Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
As the fall semester draws to a close, students will slowly regain their free time and the opportunity to indulge in festive activities may present itself.
The Dayton and surrounding area are full of different places to celebrate:
Woodland Lights
Located on Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Township Recreation Center is the home of Woodland Lights.
It’s a half-mile-long trail lit up leading up to Christmas. There are promises of popular character sightings and even the chance to sit with Santa himself. Woodland Lights has pet nights, carnival rides, carriages and concessions to offer the public through Dec. 23.
Tickets are $9 per person, children under two years of age get in free.
Light Up Middletown
Light Up Middletown is a drive-thru attraction in which drivers can admire different light displays.
Admission is by cash donation, with no set ticket price.
The donations go to the reparation of the city of Middletown. Santa and Mrs. Claus make their appearance every Friday and Saturday night through Christmas, while the light show is open every night from Thanksgiving to New Year.
Metro Parks Ice Rink
Go ice skating on Dayton’s RiverScape MetroPark from Nov. 29 to March 1, weather permitting.
The daily schedule varies, but the MetroPark holds several different activities such as free skate, broomball and curling. Don’t forget to check out the concessions and enjoy hot cocoa or grilled cheese and soup.
There is a $6 entry fee as well as a $2 fee to rent ice skates.
Land of Illusion
Land of Illusion Adventure Park isn’t to be limited to the spooky season. A mile and a half of lights take over the location for holiday spirit, paired with a petting zoo, gift store, and Santa’s Workshop.
Customers can get $2 off of ticket price by bringing canned goods to be donated to Cassano’s Care Foundation.
Tickets are based per carload, as Land of Illusion prides itself on being the biggest drive-thru light show in the southwest region.
Carillon Park
Carillon Park is 65 acres large, offering a wealth of Dayton’s history.
A Carillon Christmas includes several different activities for the entire family to enjoy. Admiring the famous Carillon tree, shopping, dining, writing letters to Santa and a magical train ride are to name a few.
Cost is $12 per adult, $10 for seniors, $8 for children 3-17 and free for ages three and under.
Members of Dayton History Club get in free as well. A Carillon Christmas will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31.
La Comedia Dinner Theatre
“Elf the Musical” has made its home in La Comedia’s Dinner Theatre from Nov. 7 to Dec. 31.
Witness the musical based on the holiday classic and enjoy a buffet-style meal.
Ticket prices vary based on seating. La Comedia Dinner Theatre is located in Springboro.
Kings Island Winterfest
Winterfest includes a slew of different activities for the whole family. Games, carriage rides, cookie decorating and pictures with Santa are to name a few.
There are many different live shows to catch as well as full access to Kings Island while you’re there. Winterfest tickets start at $27.95.
Clifton Mill
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill made their debut 32 years ago.
There are a light show and the chance to peak in on Santa Claus working away in his shop, making his list and checking it twice.
It costs $10 to get in, children under three are free. Clifton Mill has four million lights to display proudly until Dec. 30.
Entertainment Junction
Located in West Chester, Entertainment Junction is the largest train display in the world. Not only are there endless displays, but there is also a journey through the North Pole that ends with cookies with Santa.
Tickets are regularly priced at $17.95, where children under two get in free. Christmas at the Junction goes from Nov. 16 to Jan. 1.
- Dayton’s Not Dead: TB Writers Plus
- Dayton’s Not Dead: Reduce & Reuse Refillery
- Dayton’s Not Dead: Pizza Bandit
