DAYTON HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
HOLIDAY KICKOFF & A FULL MONTH OF FUN EVENTS
The Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio, is your source for family-friendly holiday fun in downtown Dayton!
Started by Mrs. Virginia Kettering in 1972 so that all children could enjoy the holiday season regardless of their economic means, the festival continues today with free attractions for the community.
Each year, the festival kicks off Thanksgiving weekend with the Grande Illumination and the Dayton Children’s Parade. The fun continues throughout the month of December with family fun days and other holiday activities.
Mark your calendar to kick off the Dayton Holiday Festival on Friday, November 29, 2024!
Get all the details below.
The Grande Illumination tree lighting
Presented by AES Ohio
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts. 7 p.m.
Watch the holidays light up during Dayton's traditional tree lighting. At 7:00 p.m., we'll throw the switch and approximately 50,000 lights will brighten the big tree on Courthouse Square! Free.
Holiday tree sponsored by Premier Health
Media sponsor: iHeartRADIO
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The Dayton Children's Parade Spectacular in Lights
Presented by White Allen Chevrolet
Along Second & Main sts., 7:00 p.m.
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. Free.
LED parade lights sponsored by NECA/IBEW Electrical Professionals
NOTE: This year's parade has a slightly different route from previous years. See the map at left or here.
Magic Glasses
For a fun and special added touch, grab a pair of free "magic glasses" on Courthouse Square before watching the tree lighting and parade to see the holiday lights in a whole new way! Free.
Sponsored by CareSource
But the tree lighting and parade aren't the only highlights that night!
A full evening of fun holiday entertainment and activities is planned beginning at 3 p.m., including such favorites as:
Live Main Stage Entertainment
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 3-7 p.m.
Enjoy holiday songs and other live entertainment on the Courthouse Square Main Stage leading up to the lighting ceremony. Free.
Sponsored by Sinclair College
3:05-3:30 p.m. - Dayton Celebration Chorus
3:35-4:15 p.m. - SaxTone
4:25-5:05 p.m. - Tori Lee
5:15-5:55 p.m. - Cafe con Leche
6:05-6:55 p.m. - Sam King + The Suspects
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Live Reindeer
Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Meet our North Pole ambassadors! Santa's reindeer will be available for photos on Courthouse Square. Don't miss your chance to take your picture on Santa's sleigh! Free.
Sponsored by AES Ohio
Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest
The Old Courthouse, Third & Main sts., 3-7 p.m.
View all the delicious contest entries and the award-winning houses, and vote for your favorite! Free.
(Please note that in order to ensure everyone in line will get to view the houses, it is often necessary to close the line earlier than the scheduled end time.)
Street Fair on Third
Third Street between Main & Jefferson sts., 3-8 p.m.
Enjoy free rides and other activities for kids throughout the evening! Free.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
Second Street near Main Street, 3-6:15 p.m.
Enjoy a ride through downtown on a decorated wagon pulled by horses!
(Please note that in order to ensure everyone in line will get a ride, it is often necessary to close the line earlier than the scheduled end time.)
Candy Cane Clubhouse
Stratachache Tower lobby, 40 N. Main St., 3-7 p.m.
Enjoy festive kids' entertainment, crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and more! Free. Scheduled to perform:
3:00-3:50 p.m. - Magic by Dave
4:00-4:50 p.m. - Juggling by Crazy Craig Muhlenkamp
5:00-6:00 p.m. - Disney Princess Sing-Along and Meet & Greet
6:00-7:00 p.m. - River City Puppet Show
Holiday Adventure
Start at Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts., 3-7 p.m.
Kids will go on an adventure around the festival footprint. Children who visit all of the stops will receive a free book. Free.
Presented by the Junior League of Dayton. Sponsored by Wright-Patt Credit Union
Food Vendors
Courthouse Square & Third Street near the street fair, 3-7 p.m.
Grab a bite to eat from one of multiple food vendors on Courthouse Square and near the Street Fair on Third. Vendors scheduled to appear include S'more Fun, Courtland Mobile Grill, CupZilla, Hearts Hot Dogs, Wooten's Chuck Wagon, Spin City Concessions, Little Trolley Donuts, Little Z's Concessions, Funnel Cakes & More. (Vendors subject to change.)
ONGOING EVENTS THRU THE SEASON
The holiday fun continues through December with
Family Fun Days & Other Activities
presented by AES Ohio, including:
Virginia Kettering's Holiday Train Display
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
November 22-December 29
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second & Main sts.;
Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
and before every performance at the Schuster Center.
Closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
Experience a reimagining of the Rike’s department store holiday window displays that once stood at this busy downtown corner. Free.
(Not accessible during private events. Call 228-7591 to confirm hours.)
Presented by Dayton Live
MetroParks Ice Rink
November 29-February 28
RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.
Sheltered under the covered pavilion, the MetroParks Ice Rink sets the scene as a perfect winter wonderland in downtown Dayton. Patrons may skate daily. 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 costs, and see a schedule of events. 278-2607.
Shop Small, Win Big!
Downtown Goodies Giveaway with The Real Elf
November 30; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Various locations throughout downtown
The Real Elf returns to Dayton! Take an "elfie" with him during his stops throughout downtown, and enter to win gift baskets with goodies from downtown businesses.
Whimsical Windows Contest & Elf Hunt
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 at Dayton.com starting Dec. 2. YOU can be the winner in the Elf Hunt contest! Simply find elves hidden among holiday decorations in first-floor storefront windows and text a photo of it to 937-304-4041. Each photo taken of a different elf counts as one entry toward a weekly drawing for $100 in Downtown Dollars! Free.
Sponsored by Dayton.com
Whimsical Windows Locations:
A+ Cleaners, 105 E. Second St. - Base Camp Outdoors Co., 420 E. First St. - Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St. - Brim on Fifth, 464 E. Fifth St. - Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St. - Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St. - Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, 8 N. Main St., Ste. 100 - Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St. - Golden Hour Piercing, 411 E. Fifth St. - Joui Wine, 117 E. Third St. - Local Cantina, 503 E. First St. - Modern Eye, 110 E. Third St. - Now & Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St. - Picture Perfect Paint Parties/Artfully Possible, 123 N. Ludlow St. - Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St. - Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St. - Space Three LLC, 39 S. St. Clair St. - The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St. - The Dayton International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St. - The Delco, 115 Madison St. - Two Social, 123 E. Third St. - Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St.
Elf Hunt Locations:
6888 Kitchen Incubator, 32 S. Ludlow St. - A+ Cleaners, 105 E. Second St. - Base Camp Outdoors Co., 420 E. First St. - Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St. - Clash Dayton, 521 E. Fifth St. - Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St. - Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, 8 N. Main St., Ste. 100 - Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St. - Gather, 37 W. Fourth St. - Golden Hour Piercing, 411 E. Fifth St. - Joui Wine, 117 E. Third St. - Local Cantina, 503 E. First St. - Modern Eye, 110 E. Third St. - Now & Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St. - Picture Perfect Paint Parties/Artfully Possible, 123 N. Ludlow St. - Platinum Black Salon, 229 N. Main St. - Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St. - Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St. - Space Three LLC, 39 S. St. Clair St. - Table 33, 45 W. Fourth St. - The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St. - The Dayton International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St. - The Delco, 115 Madison St. - The Hub at the Dayton Arcade, 31 S. Main St. - Tony & Pete’s, 129 E. Third St. - Two Social, 123 E. Third St. - Winans Coffee + Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd. - Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St. - WYSO, 35 W. Fourth St.
Family Movie Series
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 Wonderland at Rabbit Hole Books
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.
MORE INFO
In addition to all of the Dayton Holiday Festival events, you'll find plenty of holiday themed and other events going on all season long downtown. For the most up-to-date listing of downtown happenings, check out our online Calendar of Events.
If you have questions about the Dayton Holiday Festival, email Lynn Robertson, or call her at (937) 224-1518 ext. 227.
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