2023 Insider's Guide To Holiday Festivals
Below we've created a list to each Great Miami Riverway's holiday festival events. Some kick off right after Thanksgiving, while others trail into the first week or two of December. Each event is sure to be family-friendly and full of cheer.
Sidney
Downtown Sidney Holiday Lights Grand Illumination
November 22 | 6pm
Visit downtown Sidney for their annual Grand Illumination. Come early and stay late to dine and visit local shops.
Downtown storefront windows will be decorated for the season and Santa is sure to be in attendance as well.
Downtown Sidney’s Winter Wonderland Parade
December 2 | 630pm
Join us to ring in the Christmas season with a spectacular evening parade.
Troy
Small Town Christmas Festival
Nov 24 - 26
In addition to shopping, you can enjoy a full line-up of local entertainment, locally-owned food trucks, family-friendly activities, and more!
Downtown Troy’s Grand Illumination
November 24 | 5pm to 830pm
Enjoy holiday music, hot cocoa and refreshments, shopping at our local merchants, and, of course, the lighting of the tree.
The grand tree lighting will happen at 6:45 p.m. Be sure to be there!
Piqua
Downtown Piqua Holiday Parade
December 2 | 2pm
The parade is a very family-friendly event and we are inviting many types of units to participate, including bands, drill teams, floats, antique cars, fire departments, youth groups, churches, clubs, and civic organizations.
Christmas on the Green
December 1 | 6pm to 9pm
Community caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s activities, and live entertainment make this family-oriented holiday celebration a “must do” on many calendars.
Tipp City
Tippecanoe Christmas in the Village 2023
December 2 | 12pm to 5pm
Sales end November 29 for Preview Night and Dec 1 for Tour Day Tickets.
You can purchase tickets here.
Tipp City is known for its quaint neighborhoods, retail shops, restaurants, friendly neighbors and this wonderful home tour is no exception to those qualities. The tour doesn't just bring guests to our unique and historic homes, it brings guests to the businesses in our community.
In recognition of the Tipp City Library 100 year anniversary, our theme this year is: 100+ Years of Homes! We know if the walls of these homes could talk, oh the stories they would tell.
Montgomery County
Dayton Holiday Festival
November 25 | 3pm to 8pm
A full evening of fun holiday entertainment and activities is planned from 3 to 8 p.m. including a tree lighting, live reindeer, children's parade, games and activities, gingerbread house contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, and pictures on Santa's sleigh.
West Carrollton
Holiday Festival
December 2 | 4pm to 6pm
The City Beautiful Commission hosts this annual tradition which includes horse-drawn wagon rides, performances by WCHS choir and orchestra groups, a candy cane hunt, letter writing to Santa, ornament making and a tree-lighting ceremony. Santa will be available for free pictures, bring your own camera. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
Miamisburg
Holiday Celebration
December 2 | 4pm to 8pm
Join us as the festivities begin with a parade through downtown, followed by activities like: photo opportunities on Candy Cane Lane, letters to Santa, crafts in Market Square, a hot chocolate station, our tree lighting ceremony, holiday shopping with a passport, and visits with Santa!
Franklin
Franklin in Lights
December 2 | 4pm to 7pm
Join us to celebrate the season! Photos with Santa will be from 4-7pm, with our tree lighting ceremony at 6:00pm. Write a letter to Santa, enjoy a treat from a local food truck, or interact with the petting zoo. The division of Fire will have our community bonfire going.
Hamilton
Hamilton Welcomes The Holidays
November 18 | 5pm to 8pm
Please join us at Marcum Park for Hamilton’s Annual Tree Lighting Event with holiday music, train rides, carriage rides, face-painting, balloon artists, live reindeer, crafts, and much more—including a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus! All free to the public!
Illuminate Hamilton
December 9 | 5pm to 9pm
Experience the enchantment from 5-9 PM as downtown Hamilton comes alive with lights. Enjoy a spectacular laser light show illuminating our iconic buildings. Businesses will extend their hours. Come explore the magic of the season. DORA will be available for a little something to warm you up.
Hamilton Christkindlmarkt
December 1| 5pm to 9pm
December 2 | 11am to 9pm
Enjoy this authentic two-day holiday market featuring food, music, entertainment, beer, 50+ vendors to shop from, a children's area, and so much more! Complete your holiday shopping and browse unique gifts, trendy home decor, holiday items, new and repurposed vintage items, and artisan handmade items.
Chow down on authentic German food including Wassler's famous brats, mets, hotdogs, sauerkraut, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Treat yourself to Servatii's famous apple or cherry strudel and a chocolate Bavarian mousse for dessert. Wash it all down with German beer or gluhwein.