Leave the stresses of the season behind and partake in adult-approved holiday fun at these Dayton events

A horde of jolly old elves, a bunch of reindeer and ton of other fun-lovers dressed in Christmas-themed costumes celebrated the season in the Oregon District during the 13th Annual Santa Pub Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 8. The mission was to gather gifts for the Marines' Dayton area Toys for Tots program. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

A horde of jolly old elves, a bunch of reindeer and ton of other fun-lovers dressed in Christmas-themed costumes celebrated the season in the Oregon District during the 13th Annual Santa Pub Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 8. The mission was to gather gifts for the Marines' Dayton area Toys for Tots program. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
The holidays can prove to be an especially stressful time. Between the shopping, errands, and managing time with family and friends, there seems to be almost no time left to kick back and relax.

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Thankfully, though we’ve managed to find a number of events that help you take it easy... at least for a few hours before the responsibilities begin to pile up yet again. That’s right, this is where we tell you to do something for yourself: have a little adults-only fun.
This is where to find this sort of fun in Dayton this holiday season.  

🎄🍺Suds and Succulents: Holiday Centerpiece Workshop

The Hearty Leaf and Branch & Bone Artisan Ales are partnering to host a Succulent Holiday Centerpiece Workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Branch & Bone Artisan Ales. They will have a rustic whitewash wooden vessel for you to plant succulents and decorate for Christmas or Hanukkah. The Hearty Leaf will provide all vessels, a variety of succulents, preserved moss, decorative items, materials, and the know-how to help you create a unique design to take home. The cost is $35 and includes one complimentary beer and a guided tour of the brewery by Branch and Bone. Other drinks will also be available for purchase.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 6-8 p.m.

Where: Branch & Bone Artisan Ales, 905 Wayne Ave., Dayton

Cost: $35. You can purchase tickets here.

More info: Facebook

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🎄🍺A Griswold's Christmas Eve Brunch

This holiday season, eat, drink and be merry like the Griswold clan. In celebration of the cult classic Christmas film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the Mudlick Tap House is hosting a night that the family would be proud of on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite character from the film and take a picture with Cousin Eddie. Make your reservations now by emailing jen@mudlicktaphouse.com or calling the tap house at 937-895-4066.

When: Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: The Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St., Dayton

More info: WebsiteFacebook

🎄🍺Ugly Christmas Sweater Starlight City Market   

On Dec. 20, Star City Brewing Company in Miamisburg is hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party and city market. Guests can wear their ugliest Christmas sweater while shopping for holiday gifts from local vendors and listening to live music from Seth Canan of Seth Canan & The Carriers and Max Nunery of The Repeating Arms. Though the vendors have yet to be announced, guests can at least look forward to a heaping serving of local favorite Rivertown Chili’s hearty fare. Visit each vendor at the market and enter in to win a free room rental at the brewery, a value of over $300. The ugly sweater contest will take place at 8 p.m. and the winner earns a $25 gift card.

When: Friday, Dec. 20, 5-9 p.m. Ugly sweater contest at 8 p.m.

Where: Star City Brewing Company, 319 S. Second St., Miamisburg

Cost: Free

More info: Facebook

A horde of jolly old elves, a bunch of reindeer and ton of other fun-lovers dressed in Christmas-themed costumes celebrated the season in the Oregon District during the 13th Annual Santa Pub Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 8. The mission was to gather gifts for the Marines' Dayton area Toys for Tots program. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

icon to expand image

Credit: Tom Gilliam

🎄🍺14th Annual Santa Pub Crawl 

You might consider this the unofficial "adult" holiday event of the season. What more could you ask for? Holiday tunes, beer and your favorite folks of the Oregon District to help celebrate the holiday season. Hop the bars in the Oregon District, win prizes and contribute to the Toys for Tots initiative to help make a deserving child happy for the holidays. Event planners are asking you to bring an unwrapped toy worth $10 or a $10 cash donation to participate in the festivities.  

When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: The Oregon District, Fifth St., Dayton. Various locations in the Oregon District. Registration starts at The Dublin Pub, Troll Pub and Oregon Express. Costume contest at 6 p.m. at Wiley's Comedy Club. Other participating locations: Blind Bob's; Hole in the Wall; Ned Pepper's; Newcom's Tavern; Toxic Brew Pub; Trolley Stop and Tumbleweed.

Cost: Bring a $10 unwrapped child’s toy or donate a minimum of $10 to get your crawl card. Register here for your crawl card.

More info: Facebook

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🎄🍺The Nightmare Before Christmas with Cherry Lee and Friends!

For those who channel the spirit of Halloween yer-round, Yellow Cab has created a spooky holiday event on Friday, Dec. 13 (that’s right--Friday, the 13th). On this day, Yellow Cab Tavern will be paying tribute to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with live music and Halloween costumes. The show will feature performances by Cherry Lee & The Hot Rod Hounds, Noah + The Rescue Radio and The G-Thang. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Cover starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Advance ticket sales close on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 11:30 p.m.

Yellow Cab's resident truck, The Pizza Bandit, will be set up and serving all night long.

When: Friday, Dec. 13 from 8 p.m. to midnight

Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton

Cost: Tickets are $7 at the door and $10 at the door. Advance ticket sales close on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 11:30 p.m. Buy your tickets here.

More info: Facebook

🎄🍺Festivus and the Rest of ‘mas

Even non-Seinfeld fans will have fun at Fifth Street Brewpub’s annual Festivus celebration. On Monday, Dec. 23, guests will partake in “the Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength, and gathering around the Festivus Pole for seasonal silliness, according to the event page. Seasonal silliness will include making gingerbread houses, participating in penguin games and, of course, taking part in the “great snowball fight.” All appetizers, drafts, and wine will be $1 off during the event.

When: Monday, Dec. 23 from 6-9 p.m.

Where: Fifth Street Brewpub, 1600 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Cost: Free

More info: Facebook

Mascot performs at Blind Bob's in the Oregon District for HoliDayton 2008 Saturday, December 27, 2008. Ten acts were scheduled to perform during the show.

Credit: E.L. Hubbard

icon to expand image

Credit: E.L. Hubbard

🎄🍺HoliDayton 2019

The 17th annual HoliDayton showcase will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Blind Bob's Bar in the Oregon District. In a similar fashion to festivities of years past, there will be two stages of live performances alternating throughout the evening. The event begins at 8 p.m. and is 21+.

The 2019 lineup is as follows:

• The Nightbeast

• The Story Changes

• Abertooth Lincoln

• Legbone

• YARDBOSS

• New World Natives

• Seth Canan & The Carriers

• Better Anyway

• Business Casuals

When: Saturday, Dec. 28 from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Where: Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Cost: To be announced.

More info: Facebook

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