Experience the best of Dayton during the holidays with our event guide. From Dayton devotees to casual tourists, our guide illuminates the city's festive offerings.
Popular events include the delightful Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, where visitors can drive through a spectacular display of lights synchronized to holiday music. Meanwhile, the Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers a unique chance to explore the zoo after dark, all aglow with thousands of festive lights. And the heartwarming performance of Elf: The Musical is something you definitely don't want to miss this season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Dayton
- Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
- Elf: The Musical
- Winter Wonder Lights on Fountain Square (Cincinnati)
- Conservatory Aglow (Columbus)
- A Carillon Christmas
- EnterTRAINment Junction's Christmas at the Junction (West Chester)
- Christmas with C.S Lewis
- Merry & Bright Holiday Nights (Archbold)
- Holiday Lights at Armstrong Air & Space Museum (Wapakoneta)
See these and even more events listed below!
Dayton Holiday Light Displays
A Carillon Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with historical exhibits and interactive activities.
Description:
Carillon Historical Park transforms into a holiday destination with thousands of lights, live music, Santa Claus, historical craft demonstrations, and various festive activities.
Where: Dayton | More Info: A Carillon Christmas
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with custom-built displays.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Dayton features cutting-edge technology and traditional holiday charm, offering an unforgettable experience with custom-built light displays synchronized to joyful Christmas melodies. Drive through a mesmerizing 300-foot RGB tunnel and gaze at 50-foot-tall Christmas trees, a sprawling carpet of lights, and traditional Christmas scenes.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with extensive light displays and interactive activities.
Description:
Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo features over 1.5 million lights across holiday-themed areas, including Enchanted Forest and Santa’s Workshop. The event also includes two dynamic musical light shows and various activities like carousel rides, costumed characters, and model train displays.
Where: Cleveland | More Info: Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Conservatory Aglow
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and live entertainment in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens transform into a vibrant spectacle with over a thousand hand-carved pumpkins, synchronized light displays, and live entertainment. Visitors can explore the lush biome spaces, enjoy nostalgic 90s-themed parties, and unwind in cozy festive igloos. The event features iconic ornament trees, the whimsical Whirly Tree, a life-size gingerbread house, and the enchanting Paul Busse Garden Railway with its magical train display.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Conservatory Aglow
Holiday Lights at Armstrong Air & Space Museum
What to Expect:
Unique space-themed LED light displays.
Description:
The Armstrong Air & Space Museum's Holiday Lights Display features a vast array of aviation and space-themed LED light displays, including a twenty-foot-tall Saturn V rocket and a giant Apollo-era astronaut saluting the American flag. The exhibition is part of the Ohio Holiday Lights Trail and is weather permitting.
Where: Wapakoneta | More Info: Holiday Lights at Armstrong Air & Space Museum
Downtown Jingle Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive drive-thru light show with holiday music.
Description:
Downtown Dayton is illuminated with a free drive-thru light show, choreographed to holiday tunes, along East Monument Avenue and Main Street. The event also features Rike’s Holiday Windows and Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Downtown Jingle Lights
Winter Wonder Lights on Fountain Square
What to Expect:
Dynamic light and sound show themed around the Bengals.
Description:
The Winter Wonder Lights on Fountain Square feature a new light display and soundtrack, all themed around the Bengals, creating an immersive and dynamic visual experience.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Winter Wonder Lights on Fountain Square
Dayton Holiday Markets and Shopping
A Winter’s Yuletide Gathering
What to Expect:
Traditional shopkeeper's open house with holiday shopping.
Description:
A traditional shopkeeper's open house that kicks off the holiday shopping season in historic downtown Tipp City, OH, featuring a festive atmosphere and holiday shopping opportunities.
Where: Tipp City | More Info: A Winter’s Yuletide Gathering
Christmas in Zoar
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebrations with unique German influences.
Description:
Visit Historic Zoar Village to immerse yourself in early American and German holiday traditions. Enjoy self-guided tours, extended shopping opportunities, and visits from Kristkind, the German Belsnickel, and Santa. The village will be decked out in holiday splendor with musical entertainment and choirs caroling throughout.
Where: Zoar | More Info: Christmas in Zoar
Dayton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
All is Bright Christmas tour
What to Expect:
Traditional gospel music with special guests.
Description:
The Gaither Vocal Band's All Is Bright Christmas Tour features gospel music legends Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band, joined by special guests Mark Lowry, The Sound, and The Hoppers, in a festive celebration of Christmas music.
Where: Troy | More Info: All is Bright Christmas tour
Elf: The Musical
What to Expect:
Live symphony orchestra performance of John Debney's score.
Description:
Buddy, accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, is raised among Santa's elves. This holiday season, Buddy travels to New York to live with his biological father, accompanied by a live symphony orchestra performing John Debney's wonderful score.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Elf: The Musical
Christmas with C.S Lewis
What to Expect:
Intimate literary event honoring C.S. Lewis.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with a special event honoring C.S. Lewis, featuring readings, discussions, and reflections on his works.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Christmas with C.S Lewis
Dayton Other Holiday Activities
Dayton Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting and nighttime parade with over 100,000 lights.
Description:
The Dayton Holiday Festival is a family-friendly event in downtown Dayton, featuring the Grande Illumination tree lighting, Dayton Children's Parade, live musical entertainment, live reindeer, and various holiday activities.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Dayton Holiday Festival
REACH Fest
What to Expect:
Artist Jillian Waterman's return performance.
Description:
REACH Fest is a three-day celebration featuring exciting new programs, with artist Jillian Waterman returning as a fan favorite. The event includes a diverse lineup of performances and activities, offering something for everyone.
Where: Dayton | More Info: REACH Fest
Sugarplum Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday activities and fundraising for Dayton Children's Hospital.
Description:
The Sugarplum Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring a sneak preview of holiday trees and decor, craft beer and wine tasting, food trucks, an ugly sweater contest, and an online auction. It includes activities like face painting and visits with Santa, as well as a boutique showcasing handmade items and baked goods.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Sugarplum Festival of Trees
EnterTRAINment Junction's Christmas at the Junction
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with historical train displays and interactive attractions.
Description:
EnterTRAINment Junction's Christmas at the Junction features a 1950s street scene with nostalgic department store display windows, reindeer stables, and an elf workshop. Visit Mrs. Claus in her kitchen and meet Santa. The event includes the world's largest indoor train display and interactive attractions like the A-Maze-N FunHouse.
Where: West Chester | More Info: EnterTRAINment Junction's Christmas at the Junction
Merry & Bright Holiday Nights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with historic village ambiance and festive activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Sauder Village with bright lights on Main Street, candlelit cabins, live music, and holiday crafts.
Where: Archbold | More Info: Merry & Bright Holiday Nights
Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony & A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour
What to Expect:
Historic village setting with candlelighting ceremony and lantern tour.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Historic Roscoe Village with the Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony and A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour. Enjoy strolling carolers, complimentary hot mulled cider and cookies, and a festive atmosphere. Explore the village's historic homes and shops, and participate in guided tours that delve into the history of Christmas traditions.
Where: Coshocton | More Info: Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony & A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Riverside (4 miles)
- Kettering (5 miles)
- Huber Heights (7 miles)
- Trotwood (7 miles)
- Beavercreek (8 miles)
- Centerville (9 miles)
- Miamisburg (9 miles)
- Fairborn (10 miles)
- Xenia (15 miles)
- Troy (19 miles)
- Middletown (20 miles)
- Lebanon (22 miles)
- Springfield (23 miles)
- Piqua (27 miles)
- Mason (28 miles)
- Hamilton (32 miles)
- Oxford (34 miles)
- Fairfield (35 miles)
- Sidney (36 miles)
- Richmond (37 miles)