Last updated: November 11, 2024
Anticipating holiday cheer in Trotwood? Our guide will lead you to all the festive fun! From Trotwood regulars to first-time tourists, our guide highlights the season's top events.
One event that captures the spirit of the holidays is the 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade, where dazzling lights and joyful parades bring the community together. Another highlight is the enchanting Woodland Lights, which features a magical display of illuminations set against the backdrop of nature. And the Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024 is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing over four million lights that transform the picturesque mill into a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Trotwood Holiday Light Displays
Woodland Lights
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday light displays with train rides and Santa visits.
- Description
- Woodland Lights is an annual holiday event at Countryside Park, featuring ten acres of sparkling lights, whimsical displays, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can stroll through the illuminated path, take a ride on the Rieck Express train, and visit Santa in a cozy log cabin. The event includes pet-friendly nights, character nights, and various themed activities.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Woodland Lights
Centerville Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Musical performances and festive activities in a historic setting.
- Description
- The Centerville Tree Lighting at Benham's Grove features musical performances by the Centerville Community Band, Centerville Community Chorus, and Miami Valley Dance Company. Mayor Brooks Compton will lead the countdown to the tree lighting, following the Holiday Walk event through Uptown, which includes unique shopping, horse and carriage rides, visits with Santa, and holiday treats.
- Where
- Centerville | More Info : Centerville Tree Lighting
2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade
- What to Expect
- Traditional tree lighting and nighttime parade with over 100,000 lights.
- Description
- The 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade features a traditional tree lighting at Courthouse Square, followed by a nighttime parade with over 100,000 lights. Enjoy live entertainment, live reindeer, and various holiday activities.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination & Dayton Children's Parade
Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024
- What to Expect
- Synchronized lights and music show on historic mill grounds.
- Description
- Clifton Mill's Legendary Lights feature over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees, and bridges. The display includes a 100-foot "waterfall" of twinkling lights, a Miniature Village, and a Santa Claus Museum. Every night, guests can peek into Santa's Workshop to see a live Santa at work and watch him check his list and go up the chimney.
- Where
- Clifton | More Info : Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2024
Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve
- What to Expect
- Animated light displays along a 1.25-mile driving tour.
- Description
- The Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve features a 1.25-mile driving tour through woods and charming farm lanes, showcasing over 60 animated light displays, including the historic Knoop Homestead.
- Where
- Troy | More Info : Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve
ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park
- What to Expect
- Dazzling LED light displays with festive themes.
- Description
- Drive through Caesar Ford Park to see dazzling LED light displays, including the Winter Wonderland, North Pole Car Show, Winter Farm, and Festive Festival. Wave to Santa at the North Pole as you exit.
- Where
- Xenia | More Info : ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park
Dayton Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Traditional tree lighting and children's parade with over 100,000 lights.
- Description
- The Dayton Holiday Festival is a family-friendly event in downtown Dayton, featuring the Grande Illumination tree lighting, Dayton Children's Parade, live main stage entertainment, live reindeer, and various holiday activities.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Dayton Winter Festival
Trotwood Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Arts & Craft Show
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping experience with local artisans.
- Description
- The Holiday Arts & Craft Show features over 100 vendors displaying festive holiday decorations and handmade gift items at the Kettering Recreation Complex and Lathrem Senior Center.
- Where
- Kettering | More Info : Holiday Arts & Craft Show
St Peter Christmas Bazaar
- What to Expect
- Extensive selection of unique, high-quality craft items and vintage Christmas items.
- Description
- The St Peter Christmas Bazaar features over 100 craft and vendor booths, a Christmas Rummage Sale, homemade food, cabbage rolls, and a basket raffle. It offers a variety of unique, high-quality items and delicious homemade meals in a fully accessible space.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : St Peter Christmas Bazaar
St. Matthew Holiday Bazaar
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday shopping event with a mix of food and vendor booths.
- Description
- The St. Matthew Holiday Bazaar at St. Matthew Lutheran Church features a lunch counter, cookie walk, bake sale, and vendor booths offering a variety of holiday items.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : St. Matthew Holiday Bazaar
The Indulge Holiday Event
- What to Expect
- Free health screenings and unique shopping experience.
- Description
- The Indulge Holiday Event offers free health screenings, live music, silent auctions, and shopping from 50 unique businesses, all in support of the American Heart Association.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : The Indulge Holiday Event
Hometown Holiday Walk in the Heart of Centerville
- What to Expect
- Complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides and a Vendor Village with over 20 local vendors.
- Description
- The Hometown Holiday Walk in the Heart of Centerville is a family-friendly event featuring local shopping, dining, and activities like visits with Santa and horse-drawn carriage rides. The event culminates with a holiday tree lighting ceremony at Benham's Grove.
- Where
- Centerville | More Info : Hometown Holiday Walk in the Heart of Centerville
Christkindl Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional German market with unique gifts and food.
- Description
- The Christkindlmarkt is an old-world-style Christmas Market offering handcrafted ornaments, traditional food, and Gluhwein. Quality vendors sell unique gifts, antiques, and collectibles. Delicious food and beverages are available on-site or for carry-out.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Christkindl Market
Gifts To Go Holiday Bazaar
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts donated by local residents and businesses.
- Description
- Gifts To Go Holiday Bazaar at Museum Friends Home features new, donated items from local businesses and residents, with proceeds benefiting the museum. The event includes raffles and holiday activities.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Gifts To Go Holiday Bazaar
Sugar Plum Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local art, crafts, and gourmet gifts.
- Description
- The Sugar Plum Holiday Market at Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, offers a delightful shopping experience with a wide selection of art, crafts, gourmet gift foods, boutiques, and vintage gifts. Support local businesses and enjoy the holiday spirit in beautiful ballrooms.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Sugar Plum Holiday Market
Vandalia Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Grand tree lighting with holiday market and festive activities.
- Description
- The Vandalia Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Market is a holiday celebration featuring a grand tree lighting, holiday market with various vendors, and festive activities including refreshments and music.
- Where
- Vandalia | More Info : Vandalia Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Market
Trotwood Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park
- What to Expect
- Annual holiday celebration with live music and gourmet food.
- Description
- Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park is an annual holiday gala featuring live music, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, delicious desserts, specialty cocktails, a silent auction, and Dayton's Most Delicious Dessert contest.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park
Elf in Concert
- What to Expect
- Live symphony orchestra performance accompanying the film Elf.
- Description
- Buddy, accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler, is raised among Santa's elves. This holiday season, Buddy travels to New York with a live symphony orchestra. The full film of Elf plays on the big screen while the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra performs John Debney's wonderful score.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Elf in Concert
Hometown Holidays
- What to Expect
- Traditional holiday carols and sing-alongs with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Description
- Hometown Holidays is a festive concert featuring sing-alongs, toe-tapping holiday melodies, and traditional carols, conducted by Associate Conductor Patrick Reynolds and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Where
- Dayton | More Info : Hometown Holidays
Trotwood Other Holiday Activities
Englewood Holiday Celebration
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly entertainment with Santa and balloon animals.
- Description
- Englewood's annual Holiday Open House Celebration features holiday music by the Englewood Civic Band, balloon animals, and a visit from Santa Claus. Cookies will be served, and the event is open to everyone.
- Where
- Englewood | More Info : Englewood Holiday Celebration