First Friday: December - Holiday Shopping Edition
The holiday season is officially underway and you can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year during December First Friday!
Event details
* this page may be updated if event is repeated in the future *
December 6 First Friday: Holiday Fun Downtown Edition
'Tis the season! First Friday Holiday Shopping Dec 6
Santa called – he says the holiday spirit is abundant in downtown Dayton and it’s time to celebrate the season this First Friday! All are welcome from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, December 6, to explore and support our community’s small businesses while enjoying a festive atmosphere and the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival! Your favorite downtown businesses will be offering up specials and events as you enjoy live entertainment to keep the holiday cheer going strong all December long.
Looking for the perfect gift for new pet parents, foodies, fashionistas, art enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list? Downtown has you covered! The holiday season is a crucial time for our local businesses, so we encourage you to show your support and shop small during First Friday and beyond.
ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM
The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Enjoy Friday House Team “Grandpa’s Scream Jar,” Escape Room.
Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Come and bang your head to Warp Chapter, Obscene, Noxis, and Landfilth! 8pm, 21+, $10
The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: See exhibitions on view until December 21: “Curtis Mann: Precious Blood,” “Sean Wilkinson: Flora,” and “John Lauer: Demon Heads.” Open until 8 p.m. for First Friday. Free and open to all.
Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest exhibitions “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” “Devil’s Promenade,” “Merry Grinchmas: Art of Dr. Seuss’ Holiday Classic & (B)ART! America’s Funniest Animated Family,” “Making Faces: 18 Essential Kabuki Plays,” and “The Need for Beauty.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: The Dayton Society of Artists welcomes you to “Small but Mighty: Gift and Fine Arts Exhibition” from 12-8 p.m. on First Friday. The exhibition runs through December 14. All small-scale artwork and goods are ready for purchase.
Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: It’s Free Juke Box Friday from 6-7 p.m.! Stick around for Irish First Fridays with a performance from Dulahan at 8:30.
Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: The gallery will have two exhibitions showing during First Friday 3pm-8pm including Works Of Art - (Fall Edition) featuring 6 amazing artists from the Dayton and Cincinnati area and the pop-up exhibition Bob Coates - Selections from his Direction of Evolution Series. Free on-street parking and light refreshments provided.
Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Enjoy an evening of live music, food trucks, studio and gallery hopping, shopping, and more! It is always free to attend and park at our art hops. We are a family and pet friendly community. With artwork and handmade goods from more than 250 artists, you’re going to want to get here early!
K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.: Join a Happy Hour Paint-In! Artists 21+ are welcome to bring their own drinks to enjoy while they do a still-live study in an Impressionist style! $30 per artist. Sessions run 4-6p and 6-8p. Guests must RSVP and pay in advance at 937-461-5149
The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See “The Six Triple Eight” on First Friday! See the full schedule online: www.neonmovies.com
Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Handmade Holiday returns to Yellow Cab Tavern! Shop from 23 different vendors selling handmade items. We will also have themed cocktails and some special surprises. Entry is free!
DINING AND DRINKS
Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: You Dropped the Bomb on Me First Friday – get $1 Cherry Bombs and $3 Jager Bombs all night!
Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St.: Half off glass pours during happy hour! 5-7 p.m. Stop by early to enjoy lunch starting at 11 a.m.
Dayton Beer Company,> 41 Madison St.: Happy Hour runs 3-5 p.m.! Enjoy $1 off all DBC core beers.
Dublin Pub, >300 Wayne Ave.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3-6 p.m.!
The Foundry, 124 Madison St.: Enjoy an amazing view of Day Air Ballpark and downtown Dayton alongside delicious wood-fired cuisine. Igloo rentals are available now for $50 per person at a 4 person minimum.
Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Happy Hour food and drink specials run from 4:30-6:30 p.m.! Full dinner menu available until 10pm!
Local Cantina, 503 E. First St: Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. with $5 Mustache Rides, $6 Local Margaritas, $2 Cerveza Amarilla, and $2 off appetizers
Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St., (937) 895-4066: Join us for Happiness Hours from 4-6 p.m. with $2 off draft beers and $2 off shareables, ½ price bottles of wine, $8 Old Fashioned, and $9 Manhattans.
Oregon Express,> 336 E. Fifth St., 937-223-9205: Every First Friday join us for Happy Hour deals from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop in for some of the best pizza in Dayton. Dine in, carryout and curbside pickup available.
Salar Restaurant and Lounge, >400 E. Fifth St., 937-203-3999: Kick off your First Friday with happy hour at Salar from 4-6 p.m. with cocktail specials, $5 house wine pours, $1 off of all beers, and bar bites specials. Enjoy dinner, too, available for dine in or carryout.
Sueño, 607 E. Third St.: Happy hour at the bar runs from 4-6 p.m.!
Table 33 Dayton, 45 W. Fourth St.: Welcome back, Table 33! Come visit their new location and enjoy your menu favorites.
Tender Mercy, 607 E. Third St. (Lower Level), Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. featuring half-off select Signature Cocktails, beer, and wine.
Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour wine is $7 a glass from 4-7 p.m.!
SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Choice Juice Boxx invites you to our final DIY workshop of the year! Bring your own produce and jar and join us for a hands-on juicing experience! Limited slots available, registration required!
Cosmo Joe’s Atomic Lounge, 121 N. Ludlow St.: It’s the Dayton Society of Artists Voices for Vision Karaoke Fundraiser, benefitting the Dayton Society of Artists and Beyond Vision Arts! Join us for a night of fun, music, and arts supporting accessible art initiatives for our community. Free entry, donations are encouraged!
Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: ESL Classes (English Classes) take place in the Opportunity Space every Monday and Friday, from 4:30-5:30 PM. New Americans are invited to take part in this free program that is taught in 3 different levels. For more information, contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.
Eclectic Essentials, 510 E. Fifth St.: Get 10% off of all regular-priced merchandise! Enjoy free snacks and beverages while you shop.
Gem City Tattoo Club, 436 E. Fifth St.: Tattoo flash sale! From 12:30-7:30 p.m., GCTC will offer traditional designs from our group of professional artists at a discounted price of $80-$100! Stop in and choose from 100s of designs. First come first serve!
Mintha’s Boutique,> 520 E. Third St.: Special sales are LIVE every Friday! Check out more than 50 items under $30 and more doorbuster pricing! Shop live with the Mintha’s Boutique app.
Now & Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St.: Create Holiday Terrariums and live plant ornaments! Join us on First Friday any time from 11am-4pm. Starting cost is $10 for small kids’ projects and ornaments!
Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: New release day! Explore the new releases on vinyl, CDs, and more. All day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Oregon District.
The Oregon District, Fifth Street: Visit the pedestrian promenade at Out on 5th! Enjoy extended outdoor seating, vendors, entertainment, and more as you visit your favorite Oregon District businesses.
RiverScape MetroPark. 237 E. Monument Ave.: Calling all Peanuts fans! Come out and skate with us as we bring the magic of Charlie Brown to the MetroParks Ice Rink! Enjoy themed music that will make you feel like you’re part of the gang. Purchase a penguin for $1 and throw it onto the ice for your chance to win cool prizes! The RiverScape Café will be open and skaters can relax in our heated comfort tent where there will be special games for you to play that match our theme. Skate admission is $7 and skate rental is $3. Thanks to the Access to Nature Program, residents who receive SNAP/EBT can simply show their card to the rental attendant to receive 50% off admission and skate rental. Activities are weather dependent.
Pedal Wagon Dayton: The weather outside might be frightful, but good times are still to be had aboard the Pedal Wagon! Adults 21+ can grab a seat on the Polar Bear Express for $29 or book a private ride starting at $349 pedalwagon.com/dayton/polar-bear-express/
Picture Perfect Paint Parties,> 123 N. Ludlow St.: Come and enjoy our grape tastings of the month and a mini-paint party canvas. Register at www.pictureperfectpaintparties.com or call 937-265-0691 for more information.
Sole Touchers, 37 S. St. Clair St.: Holiday blowout sale! Get up to 50% off all month long.
Vidia’s Closet,> 27 S. St. Clair St.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 20% off your entire purchase! Shop in-store and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.
MORE DATES: First Friday Downtown Dayton
Downtown Dayton Partnership.
