As the days start to get shorter and colder, you can bet that the holiday season isn’t far away. After Thanksgiving, it seems like the Christmas season really ramps up, and there are all kinds of events happening around Ohio to get you into the holiday spirit. One of the most beloved of holiday traditions is the light up night. Who doesn’t love to see all the sparkly bulbs illuminate the darkness while they sip on some hot chocolate surrounded by friends and family? Light up nights are a great way to enjoy the festive holiday season, and they give the community a chance to come together and celebrate as a whole.

If you’re in the Dayton area, you may be looking for light up events near you, and you’re in luck! We have 8 light up events in the Dayton area for you, so think about gathering your crew together and attending some of them! You’ll definitely be glad that you did. In this article, we’re going to cover:

• Why we love light up events
• The top light up events near Dayton you need to attend in 2022

Why light up events are popular all over, including in Dayton, OH

Ever wonder why we love light up events in the first place?

Have you ever wondered why light up nights especially around the holidays are so popular? While it could be just a great reason to get the community together and celebrate the seasonal joys, it’s also a great way to bring a little light to the darker time of year. As we move through November and December, it tends to get darker sooner, and the nights are longer than the daytime. When we hit Daylight Savings Time, it seems like the darkness is even more a part of our lives.

The winter is a great time of year to go inward and slow down a little, and try to spend more time with family. It’s also the time of year when plants, trees, and crops go dormant underground, awaiting the return of the light with the spring. Because we associate light with warmth, growth, and happiness, it only makes sense why we want to have all kinds of lights at this time of year. We add lights to our homes, our Christmas trees, and almost anywhere we think could use it. In addition to string lights, many people also choose to use more candles and light the fireplace at this time of year. While you can use those any time of year, they feel especially necessary as we approach the holidays in December.

Light up nights are also used to officially kick off the holiday season, and many are centered around the lighting of the community Christmas tree (or trees!). Communities with town squares or main streets are a great focal point for light up nights as well, and they encourage residents to shop local and support small businesses. 

So now that we know a little more about why light up nights are so popular, it’s time to get to our list of the 8 light up events you’ve got to see this year in Dayton.

Light up events near Dayton, OH

You won’t want to miss these light up nights in and around Dayton this year! 

Austin Landing’s Christmas Tree Lighting

You’ve got to come out and enjoy this popular Christmas tree lighting event!

10050 Innovation Drive | Dayton

November 12, 2022

4pm-8pm

One of the most popular places to shop is Austin’s Landing, but it is also home to a fantastic Christmas tree lighting that residents of Dayton look forward to all year. There are all kinds of events planned that are perfect for kids of all ages, including the special tree lighting ceremony. When you’re there, you can expect there to be lots of activities for the kids including a parade, fireworks, and even a visit from Santa!

Adults will love all the shopping available right on site, as well as a variety of food trucks from the Dayton area. Keep your eyes open for the popular beer garden as well!

Woodland Lights

Enjoy all kinds of lights and fun, festive activities perfect for the whole family

Countryside Park | 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd | Washington Township | washingtontwp.org‍

Thursday - Sunday: November 18 through December 23 - 6-9 pm

Nightly: December 15 through December 23 - 6-9 pm.  

On Wednesday, December 21 open until 11 pm

Closed December 24 & 25

Get ready for one of the best light festivals in the Dayton area, the Woodland Lights at Countryside Park! 2022 is the 30th year this festival has been in operation, and they’re ready to celebrate in style. You can stroll through 10 acres of beautiful light scenes that are sure to get anyone into the holiday mood. If you’re not up for walking, you can always take the train, the Rieck Express, which will take you past the pollinator garden and the pond.

Don’t forget about the carriage rides that are available nightly! That’s right, take a ride in an old fashioned carriage pulled by horses and take in the breathtaking scenery around you. While you’re there, you can enjoy festival food such as hot cocoa, funnel cakes, and hot pretzels. Kids can take their wish lists to Santa, who will be by the fireplace in the log cabin. You won’t want to miss out on all the events they have planned throughout the holiday season!

A Carillon Christmas

Head over to this holiday light show and really get into the festive mood

1000 Carillon Blvd | Dayton | daytonhistory.org‍

November 22-December 30, 2022 

5pm-9pm

If you’ve got your heart set on seeing a beautiful winter wonderland this holiday season, you’ve got to stop by the Carillon Christmas! It’s the perfect place to look at wonderful light displays, see the tree of light, stop by the Christmas cafe, and check out the offerings at the Morris and Hetzel bakery. The kids will love seeing Santa and the gorgeous candy cane slopes, and won’t want to miss out on the model train displays, storytelling, or taking a train ride around the historic campus.

The museum store and the Gristmill Christmas Village will be open for shopping, so make sure you come with your list. It’s also the perfect opportunity to enjoy some local brews at the Carillon Brewing Co.!

Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination and Children’s Parade

Celebrate 50 years of the Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination and Children’s Parade!

Downtown Dayton | downtowndayton.org‍

November 25, 2022 

4pm-9pm

One of the longest running holiday light up events in Dayton is the Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination and Children’s Parade. This historic event was started in 1972 by Mrs. Virginia Kettering, who wanted all children to be able to enjoy the fun of the holiday season, regardless of their economic background. Her wishes are still upheld each year in Dayton, as this festival keeps bringing the Dayton community together.

The two-story Christmas tree in the courthouse square will be lit up on November 25th at 7:55pm to kick off the holiday season. Watch as 50,000 gold lights suddenly illuminate the entire square! After the tree is lit, you’ll want to head over to see the Children’s Parade, which features all kinds of lights, seasonal floats, horses, marching bands, and drill teams. Watch out for treats along the way!

There will be live music throughout the evening, delicious festival food, carriage rides, and even a holiday village to check out. Don’t forget to stop and meet Santa’s two favorite ambassadors from the North Pole, his reindeer! You can even get a picture on Santa’s sleigh. 

Downtown Dayton has a variety of holiday events that take place throughout the season, so make sure you stop down to check out:

• Holiday windows dressed up for the season
• Virginia Kettering Holiday Train Display
• Movie series
• Downtown Jingle Lights
• Ice skating

Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

You don’t want to miss out on viewing the legendary lights at Clifton Mill

75 Water St | Clifton | cliftonmill.com/christmas‍

November 25 through December 30, 2022

Gates Open – 5pm

7 Nights a Week – 6pm to 9pm

Dec. 24th & 25th – 6pm to 8pm

Consistently voted as one of the best light shows in the country, Clifton Mill is certainly something to see this holiday season. Over four million lights are on display illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbank, trees, and bridges. Not to mention a spectacular light “waterfall” that is sure to dazzle both young and old alike. In addition to all the beautiful lights that make this historic mill shine, they also have a miniature village, a Santa Museum, a special toy collection, and a synchronized light show featuring the Old Covered Bridge.

This is an event you don’t want to miss this holiday season. If you’ve never seen Clifton Mill dressed up in lights, you’re in for a special treat!

Yuletide Village

Enjoy a beautiful season of lights at Yuletide Village

10542 E State Route 73 | Waynesville | yuletidevillage.com

November 25 - December 17, 2022

Friday 5 - 9 pm | Saturdays 3 - 9 pm

If you’re looking for something a little different this holiday season, why not check out the lights at Yuletide Village? Here you’ll find a 16th century village at the Renaissance Park all dressed up in its holiday finest. You can wander throughout the park and enjoy all kinds of shopping options to pick up gifts for everyone on your list. There are warming stations located throughout the park, where you can enjoy a sip of cocoa or cider and take in the festive carolers singing your favorite holiday tunes.

Make sure you take the little ones to visit Woodland Santa if they’re good, and if they’re on the naughty list, take them to visit Krampus!

Kettering Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting

You won’t want to miss this special Christmas tree lighting in Dayton

695 Lincoln Park Blvd | Dayton | playkettering.org‍

December 2, 2022

6:30pm-8pm

Grab your warm coats, hats, and gloves and meet with other members of the Kettering community to light the Christmas tree! Enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while you listen to the beautiful sounds of the children’s choir singing all your holiday favorites. Once the tree is lit, you can enjoy it all season long whenever you pass by. 

The Santa Paws event is back for another year as well! Bring your four legged friend along and get a cute photo with Santa. This is a great event for the whole family to kick off the start of the holiday season, so make sure you bring everyone, including your favorite doggo! 

Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk

Enjoy a serenely quiet walk outside through the Aullwood Garden Metropark

December 3, 2022

955 Aullwood Road | Englewood 

4pm-6pm

We all get a little busy during the holiday season, which is why it’s always a good idea to take some time to slow down and reflect. There is a lot to think about as the holidays approach, and one of the best ways to make sure we’re in a good head space is to spend some time outside. While it can be a little cold in December in Dayton, that’s no reason you can’t bundle up and experience the beauty and peacefulness of the Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk! 

The illuminated pathway will take you from the parking lot through the beautiful gardens and past the Aull House, which will be decorated for the holidays. The lights will be on as the sun sets, allowing visitors to walk through the path at dusk in order to observe the stillness of the winter gardens.

There are all kinds of light up events in and around Dayton this year. We hope you’ll consider checking out some of these! What is your favorite light up event? Let us know in the comments!