Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Like the Holiday’s that we look forward to… El Meson also looks forward to our Champagne and Chocolate event. Pairing 5 sparkling wines with both savory and sweet small plates. You determine which you enjoyed and why! Give this event as a pre-Xmas present or better yet a group of friends and just have fun! Make your reservations now at elmeson.net
Join us for the first-ever “A Very Crabby Christmas” featuring two amazing Ohio bands: crabswithoutlegs and Dairy Family! These jazz-fusion, funk inspired original bands are putting together a special holiday show that you won’t want to miss!
HOW TO GO?
Thursday, December 18th
at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton)
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
All ages welcome!
Tickets $20+ (all seated)
Special reserved table options are available too!
Get your ticket here: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/a-very-crabby-christmas-2025-12-18-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-798052
Focus on wellness while spending time at the Market. Enjoy a variety of free and effective workouts at the Market, stay for lunch and shopping.
Calling all Swifties! Are you ready for it?
The Brightside Music and Event Venue is bringing back THE TAYLOR PARTY, a Taylor Swift-inspired dance celebration on Friday, December 19th from 9:00 PM to 11:50 PM. This 18+ event invites fans to relive the magic of all Taylor’s iconic Eras in one unforgettable night.
Whether you’re still processing the Eras Tour on Disney+ or just need an excuse to break out your best Era-inspired outfit, this is your moment. The Taylor Party promises an enchanting evening of singing, dancing, and celebrating everything Taylor Swift with fellow fans.
Pick your favorite Era outfit (will it be Folklore cottage core or Midnights sparkle?), grab your besties, and get ready to party in style. From “Love Story” to “Anti-Hero,” every Era will be represented on the dance floor.
Long live the magic you’ll make at this ultimate Swiftie celebration! Get your tickets now before they’re gone—this party is sure to sell out faster than you can say “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”
Event Details:
For more information and tickets, visit thebrightsidedayton.com
It was an honor for VA nurse emeritus , Margaret Kruckemeyer to help lay wreaths at the gravesites of veterans who did so much to ensure the freedom we Americans enjoy today.
Most of the 8,300 wreaths for this year’s Wreath Across America event were placed on gravesites after the noon WAA honoring ceremony at Dayton’s National VA Cemetery by volunteers from Dayton community
However, one wreath needed to travel to Woodlawn’s historic cemetery where another highly respected military leader and her veteran husband Dr Stanley Earley lay in rest . Best known for her leading the 6888th BN that shattered many records in overseas mail delivery during WW II as well as being known as first all black women US Army group, Charity Adams-Earley continued to nurture and create opportunities for young black women in Dayton “to be the the best they could be “ to achieve careers in all professional areas of their choice.
Looking to dine out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? We have a range of dining options available to make your holiday celebrations special. Make your reservations now as many of these will book up quickly. And of course remember to tip big to show your appreciation for those working the holiday. We’ll keep adding to this list as hear from more restaurants.
Amar India
2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville | 937-439-9005
7070 Miller Lane, Dayton | 937-387-6505
11/24 11am – 10pm
11/25 11am-10pm ,Dayton Location 10am – 7pm
Blue Crab Juicy Seafood
8901 Kingsridge Drive, Dayton| 937-813-8081
12/24 11:30 am-10 pm
12/25 11:30 am-10 pm
Bravo Italian Kitchen
2770 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville | (937) 439-1294
12/24 11am – 9pm
12/25 11am – 9pm
Bright Moon Buffet
2900 Wilmington Pike, Kettering | 937-999-4108
12/24 11am – 8pm
12/25 11 am – 9 pm
Brunch Pub
101 W. Franklin, Centerville | (937) 999-4622
12/24 8am – 3pm
12/25 closed
Chappys Social House
7880 Washington Village Dr, Centerville | 937-439-9200
12/24 -4pm – 8pm
12/25 closed
CJ Chan
536 Wilmington Ave., Dayton | 937-259-9866
2747 W Alex Bell Rd, Moraine | 937-259-8882
12/24 closed
12/25 10:30 am-9:30 pm
Club Oceano Seafood and Bar
4429 Cedar Park Dr, Beavercreek | 937-988-0909
Dewberry 1850
1414 South Patterson Boulevard, Dayton | 937-223-1000
12/24 7am -11pm
12/25 7am -11pm
Flavor House
130 West 2nd St Downtown Dayton,
12/24 11am -2:30pm
12/25 closed
Fleming’s Fine Steakhouse & Wine Bar
4432 Walnut Street | 937-320-9548
12/24 3pm- 10pm
12/25 closed
Fu Mon Lau
2008 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton | (937) 293-2211
12/24 11am – 9:30pm
12/25 11am – 9:30pm
Green Chili Indian Restaurant
1501 Lyons Rd, Wash. Twsp | (937) 999-4545
12/24 11am – 9:30pm
12/25 11am – 9:30pm
Hello Thai
3301 Dayton Xenia Rd. Beavercreek
12/24 11am – 3pm, 4:30pm – 9pm
12/25 11am – 3pm, 4:30pm – 9pm
J. Alexander’s
7970 Washington Village Drive | 937-435-4441
12/24 11:30-9pm
12/25 closed
2750 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek | 937-431-8881
12/24 11am – 8:30pm
12/25 11 am- 8:30pm
Kung Fu Noodle
2801 S Dixie Dr, Kettering |937-938-9027
12/24 11am – 9pm
12/25 11am – 9pm
Lily’s Dayton
329 E 5th St, Dayton | 937-723-7637
12/24 4:30 – 8:30pm
12/25 closed
Mel-O-Dee Restaurant
2350 S Dayton Lakeview Rd, New Carlisle | 937-849-1378
12/24 7am – 6pm
12/25 closed
Mudlick Tap House
110 W Franklin St, Centerville | (937) 895-4066
12/24 11am – 4pm
12/25 closed
Outback Steakhouse
6800 Miller Lane, Dayton| (937) 454-1585
5181 Cornerstone North Blvd., Centerville | 937-306-2903
2560 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton Mall | (937) 434-6522
1801 Towne Park Drive, Troy | (937) 332-7811
12/24 11am – 8pm
12/25 closed
Pasha Grill
72 Plum St, Beavercreek | 937.429.9000
12/24 11am – 10pm
12/25 noon – 9pm
Penn’s Thai Grille
459 W. Franklin St., Bellbrook | 937-310-1049
12/24 11am – 9pm
12/25 11 am – 9 pm
Red Lobster 
2803 N. Fairfield Rd, Beavercreek
6500 Miller Lane, Dayton
8200 N Springboro Pike, Miamisburg
12/24 11am – 8pm
12/25 noon – 9pm
Rum Runners
2318 E Dorothy Ln, Kettering | (937) 723-6833
12/24 closed
12/25 12-7pm
Sky Asian Cuisine
4090 Wilmington Pike, Kettering | (937) 949-9883
12/24 11am -9pm
12/25 11 am -9 pm
Sonora Grill
5450 Burkhardt , Dayton | 937-963-5700
12/24 11am – 7pm
12/25 11am – 10pm
Spaghetti Warehouse
36 W. 5th St, Dayton | 37-461-3913
12/24 11am-3pm , 4 -7pm
12/25 closed
Tandoor India and Pizza
7695 Old Troy Pike, Dayton |937-999-4220
12/24 closed
12/25 11am – 9:30pm
Thai Kitchen
2335 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton | (937) 436-5079
12/24 11am -9pm
12/25 11am – 9pm
Thai Village
5201 Cornerstone N Blvd, Centerville |937-739-8888
The Chop House
7727 Washington Village Drive | 937-291-1661
The Dublin Pub
300 Wayne Ave, Dayton | (937) 224-7822
Fruitcake often gets joked about today, but in the Middle Ages it was one of the most prized foods in Europe. This dense, sweet, spice packed loaf was not a common dessert. It was a luxury reserved for the wealthy. A single fruitcake could cost more than a laborer made in weeks because its ingredients traveled thousands of miles along the Silk Road. When people exchanged fruitcake at Christmas they were not giving a humble treat. They were offering a symbol of status, prosperity, and blessing.
During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries fruitcakes became central to winter celebrations. Wealthy households served them at Christmas banquets alongside roast meats and sweet wines. The cake represented abundance in a season of scarcity. Gifting a fruitcake meant wishing prosperity to the recipient. It also signaled that you belonged to a social circle that had access to luxury goods. The rich displayed their fruitcakes the way they displayed tapestries or silverware. It was part dessert and part status symbol.
When Europeans migrated to the Americas they brought the fruitcake tradition with them. Colonists adapted the recipe with local ingredients. Caribbean fruitcakes were infused with rum. American fruitcakes used molasses and pecans. But the symbolism remained the same. A fruitcake was a holiday blessing, a sign of hospitality, and a memory of the grand medieval feasts that shaped the season.Originally posted on Eats History
SEASON’S GREETINGS: A HOLIDAY CABARET is back for its fifth season! Performers Gina Handy and Philip Drennen, along with Deron Bell and his Merry Melody Makers, have created an unforgettable cabaret experience to celebrate the holidays. Relax with friends, laugh with family, grab a seasonal cocktail, and most importantly, “mail” your song requests to Santa! You never know what surprises are in store when the spirit of the holidays takes over!
Tickets
Families in the Miami Valley will step straight into the magic of the North Pole this season as Santa’s Wonderland Nights opens its doors December 12 at 5679 Webster Street in Dayton, Ohio. The brand-new indoor Christmas experience transforms a warehouse into Santa’s Kringleworks— a hidden “North Pole District” where Christmas magic is imagined, built, tested, and shipped around the world.
Designed as a fully themed night out rather than a quick walk-through, Santa’s Wonderland Nights offers guests approximately 2.5 hours of interactive holiday fun. Every ticket includes a seated holiday dinner, access to nine immersive rooms filled with 16 different activities and games, and a meet-and-greet with Santa complete with photo opportunities.
“Parents are always looking for something that feels bigger than a light walk or a quick mall visit,” said the event’s creators at A & L Entertainment Immersive. “Santa’s Wonderland Nights is designed as an evening you sink into — you sit down for dinner together, you explore room by room, you play, build, discover, and actually make memories side by side.”
The Elf Toy Co
Inside Santa’s Kringleworks:
Guests begin their evening in the Celestial Hall, where they enjoy a festive dinner and a round of holiday trivia before being released into the Kringleworks to explore. From there, they move at their own pace through nine handcrafted rooms, each built as a different corner of the North Pole District, including:
The Post Office & Starlight Mailroom
Across these rooms, families can take on 16 different activities, games, and challenges, ranging from logic puzzles and scavenger hunts to sensory guessing games and creative stations. The event is strictly limited to 100 guests per night, keeping lines short and allowing families to linger in each space.
Dinner, Dessert & More Included
Dinner in the Celestial Hall
Unlike many ticketed holiday attractions that charge extra for food or photos, one ticket at Santa’s Wonderland Nights includes the entire evening:
Tickets are available only on select nights from December 12 through January 4.
Peppermint Power Plant
From the Creators of Blackwood Manor Halloween Bash
Santa’s Wonderland Nights is produced by A & L Entertainment Immersive, the same team behind Dayton’s Blackwood Manor Halloween Bash, a sold-out immersive Halloween event that drew strong word-of-mouth and enthusiastic reviews from families earlier this year.
“After Blackwood Manor, so many families asked us if we could do something just as special for Christmas,” the creators added. “Santa’s Wonderland Nights is our answer to that — a holiday world that feels big, detailed, and handcrafted, but still cozy enough that your kids feel like they’re really part of the story.”
Event Details
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit SantasFunNight.com.
The magic returns with this annual three-day event in the Arcade’s event spaces which will feature holiday shopping live entertainment, family-friendly activities and performances, a cash bar, and holiday surprises. Wed, Dec 10 – Fri, Dec 12th 3- 8pm
There are 3 event entrances on different streets – 35 W. Fourth Street, 31 S. Main Street, and 24 W. Third Street.
Local makers and artisans selling handmade gifts, décor, jewelry, ceramics, wearables, treats, and more
Live music and performances that fill the event spaces with cheer
Dining at food trucks:
A food and monetary donation drive for Miami Valley Meals
Visit our neighbors at DENEAU TOWER , 40 W. Fourth St. for an espresso martini bar, letters to Santa, and live music!
With almost 700 seats sold for the annual ‘Show Must Go On‘ at the historic Arcade, the RubiGirls again proved they are a force for good in the Dayton area. This year, the ‘Girls’ were deep into their ‘Best Season Ever‘ which was, in reality, their 41st year raising fun and funds. Within their 41st season, The Girls were able to benefit 110 local non-profits and charities, and provide scholarships to five graduating high school students in the area. It was, at the very least, a breakthrough year in terms of funds raised. ‘What we experienced was not what many non-profits felt this year. Our donations were sound and solid, and our shows were full at every turn. It is interesting to note that we have been able to find a path through tougher times. It seems that entertainment is truly craved in the area, and we do it with humor and parody. The laughs led to donations. Donations lead to helping as many as we can in the region.’ Says the ‘Mother Rubi’ herself, Dana Sintell. Along with Fonda Peters, the two have been here for every single season. ‘We have seen it all over the years. Right now, we are seeing a big increase in concern for charitable organizations! Being a pass-through organization, we have the ability to take those donations and easily disperse them to multiple organizations. People like knowing that a donation to us helps many!’ said Sintell.
Rubi Girls – The show Must Go On! – 2025
The history of the Girls is well-known in the area. A group of college friends started putting on shows on Rubicon Street (thus the name), and the shows found an audience quickly. From that attic (in a house since torn down,) the girls found their mission…fighting discrimination and HIV! ‘It took off around 1985. We were bringing laughter to some dark times. And we found our footing there! It exploded as the need for HIV dollars became an emergency.’ Dayton’s legendary drag troop was born.
With that, they have had the internal battles that were sure to follow a group of grown men doing shows for 41 years around the city, state, and even country. ‘We’ve had drama! But this season proved we still have the love and laughter people so desire.’ Their Best Season Ever drew to a close on 12/8 at the Dayton Art Institute with a fun-filled night of trivia. ‘We had the 3 old goats together. Dana was there, Fonda, too, and the beloved India Summer. We are the longest-lasting performers in the RubiFamily. We know how to play off of each other well. It was a great way to end the season. A packed house, a ton of laughs, and a new set of faces who left endeared to our mission.’
We had to ask the inevitable question…’If this is the Best Season Ever, what happens next season?’
‘Oh, we got that figured out! Next season is ‘Better Than The Best Season Ever!‘ Sintell quipped. ‘Listen, we have people out there who really are in need. We have to keep elevating what we bring to the city we love!!’
You can donate to the RubiGirls and follow their schedules at https://therubigirls.com/ Merchandise and sponsorships are available as well.
***The Girls are made up of local professionals that use their talent solely for fund-raising purposes.
If you are a nonprofit or know of a charity in need, have them reach out to the website and click the Grants on the website.
As part of LongHorn’s commitment to grilling every steak perfectly, every restaurant has a team of passionate Grill Masters specially trained in the art of grilling. They are experts at grilling fresh, never frozen steak, seasoning with one of the restaurant’s proprietary spice blends and grilling to each guest’s preferred steak temperature. Only the best become LongHorn’s Grill Masters.
Grill Master Legend Eric Morgan serves as an integral part of the team at the Beavercreek location and is known for his leadership, heart and craftsmanship. His team describes him as being reliable, dedicated and respected as Morgan consistently takes pride in ensuring he delivers outstanding food that is expertly grilled, every time. After serving as a Grill Master in the Dayton community for over two decades – Morgan has grilled over one million perfectly cooked steaks throughout his career – making him a true master of his craft.
To celebrate the achievement, Morgan was surprised by his local restaurant team, family and restaurant-wide leaders with a special event officially recognizing him as a Grill Master Legend. He was honored with a special gold chef coat, a $5,000 award and $1,000 annually for as long as he remains employed with LongHorn, and a visit from LongHorn Steakhouse president Laura Williamson.
LongHorn Steakhouse’s culture is rooted in the incredible people that work in its restaurants, and this award is part of ongoing efforts to recognize extraordinary individuals for hard work and dedication to steak. For more information on LongHorn Steakhouse, visitwww.LongHornSteakhouse.com.
Goo Goo Dolls will take their lauded live show back on the road in 2026 with an extensive run of U.S. tour dates with Neon Trees. The summer tour includes a performance in Huber Heights, OH atRose Music Center on August 12, 2026.
Last week, the band released the full performance audio from their transcendent live set at California’s Stagecoach Music Festival. LISTEN TO THEIR LIVE AT STAGECOACH (CALIFORNIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL) PERFORMANCE HERE.
Additionally, their striking Tiny Desk performance with NPR Music is out now. The four song set features performances of their global hit “Iris,” 3x Platinum track “Slide,“ “Feel The Silence” and “Not Goodbye (Close My Eyes),” which appears on their new Summer Anthem EP. In conjunction, “Iris” hit #9 on Spotify’s U.S. Daily Top Songs Chart and peaked at #9 on Spotify’s Global Daily Chart, marking yet another chart position peak for the iconic track nearly 30 years after release. WATCH/SHARE THE TINY DESK PERFORMANCE HERE.
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, December 12 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
On the heels of going viral on TikTok, “Iris” is now Certified Diamond and accumulated over 5 billion streams to date worldwide, amassing over a billion streams in 2025 alone. The 4x GRAMMY-nominated track continues to reach new audiences around the world and has been covered by the likes of Taylor Swift, Machine Gun Kelly, Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers, yet again proving the timelessness and staying power of Goo Goo Dolls’ illustrious catalog.
Formed by John Rzeznik and Robby Takac in Buffalo, NY during 1986, Goo Goo Dolls have quietly broken records, contributed a string of staples to the American songbook, connected to millions of fans and indelibly impacted popular music for three-plus decades. Beyond selling 15 million records worldwide, the group has garnered 4x GRAMMY-nominations and nearly a dozen platinum and gold singles combined and seized a page in the history books by achieving 15 #1 and Top 10 hits. As a result, they hold the all-time radio record for “Most Top 10 Singles.”
Thus far, A Boy Named Goo (1995) has gone 2x Certified Platinum, Dizzy Up The Girl (1998) 5x Certified Platinum and Gutterflower (2002) and Let Love In(2006) are both Certified Gold. In addition, Something for the Rest of Us(2010) and Magnetic (2013) bowed in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200. In addition, the band’s Summer Anthem EP is out now via Warner Records. Consisting of 7 tracks, Summer Anthem is a precise, hard-hitting project, featuring the type of vivid lyricism that’s led the band to becoming one of the most influential alternative rock groups of all time.
Domino’s Pizza Inc. is turning 65 on Dec. 9 and in celebration of its birthday, the iconic brand is offering customers a special deal: free Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes with any online order of at least $10 between Dec. 8-22. To take advantage of the offer, customers must place a minimum online order of $10 and input code “HAPPYBDAY.”
“In honor of our birthday, we decided there was only one way to celebrate – by sharing some delicious, oven-baked goodness with our customers,” said Joe Jordan, Domino’s chief operating officer and president – U.S. “For more than six decades, we’ve worked hard to provide the most delicious food, renowned value and convenience to the brand’s customers. There would be no Domino’s without its loyal customers, so we hope they join us in celebrating the last 65 years with this sweet treat of a deal.”
To take advantage of the offer, customers must place a minimum online order of $10 and input code “HAPPYBDAY.” Each order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes comes with three oven-baked chocolate cakes with molten chocolate fudge on the inside. Each cake is perfectly topped with a dash of powdered sugar.
