As soon as the leftovers are put in the fridge, Dayton is illuminated in Christmas lights. Two of the most popular area displays begin on Friday, with the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill, Woodland Lights, PNC Festival of Lights, and, new this year, the Holiday Lights at Lostcreek Reserve in Troy. Even better, many of these attractions don't even require you to exit your vehicle! For a more thorough roundup of the best Christmas lights displays in the Miami Valley, click here.
🌟Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
When: Nov. 29–Dec. 30, 2019
Times: 5-9 p.m. Lights go on at 6 p.m. Closes at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. Closed on New Year's Eve.
Location: 75 Water St., Clifton
Cost: $10. Kids 3 and under are free. Parking is free.
More info: 937-767-5501 | Website | Facebook
>> The best way to spread Christmas cheer is spending a day with Buddy the Elf
🌟Woodland Lights
When: Nov. 22-Dec. 23, 2019. The display is open Friday through Sunday, Nov. 22-Dec. 1 and nightly Dec. 6-23.
Hours: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Countryside Park on the Washington Township Recreation Campus, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Twp.
Cost: Tickets are available at the gate, any Washington Twp. recreation facility or online. Tickets are $9 age 3 and up. Tickets are free for children 2 and younger.
🌟Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
When: Nov. 22-Dec. 30, 2019
Hours: Monday-Wednesday drive-through only, 6-10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday drive-through and Christmas Village open, 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday 6-11 p.m.
Where: Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown
Cost: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday drive-through only $18 per carload. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday drive through and village tickets $22 per carload. Bring a canned good for $2 off park admission and it will be donated to The Hope House Mission of Middletown. Additionally, there will be a Toys for Tots drop-off location at the venue. Group tickets by bus load (eight or more people) are $35 Monday to Wednesday drive-through only and $45 per bus load Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (drive-through and village).
Credit: DAVID MOODIE
Credit: DAVID MOODIE
🌟Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve
When: Open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 29
Where: Lost Creek Reserve, 2385 E. State Route 41, Troy
Cost: $10 for cars and $30 for 15-passenger vans
>> WORTH THE DRIVE: Go on a winter glow-tubing adventure
🌟PNC Festival of Lights
When: Nov. 16, 2019 to Jan. 4, 2020. Open Sundays through Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-10 p.m. Visits with Santa begin at 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving (open during the day), Christmas Eve (open during the day) and Christmas Day.
Where: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati
Cost: Event is included with zoo admission. Admission varies for dates and times. Discount tickets available at Kroger. Plan-ahead pricing can be found at https://ticketstore.cincinnatizoo.org/
🎄Community Christmas tree lightings
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
‘Tis the season to gather ‘round the Christmas tree with your closest friends and family members. Dayton and surrounding areas are doing the same by inviting the community to celebrate the illumination of their own Christmas trees.
Celebrations this weekend include the Grand Illumination in Dayton, the tree lighting in Troy and the Holiday Illumination tree lighting in Lebanon.
🎄Grand Illumination Tree Lighting
When: Friday, Nov. 29, beginning at 7:45 p.m., and followed by the Children's Parade
Where: Courthouse Square, Third and Main Streets, Dayton
Cost: Free
🎄Troy Tree Lighting
When: Friday, Nov. 29 5-8 p.m. The tree lighting will take place at 6:45 p.m.
Where: The Prouty Plaza at 405 Public Square in Troy
Cost: Free
More info: Website
🎄Holiday Illumination
When: Nov. 29, 6:30-8 p.m.
Where: Christmas Tree Park, Corner of Main Street and Broadway, Lebanon
Cost: Free
More info: Facebook
❄Kings Island WinterFest
On Friday, Nov. 22, Kings Island opened for WinterFest, a series of 10 enchanting winter wonderlands featuring ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower turned into a magical Christmas tree and more than five million lights.
There are also 19 rides that will be running in addition to the live entertainment and holiday characters spreading the cheer of the season.
WinterFest operating hours are 5-10 p.m. each night except for Saturdays (4-10 p.m.) and New Year's Eve (5 p.m.–1 a.m.). For more information, call 513-754-5700 or visit www.visitkingsisland.com.
>> Broadway stars to sing holiday hits at Schuster Center
⛸️RiverScape Ice Rink opens
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The region’s largest outdoor ice skating rink officially opens on Friday, Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m., for season-long, family-friendly fun on the banks of the scenic Great Miami River in downtown Dayton.
WANT TO GO?
What: RiverScape MetroParks Ice Rink
When: Beginning Nov. 29. Check website for dates and times.
Where: 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton
Cost: $6 per person per skate, $2 skate rental. Seasonal passes available.
🎅🏻Head downtown to hop on The Polar Bear Express
Credit: Pedal Wagon Dayton
Credit: Pedal Wagon Dayton
The train that literally "chugs" along the streets of Dayton during the winter has made its return. A 15-passenger pedal-powered "winter adventure" takes participants through festive streets to Dayton's favorite bars and restaurants to enjoy season specials. The themed pedal wagon rides run now through the end of February. The Polar Bear Express pickup location is at 28 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton. Make reservations online here.
WANT TO GO?
What: Polar Bear Express Pedal Wagon
When: Now through Feb. 29
Where: Pickup location is 28 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton
Cost: $19 for weekday ticket, $25 for weekend ticket and $249 for a private ride
More info: Tickets, details and reservations: Website | Facebook
🎄Pick out your Christmas tree
It's time to find your perfect Christmas tree! This is the perfect weekend to load up the family and head to a tree farm to find a tree and get to decorating. We've got a county-by-county guide on where to purchase your fresh-cut tree.
🎧Relive the 1990s at Asylum Nightclub Reunion
Credit: Matt Freeman
Credit: Matt Freeman
The DJ boat booth, heavy duty shark cage used for dancing and nude mannequins were moved out long ago. The building it once inhabited now provides shelter for homeless teenagers, but the spirit of that Asylum Nightclub lives on, Matt Freeman says. Freeman, a longtime DJ at the alternative music dance club, will host the 2019 installment of the annual Asylum Reunion from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Therapy Cafe, 452 E. Third St. in downtown Dayton.
WANT TO GO?
What: Asylum Nightclub Reunion
When: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29
Where: Therapy Cafe, 452 E. Third St., in downtown Dayton
Cost: $5 at the door
More info: Facebook event page link
🦃Family fun at Gustafer Yellowgold’s Thanksgiving Performance
WANT TO GO?
What: Gustafer Yellowgold Thanksgiving Food Drive
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
Where: Southminster Presbyterian Church, 7001 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville
Cost: Free