Downtown Dayton Partnership

Adult Weekday Classes
2026-02-03 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-03 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.

Bagels & Broadway: Les Misérables
2026-02-03 08:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Ever wonder what it takes to prepare a stage for a show? Join us for BAGELS & BROADWAY, a unique opportunity for you to find out first-hand. Have a cup of coffee and a bagel – then watch the show’s crew and members of IATSE Local 66 set up the sights and sounds for LES MISÉRABLES!
BAGELS & BROADWAY is free, but you must register. Please register for only the number of people who can attend. If you need to cancel your registration, please do so within 48 hours of the event by calling the Ticket Office at 937-228-3630 or emailing tickets@daytonlive.org. Dayton Live reserves the right to remove email addresses from future BAGELS & BROADWAY emails if you register and do not attend without letting us know.

Ice Skating
2026-02-03, 2026-02-02, 2026-02-01 | 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.

Polar Bear Express
2026-02-03, 2026-02-02, 2026-02-01 | 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

Playwright’s Night – Varian
2026-02-02 19:00 | The Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Varian is a new solo play about the journey of Varian Fry, an American writer and editor, who traveled to Vichy France during World War II. He helped rescue Anti-Nazi and Jewish refugees, including artists Marc Chagall and Max Ernst, writer André Breton, and philosopher Hannah Arendt. A determined, clever and, at times, a very naive man, Varian used his energy to save thousands of lives. When traveling to a world that was not his own, he managed to employ a variety of legal and illegal efforts to rescue a collection of celebrated scientists, intellectuals, and artists, as well as everyday refugees from across Europe. Varian is the second play in A Resilience Trilogy by Michael London.

Artist in Training (AIT) Program
2026-02-02 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.

Discovery: Filmmaker Bob Poole
2026-02-02 10:00 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
This show is part of our Discovery Series, which presents weekday field trips for area schools to experience carefully selected shows designed to enhance curriculum connections throughout various subject areas. If you are not purchasing tickets for a school or homeschool, please click here to explore our Children’s Theatre programming.
Join Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Bob Poole for a breathtaking journey into the world of elephants. Raised in Kenya, Bob has spent a lifetime filming and following these intelligent giants. With stunning footage from his latest projects — including research on elephant communication — Bob shares incredible stories from the field. From having his vehicle crushed to embedding with rangers, he’s witnessed the full spectrum of elephant life, filming births and battles. After decades of experience working with National Geographic, BBC, and PBS, Bob brings audiences face-to-face with the world’s most extraordinary land animals.
Created and performed by Bob Poole. This talk is part of the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series, presented in collaboration with Changemaker Talent. These compelling talks blend storytelling with award-winning imagery to bring to life the biodiversity crisis and the people and programs working toward a sustainable future.

Jason Cytacki, Haley Prestifilippo, and Yoshiko Shimano Exhibit
2026-02-02 | 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.

The Princess Bride Movie Party
2026-02-01 18:00 - 21:00 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Get cozy with an evening of of music, food, trivia, and Dayton Dinner Theater’s famous interactive movie experience with a feel-good favorite: The Princess Bride! Themed Food: Our famous Fezzik’s Beef stew and noodles, boulder throwing meatballs, electric eel green beans, Pirate’s Gold scalloped potatoes, fire swamp salsa, salad, chips of insanity, butter cup corn souffle, butter cup butterscotch cookies Themed Drinks: TBD… perhaps the… As You Wish… Vodka, peach schnapps, lime juice and sprite Butter Cup – Vanilla vodka, amaretto, kettle corn simple syrup and ginger beer $5 Florin Beer Special- Heineken Themed Attire: You can be a Prince, a Pirate, a Princess, a Pauper, a Giant, or a Swordsman…. and… If you dress up as a ROUS, we may give you extra cheese. Themed Musice for Name that Tune *Drink and food menu items subject to change HOW TO GO? Feb 1, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 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 $38 – Get tickets here: https://www.daytondinnertheater.com/events/the-princess-bride-movie-party-2 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

Mary Jane
2026-02-01 15:00, 2026-01-31 20:00 | Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Avenue, Dayton, OH, 45410, USA
As her young son battles chronic illness, Mary Jane holds chaos at bay with stubborn hope, quiet strength, and a shared fragile faith. The devoted mother leans on an unexpected community of women and discovers that even in the darkest nights, the stars are still there to guide her home.
Mary Jane is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Runtime: 90 minutes (No Intermission)

Filmmaker Bob Poole: In The Footsteps Of Giants
2026-02-01 15:00 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Bob Poole for a breathtaking journey into the world of elephants. Raised in Kenya, Bob has spent a lifetime filming and following these intelligent giants, across Africa and Asia. With stunning footage from his latest projects – including research on elephant communication – Bob shares incredible stories from the field. Having spent the good part of a decade working with aggressive elephants traumatized by war, Bob has experienced it all, from having his vehicle crushed to embedding with rangers. Because Bob has frequently worked alongside his sister, Dr. Joyce Poole, the world’s leading expert on elephant communication, he understands elephant behavior through their gestures and vocalizations. Bob has witnessed the full spectrum of elephant life, filming births, matings, and battles. After decades of experience working with National Geographic, BBC, and PBS, Bob brings audiences face-to-face with the world’s most extraordinary land animals.

Paint-A-Park
2026-02-01 14:00 - 16:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of Paint-A-Park series
Paint-A-Park
2:00pm – 4:00pm
AGE: All ages | FREE

Riverscape is a wonderful setting to explore and when you add art, skating, and hot cocoa to the mix, it becomes magical. Come join us to make art and enjoy the wintery scenery! Supplies will be loaned on site 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.
Create a work of art inspired by nature. Art supplies available to borrow or bring your own.

Picture Perfect
2026-02-01 13:00 - 17:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Part of MetroParks Ice Rink Family Skate Days series
Picture Perfect
1:00pm – 5:00pm
AGE: All ages | $10.00 | Financial Assistance

Ready to paint the town with friends and family? Join us at the MetroParks Ice Rink for a day of creative fun! Skate to your favorite family-friendly hits, grab some hot chocolate, and borrow some FREE art supplies to make your own masterpiece courtesy of Paint-a-Park. 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.

Learn to Ice Skate! Teen/Adult Course
2026-02-01 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 | Financial Assistance
Want to learn the basics of ice skating? We’ve got you covered with these lessons! Our instructor will teach you key skills including skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hops, lunges, and front and back crossovers. The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on 2/1, 2/8, and 2/15, which we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for each day. Makeup lessons will be held 2/22. Weather Dependent.

Learn to Ice Skate! Youth Course
2026-02-01 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 | Financial Assistance
Want to learn the basics of ice skating? We’ve got you covered with these lessons! Our instructor will teach you key skills including skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hops, lunges, and front and back crossovers. The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on 2/1, 2/8, and 2/15, which we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for each day. Makeup lessons will be held 2/22. Weather Dependent.

Learn to Ice Skate! Children’s Course
2026-02-01 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 | Financial Assistance
Want to learn the basics of ice skating? We’ve got you covered with these lessons! Our instructor will teach you key skills including skating forward and backward edges on a circle, three-turns, backward stops, bunny hops, lunges, and front and back crossovers. The registration fee includes use of skates and lessons on 2/1, 2/8, and 2/15, which we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for each day. Makeup lessons will be held 2/22. Weather Dependent.

Ohayocon
2026-02-01 10:00 - 16:30 | Dayton Convention Center, 22 East 5th Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Ohayocon, one of the Midwest’s largest anime, gaming, and pop culture conventions, announces its return to Dayton, Ohio, for the three-day event at the Dayton Convention Center! Attendees can look forward to the return of signature events such as Cosplay Expo, Foam Sword Fighting, Gaming, Ohayocon Fantasy Ball and more! The convention will feature enhanced theater experiences, including an elevated stage and improved lighting to provide better viewing for events such as the Cosplay Expo, Guest D&D game and panels. Ohayocon is thrilled to reveal this year’s lineup of incredible guests, some making rare Midwest appearances! The convention will also host two special show reunions: the cast of “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy” and an “Invader Zim” 25th-anniversary reunion Event Details: When: Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2026 Where: Dayton Convention Center: 22 East Fifth Street Dayton, OH 45402 This year’s event promises an unforgettable weekend. It’s the perfect gift for any anime, gaming, or pop culture fan!

Vinyl Vinyl Sundays
2026-02-01 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sunday – Vinyl Vinyl Sunday – bring your records, we’ll play ’em

Shostakovich 5 & Festive
2026-01-31 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Maestro Harada leads an exuberant program that reflects his own journey from Japan to Russia, where he mastered the art of conducting. Akutagawa’s “Prima Sinfonia” ignites with rhythmic energy, bold brass, and striking contrasts, channeling the spirit of his Russian contemporaries. Shostakovich’s jubilant “Festive Overture” and deeply powerful “Fifth Symphony” bookend the concert, culminating in an unforgettable evening of sweeping emotion and vibrant sound.

Dayton Battle of the Bands – Week 1 (Alternative / Rock)
2026-01-31 19:00 - 22:00 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Dayton Battle of the Bands – Week 1 (Alternative / Rock) DAYTON BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2026 KICKS OFF! Week 1: Alternative & Rock Night Thursday, January 15, 2026 | The Brightside We’re opening the 2026 season with an electrifying lineup of original, local Alternative & Rock bands, featuring: ACE SLITE CHERRY YUM YUM OBSCURED SOCKS Never heard of these bands? That’s the magic! DBOTB is all about discovering new music and supporting emerging talent. Every in-person ticket buyer gets one vote to help choose the winner. The winning band from this round secures a spot in the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale — plus additional prizes! Event Details: The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton) Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:15pm – 9:45pm Winner Announced: approx. 10:15pm Please arrive on time so you don’t miss any of the performances! Tickets: $10 advance / $15 at the door LINK: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/dayton-battle-of-the-bands-week-1-alternative-rock-2026-01-15-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-703897 Advance tickets strongly recommended. Your ticket purchase helps cover production costs and prizes. Thank you for supporting original Dayton music! Important Notes: Didn’t receive your ticket email? Check your Spam/Junk folder. If you see the charge on your card, you’re on the list. All ages welcome! Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Free parking on both sides of the building. No backpacks, no outside beverages, and no weapons allowed. No food truck is currently planned, but outside food is allowed (within reason). We highly recommend ordering from Tony & Pete’s, down the street on 3rd St. General Admission. Seating is not guaranteed, though we do our best to accommodate everyone. Full bar available, including NA options. No outside drinks permitted. Tickets are non-refundable. Can’t make it? Transfer them to a friend or consider your purchase a donation to supporting new, original music in Dayton. Weather Note: If roads are unsafe, a reschedule date will be announced. See you at Week 1 as we launch another unforgettable season of local music discovery!

Dusty Slay: The Neighborhood Guy Tour
2026-01-31 19:00 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
You can take the boy out of the trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer park out of the boy… stand-up comedian Dusty Slay grew up on Lot 8 of a mobile home neighborhood in Opelika, Alabama, with a love for both classic country and rock and a career history peppered with jobs like waiting tables and selling pesticides. Now the Alabama native with the “We’re having a Good Time” attitude is hitting cities all across the country playing comedy clubs and selling out theaters filled with fans eager to imitate his signature wave.
The trucker hat, long hair and mustache, flannel shirt and oversized glasses aren’t affectations to cultivate a stage persona as the B-side of a 1970s Bob Seger track — it’s just Dusty. As a young boy, growing up in a trailer park, Dusty never felt like he was poor. He didn’t even know folks were better off than him until he went to school and was the only kid whose home address said “Lot 8 Moore’s Trailer Park.” In his comedy he reflects, “We never felt poor, we just didn’t have everything growing up. Like instead of ice cream, my mom would just pour milk into a bowl and then she’d call us in the room and say ‘welp, you’re too late!’” Raised by a single mother with two daughters from a previous marriage, Dusty’s unique family home was never lacking for warmth or love. His father, always present in his life from the very beginning, made sure to show him the simple joys of boyhood adventure. “We never had real pets growing up, we just had prisoners of nature. A dog would wander up, we’d chain it to a tree. Now he’s ours.”
As he came of age and started joining the workforce, Dusty had many jobs. He had multiple stints as a dishwasher and waiter at restaurants and food chains like Papa John’s, Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers as well as a couple tours with Western Sizzlin’ and the historic Hyman’s Seafood. He spent eight years as a pesticide salesman selling to hardware chains like Lowe’s and Home Depot. “A lot of people would come up to me and ask weird questions like, we want something that’s gonna kill the insects but not harm the environment. I’d say well, ‘How bout a shoe.’ Cause I’m selling pesticides here.” In 2001, Dusty bought back his childhood home, the trailer that he grew up in. At this time he made plans to join the army, but an untimely arrest for marijuana possession disrupted those plans. Later that September terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York and months after the country was at war. “Everything happens for a reason,” says Dusty. After a few years of improv classes, in 2008 Dusty was inspired to try his hand at stand-up comedy where he found his true calling. He won the Charleston Comedy Competition and was named Charleston City Paper’s Stand-Up Comedian of the year in his then hometown two years in a row. In 2014 he made the move to Nashville and made comedy a full-time gig touring comedy clubs all across the country.
The Nashville scene welcomed Dusty with open arms and at age 36, Slay became the youngest comedian at the time to ever perform on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage. To date he’s logged dozens of appearances in front of “his people” on the historic stage in the last few years fully embedding himself in the country music scene and having been asked to host some of the biggest events across the subculture, including Hangover Fest at the ACMs in Las Vegas in 2022 and CMA Fest’s Forever Country Stage with the likes of Scotty McCreery, Dustin Lynch, Lainey Wilson, and some of the most iconic names in the genre.
It wasn’t long before his comedy caught the attention of “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” where he’s since performed six unforgettable late-night sets, firmly establishing himself as a crowd favorite and bona fide star on the silver screen. His breakout performances launched him into the Netflix family featuring as one of six comics in season 3 of “The Stand Ups,” highlighting the brightest new comedians at the top of their game in 30-minute stand-up comedy formats. Dusty made his solo Netflix debut January 2024 with his first one-hour special “Workin’ Man,” celebrating his many years as a “road dog” comic, and the material he’s honed and crafted, reflecting on his trailer park upbringing, the hilarious nuance of hourly shift work and the amusing idiosyncrasies of everyday life.
“Workin’ Man,” opened to tremendous success on the Netflix platform paving the way for partnerships and collaborations with iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Lugz, and Field & Stream. Appearances on “Hollywood Squares” with Drew Barrymore as well as trending podcasts like “This Past Weekend With Theo Von,” and “Kill Tony” have continue to raise Dusty’s profile from Nashville legend to mainstream comedy hero. In the summer of ’25, Dusty released his latest Netflix special “Wet Heat,” a love letter to the South sharing his experiences traveling the country and getting into mischief in the hot and muggy regions he’s always called home.
Presented by Dayton Live and Outback Presents.

Desert Vibes Terrarium Workshop
2026-01-31 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Desert Vibes Terrarium – Desert Textures – Hardy Beauty Inspired by the quiet beauty of desert landscapes, this workshop invites you to design a tranquil terrarium using cacti, succulents, statement stones, and thoughtfully chosen embellishments. The result is an aesthetically calming, low-maintenance piece that blends natural texture with modern simplicity. You’ll enjoy this easy to care for terrarium for years to come Workshop includes all materials to complete this project; 8″ round glass vessel, up to 4 succulents/cacti, soil, sand and embellishments. Take home boxing and care information are also included. Our knowledgeable studio assistants will assist you in creating a personal piece you’ll be proud of! Complimentary beverages provided. This registration is non-refundable, but fee may be used toward future workshops. Participants can register for one of two workshop time slots: From 12-1pm or from 2-3pm. $48. https://www.shopnowandzen.com/open-workshop

Author Heather Veley Pop-Up
2026-01-31 13:00 - 17:00 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join us as we host local poet and author Heather Veley as she slings and signs her books!
Former resident of Dayton, Heather Veley is an Ohio author who’s been publishing on Amazon since 2021.
She’s written several poetry books as well as two short story books and an ongoing comic book series.
1-5pm, January 31st.
No cover, just vibes.
