Christmas Kickoff
Thanksgiving Weekend
Dayton will once again become the Town That Still Believes as it hosts an Old Fashioned Christmas on Main Street, Nov. 27 and 28, 2020. Dayton comes alive with glorious and joyful seasonal fun, reminiscent of a traditional small town Christmas.
A festively decorated mule drawn carriage meanders through a merry and historic small town while carolers sing in front of the storefronts of shops and businesses serving holiday cookies and cheer. Townspeople stroll arm in arm, smiling and nodding at friends and visitors alike. Children's eyes twinkle as they line up to visit Santa, while adults shop the town's retail stores and a busy Christmas Market in the State’s oldest train depot. The resident camel is led up and down Main Street before settling into his role in a live Nativity scene. Diners turn towards the darkened windows to see a street lit only by the participants of a lighted parade, then all gather round to watch fireworks rain over the State's oldest working courthouse. This is how Dayton kicks off the Christmas season every year on the day after Thanksgiving.
Schedule of Events
Friday
Christmas Bazaar
Ugly Sweater Dash.
Live Reindeer
Festival of Trees
Mule Drawn Hayrides (Free)
Santa Photos
Boldman House Museum
Wenaha Gallery Art Show
Izzy the Camel
Liberty Christmas Movie
Live Nativity
Historic Dayton Depot Christmas Market
Lighted Parade
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks
Home Lighting Contest and Bus Tour
Christmas Sing-Along
Saturday
Christmas Bazaar
Festival of Trees
Santa Photos
Historic Dayton Depot Christmas Market
Mule Drawn Hayrides (Free)
Wenaha Gallery
Musical at the Liberty
Christmas Kickoff is the perfect way to spend your Thanksgiving Weekend. Escape the teeming crowds at the malls and the never ending search for a parking spot by rediscovering the charms of the holidays. You’ll find carolers strolling Main Street, bell jingling hayrides, the community Christmas tree, a Festival of Trees and quaint shops adorned with holiday cheer.
Included in all the activity is the Live Nativity that occurs twice on Friday, complete with Izzy the camel and other manger friends. Everyone is invited to take the Lighted Home Tour where travelers view gorgeously decorated homes from the shuttle, provided by Columbia County Transportation. The shuttle leaves from Elk Drug after the fireworks on Friday and at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
