Read on for more info on these and other area events.
1. Dayton Holiday Festival
When: 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
Where: Courthouse Square, Third and Main Streets, Dayton
Details: Dayton Holiday Festival, founded by Virginia Kettering in 1972, celebrates 50 years of holiday memories. The annual holiday season kickoff event at Courthouse Square features the Grande Illumination tree lighting, Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights, street fair, horse-drawn wagon rides, live entertainment, Uno’s Pizza with Santa, and more. Friday also marks the opening of downtown holiday staples like Wintergarden Wonderland and Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display.
Cost: Free
More info: 937-224-1518 or www.downtowndayton.org
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
2. Clifton Lights
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Friday, Nov. 25 through Saturday, Dec. 31
Where: Clifton Mill, 75 Water St., Clifton
Details: For more than two decades, people throughout the region have celebrated the Christmas season by visiting the massive holiday display with more than 4 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. In 2020, the Legendary Lights of Clifton received one of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards. The Legendary Gates open nightly at 5 p.m.
Cost: $10, free for children 3 and younger
More info: 937-767-5501 or www.facebook.com/clifton.mill
Credit: JENNIFER TAYLOR
Credit: JENNIFER TAYLOR
3. “The Last Waltz”
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; doors open at 7 p.m.
Where: Dayton Masonic Live, 525 W. Riverview Ave., Dayton
Details: “Such A Night: The Last Waltz Live” started out as a bucket list item for executive producer Jeff Opt in 2013 and has grown into an annual fundraiser for WYSO-FM (91.3) and Dayton Art Institute. More than 30 local musicians will take the stage to perform songs from Martin Scorsese’s concert film capturing the final performances by The Band.
Cost: $25 to $45 in advance
More info: daytonmasonic.live
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
4. MetroParks Ice Rink
When: Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Feb. 26
Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton
Details: Five Rivers MetroParks presents a new season of outdoor ice skating at RiverScape MetroPark. Ice rink hours are 2:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $7 daily admission, $3 skate rental; skaters 3 and younger admitted free
More info: 937-224-1518 or www.downtowndayton.org
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
5. Sandi Patty
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26
Where: Arbogast Performing Arts Center, 500 S. Dorset Road, Troy
Details: Pioneering contemporary Christian music artist Sandi Patty, winner of 40 Dove Awards, presents a holiday show featuring her husband, Don, her son, Jonathan, and longtime friends Jay and Amy Rouse.
Cost: $20 to $65
More info: 937-418-8392 or www.arbogastpac.com
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
6. Soup Fest
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton
Details: The first Dayton Soup Fest is presented by the Pizza Bandit, KungFu BBQ and the Forking Pierogi. Other vendors serving soup and soup-themed dishes include Cruisin’ Cuisine, the Family Spoon and Hot Dish. Indoor seating available as well as patio seating with outdoor heaters and firepits.
Cost: Free
More info: 937-424-3870 or yellowcabtavern.com
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
7. Kyle Kemper
When: 8 p.m. Friday and 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26
Where: Wiley’s Comedy Club, 101 Pine St., Dayton
Details: Kyle Kemper is still in his early 20s, but he’s already had plenty of stage time. The Dayton-based comedian was just 16 when he started performing. He is a past winner of Wiley’s Fireworks Competition and has appeared at the Super Dope Comedy Fest and Fuse Fest in Dayton, BrewHaHa in Cincinnati, and other regional stand-up events.
Cost: $15
More info: 937-224-5653 or www.wileyscomedy.com
8. “Legally Blonde - The Musical”
When: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 through 27
Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton
Details: Based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon film of the same name, Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach’s cheerful 2007 musical comedy centers on Elle Woods, a bubbly sorority girl who takes Harvard Law School by storm.
Cost: $26-$109
More info: 937-228-3630 or visit daytonlive.org
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
9. Silent Disco Pajama Party
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton
Details: Feeling too stuffed to slip into your dancing clothes after gorging on Thanksgiving lunch? Never fear, you can slip into some comfy clothes, put on the wireless headphones and burn some calories while boogieing the night away during the Pajama Party edition of Silent Disco. Three DJs will be onsite to spin a variety of tunes on separate channels.
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 day of event; cover starts at 8 p.m.
More info: 937-424-3870 or yellowcabtavern.com
10. Christkindl Market at Front Street
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26
Where: Front Street, 1001 E. Second St., Dayton
Details: More than 250 artists and small business are participating in this event which features indoor studios, galleries and shops as well as a visit from Santa, Christmas caroling and an annual holiday light contest.
Cost: Free
More info: https://frontstreet.art/pages/christkindl-market-at-front-street-2022
Contact this contributing writer at 937-287-6139 or e-mail at donthrasher100@gmail.com.
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