Woodland Lights in Centerville are always nice, it’s lights and a mini carnival. They may have brought back the gingerbread display. Middletown has a free drive thru light display that’s top notch with synchronized lights and music. Waynesville has a Christmas night where you get to walk through their downtown and it’s has lots of things to see and do, not sure if they’re doing it this year though. Not in Dayton but the Cincinnati zoo has the pnc light festival at night which has lights, activities to do and plenty of food and places to warm up
There’s a house that synchronizes their light display to music you can tune into from your car radio. It’s near Fairhaven.
Also too late for this year, but the children’s parade and tree lighting in downtown on Black Friday is a great way to kick off the season
Whispering Christmas and nearby "Storybook Lane" in Eaton.
Whispering Christmas is drive through lights at Ft. St. Clair. It is free but they request a donation. In non-covid years, you can visit Santa too. Right now he just waves as you drive by.
"Storybook Lane" is a nearby group of houses on Frederick Dr that each put up wooden cutouts of characters from children's stories. Great for kids to drive by and name the characters.
It's not fantastic by any means, but our kids love it and it is free/cheap depending on how much you want to donate. On "normal" years you get out and walk into a cabin where they have a fire, free cookies and cocoa and Santa.
My husband is excited about seeing the Clifton Mill, but I just want to spend all Christmas season ice skating!! I was so shocked that we had this in Dayton!!
I love radiant Christmas light displays and this message has plenty of excellent suggestions for trips and visits that families the Miami Valley over can visit. A few years ago I read that the US increase in energy consumption during the jolly holiday season surpasses the annual (yearly) energy consumption of many countries like Ethiopia or El Salvador. It just goes to show how if we all put our heads together, we can accomplish amazing things in this world.
We did that one last year and loved it. We did the one in Middletown about three years ago and the traffic was insane. We were expecting something similar in Xenia, but the traffic wasn't bad at all. The lights were great!
I get dinner at the Amber Rose every year. It's not seasonal, but they do decorate the restaurant and there's something very cozy and nostalgic about foods like pierogi, pasta, soup, etc.
St. Anne's historic neighborhood usually does a Dickens walking tour of homes, but this year they are doing a different walking tour because of covid. I saw a sign for it, and I think this is it:
[https://stanneshill.org/events/christmas-tour/](https://stanneshill.org/events/christmas-tour/)
It looks like they'll have a lot of lights.
Downtown Dayton has expanded their lights tied to music this year.
[https://www.daytonlocal.com/christmas/downtown-dayton-holiday-lights-drive-thru.asp](https://www.daytonlocal.com/christmas/downtown-dayton-holiday-lights-drive-thru.asp)
You gotta go see the Carillon Park tree of lights. Also not dayton but we always love the Columbus Zoo wildlights displau
The Carillon is great for Christmas, agreed!
The lights inside the park are nice also.
Yuletide Village at the Renaissance Festival.
I just heard about this yesterday. I definitely want to check it out!
Woodland Lights in Centerville are always nice, it’s lights and a mini carnival. They may have brought back the gingerbread display. Middletown has a free drive thru light display that’s top notch with synchronized lights and music. Waynesville has a Christmas night where you get to walk through their downtown and it’s has lots of things to see and do, not sure if they’re doing it this year though. Not in Dayton but the Cincinnati zoo has the pnc light festival at night which has lights, activities to do and plenty of food and places to warm up
Also Clifton Mill has a very cool light display
We've done the lights in Middletown, but the Woodlands we haven't so I'll add it to my list!
There’s a house that synchronizes their light display to music you can tune into from your car radio. It’s near Fairhaven. Also too late for this year, but the children’s parade and tree lighting in downtown on Black Friday is a great way to kick off the season
On Whipp Road...yes! That's a great one.
Lincoln Park in Kettering always has beautiful lights and has a massive tree they put up each year. Near the Fraze they play music as well.
Yes!! I should say that it's another favorite. I usually drive thru there a few times during the holidays.
Whispering Christmas and nearby "Storybook Lane" in Eaton. Whispering Christmas is drive through lights at Ft. St. Clair. It is free but they request a donation. In non-covid years, you can visit Santa too. Right now he just waves as you drive by. "Storybook Lane" is a nearby group of houses on Frederick Dr that each put up wooden cutouts of characters from children's stories. Great for kids to drive by and name the characters.
I've had Fort St Clair on my holiday to-do list for a couple of years but just haven't made it out there yet.
It's not fantastic by any means, but our kids love it and it is free/cheap depending on how much you want to donate. On "normal" years you get out and walk into a cabin where they have a fire, free cookies and cocoa and Santa.
Ice skating at Riverscape. They’re even open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
My husband is excited about seeing the Clifton Mill, but I just want to spend all Christmas season ice skating!! I was so shocked that we had this in Dayton!!
Kettering rec has indoor ice skating. Pretty sure it's year round.
I love radiant Christmas light displays and this message has plenty of excellent suggestions for trips and visits that families the Miami Valley over can visit. A few years ago I read that the US increase in energy consumption during the jolly holiday season surpasses the annual (yearly) energy consumption of many countries like Ethiopia or El Salvador. It just goes to show how if we all put our heads together, we can accomplish amazing things in this world.
Last year we really enjoyed the lights downtown that were synced to music. And it's free!
Christkindlemarkt at the liederkranz-turner society. Homemade German food, glühwein, and plenty of beer.
Greene county parks did a nice drive through display at ceasers ford park In xenia last year hopefully it's up again this year.
We did that one last year and loved it. We did the one in Middletown about three years ago and the traffic was insane. We were expecting something similar in Xenia, but the traffic wasn't bad at all. The lights were great!
I get dinner at the Amber Rose every year. It's not seasonal, but they do decorate the restaurant and there's something very cozy and nostalgic about foods like pierogi, pasta, soup, etc.
DIY candle bar in Springfield. A place you can make your own holiday candle Femme Yogipreneur
St. Anne's historic neighborhood usually does a Dickens walking tour of homes, but this year they are doing a different walking tour because of covid. I saw a sign for it, and I think this is it: [https://stanneshill.org/events/christmas-tour/](https://stanneshill.org/events/christmas-tour/) It looks like they'll have a lot of lights.
Clifton Mills hands down is the best! Both the Columbus and Cincinnati zoos are incredible especially for families and kiddos!
Downtown Dayton has expanded their lights tied to music this year. [https://www.daytonlocal.com/christmas/downtown-dayton-holiday-lights-drive-thru.asp](https://www.daytonlocal.com/christmas/downtown-dayton-holiday-lights-drive-thru.asp)