Get an overview of the festive season in Kettering. Our guide includes all the key events and activities to ensure you don’t miss out on any holiday fun. Discover what makes this city a special place to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the winter festivities.
One of the highlights is the Holiday at Home Festival, which fills the city with a joyful atmosphere through parades, live music, and seasonal crafts. The twinkling, synchronized lights at the Christmas Glow create a mesmerizing experience where visitors can drive through illuminated paths and festive scenes. And Woodland Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its enchanting light displays, carriage rides, and visits from Santa. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Kettering
See these and even more events listed below!Kettering Other Holiday Activities
Holiday at Home Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven festival celebrating local traditions
Description:
Kettering's Holiday at Home Festival transforms the city into a hub of hometown cheer. This community-driven celebration showcases local artisans, musicians, and culinary experts. Visitors can participate in the festive parade, a longstanding tradition since 1959. The event honors Kettering's rich history, named after inventor Charles F. Kettering. As you stroll through the festival grounds, the aroma of freshly baked treats fills the air, inviting you to indulge in local specialties.
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Victorian Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era Christmas experience
Description:
Kettering's Victorian Christmas Village recreates the charm and elegance of a 19th-century holiday celebration. This immersive event features costumed interpreters, period-accurate decorations, and traditional Victorian pastimes. Visitors can learn the art of making authentic Victorian Christmas crackers. The village pays homage to Kettering's growth during the Victorian era, a time of rapid industrialization. Step back in time and experience the refined elegance of a bygone holiday season.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Glow (Dayton)
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and art displays
Description:
Dayton's Christmas Glow illuminates the city with innovative light installations and interactive art displays. This cutting-edge event merges technology and creativity, offering a fresh take on holiday lighting. Visitors can manipulate certain light displays using smartphone apps, creating a personalized experience. The event pays homage to Dayton's legacy of innovation, birthplace of aviation pioneers the Wright brothers. Immerse yourself in the dazzling array of colors as you explore the illuminated cityscape.
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Woodland Lights (Washington Township)
What to Expect:
Nature-inspired holiday light display in a forest setting
Description:
Woodland Lights in Washington Township brings the forest to life with twinkling lights and nature-inspired displays. This unique event intertwines holiday cheer with the natural beauty of the woodland setting. Visitors can embark on a guided night hike to spot illuminated wildlife sculptures. The event draws inspiration from the area's rich Native American history, incorporating elements of local folklore. Wander through the glowing trails and discover the harmony between nature and holiday spirit.
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Dayton Ballet's The Nutcracker (Dayton)
What to Expect:
Locally produced rendition of the classic ballet
Description:
Dayton Ballet's The Nutcracker captivates audiences with its locally produced rendition of the beloved holiday classic. This production showcases the talent of Dayton's dancers and musicians, bringing a unique regional flair to the timeless tale. Attendees can marvel at the intricate costumes, handcrafted by local artisans. The performance takes place in the historic Victoria Theatre, a Dayton landmark since 1866. Let the graceful movements of the dancers transport you to a world of sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers.
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Dayton Ballet's The Nutcracker
Clifton Mill's Christmas Lights (Clifton)
What to Expect:
Historic mill transformed into a holiday spectacle
Description:
Clifton Mill's Christmas Lights spectacle transforms a 19th-century grist mill into a breathtaking holiday display. This event stands out for its sheer scale, with over 4 million lights adorning the mill and surrounding landscape. Visitors can witness the miniature village display, featuring over 100 intricate buildings. The mill, built in 1802, is one of the largest water-powered grist mills still in existence. Gaze in awe as the lights synchronize to holiday music, creating a symphony of illumination.
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Clifton Mill's Christmas Lights
Holiday in the City (Springfield)
What to Expect:
City-wide celebration with diverse holiday activities
Description:
Holiday in the City engulfs Springfield in a whirlwind of seasonal cheer. This expansive event offers a diverse array of activities across the city, from ice skating to holiday markets. Visitors can join the Grand Illumination ceremony, marking the official start of the holiday season. Springfield, known as the "Champion City," infuses its industrial heritage into the celebrations. Explore the city's festooned streets and discover hidden gems of holiday spirit around every corner.
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Cumberland Holiday Walk (Dayton)
What to Expect:
Historic district transformed into a Victorian-era Christmas scene
Description:
The Cumberland Holiday Walk transports visitors to a Victorian-era Christmas in Dayton's historic district. This unique event recreates the ambiance of 19th-century holiday celebrations with period costumes and decorations. Visitors can partake in traditional caroling led by costumed performers. The walk showcases the architectural beauty of Cumberland, a neighborhood developed in the late 1800s. Stroll along the gas-lit streets and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of Christmases past.
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Ring in the Season (Dayton)
What to Expect:
Bell-ringing performances and interactive music experiences
Description:
Ring in the Season fills Dayton with the joyous sounds of bells and chimes. This auditory celebration features performances by handbell choirs and carillonneurs from across the region. Visitors can try their hand at ringing massive church bells under expert guidance. The event highlights Dayton's rich musical heritage, home to numerous acclaimed composers and musicians. Listen closely as the harmonious peals of bells echo through the city streets, heralding the arrival of the holiday season.
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Holiday Market at 2nd Street Market (Dayton)
What to Expect:
Local artisans and farmers showcase holiday-themed products
Description:
The Holiday Market at 2nd Street Market showcases Dayton's finest local artisans and farmers. This event stands out for its focus on handcrafted, locally sourced holiday gifts and treats. Visitors can sample artisanal foods and watch live demonstrations by skilled craftspeople. The market takes place in a repurposed historic freight house, built in 1911. Peruse the stalls filled with unique holiday offerings, each item telling a story of local creativity and tradition.
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Holiday Market at 2nd Street Market
Christmas in Springboro (Springboro)
What to Expect:
Small-town charm meets big holiday spirit
Description:
Christmas in Springboro embodies the essence of small-town holiday celebrations with a grand twist. This event transforms the quaint town into a hub of holiday activity, featuring one of the largest holiday parades in the region. Visitors can participate in the Gingerbread House Contest, showcasing their architectural and confectionery skills. Springboro, founded in 1815, infuses its rich history into the festivities. Embrace the warmth of community spirit as you join in the town-wide celebrations.
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A Carillon Christmas (Dayton)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebrations centered around a historic carillon tower
Description:
A Carillon Christmas in Dayton centers its celebrations around the majestic Deeds Carillon. This unique event features nightly concerts performed on the 151-foot carillon tower, filling the air with the resonant tones of 57 bells. Visitors can tour the carillon and learn about its fascinating history and mechanics. The Deeds Carillon, dedicated in 1942, stands as a symbol of Dayton's musical heritage. Bask in the glow of holiday lights as the carillon's melodies float through the crisp winter air.