Stress not, because there is nothing better than the gift of a fun experience and quality time with your friends and loves.
We offer you these 10 entertainment gift ideas. From concert and theater tickets, to museum memberships and more, here are 10 ideas — compiled with some help from some of Dayton’s premier arts and entertainment organizations — to help you finish your holiday shopping stress-free.
1. “DISNEY’S THE LION KING”
“The Lion King” returns to Dayton in summer of 2016. CONTRIBUTED
If you missed the off-Broadway production of "Disney's The Lion King," don't make the same mistake twice. This Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of the Disney hit film about a young lion cub's journey to king is perfect for all-ages. What makes the stage version so special in addition to the heartwarming story and beloved music is the stunning scenery and costumes. Splurge a little and get an aisle seat in the front orchestra section. Costumed animals are known to walk right through the audience. If you prefer another option or more flexibility, you can also purchase gift certificates redeemable for tickets to most performances at the Schuster Center, Victoria Theatre and the Loft Theatre.
The details:
June 7 to July 3, 2016 | Schuster Performing Arts Center, Dayton
Tickets start at $35 (plus service fees).
More info: Website | Call 937-228-3640
2. COUNTRY CONCERT TICKETS
Country Concert '16 at Hickory Hill Lakes is definitely one of the region's biggest parties and traditions. Every year, this small town a little less than an hour's drive from Dayton hosts some of the biggest names in country music in a three-day music, camping and drinking fest. The 2016 music festival includes Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Big & Rich (you just saw them perform in the K99 Country Bands Together concert at the Nutter Center to benefit Dayton Children's), Cassadee Pope, Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Brothers Osborne and more.
The details:
July 7, 8 9, 2016 | Hickory Hill Lakes, Fort Loramie
Tickets start at $79 and are available single day, two days and three days, plus plenty of upgrades.
More info: Website | Call 937-295-3000
3. MORE COUNTRY STARS IN CONCERT
Musician Jake Owen performs onstage during day 3 of the Big Barrel Country Music Festival on June 28, 2015 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Big Barrel)
Not up for the full Country Concert experience? You can still get your country music fix with a couple of these single-artist concert events. Jake Owen will bring his country rock fun hits and ballads to Fraze Pavilion in Kettering on June 24. Brantley Gilbert will take over the Nutter Center with his Black Out Tour on Feb. 19.
The details:
Jake Owen: June 24, 2016, 7:30 p.m. | Fraze Pavilion, Kettering
Tickets are $30 on the lawn and terrace and $45 for the orchestra.
More info: Website | Call 937-296-3300
Brantley Gilbert: Feb 19, 2016, 7 p.m. | Wright State University Nutter Center
Tickets are $39.75 General Admission Pit and $39.75 or $34.75 Reserved Seating (plus applicable fees)
More info: Website | Call 800-745-3000
4. HUMAN RACE TICKET PACKAGE
Dayton is home to The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton's only professional regional theater known for championing many new plays and musicals and collaborating with big-name professionals across the nation to produce new works. Here are three gifting options:
- Flex Passes are good for any seat to any performance of any production from February to June 2016 (That's The Glass Menagerie, Lewis Black's One Slight Hitch, and Master Class). Flex Passes are a set of vouchers that can be purchased in 4-packs ($160), 5-packs ($200) or 6-packs ($240).
- For those theater lovers who want a commitment and love to save money, try a 3-play subscription package. Get guaranteed seats to The Glass Menagerie, Lewis Black's One Slight Hitch, and Master Class for as low as $102 (and up to 36 percent off regular ticket prices).
- There's always single-ticket options for any of this season's productions, as well.
Tickets: Order by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or in person at the Schuster Center box office
More info: Website | 937-228-3630
5. GIFT OF THE ARTS
When it comes to Dayton's local performing arts groups, there is really something for everyone. The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra) has tons of great upcoming productions at affordable prices. Here are some suggestions:
- For the whole family: Try tickets to Pixar in Concert – Jan. 15 and 16 – in which the DPO will play beloved music from beloved PIXAR films while movie clips play overhead on the big screen.
- For your love: Try tickets to Romeo and Juliet April 1-3. The Ballet will perform with live music from DPO. This one would also be a great gift for students who are studying Shakespeare's classic in school.
- For music lovers: Tickets to Music of Mad Men Era on Feb. 19-20 – perfect for those who love that late 60's music, An Evening with Kenny G on April 8-9, the Magic of Motown on April 16 or any of the Rockin' Orchestra concerts, which are less formal but feature great music backed by the full DPO.
- For those who love Opera: Tickets to the World Premiere Opera of The Book Collector on May 20 and 22.
Tickets: Single-ticket prices vary by show and a wide variety of ticket packages are available. Visit daytonperformingarts.org to research.
More info: Website | Call (888) 228-3630
6. HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
It's a Dayton New Year's Eve tradition that's a perfect gift for family fun. The ball-spinning, slam-dunking, back-flipping, hilariously entertaining Globetrotters — currently celebrating their 90th anniversary — return to town for its annual New Year's Eve game at the Nutter Center at 2 p.m. Dec. 31.
Tickets: $27.50-$309.50
More info: Website | Call 937-775-4789
7. KINGS ISLAND PASSES
Unlimited visits all summer, plus weekends late spring and early fall. That means more coaster rides and soaking adventures than you can possibly imagine. This is a perfect gift for the whole family or for teens you wouldn't mind dropping off for the day with friends. Buy standard season passes now through Jan. 10 and pay on a payment plan as low as six payments of $16.50. For anyone planning to visit the park more than twice this season, you'll easily get your money's worth. Single-day regular admission is $39.99.
Cost: Starting as low as $99 for renewal or $120 for new. Upgraded packages, add-ons available.
More info: Website | 513-754-5700
8. GIFT CARDS FOR FUN NIGHTS
Give the gift of a night of fun, with flexibility. Consider gift cards to some of Dayton's top "fun" destinations like Scene75 for gaming, bouncing, putt-putt, go-karts and more, Sky Zone for hours of jumping for joy or RiverScape for outdoor ice skating. None will disappoint and are great gifts for just about all ages. You can buy in whatever dollar amounts you would like. Season passes for RiverScape Ice Rink are $40 for individuals and $75 for families of up to five (includes ice skate rentals) and can be purchased online. Gift certificates are available in any dollar amount only at the rink rental window.
More info: Scene 75 gift cards | Sky Zone Dayton | Riverscape Ice Rink
9. FALL OUT BOY
Musicians Patrick Stump (left) and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy perform onstage during 106.7 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2015 at The Forum on Dec. 13, 2015, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for CBS Radio)
Their songs are always on the radio. Fall Out Boy is one of today’s most popular Top 40/rock music acts — especially among preteen, teen and young girls — and (insert squeal here) they’re coming to the Nutter Center on March 9.
Tickets: $32.50, $45 and $59.50
More info: Website | Call 937-775-4789
10. MUSEUM MEMBERSHIPS
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Support some of the Dayton-area’s most important treasures while giving a gift that gives your loved ones something fun to experience year-round. The Dayton Art Institute (starting at $50), Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (starting at $40), Dayton History (starting at $40) and the Dayton Visual Arts Center (starting at $45) are just a few of many examples. Research some of your favorite destinations and inquire about their membership packages.
An example of how a membership benefits you and the community: “Membership is the foundation for supporting The DAI,” says Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “We are able to present stellar exhibitions and educational programs thanks in part to those who invest in a museum membership. A membership provides great benefits, too — access to the world-class collection; entry to special exhibitions; tickets to our jazz series; discounts in the Museum Store and Leo Bistro. There is even a level that gives you access to most major museums around the country. Membership is a great value and a great investment in one of the community’s cultural assets.”
More info: Dayton Art Institute | Boonshoft Museum of Discovery | Dayton History | DVAC
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