COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: Tree lighting ceremonies to illuminate holiday spirit across Dayton region
Nov. 16—Over the next few weekends, one of Dayton's most beloved holiday traditions will be taking place throughout the Miami Valley — holiday tree lightings!
Across the region, holiday trees large and small will be decorated with twinkle lights and ornaments while communities gather to ring in the official beginning of the holiday season.
Here's a collection of holiday tree lighting ceremonies taking place around the region from Troy to Lebanon.
Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival Parade at The Greene
Where: The Greene Town Square in Beavercreek
When: Thursday, Nov. 16, starting at 5 p.m.
More info: Facebook
The Greene will host its own holiday tree lighting on Thursday, Nov. 16. The event will feature the yearly Santa arrival parade, a DJ, a petting zoo, and more to celebrate this time of year.
Centerville Uptown Holiday Weekend and Mayor's Tree Lighting
Where: Benham's Grove, 166 N. Main St., Centerville
When: Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 19. The Mayor's Tree lighting festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19.
More info: Facebook
Centerville will be hosting a weekend of holiday magic with the Uptown Holiday Weekend from Nov. 17 to 19. Featuring concerts, children's activities, and their annual Uptown Holiday Walk.
As part of this weekend-long celebration, the Mayor's Tree lighting event will be held on Nov. 19, starting at 5:30 p.m. This event will host the Centerville Community Band, Miami Valley Dance Company, and the Community Chorus and special guests Elsa and Anna. Mayor Brooks Compton will be leading the countdown to the illumination of the tree. After the tree has been lit, families can enjoy taking pictures with Elsa and Anna and experience a concert featuring Alexis Gomez.
Hamilton Welcomes the Holidays Tree Lighting
Where: Marcum Park, 106 North 2nd St.
When: Nov. 18. Hamilton Welcomes the Holidays Tree Lighting, 5-8 p.m.
More info: Facebook
View the holiday tree lighting in Marcum Park and visit Santa Claus. Enjoy live holiday music, pet a real reindeer, and take a carriage or train ride, among other activities.
Dayton Holiday Festival's Grande Illumination
Where: Courthouse Square, Third and Main Streets.
When: Friday, Nov. 24. Dayton Holiday Festival to take place from 3 to 8 p.m.; Tree lighting at 7 p.m.
More info: Website
Thousands of lights encompassing Dayton's three-story-tall tree will be switched on at downtown Dayton's Grande Illumination on Friday, Nov. 24. The Grande Illumination is a part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, which will take place in downtown Dayton at a new time, from 3 to 8 p.m. on the same day.
The tree lighting ceremony will be followed by the annual Children's Parade Spectacular in Lights, a nighttime parade for children that features more than 100,000 sparkling lights., decorative seasonal floats, horses, drill teams and bands and special holiday treats.
Magic of Middletown Tree Lighting Ceremony
Where: The South Green, downtown
When: Friday, Nov. 24, 4-8 p.m.; Tree Lighting, 6 p.m.
More info: Website
Holiday on Main Street presents The Magic of Middletown holiday celebrations begin in Downtown Middletown on Thanksgiving weekend. The weekend festivities run until Christmas. The Magic of Middletown Tree Lighting Ceremony. The evening includes wagon rides, caroling, Santa's arrival, photos with Santa and more.
Lebanon Holiday Illumination
Where: Christmas Tree Park in downtown Lebanon, at the corner of Broadway and Main St.
When: Friday, Nov. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
More info: Website
The city of Lebanon will be continuing their annual tradition by holding their Christmas Holiday Illumination on 6- 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 24. Santa will also be making an appearance at this event to help kick off the holiday season.
Urbana Holiday Horse Parade
Where: Downtown Urbana
When: Friday, Nov. 24, 4- 8 p.m.
More info: Website
As a part of their annual Holiday Horse Parade, the city of Urbana will be lighting their Christmas tree in Legacy Park starting at 5:30 p.m. Throughout the evening, families can also experience activities like visiting Santa and watching the annual parade, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
Troy Tree Lighting
Where: Troy Public Square, Troy 45373
When: Friday, Nov. 24, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
More info: Facebook
The city of Troy is inviting residents to downtown Troy's Public Square on Friday, Nov. 24 to witness the lighting of Troy's holiday tree and levee.
Springfield Holiday in the City- The Grand Illumination
Where: 100 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502-1208, United States
When: Friday Nov. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m.
More info: Facebook
Beginning at 4 p.m., the annual Holiday in the City kicks off in Springfield with live music, an outdoor market, wreath making, ice sculptures and more! The city has also confirmed that the ice skating rink will also return for its third year. Santa is planned to arrive at the event at approximately 6 p.m.
Mayor Lehner's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Where: Lincoln Park Civic Commons, 675 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering
When: Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
More info: Website
This year, guests can join Kettering Mayor Marguerite B. Lehner as he lights the city's holiday tree at Lincoln Park Civic Commons. Guests can experience other elements of the event as well, such as appearances by the Kettering Children's Choir, hot chocolate, and more.
The Santa Paws event also returns this year, which encourages guests to bring their pups to the Mayor's Tree Lighting to take photos with special props and backgrounds.
2023 Huber Heights Christmas Parade
Where: 5310 Packard Rd Huber Heights, Ohio
When: Saturday Dec. 2, at 4 to 7 p.m.
More info: Website
The Huber Heights Christmas Parade, organized by Engage City Church, will feature all the lights and magic that families usually expect from the holiday season. The parade starts in the Meijer parking lot on Executive Boulevard and travels with Santa to the Eichelberger Amphitheatre, 8625 Brandt Pike, where the tree lighting will be held.
Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting in Fairborn
Where: 103 W Main St, Fairborn, OH 45324
When: Friday, Dec. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m.
More info: Website
Fairborn will be kicking off this season with their Hometown Holiday Event and Tree lighting, featuring Santa's Candy Cane Land! This event, which starts at 4 p.m., will allow children to take part in free activities such as arts and crafts, pictures at an inflatable snow globe, and letter writing to Santa.
To cap off the event, at 7 p.m., Santa will arrive and light the holiday tree and officially start the holiday season in Fairborn.
Miamisburg's Holiday Celebration
Where: Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami Ave., Miamisburg
When: Saturday, Dec. 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
More info: www.playmiamisburg.com
Mayor Michelle Collins will be lighting Miamisburg's holiday tree at Riverfront Park. The tree lighting will take place after the city's holiday parade, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and travels down Main Street. The tree lighting is planned for 6:05 p.m. Guests coming to the festival can also stop by the Holiday bazaar, take photos, experience dance shows, and partake in arts and crafts.
Vandalia Tree Lighting Ceremony
Where: Vandalia Recreation Center, 1111 Stonequarry Rd., Dayton
When: Sunday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
More info: Website
The city of Vandalia will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Vandalia Recreation Center. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at the Vandalia Sports Complex at 6 p.m. Guests will also be able to enjoy refreshments, music and visits with Santa Claus.
The Holiday Market will also be up and running from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. inside of the Vandalia Recreation Center Gymnasium.
Lighting Up Oakwood
Where: Shafor Park, located on Shafor Boulevard and Patterson Road in Oakwood
When: Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
More info: Website
Beginning at 6 p.m., lit luminaries will line the boulevards on Far Hills Avenue, Shafor Boulevard and other prominent buildings in Oakwood. At 6:30 p.m., the illumination of the city's holiday tree will take place at Shafor Park, along with live entertainment, refreshments, visits with Santa Claus and horse-drawn carriage rides.
