1. Local Holiday Markets
The Dayton area offers a number of unique holiday markets, featuring a wide range of items from local vendors and artisans. Most occur in late November or early December, so grab your cash and head on out the door!
Handmade Holiday at Yellow Cab Tavern: This festive event features 23 talented vendors selling unique handmade items perfect for holiday gifting, on December 6 from 5-10 p.m. and December 7 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Enjoy themed cocktails, discover special surprises, and shop local all in one place. Best of all, entry is free!
Holly Days at the Dayton Arcade: With over 30 artisan vendors, live performances, food trucks, and family-friendly fun, Holly Days returns to the Dayton Arcade on December 11-13, with free entry from 3-8 p.m. each day. This year’s event includes a food drive benefiting The Foodbank, plus dining at Gather by Ghostlight and Table 33. Enjoy free shuttle service to 2nd Street Market.
Christkindlmarkt at Dayton Liederkranz Turner: Wrap up your holiday shopping at the annual celebration of the centuries-old Christmas market tradition that originated in Nürnberg, Germany. Old-world charm meets festive cheer on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and December 15 from 12-4 p.m. when you can enjoy traditional food, Gluhwein, and browse unique handcrafted gifts from over 20 vendors, including ornaments, antiques, and jewelry. Free admission; parking available at Bomberger Park.
2. Downtown Dollars
Downtown Dollars is an e-gift card program created by the Downtown Dayton Partnership to keep local dollars with Dayton’s downtown businesses. When you purchase Downtown Dollars, you receive a digital e-gift card that can be redeemed at more than 70 participating locations around the downtown Dayton area – everything from local shops to restaurants and even the Dayton Dragons!
See the participating businesses
How it Works: Select the total amount of Downtown Dollars you wish to purchase. Choose your recipient (family, friends or yourself) and send via email or text message. The recipient can use that value to make purchases at participating gift card merchants!
Read more about the program and purchase your Downtown Dollars at the Downtown Dayton Partnership website.
3. Museum Store Sunday
Sure you’ve heard of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, but did you know that Museum Store Sunday is a thing? It is! On Sunday, December 1, consider supporting local museums and galleries like the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton Art Institute, Carillon Historical Park, The Contemporary Dayton (The Co), Aullwood Audubon Center & Farm and America's Packard Museum by shopping at their stores.
4. Give the Gift of Experiences
Studies have shown that experiences can be some of the best holiday gifts, whether it’s tickets to an event or a membership to an area attraction. Here are a few suggestions:
A gift membership to one of our area attractions like the Dayton Art Institute, Carillon Historical Park or the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is the gift that keeps on giving, as they say, offering free admission throughout the year.
Not a museum kind of person? Think about gifting tickets to a performance or sporting event! Dayton showcases some spectacular arts performances and winter is the thriving season for them! The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance and Dayton Live have an abundance of tickets to varying opera, philharmonic, ballet, musical, and more shows to choose from. For the sports lovers, First Four® is a treasured NCAA® basketball event that Dayton is pleased to host yet again. Witness the intense moments of a collegiate tournament in action when you buy your tickets!
5. Explore Local Shopping Districts & Centers
Don’t forget to explore the many unique stores in the various Dayton-area shopping districts and centers, including the eclectic local shops of the Oregon Historic District, as well as the Shops of Oakwood, Town & Country Shopping Center, the historic downtowns in Centerville and Miamisburg, shopping at Austin Landing and more.
Couldn't find EXACTLY what you were looking for above? Check out Downtown Dayton's Holiday Gift Guide for some great things that might not have come to mind. Where do you love to shop? What’s the best holiday gift you’ve received? Let us know in the comments! While you’re out doing all that shopping, grab a bit to eat at one of our many local restaurants and maybe snag a gift card for one to give as a gift. See the restaurant listings here at DestinationDayton.org for some great suggestions!
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Be sure to request a FREE Destination Dayton Visitors Guide and download the FREE Destination Dayton App for more about things to see and do in Dayton. For more information about Destination Dayton and the services it offers, explore our website or call 800-221-8235.
