December Events Guide: Festivals, Markets & Fun Near You!

GREATER DAYTON AND BEYOND DECEMBER EVENTS: 2025 SCHEDULE

Discover December in Southern Ohio with tree lightings, holiday markets, Santa visits, and festive performances. From Hamilton’s Christkindlmarkt to Kings Island’s WinterFest and Richmond’s holiday orchestra, embrace the season’s magic across the region.

BUTLER COUNTY

FRIDAY FLURRIES
Dec 5 | 6 PM | Liberty Township
Meet holiday characters, enjoy face painting, tunes, and festive activities at this seasonal celebration.

HAMILTON CHRISTKINDLMARKT
Dec 5 & 6 | Various | Hamilton
Two-day German-style market with Glühwein, treats, musicians, dancers, and 50+ artisan vendors.

OXFORD HOLIDAY WALK
Dec 5 | 5 PM | Oxford
Uptown glows with window displays; vote for favorites while shopping and enjoying treats.

THE NUTCRACKER
Dec 5 | Various Times | Fairfield
Miami Valley Ballet Theatre’s full-length classic with snow, growing tree, and traditions.

YULE MARKET & KRAMPUS PARADE
Dec 6 | 2 PM | Hamilton
Dress as Krampus for noisy parade, then shop artisan market with food trucks and music.

CHRISTMAS ON THE PLAZA
Dec 6 | 6 PM | Monroe
Tree lighting, Santa photos, pizza, hot chocolate, balloon art, pony rides, inflatables, and train rides.

WRAP & YAP
Dec 6 | 10:30 AM | Trenton
Wrap gifts with others, enjoy tunes, hot cocoa, and provided or bring-your-own materials.

OXFORD HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
Dec 6 | Times Vary | Oxford
Artisan market, kids crafts, Santa on carriage, tree lighting, reindeer games, and igloo cocoa.

CHRISTMAS AT THE MANSION
Dec 7 | 1 PM | Fairfield
Victorian-decorated Elisha Morgan Mansion open house with crafts and history.

SANTA PAWS PET PARADE
Dec 13 | 11 AM | Hamilton
Dress pets in holiday best for parade and pet-friendly activities.

HOLIDAYS IN THE HIGHLANDS HOME TOUR
Dec 13 | 4 PM | Middletown
Tour festively decorated historic homes in Highlands District with additional activities.

BEATLEMANIA MAGIC
Dec 13 | 8 PM | Middletown
Tribute band recreates early Beatles concerts with costumes and harmonies at Sorg Opera House.

SPOKEN SPECTACLE OF LIGHTS
Dec 13 | 7 PM | Hamilton
Glowing bike ride through Marcum Park and German Village.

PIONEER CHRISTMAS
Dec 14 | 1 PM | West Chester
Victorian-decorated cabin at Keehner Park with Santa, fireplace, molasses cookies, and cider.

SKATE WITH SANTA
Dec 20 | 3:15 PM | Oxford
Lace up and skate with Santa at Goggin Ice Center.

A CELTIC CHRISTMAS
Dec 20 | 8 PM | Fairfield
Tartan Terrors mix Celtic and classic Christmas with Hogmanay tunes.

CLARK & CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Dec 5-7 | 10 AM | Urbana
Stroll downtown shops with boutiques, antiques, sweets, coffee, wine, and restaurants.

SPRINGFIELD TRAIN SHOW
Dec 7 | 10 AM | Springfield
Model trains, collectibles, books, and vendors; $5 admission.

SANTA CON
Dec 13 | 3 PM | Springfield
Spread United Way cheer with drinks, fellowship, and holiday nostalgia.

ROARING 20’S SPEAKEASY CHRISTMAS GALA
Dec 13 | 6 PM | Urbana
Casino games, auctions, 1920s dress encouraged; tickets $40-$300.

CENTRAL STATES RABBIT SHOW
Dec 19 | 11 AM | Springfield
American Rabbit Breeders Association show in Clark County.

CLINTON COUNTY

WC MUSIC DEPARTMENT WINTER CONCERT
Dec 3 | 7:30 PM | Wilmington
Seasonal music performance by Wilmington College Music Department.

BRUNCH WITH SANTA AT RALPH’S AMERICAN GRILL
Dec 21 | 10 AM | Wilmington
Santa & Mrs. Claus photos, letters, Buster the donkey, photographer, dog-friendly.

GREENE COUNTY

XENIA CHRISTMAS STATION
Dec 5 | 5 PM | Xenia
Santa, crafts, music, choirs, carriage rides, merchant market, and food trucks.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS EVE
Dec 6 | Various Times | Fairborn
All-new production with pyrotechnics, lasers, and storytelling at Nutter Center.

WINTER WELCOME AT WARTINGER PARK
Dec 12 | 5 PM | Beavercreek
Visit cabins with Santa, reindeer, crafts, carolers, and hot cocoa.

CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dec 12 | 7 PM | Fairborn
Showtime Performing Arts brings redemption tale to life; three performances.

HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL & FOOD TRUCK RALLY
Dec 13 | 11 AM | Fairborn
Hot chocolate varieties, food trucks, Santa photos; free admission.

THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 100 YEAR TOUR
Dec 31 | Various | Beavercreek
Centennial celebration with dunks, tricks, and thrills at WSU Nutter Center.

HAMILTON & CLERMONT COUNTY

SCUBA SANTA’S WATER WONDERLAND AT NEWPORT AQUARIUM
Nov 28 – Dec 24 | 10 AM | Cincinnati
Scuba Santa swims with sharks; kids share wishes through glass.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Nov 21 – Dec 28 | 7 PM, 2 PM | Cincinnati
Scrooge’s supernatural transformation in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.

DOWNTOWN DAZZLE
Nov 29 – Dec 20 | 6 PM | Cincinnati
Santa rappels, fireworks, family activities, and Fountain Bar every Saturday.

COBBLESTONE OVER-THE-RHINE WINTER WONDERLAND
Nov 14 – Jan 4 | Times Vary | Cincinnati
Pop-up bar with lights, décor, and themed holiday cocktails.

HOLIDAY JUNCTION AT THE CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER
Nov 14 – Jan 5 | 10 AM | Cincinnati
Duke Energy trains, Northern Lights, scavenger hunt, and Brickopolis LEGO city.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Dec 5 & 6 | 7:30 PM | Cincinnati
CSO, May Festival Chorus, and soloists perform with “Hallelujah Chorus.”

A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS
Dec 12 | 7 PM | Cincinnati
Acrobatics, comedy, and Christmas classics in dazzling spectacle.

A MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL FILM SCREENING WITH LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Dec 13 | 2 & 7 PM | Cincinnati
Live puppets perform songs synced to film; VIP orchestra photos.

BREAKFAST WITH THE GRINCH
Dec 13 | 8 AM – 1 PM | Milford
4th annual festive breakfast event with Time Savers Heating and Cooling.

MIAMI & SHELBY COUNTY

AN 1815 JOHNSTON CHRISTMAS
Dec 5 & 6 | Various | Piqua
Hearth-cooked 19th-century meal and traditions; reservations from Nov 1.

THE TEXAS TENORS CHRISTMAS
Dec 6 | 7 PM | Troy
Award-winning harmonies perform Christmas favorites at Arbogast PAC.

TIPPECANOE AND CHRISTMAS TOO
Dec 6 | 12 PM | Tipp City
Tour eight decorated historic homes, enjoy music, shopping, and dining.

DOWNTOWN PIQUA HOLIDAY PARADE
Dec 6 | 3 PM | Piqua
Old-fashioned hometown parade fills streets with festive floats.

HOLIDAY CONCERT AT TROY-HAYNER: GEM CITY RINGERS
Dec 13 | 7:30 PM | Troy
Handbell ensemble performs carols in Christmas Movies-themed East Room.

HOLLY JOLLY 5K/10K RUN
Dec 13 | 9 AM | Piqua
Scenic run on Piqua PATH; register at mainstreetpiqua.com or cantstoprunningco.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR
Dec 14 | 4 PM | Troy
Broadway-style song and dance with Rockette dancers and Santa’s pals.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

DEAR SANTA MAILBOX
Dec 1-15 | 6 PM | West Carrollton
Drop letters in Civic Center lobby with stamped self-addressed envelope for reply.

WASSAIL, WIT, AND WHO DONE IT? PRESENTED BY MAYHEM & MYSTERY
Thru Jan 26 | 6:45 PM | Dayton
Interactive dinner theater with caroling mystery; solve over dinner and dessert.

EXHIBIT: THE TRIUMPH OF NATURE: ART NOUVEAU FROM THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART
Thru Jan 11 | Museum Hours | Dayton
120+ turn-of-century treasures including Tiffany and Gallé; exclusive Ohio venue.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING CONTEST
Dec 5 | 5:30 PM | West Carrollton
Decorate provided house; judging at Holiday Festival.

MIAMISBURG HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & BAZAAR
Dec 6 | 4 PM | Miamisburg
Parade, tree lighting, family activities at Riverfront Park.

DECK THE DIAMOND: WINTER SPECTACULAR AT DAY AIR BALLPARK
Through Dec 8 | 6 PM | Dayton
1.1 million lights, entertainment, Merry Market, treats, and Santa photos.

HOLLY DAYS AT THE ARCADE
Dec 10-12 | Various | Dayton
50+ artisan vendors, live music, food trucks, gift wrap, and Miami Valley Meals drive.

ELF MOVIE PARTY – DAYTON DINNER THEATER
Dec 10 | 6 PM | Dayton
Themed cuisine, live music, trivia, costume party, and interactive screening.

DAYTON BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER
Dec 13 – 22 | Various | Dayton
Clara’s magical journey with live Dayton Philharmonic.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE MIAMI VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Dec 14 | 3 & 7 PM | Dayton
Gem City Ballet and Santa at Dayton Masonic Center; free reserved seats.

AN EVENING WITH PETER BILLINGSLEY AND A CHRISTMAS STORY
Dec 20 | 7:30 PM | Dayton
Screening followed by Ralphie actor interview and Q&A.

NOON YEAR’S EVE 2026
Dec 31 | 11 AM | West Carrollton
Crafts, hats, bubbly, snacks for ages 5-12; balloon pop and quiet area.

WARREN COUNTY

WINTERFEST AT KINGS ISLAND
Nov 28 – Dec 31 | Select Days | Mason
7 million lights, ice skating, live shows, and nightly tree lighting.

WAYNESVILLE’S CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
Dec 5 – 7 | Various | Waynesville
1300+ luminaries, Santa on firetruck, entertainment, and 40+ shops.

THE NORTH POLE EXPRESS
Through Dec 23 | Various | Lebanon
1-hour 15-min festive train ride with Santa, elves, bell, and cookie.

SCROOGE! THE MUSICAL
Through Dec 28 | Various | Springboro
Musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol with Bricusse score at La Comedia.