October 3 First Friday: Fall Fun Edition

For More Information: Call (937) 224-1518 or e-mail sands@downtowndayton.org

September 26, 2025, DAYTON, Ohio – Crisp air, golden leaves, and pumpkin treats mean fall has officially arrived! Ready to welcome a new month in the heart of Downtown Dayton? Kick off the season at October’s First Friday celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 3. Stroll through downtown to discover fall-inspired menus at local restaurants and happy hour specials at your favorite bars. Shop autumn collections at downtown’s independent retailers, explore fresh exhibits at signature art galleries, and soak in the lively downtown atmosphere that only First Friday can bring.

Don’t forget, the Downtown Dayton DORA is in effect from noon until midnight everyday! Guests 21 and older can grab a DORA beverage in an approved cup from participating locations and enjoy it while exploring downtown. Find a list of vendors, boundary maps, and more details at downtowndayton.org/dora.

Looking for more to see and do this month downtown? October’s First Friday is just the beginning! Check out our online events calendar for a full lineup of festive fall happenings and Halloween fun. While you’re there, sign up for our e-vents newsletter to get weekly updates on all things downtown delivered straight to your inbox. Visit downtowndayton.org/events-calendar to subscribe!

Check out the individual First Friday listings below, and remember the most up-to-date event listings can be found in the online calendar published on the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website. For more information about First Friday, or to find business addresses, parking, upcoming activities and more, visit the DDP website at DowntownDayton.org. Invite friends and family to partake in First Friday fun! “Like” and share the First Friday Facebook page.

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Take in comedy from Friday House Team “Grandpa’s Scream Jar” and a Town Hall! Tickets and more info at com/
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: The Contemporary Dayton is proud to announce The Contemporary Dayton 2025, its biennial Members’ exhibition. The exhibition features 89 works by 78 artists spanning a wide range of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, and video.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest special exhibitions, “Themes in Yoshitoshi’s 100 Aspects of the Moon,” “Wonders in Color: Art by Alexander Calder & Others,” and “The Max May Memorial Holocaust Art Exhibition.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Live, Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St.: See “John Crist: Jokes for Humans” at 7 p.m.! John Crist is one of today’s fastest-rising stand-up comedians, earning more than one billion video views, more than seven million fans on social media, and sold-out shows from coast to coast — even ending 2023 as one of Pollstar’s Top 10 Global Touring Comedians.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: It’s Free Juke Box Friday from 6-7 p.m.! Stick around for Irish First Fridays with a Miami Valley Pipes & Drums performance at 7 p.m. and more music at 9 p.m.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: “Reflections and Guidance: The Mentor-Artist Pairing” opening reception, 6-8:30 p.m. This exhibit, presented by the Dayton Society of Artists, will explore the relationships between mentors and mentees in the visual arts. Light refreshments served. Free on-street parking.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Explore art studios, shops, and galleries across campus! Live art 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!
• K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.: First Friday Paint & Sip: Join us for a fun, relaxing evening of painting & wine tasting every First Friday of the month! Learn and explore the fine arts of acrylic under the guidance of our incredible artist in a creatively immersive atmosphere. There are two sessions available from 4:00-6:00pm or 6:00-8:00pm. Tickets are $30/session. Drinks are not provided but may be brought & consumed by participants 21+. Sign up online https://k12tejasgallery.org/product/happy-hour-paint-in/
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See “Taylor Swift’s The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.” See the exclusive world premiere of the music video “The Fate of Ophelia,” along with behind-the-scenes footage from the music video shoot, brand new lyric videos, and Taylor’s never-before-seen personal reflections on songs from her 12^th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Join us at 8 p.m. for a night with The Quinton Lusk Band with an opening performance from Nathan Edman! Entry is free!
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Glotaku presents HALLOWEEB — a multi-city party tour celebrating the darker side of anime, video games, and rave culture. Expect eerie edits, bass-heavy boss battles, cosplay chaos, and Halloween vibes all night long. Whether you’re a magical ghoul or a mecha menace, this is your time to shine. Come dressed to impress — or distress. Starts at 9 p.m.

DINING AND DRINKS

• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: $2 Cherry Bombs during karaoke from 10p-2a!
• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Happy Hour runs 3-5 p.m.! Enjoy $1 off all DBC core beers.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3-6 p.m.!
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: Try the NEW Toasted Pizza Sandwiches in Three Cheese and Sicilian!
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Steak & Whiskey Friday at Lily’s: Friday night Chef Don will fire up the grill and offer a handcut, grilled to temp steak with 2 steakhouse sides, and our Bar offers a featured whiskey and whiskey cocktail!
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St., 937-223-9205: Every First Friday join us for Happy Hour deals from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop in for some of the best pizza in Dayton. Dine in, carryout and curbside pickup available.
• Pins Mechanical Co., 416 E. First St.: It’s Fireball Friday! Get ½ off Fireball Whisky. Happy Hour is 4-7 p.m. every weekday; get $3 off specialty cocktails and ½ off draft beer.
• Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., 937-203-3999: Kick off your First Friday with happy hour at Salar from 4-6 p.m. with cocktail specials, $5 house wine pours, $1 off of all beers, and bar bites specials. Enjoy dinner, too, available for dine in or carryout.
• Sueño, 607 E. Third St.: Happy hour at the bar runs from 4-6 p.m.!
• Table 33 Dayton, 45 W. Fourth St.: Dinner service is back at Table 33! Stop in Thursday through Saturday for a bite in the bistro area and rotunda patio when available.
• Teardrop Steakhouse, 111 W. First St.: Enjoy $8 lunch specials from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. then come back for The Classic Hour from 4-7 p.m. for ½ off appetizers, ½ off signature drinks, and $30 wine flights.
• Tender Mercy, 607 E. Third St. (Lower Level), Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. featuring half-off select Signature Cocktails, beer, and wine.
• Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour wine is $7 a glass from 4-7 p.m.!

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
• Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Spend $50 at Varsity House to receive 10% off from your Choice Juice Boxx purchase.
• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: Enjoy karaoke from 10p to 2a with $2 Cherry Bombs!
• CORPORATE, 119 E. Third St.: First Friday sale! Get 15% off from 11a-6p every First Friday
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: Teens grades 7-12 are invited to Study Tables and Teen Hangouts at the library! Registration is required. Learn more at DaytonMetroLibrary.org
• Gem City Tattoo Club, 436 E. Fifth St.: Tattoo flash sale! From 12:30-7:30 p.m., GCTC will offer traditional designs from our group of professional artists at a discounted price of $80-$100! Stop in and choose from 100s of designs. First come first serve!
• Mintha’s Boutique, 520 E. Third St.: Get 20% off your entire purchase when you mention First Friday!
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: New release day! Explore the new releases on vinyl, CDs, and more. All day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Oregon District.
• Pedal Wagon Dayton: Pedal Wagon Dayton: Hop around to some of Dayton’s best breweries on the Brewery Cruise! Seats are $39.50 for adults 21+ or rent a private ride for up to 15 people! com/dayton/brewery-cruise/
• Sole Touchers, 37 S. St. Clair St.: Mention First Friday to receive 25% off all shoes in store!
• Soleil Movement Studio, 204 Wayne Avenue: Your first class is just $5! Register for Friday’s Guided Meditation, Mat Pilates, or Gentle Yoga Flow classes at https://www.soleilmovement.com/class-schedule
• Square One Salon & Spa, 506 E. Third St: Enjoy First Friday & Saturday Styles! A new way to experience Square One with Preferred Pricing on Select Services! Available only on First Friday & Saturday of each month with select service providers. Book early – appointments fill quickly!
• Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 20% off your entire purchase! Shop in-store and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.
• Vogue Vision Photography, a Denise Danielle Photography company, 120 W. Second St.: Headshot Party! Only $99 for a 20 min session with 2 digital images. Makeup artist on site, prices may vary.
• Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St.: Shop October specials on First Friday! BOGO free Wisdom Air-dried jerky, buy 3 get 1 free Farmina cans, up to $25 off Ziwi Peak Air-dried & Steam dried recipes, and $1 off Punkin’ Puffs! Stop in later this month on October 11 for a 2 year anniversary event!

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

-###-