Carillon Tree of Light & A Carillon Christmas
Since 2015, Dayton History has transformed the Deeds Carillon at Carillon Historical Park into a 200-foot-tall Tree of Light for its annual A Carillon Christmas celebration. Visible for miles, the Tree of Light has quickly become Dayton’s newest holiday tradition and a not-to-be-missed site in November and December.
Carillon Historical Park's entire 65-acre campus becomes a winter wonderland of sparkle, magic and holiday cheer during A Carillon Christmas. In addition to the Tree of Light, it features visits with Santa, the Candy Cane Slopes, Christmas concerts, a Christmas Café, holiday storytelling, model train displays, miniature train rides, a holiday bakery, and much more.
This year, the event kicks off with the lighting of the Carillon Tree of Light on November 21 and runs through December 30. There is no charge to view or visit the Carillon Tree of Light, but there is an admission fee for A Carillon Christmas inside Carillon Historical Park.
Admission to A Carillon Christmas is $14 per adult (ages 18-59), $12 per senior (ages 60+) and $10 per child (ages 3-17). Admission is free for children 2 and under, as well as Dayton History members. Hours for A Carillon Christmas are Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m. and Friday/Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
Carillon Historical Park is located at 1000 Carillon Boulevard, just off Patterson Boulevard. Go to Carillon Historical Park’s website for more about A Carillon Christmas and the Tree of Light.
Washington Township Woodland Lights
The second stop on our tour of area light displays is Washington Township’s annual Woodland Lights, located at Countryside Park, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road.
Woodland Lights offers a fantasy land of holiday lights and displays along the half-mile paved path. Visitors can stroll through 10 acres of sparkling lights and whimsical displays or take a ride on the Rieck Express train along a separate path that winds past the Pollinator Garden and the vernal pond. Woodland Lights also features visits with Santa and several specially themed nights.
The month-long festival kicks off November 17 and is open 6-9 p.m. (gates close at 8:30) on November 17-19 and 24-26, as well as December 1-3, 8-10 and 14-23. General admission is $9 per person (children 2 and under free), and season passes are available for $20 per person. A special Preview Night will be held on November 16; tickets for the preview event are $5 per person and feature lights only.
Visit the Washington Township website and Woodland Lights Facebook page for more information about Woodland Lights.
Other Notable Holiday Lights
Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at Montgomery County Fairgrounds
An all-new award winning, drive-through light show is set to me on display, synchronized to music from November 17-January 7 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. If you're ready for a big dose of Christmas cheer, you'll enjoy this cutting-edge technology and traditional charm!
Grande Illumination Tree Lighting
Head over to our previous holiday blog post for more about the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Grande Illumination Tree Lighting and Children’s Parade, taking place on Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton on November 24.
Downtown Jingle Lights
From November 24-January 1, you can see downtown Dayton streets transformed into an interactive, drive-through light show, choreographed to the beat of your favorite holiday tunes. Tune your radio to 105.3 FM as you drive the route.
And of course many of our neighboring communities light up the holiday season as well! What are your favorite local holiday light displays? Is there a house in your neighborhood that rivals Clark Griswold’s from Christmas Vacation? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to check back here for our Dayton holiday shopping guide, and visit the Things to Do section of our website for more holiday fun around Dayton.
Images courtesy Dayton History/Carillon Historical Park and Woodland Lights
For more information on things to do in Dayton, contact the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 937-226-8211 (Monday-Friday) or download the free Visit Dayton App from Google Play or the Apple Store. Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!
