Events in Dayton Ohio
Our daily calendar of events, entertainment and activities in Dayton. Includes festivals, concerts, comedy, theater, arts, live music, outdoor events, sports and more.
Events in Dayton
The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:00am
From the rich holdings of the Chrysler Museum of Art, view 120 Art Nouveau treasures by Tiffany, Mucha, Gallé, Beardsley, and many others. The DAI is the exclusive Ohio venue for this traveling exhibit. Oct 18–Jan 11
Dayton Printmakers Cooperative: Dayton/Kyoto Invitational
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:00am
The Dayton/Kyoto Invitational is an international print exchange between the Dayton Printmaker’s Cooperative and Gen Studio Group in Kyoto, Japan, which has been taking place since 2003. The 2025 theme is "Water."
Engaged: Rings from around the World
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:00am
Throughout human history, people have loved putting things on their fingers. Often made with precious materials, they serve a wide range of purposes, from enhancing one’s appearance and indicating social status.
Strange Worlds: Photographs by Jay Hoops
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:00am
For commercial and fine art photographer Jay Hoops, exploration and experimentation drove her work using Polaroid format to create dreamy, atmospheric scenes. This exhibition is exclusive to the Dayton Art Institute.
Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:00am
The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven, a major solo exhibition bringing together recent works in photography, painting, video, and the world premiere of a new body of bronze sculptures.
Member's Spotlight Exhibition: Lori Daugherty: Bold Whispers
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:00am
Dayton based, self taught abstract artist, Lori Daugherty, enjoys exploring and experimenting with the elusive encaustic medium. She finds that the encaustic medium provides a wealth of depth, breath, and texture.
Saturday Community Tours at the Dayton Art Institute
Saturday, December 20 2025 11:30am
Explore the museum and learn more with guided tours of our museum galleries!
#1 in Dayton — Great Escape Game!
Saturday, December 20 2025 12:00pm
You have one hour to find and solve clues and puzzles in our rooms to escape! CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE!
Last Minute Holiday Artwork Sale
Saturday, December 20 2025 12:00pm
Finish your Holiday shopping with the gift of Art. Dozens of local artists will have artwork, jewelry and more available for you to complete your gift giving for the season.
Hawthorn Hill Tours
Saturday, December 20 2025 12:30pm
With its white pillars and twin porches, Hawthorn Hill has long been synonymous with Orville Wright and the Wright family. Wednesdays and Saturdays prepaid advance reservations required.
Wild Axe Throwing OPEN in Beavercreek
Saturday, December 20 2025 1:00pm
Get your axe to Beavercreek and experience Dayton's first axe throwing bar. Perfect for date night, team building, corporate parties, or fun outings with friends and family.
Level Up: 28+ pinball machines 21+ arcades!
Saturday, December 20 2025 1:00pm
Level Up Pinball Bar: 23 COINLESS Pinball machines and 12 state-of-the-art arcades. Reloadable RFID card system handles credits. Stern Tables feature Insider Connect to track your high scores and achievements.
Dayton Art Institute Special Interest Tour – Food Tour
Saturday, December 20 2025 1:00pm
DAI’s Special Interest Tours are community tours with specialized themes! Explore the museum and invoke your creative spirit following the tour with a quick, make-and-take art activity.
Winter Solstice: Ritual Ceremony & Craft TEA PARTY
Saturday, December 20 2025 2:00pm
Join us inside the Temple walls for a winter celebration!
Dayton Ballet's The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 20 2025 2:30pm
Brandon Ragland’s The Nutcracker returns, bringing holiday magic back to Dayton! The Dayton Ballet & the Dayton Philharmonic present The Nutcracker at the Schuster Center.
Yuletide Village - Season of Lights
Saturday, December 20 2025 3:00pm
The holiday season is full of traditions. Make a visit to Yuletide Village one of them. Open this holiday season November 28 – December 20, 2025
The One with Goats & Cookies
Saturday, December 20 2025 3:00pm
Nothing better than cookies with FRIENDS
Family Open Studio at the Dayton Art Institute
Saturday, December 20 2025 3:00pm
Open-ended creativity and art making in the Lange Family Experience Center Classroom on Saturday afternoons!
Happy Trolley-Days Local Art and Book Fair
Saturday, December 20 2025 3:00pm
We’re in the holiday spirit at the Trolley Stop, and we’d like to invite you to our Happy Trolley-Days Local Art and Book Fair, Saturday, December 20, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WinterFest at Kings Island
Saturday, December 20 2025 4:00pm
More than five million lights and live entertainment throughout the park for Kings Island's holiday-themed festival WinterFest Select Nights November 28 - December 31, 2025 - Join us for Festive Food, Shopping, Rides & More!
30 Days for 30 Years: Celebrating 30 Years at Miami Valley Sports Bar
Saturday, December 20 2025 4:00pm
We're pumped to be celebrating 30 years in business so we're going to celebrate ALL MONTH LONG!!!! The party begins on Monday, December 1st as we kickoff a month long of fun and activities with awesome 1995 style specials!
A Carillon Christmas
Saturday, December 20 2025 5:00pm
Featuring thousands of Christmas lights, traditional holiday fare, Santa Claus, live music, historical craft demonstrations, and so much more.
Historic Normandy Mansion Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 20 2025 5:30pm
Dec 20–22, 5:30–8pm: Celebrate “The Colors of Christmas” at the Historic Grant Mansion—50+ dazzling trees, trains, treats, carolers, choir & Santa! Free admission; limited accessibility.
Woodland Lights
Saturday, December 20 2025 6:00pm
Walk the path to holiday fun at Woodland Lights - a half-mile wonderland of holiday lights, displays, and festivities! November 21-December 30, 2025
Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2025
Saturday, December 20 2025 6:00pm
One of the country's finest -with millions of Christmas Lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges.
Saturday Night Fox Hollow Rodeo
Saturday, December 20 2025 6:00pm
Family Fun At Fox Hollow Rodeo held every Saturday night year round with Indoor (Oct-April) / Outdoor Arena - Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Whispering Christmas
Saturday, December 20 2025 6:00pm
Enjoy the spectacular display of 2 million Christmas lights at Whispering Christmas in Eaton, Ohio.
