Christmas Day guide: Head to these festive places in Dayton for a unique holiday experience

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

There is that moment on Christmas Day, perhaps right after the gifts have been exchanged (i.e. the kids throw wrapping paper in every corner of the house), that you look at your family members and think: what next? Well, thankfully for you, we've uncovered some fairly creative ways for you to get out of the house and immersed in the magic of the holiday season. From holiday light displays to potluck dinners, these are the places to be on Christmas Day.

>> Dayton-area restaurants that are open on Christmas Day

✨SEE SOME CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS✨

✨Clifton Mill 

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

The Clifton Mill lights have had an amazing few years of star-studded publicity. Gaze upon 4 million lights covering the bridge, the mill’s windows, roof, sides and bottom while every hour the lights shut off completely, leaving guests in total and complete darkness. As quietness sweeps the atmosphere, orchestral music begins a medley of Christmas songs and lights over the bridge will twinkle on and off again. Don't miss the Santa Claus Museum on site. Refreshments for sale.

Cost: $10. Kids 3 and under are free. Parking is free.

Christmas Hours: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 24 & 25

Location: 75 Water St., Clifton

More info: WebsiteFacebook

>> Our favorite photos of twinkling lights for all to see across the region

✨Light Up Middletown 

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Drive your way through this 100-acre illumination display in Smith Park this holiday season. Notice the thousands of twinkling lights, including a floating sea serpent in the lake, a penguin village, deer leaping over the roadway, whales, Santa’s workshop and more. The signature entry tunnel will greet you upon arrival.

Cost: You choose the price; make any donation at the gate that you deem appropriate. Donations support nonprofit groups in the community and upgrades to Smith Park.

Christmas Hours: Every night through New Year's Eve, 6-10 p.m., regardless of weather

Location: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave. in Middletown

More info: WebsiteFacebook

✨Holiday Lights on the Hill 

Holiday Lights on the Hill features gardens of light, trees that sparkle up to 60 feet in the air, colorful forests and illuminated sculptures. This is the 18th season for the annual light display. See the 300-acre Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park sparkling with over 2 million twinkling lights in this two-mile, drive-through display.

Cost: Monday through Thursday $20; Friday through Sunday $25 (per carload). Admission for Pyramid Hill members presenting a current membership card is $15 every day.

Christmas hours: Open from 6-9 p.m.

Location: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton

More infoWebsite

✨Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island

This two-and-a-half-mile, drive-through light display features more than one million LED lights synchronized to festive holiday music. Features include larger than life trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes and tunnels of lights.

Cost: $6 per person. Children 3 and under free. Tickets are available online or at the gate. Local charities will benefit from Christmas Nights of Lights, including the Salvation Army, The Ruth Lyons Children's Fund, St. Vincent DePaul, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Starshine Hospice and Toys for Tots.

Christmas hours: Open from dusk until 10 p.m.

Location: Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati

More info: WebsiteFacebook

Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods

For nearly three decades, this drive-through lights display, built over a mile of wooded roadway, has been a Cincinnati family tradition. Holiday-themed displays depict everything from Santa Claus and his elves to every animal on the ark. If you’re up to getting out of your warm car, stop by Santaland for warm beverages, carolers, baked goods, a gift shop and a train display.

Cost: $15 per vehicle ($45 for buses/large passenger vans). A portion of the proceeds will go to A Child's Hope International.

Christmas hours: 6-9 p.m.

Location: 11450 Lebanon Road, Route 42, Sharonville

Cost: $15 per vehicle ($45 for buses/large passenger vans). A portion of the proceeds will go to A Child's Hope International.

More info: WebsiteFacebook

Whispering Christmas in Eaton

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Since 1987, the Whispering Christmas lights display has been a holiday favorite in the city of Eaton. The display features over two million lights in total, casting a jolly glow over Fort St. Clair State Park. Throughout the end of December, the lights display will be open every night from 6-10 p.m. Santa Claus will be making an appearance every night from 6-9 p.m. until Dec. 23. Cabins are open to visitors through Dec. 24.

Cost: $5 per car

Christmas hours: Open from 6-10 p.m.

Location: Fort St. Clair State Park, 135 Camden Road, Eaton

More info: Facebook

⛸GO ICE SKATING AT RIVERSCAPE ICE RINK

On Christmas Day, the Riverscape MetroPark Ice Rink is open from 1-8 p.m. Skate along the banks of the scenic Great Miami River as you sing aloud to Christmas music with family and friends.

Cost: $8 per person per skate, $2 skate rental. Seasonal passes available.

Christmas hours: Open from 1-8 p.m.

Location: 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

More info: WebsiteFacebook

>> WORTH THE DRIVE: Walk through one of the nation’s largest life-size nativity scenes

🎅SHARE A MEAL WITH STRANGERS

If you don’t have anyone to share the holiday with, or are just looking to bring kindness and warmth to a space where it’s needed, the annual Home for the Holidays event is taking place from 1-5 p.m. at the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. The event is a potluck dinner for those who may be feeling lonely on the holiday. Bring a dish and a list of ingredients in the dish for those who may suffer from food allergies.

Cost: Free

Christmas hours: 1-5 p.m.

Location: The Greater Dayton LGBT Center: 24 N. Jefferson St., Suite 200, Dayton

More info: Facebook

📽SEE A MOVIE

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Celebrate a popular Christmas Day pastime, but with a twist. On Christmas Day, head to The Neon in downtown Dayton to catch a showing of films like Little WomenMarriage Story and The Irishman. Head to neonmovies.com for a full list of Christmas Day showtimes.

Cost: Matinees (shows before 6 p.m.): $8; Evenings: $10; Seniors (60 years of age and older): $8; Children 10 years old and younger): $8.

Christmas hours: Opens at 1:20 p.m. (30 minutes before the start of the first scheduled show of the day)

Location: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton

More info: Website

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