Small but Mighty 2024
2024-12-14 | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
SMALL BUT MIGHTY 2024
NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 14
SMALL BUT MIGHTY 2024 is the Dayton Society of Artists small works exhibition and holiday gift shop. All work is 12″ x 12″ or smaller and includes a wide variety of mediums and styles.
DSA will also have a gift shop full of original and handmade goods such as ornaments, cards, jewelry and more! So add a little wonder to your holiday season and visit the Dayton Society of Artists.

Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display
2024-12-14 | Stratacache Tower, 40 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45423
November 29-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.

Rike’s Holiday Windows
2024-12-14 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
The holiday season is here and one of Dayton’s most beloved traditions is visiting the Rike’s Holiday Windows!
The RIKE’S HOLIDAY WINDOWS’ animated elves and animals first appeared in NCR’s New York office windows in 1943, but many Daytonians remember them from their annual holiday pilgrimage to the Rike’s Department Store which sat on the corner of Second and Main Streets (where the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center now sits). They’ve been on display in the Schuster Center’s Wintergarden during the holidays for more than 20 years.
In 2018, the displays were redesigned by critically acclaimed theatre and opera scenic designer and Dayton native Adam Koch, reconstructed by internationally acclaimed set and stage designers Scenic Solutions from West Carrollton, Ohio, and the characters were recostumed by the Dayton Sewing Collaborative.
SANTA’S SECRET
Santa and his magical team of crafty reindeer make a special stop each year to the Schuster Center to hide a special something in each of the Rike’s Holiday Windows. Can you guess what it is this year? It’s tiny, often at a child’s eye level, and has something to do with Dayton!
If you’re right, you’ll be entered to win a special gift certificate from Dayton Live. The winning entry will be notified after the new year begins!
You’ll be able to submit your entry when the RIKE’S HOLIDAY WINDOWS open for the season!

Windows are generally available for viewing Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The windows will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, and will not be available for public viewing during private events.
Presented by Dayton Live

Whimsical Windows Contest
2024-12-14 | Downtown Dayton
Dec. 2-27
Select businesses throughout downtown
This annual contest shows off the creativity of downtown Dayton’s collection of small businesses as they decorate their storefront windows for the holidays in their own unique ways. Enjoy shopping, dining, and exploring downtown Dayton in this fun and festive atmosphere! Vote for your favorite window display online. Free.
Sponsored by Dayton.com

Polar Bear Express
2024-12-14 | Downtown Dayton
Thru Feb. 28 • Polar Bear Express
Routes throughout downtown; call for dates, times, and cost.
Book a ride aboard the abominably decorated Pedal Wagon for a 2-hour pedaling adventure through the festive streets of Dayton and to the best bars and restaurants. Reservations required. pedalwagon.com/dayton. 388-3006.

Holly Jolly Social: A Holiday Pop-Up Experience
2024-12-14 | Two Social, 123 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Get ready to celebrate the season at Holly Jolly Social! We’re decking the halls and transforming Two Social into a festive haven with cheerful décor, seasonal cocktails, and plenty of holiday spirit. Join us for a cozy and merry time this holiday season! (11/8-1/12)

The CoSHOP Holiday Shopping
2024-12-14 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
The Contemporary Dayton’s CoSHOP gets a holiday refreshing of new handmade ornaments, cards, decor and all sorts of giftables from a selection of local artists and artisans. At the Nov. 21 Preview Party, enjoy shopping, browsing the current exhibitions, and light bites from Gather. 224-3822.

Ice Skating
2024-12-14 | 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.

RTA Holiday Bus
2024-12-14 | Downtown Dayton
The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is getting into the holiday spirit with the arrival of its winter wonderland-themed December bus and appearances by Santa Claus.

The 2024 December holiday bus features several religious celebrations, including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, along with New Year’s Eve and the first day of winter. It also highlights the RTA’s historic Christmas trolley, which will be on display during special public events throughout the month of December.

Customers who want to ride with Saint Nick on the December bus may do so on the following dates:

Sunday, Dec. 1: Route 12 – 12:39 p.m. to 3:37 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: Route 16 – 9:42 a.m. to 1:22 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Route 17 – 10:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6: Route 6 – 4:11 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 11: Route 9 – 9:53 a.m. to 12:24 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 13: Route 6 – 9:11 a.m. to 12:11 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Route 22 – 9:05 a.m. to 11:57 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: Route 16 – 10: 42 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20: Route 2 – 4:15 p.m. to 6:37 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 22: Route 22 – 11:31 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24: Route 1 – 9:32 a.m. to 11:28 p.m.

If you visit Santa, share photos with the RTA on our social media pages by tagging @iriderta on Facebook and Instagram.

The December bus schedule is as follows:

Sunday, Dec. 1: Route 12 – 12:33 p.m. to 3:37 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 2: Route 1 – 5:12 a.m. to 1:19 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: Route 16 – 6:04 a.m. to 3:08 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Route 17 – 8:26A a.m. to 4:57 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 5: Route 17 – 4:48 p.m. to 1:04 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 6: Route 6 – 10:05 a.m. to 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Dec.7: Routes 18/19 – 4:44 p.m. to 1:11 a.m.
Sunday, Dec.8 – Route 9 – 12:34 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 9: Routes 18/19 – 10:54 a.m.to 7:35 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 10: West Community Connector – 1:45 p.m. to 11:39 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 11: Route 9 – 5:15 a.m. to 1:44 p.m.
Thursday, Dec 12: Out of regular service
Friday, Dec. 13: Route 6 – 5:15 a.m. to 1:48 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 14: West Connector – 2:07 p.m. to 12:12 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15: North Connector – 5:54 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 16: Routes 18/19 – 5:15 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Route 22 – 5:26 a.m. to 1:47 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: Route 16 – 5:03 a.m. to 12:28 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19: Route 12 – 10:24 a.m. to 7:29 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20: Route 2 – 2:51 p.m. to 12:37 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21: Route 43 – 5:59 a.m. to 11:38 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 22: Route 22 – 5:23 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 23: Route 16 – 12:18 p.m. to 7:39 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24: Route 1 – 5:24 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25: Route 9 – 4:11 p.m. to 12:47 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 26: Routes 18/19 – 2:26 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 27: Route 12 – 10:15 a.m. to 7:20 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 28: Route 17 – 10:54 a.m. to 7:31 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 29: Route 2 – 5:01 a.m. to 1:19 p.m
Monday, Dec. 30: Route 28 – 2:42 p.m. to 11:54 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 31: North Community Connector – 4:52 a.m.to 2:16 p.m.

A complete schedule of the daily routes for the December bus, Santa’s schedule and the dates and times of the special events for the historic Christmas trolley can be found at iriderta.org/holidaybus.

Exhibit: Experiencing Veterans & Artists Collaboration (EVAC) Project
2024-12-14 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit) | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department proudly announces new exhibits featuring works from the Experiencing Veterans & Artists Collaboration (EVAC) Project and contemporary steel sculptures by artist Chris Mohler.
The exhibits will be displayed in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery and the Works on Paper Gallery from November 8 through December 14, 2024. The EVAC Project uses storytelling and art to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians.
Through the collaboration, over 60 veterans share their life stories, which are then interpreted into visual artwork by talented artists. As visitors explore these powerful stories alongside the artwork, the exhibit fosters empathy and a deeper connection with the experiences of veterans. Chris Mohler’s collection of steel sculptures shares a common theme of personal storytelling. Each piece reflects a chapter of Mohler’s life, inspired by topics such as current events, human existence, science, politics, personal joys, sacrifices, and social injustices. Mohler, however, encourages viewers to derive their own meanings from the works, allowing for an open-ended exploration of the art.
A virtual artist talk will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. More details can be found at Sinclair.edu/ArtGalleries.
The exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Both galleries are located on the fourth floor of Building 13 at the corner of West Fifth and Perry Streets in downtown Dayton.

RTA’s Historic Christmas Trolley
2024-12-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Wright Stop Plaza, 4 S. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all—to see the Greater Dayton RTA’s historic Christmas trolley gracing local streets once more in this year’s Dayton Children’s Parade on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, as well for select special public events throughout the month of December. The 76-year-old trolley – a 1948 Marmon-Herrington TC-48 #559 – is only one of five operable trolleys of its kind in the world today. It is famous for its simulated fireplace, Santa seat, and festive holiday scenes gracing the exterior. It last ran on Dayton streets in 1988, after which it was transferred to San Franciso Municipal Railway in California. It made the 2,300-mile journey back to Dayton in 2021 after RTA CEO Bob Ruzinsky reacquired it for Daytonians to enjoy once again. After the parade, the public will be able to see this piece of nostalgia during several public events. During these events, the trolley will be on display and will offer free rides through downtown Dayton (this historic vehicle is not ADA accessible). Historic information about the trolley will also be presented by local trolley enthusiast Tom Morrow, and Santa Claus will be making an appearance at each event. All events will take place outside of Wright Stop Plaza at the corner of Main and Third streets. Event dates and times are as follows: Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 from 4-6 p.m. Visit www.iriderta.org for details

Family Movie Series
2024-12-14 11:00 | THE NEON, United States
December 7, 14, & 21; 11 a.m.
THE NEON, 130 E. Fifth St.
Bring the family to THE NEON for fun, festive films. Free admission for kids 12 and under, $2 for adults.
Sponsored by Dayton Children’s and THE NEON
Scheduled Films:
December 7 – Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
December 14 – Happy Feet
December 21 – Santa Claus: The Movie

Titles subject to change – call theater for confirmation.

Winter Gift Gallery (Local Artist Nook)
2024-12-14 11:00 - 13:00 | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Dec. 1-23 • Winter Gift Gallery (Local Artist Nook)
K12 Gallery for Young People & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.;
Mon.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Artists will showcase paintings, ceramics, blown glass, prints, and
jewelry for sale. k12tejasgallery.org.

Holiday Greenery Crafting
2024-12-14 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!
Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 22

John Lauer: Demon Heads
2024-12-14 11:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Drawing on fantasy, queer culture, and architecture, Lauer creates demon heads out of paper. Combining digital and manual techniques, he first models the heads with architectural software, converts them into patterns which he cuts out of paper with a digital cutter, then meticulously assembles them by hand. Inspired by natural forms—bones, leaves, shells—demons and horned creatures burst forth from more placid human heads merging into structures that are both intertwined and interdependent symbolizing an inner struggle in conflict with the outside world.
John Lauer is an artist and architectural/exhibit designer who lives in a treehouse on the edge of Appalachia. He has a BA in Architecture from Washington University, St. Louis, an MFA in Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI, and an M.Arch from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.

CURTIS MANN: Precious Blood
2024-12-14 11:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
CURTIS MANN: Precious Blood

THE DR. ROBERT L. BRANDT JR. FAMILY GALLERY
THE IRA & SUSAN THOMSEN FAMILY GALLERY

SEP 6 – DEC 21, 2024

Dayton native, Curtis Mann, returns home to present an experimental new body of work inspired by reflections on his childhood attending Parochial schools, his mother’s Catholic funeral services this past May, and the challenges he faced hiding and then embracing his atheism. Using a mixture of personal family photographs, found, and AI-generated images, Mann has cut and affixed them to shards of glass to create sculptural collages. The work presents us with questions about what a photograph is, about the precarious space between the image and the object, and about the larger ideas of absolute faith, its teachings, and leaders. The work also serves as a love letter to his mother and his own feelings of mortality. Curated by Jeffrey Cortland Jones.
Mann is a graduate of the University of Dayton, where he worked under the mentorship of Sean Wilkinson, whose work is on view in the companion exhibition, Flora, also on view. His work has been exhibited widely, most notably at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

OPENING NIGHT / SEP 6

Members Preview with the Artist 5-6 pm / Public Reception 6-8 pm

ARTIST TALK / NOV 22 / 6:30 pm

Curtis Mann and Sean Wilkinson in Conversation with artist and writer, Carmen Winant
Doors open 6 pm / Reception immediately following ‘til 8 pm / FREE & open to all / The Tank at The Dayton Arcade

SEAN WILKINSON: Flora
2024-12-14 11:00 - 18:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
SEAN WILKINSON: Flora

THE MITOSIS GALLERY

SEP 6 – DEC 21, 2024

Wilkinson’s ongoing series of photographs, Flora (2020-2024) are the artist’s response to the exuberant vitality of plants, their thrusting and thriving, their boundless energy and raw power, their elegance and grace, their constant changing, and their utter disregard for anything to do with the human world. Photographed over many seasons at Dayton’s Five Rivers MetroParks, Wilkinson brings attention to change, the overlooked, the undisturbed, and how profoundly meditative life can be. Curated by Jeffrey Cortland Jones.
Wilkinson is a Distinguished Service Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Dayton, where he served as chair of the Department of Visual Arts and as the Graul Endowed Chair in Arts and Languages. He is the recipient of several Ohio Arts Council and Montgomery County Fellowships among many other awards and prizes. His work has been widely exhibited and housed in over twenty-five significant collections.

OPENING NIGHT / SEP 6

Members Preview with the Artist 5-6 pm / Public Reception 6-8 pm

ARTIST TALK / NOV 22 / 6:30 pm

Curtis Mann and Sean Wilkinson in Conversation with artist and writer, Carmen Winant
Doors open 6 pm / Reception immediately following ‘til 8 pm / FREE & open to all / The Tank at The Dayton Arcade

Holiday Vintage Sale
2024-12-14 12:00 - 17:00 | Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Dec. 12-15 • Holiday Vintage Sale
Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.; Thurs. 12-5 p.m., Fri. 3-8 p.m., Sat./Sun. 12-5 p.m.
Vintage artwork and other art will be available for sale at the gallery during this weekend-long pop-up.

DLCA Performance: Rike’s Holiday Window Spectacular
2024-12-14 13:00, 2024-12-14 17:00 | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
This original show is a celebration of the iconic Rike’s Department Store holiday windows that go on display each holiday season in the Schuster Center. Join us for a night of merriment! Watch familiar Rike’s characters come to life in this original production created by our cast and crew. The RIKE’S HOLIDAY WINDOW SPECTACULAR is a good time full of music, dance, and lots of holiday memories.

Guided House Tours
2024-12-14 13:00, 2024-12-14 15:00, 2024-12-14 16:00 | The Dayton Woman’s Club, 225 N Ludlow St, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Dec. 4, 7, 11, 14, & 18 • Guided House Tours
Dayton Woman’s Club, 225 N. Ludlow St.; Weds. 1 p.m., Sat. 1, 3, & 4 p.m.
Take a guided tour of DWC’s historic Victorian mansion, circa 1850!
Learn about the building’s history and the founding women who
were community leaders and used the Club to promote music, art,
education, civil rights, and suffrage

Winter Wonderland at Rabbit Hole Books
2024-12-14 13:00 - 17:00 | Rabbit Hole Books, 27 W. First St., Dayton, OH, 45402
December 7, 14, & 21; 1-5 p.m.
Rabbit Hole Books, 27 W. First St.
Santa’s workshop is coming to downtown Dayton! Little ones are invited to shop for gifts in a kid-sized store, enjoy tasty holiday treats, and take a photo with the big man in red! 999-4092.

Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories
2024-12-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Wear your holiday finest and learn about an old holiday tradition. In the Victorian era a very popular way to celebrate Christmas was through the telling of ghost stories. Local History Librarian Rachael Bussert will share stories from Dayton and around the United States that were told in gatherings and in local newspapers in the celebration of Christmas.

The Nutcracker
2024-12-14 14:30, 2024-12-14 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Don’t miss the world premiere of the much-anticipated new production of Dayton’s most beloved holiday tradition, THE NUTCRACKER! From the creative minds of Artistic Director and choreographer Brandon Ragland, costume designer Lyn Baudendistel, and scenic designer Ray Zupp, the timeless story of Clara’s magical Christmastime journey returns to the stage, set to Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous score performed live by the Dayton Philharmonic.

The Woman in Black
2024-12-14 17:00 | Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Avenue, Dayton, OH, 45410, USA
A solicitor is sent to a remote estate to wind up the affairs of the late hermit. He soon discovers that a woman in black haunts the house, and his life is on the line. Fast-paced and theatrically imaginative, this thriller will frighten and delight you to the very end!

Holiday Mini Market
2024-12-14 17:00 - 20:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Holiday Mini Market
5:00pm – 8:00pm
AGE: All ages | FREE
Head down to the MetroParks Ice Rink on the first three Saturdays in December for a fun day of ice skating and holiday shopping, all in one visit! Our Holiday Mini Markets are back and will feature a variety of 2nd Street Market vendors each evening in the comfort tent… this week we will be hosting Maria’s Unique Foods and Silver Maple Ranch! Please note, skating admission is not required to attend the Holiday Mini Market. Weather dependent. Weather Dependent.

A Frosty Night
2024-12-14 19:30 | The Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
In this world premiere farce, Mark Brown takes on winter with a twist! Sharon Frosty, Frosty the Snowman’s wife, knows that he’s up to no good and follows his trail to the North Pole. Will she catch him in the act? Laugh ‘til you’re blue with this adults-only comedy.
