Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Dayton937

STRAIGHT NO CHASER At Schuster

By

Dayton Live welcomes chart-topping a cappella group STRAIGHT NO CHASER to the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center for one night only on December 23.

Look up “holiday music” in the dictionary, and it’s likely that there is a photo of the nine-person a cappella group Straight No Chaser instead of a standard definition. For more than two decades, the group has provided the soundtrack of the season, bringing millions of fans to their feet while putting them in the holiday spirit. Year after year, fans anxiously await the moment they can officially hit play on Straight No Chaser favorites. And this year is no different.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER: HOLIDAY ROAD TOUR is serving up an all-you-can-eat buffet of holiday music (with none of the calories)! There are no cookie-cutter shows here; each concert serves up a healthy dose of banter between the band members, flawless harmonies, and a blend of old and new music.

With a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including two RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide, Straight No Chaser is the real deal: The captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor.

Rare Bourbon Tasting

By

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating some of the finest bourbons ever crafted. Your night begins with your choice of a hand-crafted Old Fashioned or Manhattan, elevated with Buffalo Trace.

💎 Reserve Your Experience💎 December 30, 2025 6PM
Tickets are extremely limited. Admission is $147 and does not include gratuity. Secure your place at this exclusive tasting event.

Live Jazz to Celebrate The Winter Solstice

By

Live jazz music, curated small bites, raffle prizes, winter themed cocktails, timeless games, and more!

Welcome to Twilight Tunes: A Winter Solstice Celebration! Join us at Century Bar Upstairs on December 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM for a magical evening filled with music and festivities. Embrace the winter solstice and enjoy live jazz performances in a cozy setting. Let’s celebrate the longest night of the year together! Don’t miss out on this special event. See you there!

Winter Solstice Hike

By

Follow the soft glow of luminaries in the snow…
Enjoy the calmness of the woods in winter on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Refreshments and holiday treats available for those participating in the hike (while supplies last).
This is a self-guided hike along a luminary lit trail.
FREE – NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED!

ROCK FOR A CLAUS: A Holiday Charity Concert

By

🎄❄️ Do you love Christmas Music??
🎅🤶 Do you love an evening of fun with Family and Friends??
🎁🫶 Do you love helping people in need??
THEN THIS IS THE EVENT FOR YOU!
ROCK FOR A CLAUS: A HOLIDAY CHARITY CONCERT is an evening full of Holiday Cheer for the entire family and all your friends. It’s a great way to entertain those out of town guests and show them the talent and love Dayton has to offer!
More Than a Dozen Dayton Area Musicians will take the stage to play tons of Holiday Favorites from classic ballads, to upbeat modern hits. Sing and Dance along to spread Christmas Cheer!
Proceeds will go to local charities to help children and adults in need at the time of year when it is needed most.
Artists Featured:
🎤Nate Prior Trio – holiday parody and comedy music
https://natepriortrio.com/
🎤Sarah G and the Major Awards – A Superband of local musicians playing Christmas rock and classics.
🎤Guest Appearances by many local singers and musicians
Cover Starts at 7pm
Music at 8pm
$10 at the door
Opportunities to give more
All ages, Under 16 with guardian
Proceeds Will Benefit:
👐House of Bread – Serving a hot, nutritious lunchtime meal to anyone in need. 365 days a year.
👐For Love of Children – Serves well over 12,000 children annually. Offers programming and resources to children who are abused, neglected, in foster care, and those in need of community resource.

BLITZEN Cocktail and Cookie Walk

By

Who doesn’t LOVE Christmas Cookies……and Cocktails?! Come get Merry with us at the BLITZEN Walk!

Get a head start on holiday celebrating, get away from the stress of the season and join us in historic downtown Middletown for our BLITZEN Cocktail & Cookie Walk on 12/20/25 from 6pm-10pm!

After checking in near the Reimagine Middletown Ice Rink, you will walk to different local establishments to get decadent cookies, lovingly prepared from our bakers! Each “Cookie Stop” will have a specially selected $3 cocktail pairing available for purchase (sold separately at each location).

See you there!

THE NUTCRACKER

By

After a record-breaking run in 2024, Brandon Ragland’s THE NUTCRACKER returns, bringing holiday magic back to Dayton! Set in our very own city, this beloved tale follows Clara on a breathtaking, time-traveling adventure filled with dazzling choreography, enchanting sets, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. A heartwarming tradition for all ages, THE NUTCRACKER is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and loved ones.

Schuster Center

Friday Dec 19 7:30PM Buy Tickets

Saturday Dec 20 2:30PM Buy Tickets
Saturday Dec 20 7:30PM Buy Tickets
Sunday Dec 21 2:30PM Buy Tickets
Monday Dec 22 2:30PM Buy Tickets

Champagne and Chocolate Dinner

By

Like the Holiday’s that we look forward to… El Meson also looks forward to our Champagne and Chocolate event. Pairing 5 sparkling wines with both savory and sweet small plates. You determine which you enjoyed and why! Give this event as a pre-Xmas present or better yet a group of friends and just have fun! Make your reservations now at elmeson.net

A Very Crabby Christmas

By

Join us for the first-ever “A Very Crabby Christmas” featuring two amazing Ohio bands: crabswithoutlegs and Dairy Family! These jazz-fusion, funk inspired original bands are putting together a special holiday show that you won’t want to miss!

HOW TO GO?

Thursday, December 18th

at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton)

Doors 7pm / Show 8pm

All ages welcome!

Tickets $20+ (all seated)

Special reserved table options are available too!

Get your ticket here: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/a-very-crabby-christmas-2025-12-18-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-798052

December Story Slam

By

This open mic event hosts some of Dayton’s best tellers. Storytellers are encouraged to prepare a five-minute story relating to the theme. Tellers put their names in a hat, and 10 are drawn at random.
The best story of the night wins $50, 4 free tickets to a future slam, and a guaranteed spot in June’s Grand Slam.
Our theme for December is “Celebrationl”
Doors open for seating at 6:30 PM; the show starts at 7:00 PM.
The bar will be open, and there is a two-drink minimum.
Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $10.00 day of (if available).

Yoga at the Market

By

Aleasha with Passaddhi Yoga will lead you in all-levels yoga flow. If you’re a beginner, she will guide you through modifications to ensure you are comfortable to help you to become more familiar with poses. If you’re experienced, she will help grow your current practice. This class is truly for everyone!

Focus on wellness while spending time at the Market. Enjoy a variety of free and effective workouts at the Market, stay for lunch and shopping.

Shake It Off at The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Dance Night Returns to The Brightside

By

Calling all Swifties! Are you ready for it?

The Brightside Music and Event Venue is bringing back THE TAYLOR PARTY, a Taylor Swift-inspired dance celebration on Friday, December 19th from 9:00 PM to 11:50 PM. This 18+ event invites fans to relive the magic of all Taylor’s iconic Eras in one unforgettable night.

Whether you’re still processing the Eras Tour on Disney+ or just need an excuse to break out your best Era-inspired outfit, this is your moment. The Taylor Party promises an enchanting evening of singing, dancing, and celebrating everything Taylor Swift with fellow fans.

Pick your favorite Era outfit (will it be Folklore cottage core or Midnights sparkle?), grab your besties, and get ready to party in style. From “Love Story” to “Anti-Hero,” every Era will be represented on the dance floor.

Long live the magic you’ll make at this ultimate Swiftie celebration! Get your tickets now before they’re gone—this party is sure to sell out faster than you can say “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”

Event Details:

For more information and tickets, visit thebrightsidedayton.com

Season’s Greetings: A Holiday Caberet

By

SEASON’S GREETINGS: A HOLIDAY CABARET is back for its fifth season! Performers Gina Handy and Philip Drennen, along with Deron Bell and his Merry Melody Makers, have created an unforgettable cabaret experience to celebrate the holidays. Relax with friends, laugh with family, grab a seasonal cocktail, and most importantly, “mail” your song requests to Santa! You never know what surprises are in store when the spirit of the holidays takes over!

Dec 10 – Dec 14, 2025 at PNC ARTS ANNEX

Tickets

Santa’s Wonderland Nights Brings an Indoor North Pole Adventure to Dayton

By

Families in the Miami Valley will step straight into the magic of the North Pole this season as Santa’s Wonderland Nights opens its doors December 12 at 5679 Webster Street in Dayton, Ohio. The brand-new indoor Christmas experience transforms a warehouse into Santa’s Kringleworks— a hidden “North Pole District” where Christmas magic is imagined, built, tested, and shipped around the world.

Designed as a fully themed night out rather than a quick walk-through, Santa’s Wonderland Nights offers guests approximately 2.5 hours of interactive holiday fun. Every ticket includes a seated holiday dinner, access to nine immersive rooms filled with 16 different activities and games, and a meet-and-greet with Santa complete with photo opportunities.

“Parents are always looking for something that feels bigger than a light walk or a quick mall visit,” said the event’s creators at A & L Entertainment Immersive. “Santa’s Wonderland Nights is designed as an evening you sink into — you sit down for dinner together, you explore room by room, you play, build, discover, and actually make memories side by side.”

The Elf Toy Co

Inside Santa’s Kringleworks:

Guests begin their evening in the Celestial Hall, where they enjoy a festive dinner and a round of holiday trivia before being released into the Kringleworks to explore. From there, they move at their own pace through nine handcrafted rooms, each built as a different corner of the North Pole District, including:

  • The Elf Toy Co. – Build a small toy to take home and try hands-on elf-style tasks
  • Peppermint Power Plant – A code-cracking game where families help “power” the North Pole
  • The Old Map Room – A constellation and navigation game that plays like a living puzzle
  • The Post Office & Starlight Mailroom – Write and deliver letters straight to Santa
  • Elf Pantry & Cookie Labs – Decorate cookies and enjoy sweet treats
  • Kringle’s Corner – Meet Santa and take family photos in a themed sleigh setting

The Post Office & Starlight Mailroom 

Across these rooms, families can take on 16 different activities, games, and challenges, ranging from logic puzzles and scavenger hunts to sensory guessing games and creative stations. The event is strictly limited to 100 guests per night, keeping lines short and allowing families to linger in each space.

Dinner, Dessert & More Included

Dinner in the Celestial Hall

Unlike many ticketed holiday attractions that charge extra for food or photos, one ticket at Santa’s Wonderland Nights includes the entire evening:

  • Holiday dinner in the Celestial Hall (with options including spiral-sliced ham, eggplant parm, and kid-friendly meals)
  • Dessert and an ice cream bar
  • Nine immersive rooms of themed environments and puzzles
  • 16 activities and games suitable for kids and adults
  • Photos and meet-and-greet with Santa

Tickets are available only on select nights from December 12 through January 4.

Peppermint Power Plant

From the Creators of Blackwood Manor Halloween Bash

Santa’s Wonderland Nights is produced by A & L Entertainment Immersive, the same team behind Dayton’s Blackwood Manor Halloween Bash, a sold-out immersive Halloween event that drew strong word-of-mouth and enthusiastic reviews from families earlier this year.

“After Blackwood Manor, so many families asked us if we could do something just as special for Christmas,” the creators added. “Santa’s Wonderland Nights is our answer to that — a holiday world that feels big, detailed, and handcrafted, but still cozy enough that your kids feel like they’re really part of the story.”

Event Details

  • Event: Santa’s Wonderland Nights – The Kringleworks
  • Dates: December 12, 2025 – January 4, 2026
  • Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours per event
  • Location: 5679 Webster Street, Dayton, OH 45414
  • Capacity: Strictly limited to 100 guests per night
  • Tickets: Available exclusively online

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit SantasFunNight.com.

Fifth Annual Holly Days At The Arcade

By

The magic returns with this  annual three-day event in the Arcade’s event spaces which will feature holiday shopping  live entertainment, family-friendly activities and performances, a cash bar, and holiday surprises. Wed, Dec 10 – Fri, Dec 12th 3- 8pm

There are 3 event entrances on different streets – 35 W. Fourth Street, 31 S. Main Street, and 24 W. Third Street.

Local makers and artisans selling handmade gifts, décor, jewelry, ceramics, wearables, treats, and more


Live music and performances that fill the event spaces with cheer

Dining at food trucks:

A food and monetary donation drive for Miami Valley Meals

Visit our neighbors at DENEAU TOWER , 40 W. Fourth St. for an espresso martini bar, letters to Santa, and live music!

FREE event parking is available in the Reibold Garage at 25 W. Fifth Street from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. Meters surround the Arcade complex and are FREE after 6:00 PM.
 FREE Holly Days shuttle picks up at 31 S. Main Street and runs every 15 minutes from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. Check out the shuttle route for a list of stops.
FREE RTA Flyer circulator runs from the Arcade to the University of Dayton/Brown Street with trips every 10 minutes.

Beavercreek Grill Master Passes One Million Perfectly Cooked Steaks

By

As part of LongHorn’s commitment to grilling every steak perfectly, every restaurant has a team of passionate Grill Masters specially trained in the art of grilling. They are experts at grilling fresh, never frozen steak, seasoning with one of the restaurant’s proprietary spice blends and grilling to each guest’s preferred steak temperature. Only the best become LongHorn’s Grill Masters.

 

Grill Master Legend Eric Morgan serves as an integral part of the team at the Beavercreek location and is known for his leadership, heart and craftsmanship. His team describes him as being reliable, dedicated and respected as Morgan consistently takes pride in ensuring he delivers outstanding food that is expertly grilled, every time. After serving as a Grill Master in the Dayton community for over two decades – Morgan has grilled over one million perfectly cooked steaks throughout his career – making him a true master of his craft.

To celebrate the achievement, Morgan was surprised by his local restaurant team, family and restaurant-wide leaders with a special event officially recognizing him as a Grill Master Legend. He was honored with a special gold chef coat, a $5,000 award and $1,000 annually for as long as he remains employed with LongHorn, and a visit from LongHorn Steakhouse president Laura Williamson.

LongHorn Steakhouse’s culture is rooted in the incredible people that work in its restaurants, and this award is part of ongoing efforts to recognize extraordinary individuals for hard work and dedication to steak. For more information on LongHorn Steakhouse, visitwww.LongHornSteakhouse.com.