Holiday Events in Dayton, OH

Load up your brand-new vehicle and celebrate the season in Dayton, Ohio with a variety of holiday-themed events. It has something for just about anyone, including parades, concerts, festivals, Christmas lights, and food. Luckily, most of these events occur over several days, so you don’t have to pick and choose which event you should check out first. Just make sure you don’t miss out on all the must-visit sites this holiday season in Dayton.

Dayton Holiday Festival

Image via Pixabay by JillWellington

Began in 1972 by Virginia Kettering, the Dayton Holiday Festival is a way for children of all economic means to celebrate the holiday season. The festival remains one of the city’s most popular holiday gatherings with free attractions and events throughout the afternoon and evening of November 26. Enjoy holiday songs and other live entertainment at the Courthouse Square Main Stage at Third and Main streets. Don’t forget to check out the North Pole ambassadors and take your picture with two live reindeer. Step inside the Old Court House, view all the delicious gingerbread homes, and vote for your favorite.

Other noteworthy highlights from the festival include a street fair on Third Street where children can enjoy free carnival rides. Downtown horse-drawn wagon rides cost $1 per person and are scheduled to run between 4 and 7:30 p.m., but depending on their popularity, the rides might end early. The Holiday Village, which is on Second Street between Main and Jefferson streets, includes festive activities and music, while the Holiday Adventure found near Courthouse Square gives kids a chance to take home a free book.

Watch the traditional tree lighting ceremony at the Courthouse Square where organizers will throw on the switch to illuminate about 50,000 colored lights to brighten the three-story pine tree. Don’t forget to grab a pair of free “magic” glasses so you can see the holiday lights in a fun new way. If you’d rather watch the tree lighting from the comforts of home, you can do so by turning on WHIO-TV and watching the illumination television special starting at 7:30 p.m.

Immediately following the tree lighting is the Children’s Parade. At approximately 8 p.m., the parade steps off at the corner of Second and Main streets to begin its route through downtown Dayton. Watch decorative seasonal floats adorned with 100,000 lights go down the street, listen to marching bands, and enjoy other holiday treats.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

The holiday special comes to life in this annual holiday show at Sinclair Community College. The show runs from December 2 through 5. Charlie Brown tries to convince his friends that Christmas has become too commercialized, and this adaptation is live on stage. In previous years, the show has sold out, so make sure to purchase your tickets early.

Who’s Holiday

Check out The Loft Theatre from December 2 through 19 for an adults-only comedy that tells the story of a grown-up Cindy Lou Who. Audiences were left with Cindy Lou as an adorable tot who catches the Grinch and mistakes him for Santa Claus. Dr. Suess’s story ends when Cindy Lou is “not more than two,” but creator Matthew Lombardo picks it up from there as she mixes a gin and vodka and regales with stories about how the Grinch became a father figure to her.

The Nutcracker

There’s no other musical that represents the holidays quite like The Nutcracker, and Dayton hosts the annual production of the biggest and best holiday classic. Stop at the Schuster Performing Arts Center on December 10 through 12 or 17 through 19 for the Dayton Ballet’s production of this ballet. The Dayton Philharmonic performs the musical score as you watch little Clara as she drifts into restless slumber amidst tiny tin soldiers and menacing rodents to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

Holiday on the Hill: A Neighborhood Tour

Join St. Anne’s Hill Historic District for a free and festive longstanding outdoor tour on December 11 and 12 from 4 until 8 p.m. Houses in the neighborhood are decorated throughout the holiday season, but for this weekend you’ll notice luminaries lining the sidewalks. Homeowners will also greet you along the district and discuss the past, present, and future of life in this district. The tour also coincides with the Dayton Liederkranz-Turner annual Christkindlmarkt.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

This annual tradition takes place at the Victoria Theatre from December 20 through 26. It’s a Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry that’s perfect for all ages. Once the lights dim and the music begins, you’ll witness storybook characters coming to life in a spectacular wonderland. Ballerinas, nutcrackers, reindeer, carolers, and gingerbread people juggle, balance, fly, and stretch imaginations. More than 20 of the world’s nationally acclaimed artists transform with the help of more than 300 costume designs.

Straight No Chaser: Back to the High Life Tour 2021

The Schuster Center hosts the male a capella group Straight No Chaser on December 22 for an evening of pure entertainment. Nine male singers comprise the group, which has earned two RIAA Gold Certified albums as well as sold more than 1.5 million concert tickets and more than 2 million albums worldwide. The group has a massive fan base thanks to their extraordinary music sung with a sense of humor.

Griswold’s Christmas Eve Brunch

The Mudlick Tap House hosts this annual event on December 24 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite character from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and enjoy a customized menu where you can eat, drink, and be merry Griswold style. Even Cousin Eddie will make an appearance.

Dayton is ready to celebrate the holidays, so load the family up in your certified pre-owned vehicle and head to this Ohio city for all types of festivities that Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville has highlighted. We hope we mentioned all the noteworthy events that occur in the area, but if we happened to forget one, please let us know. We want everyone to know the best places to visit to get into the holiday spirit.

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