Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Join us on April 22nd for an exciting Earth Day celebration! Take on the challenge of our Rockwall with a 15-minute climb for just $5 and experience the thrill of reaching new heights. After your climb, head to the field and plant your very own flower to take home as a reminder of your achievement and our commitment to a greener planet. 
*While supplies last.
*Bookings will be done on a first come first serve basis of scheduling, please ensure you book online in advance to secure your spot.
Get excited, The Dayton Dinner Theater is back with its much-awaited interactive movie party season for 2022 – 2023! It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends when the days are short and nights are long. Make the most of it by sipping the sublime themed drinks with your loved ones, while flaunting your movie-themed attire. What more do you need when you can have classic movies, gourmet food, and specially concocted drinks to enjoy with your friends, family, or that special someone?
What to expect from a Dayton Dinner Theater event? First off, make sure you indulge in the creatively themed food provided by Brock Masterson catering. While you indulge in the delicacies, you can feast your ears to live music and soundtrack presentations featuring acts by the likes of The University of Dayton Jazz Ensemble and acclaimed musician and producer Denny Wilson.
A big improvement from year’s past is the themed cocktail selections.The Brightside’s new Bar Manager, Suzy Switzer, has come up with a whole range of delicious offerings.
That’s not all. As it’s an interactive movie party, organizers will feature famous interactive quote and fun participation activities, pop-up fun facts, and our not-so-famous, but equally entertaining, theme-spotting drinking game. Enjoy some lip-smacking-themed desserts while you’re at it! To add the cherry on the cake, there are special surprises for the top costume contest participants.
Now let’s talk about the prices. “Inflation may have gone up, but our tickets have stayed the same price :)”. Book your tickets at just $35 but with so many added entertaining activities. Visit www.daytondinnertheater.com for more information. To make sure that we can serve you with all our scrumptious food, tickets must be booked in advance.
The annual movie series commences on Wednesday, November 30 with an all-time holiday favorite movie Elf at The Brightside Music & Event Venue from 6-9pm.
This year’s list is dominated by comedy and clever and witty classics. See the full schedule below.
Dayton Dinner Theater Season Schedule:
Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Elf movie party and live music
Wednesday, Dec 7, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring the 80’s classic Christmas Vacation & live music
Sunday, Dec 11, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring A Christmas Story and live music
Sunday, Jan 15, 2023 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Raiders of the Lost Ark
Sunday, Jan 29, 2023 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring The Princess Bride & live jazz
Sunday, Feb 12, 2023 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Grease & live music
Sunday, Feb 26, 2023 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Dazed and Confused
Sunday, March 12, 2023 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Big Lebowski
*All events take place at The Brightside Music & Event Venue located at 905 E 3rd St, Dayton.
For more information, visit: www.daytondinnertheater.com
Dayton Porchfest is an annual event occurring the final Saturday of August in St Anne’s Hill. PHOTO BY LIBBY BALLENGEE
Dayton Porchfest is back for a third year! It’s a day where music fills the streets and porches of St Anne’s Hill, one of Dayton’s most charming historic neighborhoods. It’s a free, family friendly event that runs from 1:30-7pm on Saturday August 24, 2019.
Dayton has a rich musical history and active music scene, which continues today. Dayton Porchfest is committed to reflecting that in its selection of musical artists, from funk and blues to indie rock and jazz, classical and country, to bluegrass and old timey that has deep Appalachian traditions here. The event also celebrates the ethnic diversity of the region, a reflection of our “Welcome Dayton” spirit that has contributed to a significant influx of immigrants and refugees over the past decade.
Dayton Porchfest is an initiative of The Collaboratory, a civic innovation lab that moves ideas to action. The Collaboratory provides infrastructure for people and organizations to collaboratively develop community initiatives that generate new economic, civic and creative opportunities and value. The result is a healthier, more thriving region. All proceeds from Dayton Porchfest go to support the work of The Collaboratory.
How to Go?
When: Saturday August 24, 2019. 1:30pm kickoff. 2-7pm music. Link to full . schedule – click here or see below
Where: Throughout St Anne’s Historic Neighborhood (E 5th St, just east of Keowee). Link to map – click here or see below
Who: All ages welcome!
Cost: Free (tips for musicians accepted!)
Colleen Raney performs in Dayton for the first time at the Celtic Concert on December 10th at Stivers High School
For all the Celtic lovers out there, an upcoming event featuring Celtic music and dance, is just for you! The evening starts off with a performance by Celtic Academy of Irish Dance followed by local musical favorites Dulahan, followed by headliner and acclaimed Irish singer, Colleen Raney. This show is being presented at Centennial Hall inside Stivers School for the Arts in downtown Dayton, and will benefit We Care Arts. This is a family friendly evening that’s sure to entertain Celtic lovers of all ages!
Colleen Raney has been referred to as “among the best in her genre” (Irish Music Magazine) and “one of America’s best traditional singers” (Tradconnect) . Her ability to convey her love of Irish music makes every performance a captivating experience! Colleen is making her first visit to the Dayton area and will perform here with her band, which includes: Hanz Araki on flute and vocals, Bethany Waickman on guitar and Ryan Davidson on upright bass and vocals. In addition to singing, Colleen also plays guitar and bodhran.
Dulahan‘s music pays homage to traditional and contemporary Celtic with 3 and 4 part harmonies and subtle hints of Roots/Americana. The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance is one of Dayton’s fine Irish Dance schools. Many of the students compete at the local, national and international levels, and they are a joy to watch!
The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance performs at the Celtic Concert held on December 10, 2017 at Stivers High School
HeartFest takes place at the beautiful Natural Path Meditation Center in Beavercreek, Ohio
Stressed? Seeking some peace of mind? Aren’t we all! It’s not as complicated as we tend to imagine. Self care, through movement and meditation, can dramatically improve our ability to cope with an increasingly stressful world.
Lots of folks are unaware that we have a wonderful resource nestled right here in the Miami Valley! The Natural Path Meditation Center, a non-denominational center that teaches a heart-based form of meditation called Heartfulness, is located in Beavercreek, conveniently close to both Fairfield and I-35 (directions below).
This weekend the Center is hosting their 2nd Annual HeartFest event. It’s a FREE & fun wellness festival, with workshops and vendors for all ages! Organizers hope that by offering tools for self care and inner peace, people will be able to live a more balanced life. How wonderful would that be for our community?
Curious about meditation, yoga, and wellness? Looking for ways to cope with stress? Seeking inner peace? Something to do with the kids? All of the above? Then this is sure to be a wonderful day you won’t want to miss!
HeartFest features:
How to go?
The 6th Annual Tour de Dayton bicycling event will cruise through the Southeast Dayton neighborhoods of University Park, Shroyer Park, Patterson Park, Belmont & Walnut Hills Saturday, August 6th.
This free self-paced family-friendly activity includes a 12- mile bike tour with stops at various artistic, cultural, natural, historical landmarks, & locally owned neighborhood business including: Esther Price Candies, Original 1948 Dairy Queen, Jane Newcome Park, Patterson Road Art Gallery, Belmont Unite
d Methodist Church, Truth & Triumph Tattoo, Angie’s Firehouse Tavern, Lohrey Rec-Center, Woodmen Fen, Kenzie;s K-9 Design, Dayton Firehouse #15 Ohmer Park House, Gar Drolma Buddhist Center, Walnut Hills Park, Woodlawn Cemetary(Opitional), a scenic ride/tour through the neighborhoods & the new Dayton-Kettering Bike Trail Corridor. (The 2016 tour features 3 women owned/founded businesses!!
Maps, street markings, and volunteers along the route keep participants on track. Through the generosity of numerous local businesses, & individual’s donations there will be some free raffle giveaways items, bike helmets and free healthy lunch snacks provided for participants as supplies last. Pre-register now at our website or register in person the same day of the event from 9am-11am.
This is a FREE community event founded by Dayton Neighborhood Leadership Institute graduates & staffed by volunteers from the community.
This bicycle-friendly, family-friendly event promotes the healthy quality of life in our city, various points of interest our neighborhoods offer accessible by bike, and is truly a Dayton Original!
