Celebrate the Seasons
What does Dayton do for the holidays? A lot. From Memorial Day and Fourth of July events to fabulous fall functions, haunted Halloween happenings, and wondrous Christmas traditions, locals never experience a shortage of celebrations. Here, we reveal some of the finest festivities the area has to offer.
Memorial Day Ceremony
255 W. Spring Valley Rd., Centerville
The City of Centerville’s annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Stubbs Park remembers those who have died in service to our country with a ceremony saluting the men and women who helped protect, preserve, and maintain our freedom. The program includes color guard presentations and remarks from Centerville Mayor Brooks Compton.
Memorial Day Parade
South Main Street, Springboro
Springboro's Memorial Day walking parade (with the exception of military vehicles) features complimentary food and refreshments.
Americana Festival
Main Street, Centerville
The Centerville-Washington Township Americana Fourth of July Festival started in 1972 as a sidewalk sale promoted by the Centerville downtown merchants. The festival, with featured events that include a 5K run, parade, street fair (no pets allowed), and fireworks, now draws more than 85,000 people and more than 100 volunteers.
Lights in Flight
RiverScape MetroPark, Downtown Dayton
Dayton region's most spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show lights up the sky following a festival that begins at noon, featuring food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, and activities for family fun. Admission is free.
Labor Day Family Fun
Young's Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs
Take advantage of a special family-value wristband good for all day, unlimited family fun. Enjoy Udders & Putters miniature golf, batting cages, driving range, Moovers & Shakers, Cowvin’s Fast Slide, Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral, Cowvin’s Corny Maze, and Wagon Ride on the Farm.
Fall Festival
Stubbs Park
255 W. Spring Valley Rd., Centerville
Centerville's free Fall Family Festival features hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, games, and more.
Boo in the Burg
Downtown Miamisburg
Boo in the Burg, an annual adults-only pub crawl hosted by downtown restaurants and bars, is a fun and festive evening filled with music, food and drink specials, free carriage rides, and more. Be sure to dress up, or you’ll stand out in the crowd.
Kings Island Halloween Haunt
6300 Kings Island Dr., Kings Island
(513) 754-5700
Voted "Best Theme Park Halloween Event" in the country in 2018 by USA Today readers, this evil encounter features a night ride on The Beast, Banshee, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers, and other thrill-inducing attractions.
Oregon District Hauntfest
501 E. Fifth St.
The best and biggest Halloween party in the Miami Valley happens on Fifth Street every year. The community comes together to celebrate with live music and DJs, food trucks, beer trucks, street performers, and a costume contest with cash prizes.
Turkey Trot
Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami St., Miamisburg
This Thanksgiving Day event benefits the nonprofit Ohio River Road Runner's Club, based locally in Dayton, that provides free/low-cost races to children and adults all over the Miami Valley to encourage healthy lifestyles and spread the joy of running.
Carillon Park Christmas
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton
At Christmas, Carillon Historical Park’s 65-acre campus transforms into a winter wonderland of sparkle, magic, and holiday cheer featuring the Carillon Tree of Light, Santa’s Toy Shop, Candy Cane Slopes, train rides on the Midnight Express, 15 miles of Christmas lights, and much more.
Christmas in Springboro
Historic Springboro
Sleigh bells ringing from the horse-drawn carriage, a sip of hot cocoa, the sound of children’s laughter, and a nip in the air usher in the annual Christmas in Historic Springboro Festival, the largest three-day holiday festival in the tri-state area.
Dayton Ballet's The Nutcracker
1 W. Second St., Dayton
Dayton Ballet’s beloved The Nutcracker is Dayton’s biggest and best holiday performing-arts tradition. Join little Clara in her dreamland adventures as she takes a magical trip to the Land of Sweets with the Sugarplum Fairy and her dashing Cavalier.
The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
75 Water St., Clifton
Clifton Mill's light display, featured in Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine, is one of the country’s finest with with more than four million lights and a 100-foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees, and bridges. Visit the Miniature Village, Santa Claus Museum, and Toy Collection, and take a peek into Santa’s Workshop, and watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh.
North Pole Express
12505 County Rd. 99, Findlay
All aboard the North Pole Express! Enjoy Christmas decorations inside the museum and around the track with quarter-scale train rides, a gift shop, a museum, and a Lionel layout that illustrates the positive impact railroads have in our everyday lives.
Woodland Lights
Countryside Park
895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd.
895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd.
The Miami Valley's most beloved lighting festival delivers sparkling lights, whimsical displays, and a winding path that passes through themed lands such as Candyland, Arctic Tundra, and Toyland against a backdrop of holiday music, carriage rides, Santa Claus, amusement rides, costumed characters, live animal displays, and festival food.
Wonderland Windows
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second and Main streets
Come see one of the area’s longest-running holiday traditions — the magical Rike’s department store holiday window displays. Experience the wonder of the animated elves, woodland animals, violinists, and skaters.
Local Tip:
"There are so many awesome things to do around every holiday in the Dayton area. There are some things we do as a couple and others as a family." — Susan B.