Grande Illumination Tree Lighting & Parade
The Dayton Holiday Festival kicks off with a countdown! The community is invited to help light the Dayton Holiday Festival tree during the Grande Illumination at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 28. More than 50,000 lights will bring the tree to life and mark the start of the holiday season in Downtown Dayton. The party starts at 4:00 p.m. with performances from local artists and musicians on Courthouse Square! The evening of family fun includes:
- Holiday music, live entertainment, and photo ops on Courthouse Square from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- More than a dozen delicious entries created by local bakers in the Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest! Entries will be on display for a public vote inside the Schuster Center Wintergarden from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28. Voting will continue Saturday and Sunday after the Grande Illumination.
- Free games and inflatable activities for kids and kids-at-heart along East and West Second Street from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- The Candy Cane Clubhouse in the lobby of the Stratacache Tower. Enjoy festive make-and-take crafts, face painting, music, juggling, a sing-along with Elsa & Anna, a puppet show, and more surprises from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- The Holiday Adventure scavenger hunt! Families and kids are invited to find and complete three activities from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. to earn a free book!
- Story Hour and free activities inside the International Peace Museum from 4 – 7:00 p.m.
- Food trucks offering tasty meals, sweets, treats, and more available for purchase on Second Street
The countdown to the Grande Illumination begins at 6:30 p.m. Watch in awe as tens of thousands of lights set Courthouse Square aglow for the holiday season! The tree will be in place on the Courthouse Square stage all holiday season long to create a festive backdrop for photos with friends and loved ones.
Just moments after the tree is lit, the Dayton Holiday Festival Parade will begin! This year’s parade will begin at Fourth and Ludlow Streets. The parade route marches along Main Street to First Street and will feature a variety of seasonal floats, horses, local organizations, drill teams, bands, dancers, costumed characters, community partners, and more, all illuminated by more than 100,000 LED lights.
Activities on Friday, November 28, are just the beginning of the holiday season in Downtown Dayton! The Dayton Holiday Festival continues throughout December with Holiday Family Fun Days and a calendar full of family-friendly events including:
Whimsical Windows Decorating Contest & the Elf Hunt
Downtown Dayton’s first-floor businesses are brightening up the community this season! Visit participating businesses to see all of the festive decorations and vote for your favorite on Dayton.com. The business with the public’s favorite display will win a $500 cash prize!
While you’re there, look closely for elves hiding in the window! Snap a photo of each numbered elf and text it to the Downtown Dayton Partnership to be entered into a drawing for Downtown Dollars. Drawings take place each week in December.
Rike’s Holiday Windows
Take a step back to holiday celebrations past! This reimagining of the iconic Rike’s department store holiday window displays is on view inside of the Schuster Center Wintergarden from November 28 through January 4.
Winter Wonderland at Rabbit Hole Books
Downtown favorite bookstore, Rabbit Hole Books, is transformed into Santa’s Workshop this December! Visit the shop on E. First St. on December 6, 13, and 20, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for a kid-sized shopping experience, tasty treats, and even a chance to meet Santa Claus himself!
Metroparks Ice Rink
Whether you’re a skating rookie or have been lacing up your skates for decades, and whether you’re looking for a leisurely afternoon with the family or a competitive night on the ice, there is a full slate of activities to choose from at the MetroParks Ice Rink. The ice rink is located within RiverScape MetroPark and features sweeping views of both the Great Miami River and the downtown Dayton skyline. It measures 70 feet by 150 feet and is sheltered under a pavilion. The rink has something for everyone: beginners’ lessons, open skating, broomball and curling leagues, not to mention hot cocoa and music. Ice skating is a great way to experience the outdoors during the cooler weather and provides a winter tradition for Miami Valley families looking for something fun to do together.
Family Movie Series
Kids are invited to see classic holiday movies at The NEON for free on Saturdays in December! Tickets for adults are just $2 per show. Shows begin at 11:00 a.m.
- December 6: The Polar Express
- December 13: Jingle All the Way
- December 20: The Year Without A Santa Claus
Road Closures To Be Aware Of:
The Downtown Dayton Partnership is offering a special Bonus Buy deal for those who purchase Downtown Dollars for themselves or as a gift. Starting Friday, August 19, at 12 noon, for every $50 Downtown Dollars purchased, an extra $25 of Downtown Dollars will be delivered in a separate e-gift card to the purchaser.
The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) debuts a new feature of the DP&L Summer in the City lineup: Downtown Dayton Summer Bingo . The game will begin on Friday, July 3, and players can complete a bingo of challenges for the chance to win downtown Dayton prizes throughout the entire month of July.
