; tax and gratuity not included
