THE TIKE’S SHOPPE
This annual shop is run by kids for kids and priced within a child’s budget.
Where: Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second and Main streets, Dayton.
When: Through Dec. 23.
Dec. 9 & 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m..
Dec. 10, 16-23 Noon - 6 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Contact: 937-224-1518 or http://www.downtowndayton.org/
WINTERGARDEN WONDERLAND
The 44th annual Holiday Dayton; Holiday Festival features a parade, tree lighting, live music and more.
Where: The Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton.
When: Through Dec. 23.
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Cost: Free.
Contact: 937-228-7591 or http://www.downtowndayton.org/
THE LEGENDARY LIGHTS OF CLIFTON
For more than two decades, people throughout the region have celebrated the Christmas season with a massive holiday display featuring more than 3.5 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges.
Where: Clifton Mill, 75 Water St., Clifton.
When: Through Dec. 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. daily.
Cost: $10 for adults, free for children 6 and younger.
Contact: 937-767-5501 or http://www.cliftonmill.com/
WOODLAND LIGHTS
In its 24th season, the path to holiday fun has added new features to this amazing scenery. The new tunnel of lights stretches above and over the trail for 50 feet, setting the stage for 8 acres of illuminations. The pathway eventually leads you to the center pond, where the new laser light show will take place. The laser show includes laser-powered images dancing across the surface of the water, viewable from a deck overlooking the pond. Board the trackless Carillon Polar Express train ride and go through the park. Other entertainment includes carnival rides, Grinch World, live animals, movies you can sit and watch and more. Food trucks on site include Our Melt Bar, Natalie’s Concessions and Original Kettle Korn. Special festival nights like PeoplePet Night (pets encouraged), Star Wars Battle Front nights on Dec. 9-11 and special live performances.
Cost: Tickets are available at the gate, or online. $8 for adults. Free for children 2 and younger.
When: Through Dec. 23, and Dec. 26 to Dec. 30. Woodland Lights closes after Dec. 23 and reopens on Dec. 26, at this time festivities will not be available but the lights will be and tickets for adults will go down to $4.
Times: 6-9 p.m.
Where: 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Twp.
More info: www.woodlandlights.org
A CARILLON CHRISTMAS
Featuring thousands of Christmas lights, Santa Claus, live music, historical craft demonstrations, and much more. See Carillon Historical Park’s 65-acre campus transformed into a winter wonderland of sparkle, magic and holiday cheer. The Carillon Tree of Light stands at 200 feet, affixed to the top of the 151-foot-tall Deeds Carillon. The first concert played on the Carillon took place on Christmas Eve, 1941, just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Tree consists of more than 20,000 light bulbs on nearly 100 separate strands that come to life each night at dusk and blaze until dawn for the month of December. Special activities include photos with Santa, carolers, model train displays plus train ride, carousel riding and scavenger hunts for extra fee.
Cost: $8 per adult (18-59), $7 seniors (60 and older), $5 children (3-17), free for children under 3 and Dayton History members.
When: Through Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Times: 5-10 p.m.
VIRGINIA KETTERING’S HOLIDAY TRAIN DISPLAY
The 44th annual holiday Dayton Holiday Festival returns with this popular display.
Where: Kettering Tower, 40 N. Main St., Dayton.
When: Through Jan. 2. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Contact: 937-224-1518 or http://www.downtowndayton.org/
HOLIDAY MOVIE SERIES AT THE NEON
The Family Movie series continues to play old Christmas-time favorites that your family will enjoy seeing together.
Where: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton.
The movies: "The Grinch," Dec. 10 at noon; "It's a Wonderful Life," Dec. 17 at noon.
Cost: $2 adults, free children 12 and younger.
Contact: 937-222-SHOW (7469) or http://www.neonmovies.com/
HOMETOWN HOLIDAY
The Dayton Philharmonic presents this SuperPops Series concert.
Where: Schuster Center, Dayton.
When: Dec. 9 - 10 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $13-$79.
Contact: www.ticketcenterstage.com
MIAMISBURG’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
More than 65 units will be decorated with this year’s theme, “Holiday Trees and Memories,” followed by the Holiday Street Fair.
Where: Main Street, Miamisburg.
When: Dec. 10; the parade begins at 11:30 a.m. and the street fair at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Contact: 937-866-8999 or http://www.playmiamisburg.com/
A CELTIC CHRISTMAS WITH CATHIE RYAN
The singer presents “The Winter’s Heart: An Irish American Christmas.”
Where: Plaza Theatre, 33 S. Main St., Miamisburg.
When: Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $25. Proceeds benefit We Care Arts.
Contact: 937-979-0920
“A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”
Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts characters are presented on stage.
Where: Sinclair Community College, Blair Hall Theatre, 444 W. Third St., Dayton.
When: Dec. 15 - 18 at noon on Thursday; and 7 p.m. on Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday; 2 and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Cost: $8.
Contact: http://www.sinclair.edu/
SANTA VISITS THE MARKET
Bring a photo and snap a photo with Santa.
Where: 2nd Street Market, Dayton.
When: Dec. 16 and 17 at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Cost: Free.
“THE NUTCRACKER”
The Dayton Ballet presents this annual classic holiday show.
Where: Schuster Center, Dayton.
When: Dec. 16 - 23, 7:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. matinees Saturday, Sunday and Thursday; a a 4:30 p.m. show on Dec. 23.
Cost: $17-$72.
Contact: www.ticketcenterstage.com
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents this holiday concert.
Where: Westminster Presbyterian, 125 N. Wilkinson St., Dayton.
When: Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $31 adults, $29 educators, military and seniors 60 and older, $14 students.
Contact: www.ticketcenterstage.com
CARRIAGE RIDES
Take a carriage ride while you shop and dine!
Where: The Greene in Beavercreek. Pick up and drop off is located on the south side of the Town Square on Glengarry Drive.
When: Saturdays, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Rides will be offered from 6-10 p.m. the remaining Saturdays.
Cost: The cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple, cash only. Children 15 and under ride for free with a paying adult.
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING
Nothing says winter fun like outdoor ice skating. Riverscape is the perfect setting for a date or fun with family and friends. All skill levels are welcome, and you can even take lessons if it’s that bad. Warm up with hot chocolate from the concession stand or at the outdoor fireplaces. No registration required.
Where: The RiverScape MetroPark Ice Rink, 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton.
When: The ice rink is open daily through Feb. 28. Daily hours vary.
Cost: $7 including skate rental. All ages.
POLAR EXPRESS
Surely, you know the classic children’s book. Well, experience the real deal every holiday season at the Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad. Board the Polar Express in your jammies and enjoy the classic story complete with sleigh bells and Santa and the elves during this one-hour train ride.
Where: LM&M Railroad, 127 South Mechanic, Lebanon
When: Train rides will be available on select dates and times through Christmas Eve. Some key dates sell out quickly, including Christmas Eve.
Cost: Advance ticket purchases recommended. Tickets can be purchased online. Prices vary based on date and seating, but ticket prices start at $18 for youth and seniors and $22 for adults.
Info: www.lebanonrr.com
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