FESTIVALS & SIGNATURE EVENTS

BIG TIME FUN IN DOWNTOWN DAYTON

THINGS TO DO

BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT…
BE DOWNTOWN

Be there for some of downtown’s signature events.

Festival

While there are dozens of great events happening downtown every day, there are also some big, not-to-be-missed events that we look forward to every year.

Downtown Dayton is home to many of the region’s best cultural and music festivals, fun celebrations, and other large-scale events that draw crowds from all over and showcase all that our city has to offer.

From seasonal events like the Summer in the City lineup and the Dayton Holiday Festival to cultural celebrations, live music festivals and more, you won’t want to miss these perennial favorites.

Coming Up Next…

GRANDE ILLUMINATION & DAYTON CHILDREN’S PARADE SPECTACULAR IN LIGHTS

November 29
(937) 224-1518

Kick off the holiday season with the Grande Illumination tree lighting (presented by AES Ohio) and the Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights (presented by White Allen). At 7:00 p.m., we’ll throw the switch and approximately 50,000 colored lights will brighten the three-story-tall tree on Courthouse Square. Immediately following the tree lighting, the Children’s Parade will round the corner of Second and Main streets to start its route through downtown, sparkling with more than 100,000 lights! Watch decorative seasonal floats, horses, drill teams and bands, and some special holiday treats. Plenty of other entertainment will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at this kickoff of the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio. Visit daytonholidayfestival.org for more details.

2024-2025 SIGNATURE DOWNTOWN EVENTS

METROPARKS ICE RINK

November 29-February 28, 2025

FIRST FRIDAY

December 6
(937) 224-1518

DAYTON PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL

June 2025 (TBD)
(937) 274-1776

JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL

June 2025 (TBD)
(937) 496-0050

DAYTON CELTIC FESTIVAL

July 25-27, 2025
(937) 372-9788

ART IN THE CITY

August 2025 (TBD)
(937) 224-1518

DAYTON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

August 2025 (TBD)
(937) 475-2707

DAYTON GREEK FESTIVAL

September 5-7, 2025
(937) 224-0601

TASTE OF THE OREGON DISTRICT

September 2025 (TBD)

HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL

September 2025 (TBD)
(937) 274-0126

DAYTON ART INSTITUTE’S OKTOBERFEST

September 26-28, 2025
(937) 223-5277

HAUNTFEST ON FIFTH

October 25, 2025

HELP PUT ON SOME OF DOWNTOWN’S SIGNATURE EVENTS!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Downtown Dayton Partnership is frequently in search of great volunteers to help us put on fun events like the Dayton Holiday Festival, Art in the City, and more.

We also occasionally help recruit volunteers for big downtown festivals and events put on by other organizations.

Want to help? Click the button to learn more about volunteering.

GET INVOLVED