Holly Days at the Dayton Arcade

 I was a greeter at this year's annual Holly Days at the Dayton Arcade.

As reported in the Dayton Daily News:

“Holly Days at the Arcade Presented by AES Ohio and Dayton Daily News” will return next week to downtown Dayton.

The holiday event, organized by Friends of the Dayton Arcade and Cross Street Partners, features shopping from over 50 vendors, food, live entertainment and much more from 3 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11-13.

“It’s such an honor to coordinate Holly Days for the fourth year running,” said Megan Dunn Peters, marketing and community partnerships manager for Cross Street Partners.

“From shopping for gifts at local vendor booths to enjoying amazing live entertainment and toasting the holidays with friends and family, there’s nothing like celebrating the holidays at the Dayton Arcade.”

Shopping

For the first time in more than 30 years, the North Arcade first-floor concourse will be open to host 12 vendors.

Guests will get a sneak peek of the space before it officially opens in early 2025. The North Arcade will be home to first-floor marketplace retail and a 93-room hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn at the Arcade.

More than 30 vendors will be featured in the Rotunda event space and a few others will be in The Tank Inspired by CenterPoint Energy. The Tank will also have a community Lego Build hosted by Brixilated and a cash bar.

Shopping will also be available in Contemporary Dayton’s CoSHOP featuring a selection of items curated by art and book lovers, historians and decor enthusiasts.

Food

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, Gather by Ghostlight and Table 33 will be open inside the Arcade’s complex.

Members of the 6888 Kitchen will also be serving food from the Kitchen’s Rotunda entrance.

In addition, there will be food trucks on Fourth Street in front of the event’s entrance.

Entertainment

Live entertainment will be curated by Culture Works featuring local performing arts groups.

Guests can also expect holiday character entertainment from Fairy Godmother Events throughout the three-day event.

Giving back

In coordination with Holly Days, the Dayton Arcade will host a food drive benefiting The Foodbank, a nonprofit organization supporting 124 hunger relief programs in Montgomery, Greene and Preble Counties.

Donations, such as canned fruit, jelly, peanut butter and grains, will be accepted in the Rotunda entrance concourse.

“The revival of the Dayton Arcade feels like the heart of our city coming alive again,” said Shane Anderson, owner of Gather by Ghostlight. “This annual Holly Days’ festival is like stepping back into the festive magic of Dayton’s holiday traditions of the past while celebrating all the exciting things ahead. It’s the perfect time to come together, make new memories, and feel the warmth of our community.”