Christmas parades 2026Dayton · The Gem City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Dayton, 2026.

In 2026, Christmas parades near Dayton run Nov 21 through Dec 5. Tipp City Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting is Nov 21. Huber Heights Holiday Event and Tree Lighting is Dec 5 and is free to watch. This page lists five parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Tipp City Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting: Nov 21 · 6–7:20 p.m. Plus 2 more.3 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Christmas in Historic Springboro: Nov 20 · Fri tree lighting 6 p.m. Plus 1 more.2 lightingsIs it free?3 of 5 are free to watch; the rest list a price.3 freeDaytime or after dark?1 daytime, 4 in the evening. Each card is marked.4 evening

Last checked · 5 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

20NovFriChristmas in Historic SpringboroLighting festival · Fri tree lighting 6 p.m.21NovSatTipp City Christmas Parade & Tree LightingParade · 6–7:20 p.m.4DecFriDayton Holiday Festival Grande IlluminationTree lighting · 5–8 p.m.5DecSatMiamisburg Holiday CelebrationParade · 4–8 p.m.5DecSatHuber Heights Holiday Event and Tree LightingParade · Parade at 3 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Dayton

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Dec5Sat

Miamisburg Holiday Celebration

Main Street to Riverfront Park · Miamisburg

ParadeFreeEvening
Time
4–8 p.m.; parade at dusk
Price
Free

Good to know: Grab a spot on Main Street as it gets dark to watch the community parade. It ends at Riverfront Park, where the mayor lights the town Christmas tree.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec5Sat

Huber Heights Holiday Event and Tree Lighting

Brandt Pike and the Richard F. Shomper Governance Center, 6151 Brandt Pike · Huber Heights

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
Parade at 3 p.m.; tree lighting about 5:30; drone show at 6
Price
Free

Good to know: The Community Holiday Parade travels down Brandt Pike to start the afternoon. Santa visits and free cocoa follow at the Governance Center before the tree is lit.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Dayton

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov20to 22

Christmas in Historic Springboro

Main Street and Rotary Park · Springboro

Lighting festivalEvening
Time
Fri tree lighting 6 p.m.; Sat parade noon; Sun noon–5 p.m.
Price
Not listed

Good to know: Three-day festival: tree lighting Friday, parade on Main Street Saturday.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec4Fri

Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination

Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts. · Downtown Dayton

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
5–8 p.m.; tree lighting 6:30 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: New date this year: the first Friday in December instead of the day after Thanksgiving. About 50,000 lights go on at 6:30 p.m. Kids’ crafts run in the Dayton Arcade from 5 to 8 p.m., and Daniel Tiger and friends are at the International Peace Museum. Everything is free.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Dayton

Christmas in Historic SpringboroNext: Nov 20–22, 2026Tipp City Christmas Parade & Tree LightingNext: Nov 21, 2026Dayton Holiday Festival Grande IlluminationNext: Dec 4, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Dayton

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Good questions

Christmas parades in Dayton: the FAQ

Tipp City Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 6–7:20 p.m. (Tipp City). Miamisburg Holiday Celebration: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4–8 p.m.; parade at dusk (Miamisburg). Huber Heights Holiday Event and Tree Lighting: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Parade at 3 p.m.; tree lighting about 5:30; drone show at 6 (Huber Heights).

Christmas in Historic Springboro at Main Street and Rotary Park: Nov 20 – Nov 22, Fri tree lighting 6 p.m.; Sat parade noon; Sun noon–5 p.m. Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination at Courthouse Square, Third & Main sts.: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5–8 p.m.; tree lighting 6:30 p.m. The full list is on the tree lighting page.

Three of the five we list are free to watch: Dayton Holiday Festival Grande Illumination, Miamisburg Holiday Celebration and Huber Heights Holiday Event and Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Huber Heights Holiday Event and Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

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