Discover the festive season in Middletown at a glance. Our guide has all the essential holiday events and activities. Whether you're deeply connected to Middletown or just making connections, this guide illuminates the seasonal offerings.
One highlight of the holiday calendar is the 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade, where the downtown area sparkles to life with beautiful light displays and a lively parade. Features like synchronized lights and festive music enhance the experience. Enjoy the enchanting stroll through Woodland Lights, showcasing stunning illuminated displays and festive scenes. And the Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024 is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it features thousands of twinkling lights set against the backdrop of a historic mill. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Middletown Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Middletown
- 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade (Dayton)
- Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024 (Clifton)
- Woodland Lights (Dayton)
- Light Up the Square (Dayton)
- Light Up Middletown Drive Through Light Show
- Christmas in Springboro Festival (Springboro)
- Home For The Holidays Santa Parade
- Santa’s Workshop (Cincinnati)
- Christkindl Market (Dayton)
- Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park (Dayton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Middletown Holiday Light Displays
Light Up Middletown Drive Through Light Show
What to Expect:
Unique drive-through light display with themed exhibits.
Description:
Light Up Middletown is a drive-through fantasy light display featuring thousands of twinkling LED animated lights, including themed displays like Santa's Workshop and a floating Sea Serpent. The event is open every night from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, and admission is by cash donation.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Light Up Middletown Drive Through Light Show
Woodland Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with train rides and Santa's Cabin.
Description:
Woodland Lights is a holiday event at Countryside Park featuring a half-mile path of sparkling lights, whimsical displays, and festive activities. Visitors can stroll through the ten acres of lighted displays or take a ride on the Rieck Express train. The event includes Santa's Cabin, traditional carriage rides, pet nights, and photo-op spots.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Woodland Lights
Centerville Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday tree lighting with live performances.
Description:
The Centerville Tree Lighting ceremony features a special lighting of the holiday tree at Benham's Grove, accompanied by performances from local musicians and community groups.
Where: Centerville | More Info: Centerville Tree Lighting
2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting and nighttime parade with over 100,000 lights.
Description:
The 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade features a traditional tree lighting at Courthouse Square, followed by a nighttime parade with over 100,000 lights, decorative floats, horses, drill teams, and live bands.
Where: Dayton | More Info: 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade
Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on historic mill and bridge.
Description:
Clifton Mill's Christmas Lights 2024 features over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees, and bridges. The display includes a 100-foot "waterfall" of twinkling lights, a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum, and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show.
Where: Clifton | More Info: Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024
Light Up the Square
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting and children's parade with elaborate light displays.
Description:
The Dayton Holiday Festival features a traditional tree lighting ceremony at Courthouse Square, followed by a nighttime parade with over 100,000 lights, live entertainment, and holiday activities.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Light Up the Square
Middletown Holiday Markets and Shopping
Shop Small Saturday
What to Expect:
Supporting local small businesses during the holiday season.
Description:
Shop Small Saturday is a national initiative that coincides with the Middletown Santa Parade, encouraging support for downtown small businesses. It is a perfect time to explore local shops and discover unique holiday gifts.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Shop Small Saturday
The Indulge Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Unique blend of health services, live music, and shopping.
Description:
The Indulge Holiday Event offers free health screenings, live music, silent auctions, and 50 unique businesses for shopping pleasure. Enjoy free glam/spa services, great foods, and lifestyle resources in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Dayton | More Info: The Indulge Holiday Event
Hometown Holiday Walk in the Heart of Centerville
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday shopping and activities.
Description:
The Hometown Holiday Walk in the Heart of Centerville is a family-friendly event featuring local vendors, holiday shopping, visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Centerville | More Info: Hometown Holiday Walk in the Heart of Centerville
Harvest to Holidays Market Series: Local Gems
What to Expect:
Support local businesses with unique handmade items and special holiday brews.
Description:
The Harvest to Holidays Market Series: Local Gems at Eudora Brewing Company features handmade local artisans, holiday gifts, home decor, and baked goods in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Harvest to Holidays Market Series: Local Gems
Sugar Plum Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local art, crafts, and gourmet gift foods.
Description:
The Sugar Plum Holiday Market at Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, offers a delightful shopping experience with over 100 vendors selling art, crafts, gourmet gift foods, boutiques, and vintage gifts. The event supports local businesses and features free parking, with children under 12 admitted for free.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Sugar Plum Holiday Market
Christkindl Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with handcrafted goods and festive food.
Description:
The Christkindlmarkt is an old-world-style Christmas market offering handcrafted ornaments, traditional food, and Glühwein. Quality vendors provide unique gifts, and the event features a raffle with many wonderful items.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Christkindl Market
Gifts To Go Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Themed baskets with donated items supporting local businesses and residents.
Description:
Gifts To Go Holiday Bazaar offers themed baskets with new items donated by local businesses and residents, benefiting the Museum at the Friends Home. Raffles and holiday activities are also part of the event.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Gifts To Go Holiday Bazaar
Christmas in Springboro Festival
What to Expect:
Unique blend of shopping, food, and family activities in a historic setting.
Description:
The Christmas in Historic Springboro Festival is a 3-day holiday celebration featuring 76+ craft vendors, 29+ food vendors, a children's tent, entertainment tent, and beer tent. Enjoy family fun activities, shops, and businesses in the historic downtown area.
Where: Springboro | More Info: Christmas in Springboro Festival
Middletown Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Englewood Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday music and Santa visit with children's entertainment.
Description:
Englewood's annual Holiday Open House Celebration at the Englewood Government Center features holiday music by the Englewood Civic Band, ongoing children's entertainment, and a visit from Santa Claus. Cookies will be served, and the event is open to everyone.
Where: Englewood | More Info: Englewood Holiday Celebration
Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park
What to Expect:
Annual holiday gala with live music and dessert contest.
Description:
Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park is an annual holiday gala featuring live music, hors d'oeuvres, delicious desserts, specialty cocktails, and a silent auction. This event has become a longstanding tradition at Carillon Historical Park, with the theme changing each year and the Dayton's Most Delicious Dessert contest always being a highlight.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park
Downtown Dazzle
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, fireworks, and an ice rink.
Description:
Downtown Dazzle is a holiday event in Fountain Square featuring Santa, fireworks, and an ice rink, with activities including Winter Wonderlights and DJ sets.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Downtown Dazzle
Middletown Other Holiday Activities
Middletown Holiday Whopla Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Heated igloos available for rent.
Description:
The Middletown Holiday Whopla Ice Rink is an outdoor ice skating rink located in the heart of Downtown Middletown, offering a fun and family-friendly environment for holiday memories.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Middletown Holiday Whopla Ice Rink
CBI Turkey Trot 5k
What to Expect:
Community-driven 5K with post-race activities and special dinner.
Description:
The CBI Turkey Trot 5K is a community-driven event where participants can run or walk a 3.1-mile course, receiving a finisher medal, t-shirt, and swag bag. The event includes pre-race snacks, hot food after the race, and post-race activities. It also features a special dinner at the expo night before the race and offers categorized prizes for solo runners and corporate teams.
Where: Middletown | More Info: CBI Turkey Trot 5k
Home For The Holidays Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Santa Claus parade with holiday tree lighting.
Description:
The Home For The Holidays Santa Parade is a festive event in Downtown Middletown, featuring a parade with Santa Claus, holiday tree lighting, and opportunities to support local small businesses.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Home For The Holidays Santa Parade
Oh Christmas Tree: Tree Decorating Competition
What to Expect:
Community-driven tree decorating competition in historic downtown.
Description:
Join us for the annual Oh Christmas Tree: Tree Decorating Competition, where local residents and businesses showcase their creativity and holiday spirit by decorating trees in historic downtown Middletown.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Oh Christmas Tree: Tree Decorating Competition
Santa Run 1 Mile & 5k
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed run with festive atmosphere.
Description:
Join Downtown Middletown Inc. for the Santa Run 1 Mile & 5K, a festive holiday event featuring a 1-mile and 5K run through historic downtown Middletown. Enjoy the ice rink, restaurants, and shopping specials while dressed in your holiday attire.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Santa Run 1 Mile & 5k
Blitzen Cocktail & Cookie Walk
What to Expect:
Holiday cookie and cocktail pairings at local establishments.
Description:
Join Downtown Middletown Inc. for the Blitzen Cocktail & Cookie Walk, where you'll stroll through historic downtown Middletown, sampling 8 different cookies paired with specially selected cocktails at various shops and eateries.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Blitzen Cocktail & Cookie Walk
Santa’s Workshop
What to Expect:
Socially distanced Santa meet-and-greet with family and pets.
Description:
Meet Santa Claus at Washington Park in a socially distanced setting. Bring your family, dog, and friends for photos with Santa, and remember to bring your own camera. This event is free but requires a personal camera for photos.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Santa’s Workshop
Holiday in the Village
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with Santa, crafts, and carriage rides.
Description:
Holiday in the Village is a festive event featuring Santa, holiday crafts, horse carriage rides, and refreshments in downtown historic Montgomery.
Where: Montgomery | More Info: Holiday in the Village
Brunch With Frosty And Friends Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Interactive gingerbread house decorating with Frosty.
Description:
Meet Frosty the Snowman at a festive holiday brunch featuring a full breakfast buffet, gingerbread house decorating, and holiday treats. Enjoy a variety of breakfast items, including bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, homefries, French toast, assorted biscuits, holiday coffee cake, and holiday pies. The event also includes a chocolate fountain with strawberries, blackberries, kiwi, assorted cookies, and marshmallows, as well as a hot chocolate bar with full assortment of toppings.
Where: Liberty Township | More Info: Brunch With Frosty And Friends Holiday Event
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Miamisburg (11 miles)
- Mason (12 miles)
- Lebanon (12 miles)
- Hamilton (12 miles)
- Fairfield (15 miles)
- Centerville (15 miles)
- Kettering (17 miles)
- Oxford (19 miles)
- Trotwood (20 miles)
- Dayton (20 miles)
- Beavercreek (22 miles)
- Riverside (23 miles)
- Huber Heights (27 miles)
- Cincinnati (28 miles)
- Xenia (28 miles)
- Fairborn (29 miles)
- Covington (30 miles)
- Richmond (34 miles)
- Troy (38 miles)
- Florence (38 miles)
- Independence (40 miles)
- Springfield (42 miles)
- Piqua (44 miles)