Thanksgiving in Dayton

One of the longest-running Thanksgiving traditions in Dayton. Half Marathon, 5K, and a Kids Run. Starts at 7 AM on Thanksgiving morning and runs along the Dayton riverfront. After you cross the finish line, Bill's Donuts is waiting for you. Multiple thousands of people show up every year including a lot of people in full turkey costumes. Great way to start the holiday before the big meal.

If you're new to Dayton, Bill's Donuts is an institution. They've been open since 1960 and are one of the few places in the country that still hand-cuts and fries donuts fresh in the window. They open Thanksgiving morning and the line forms early. Turkey Trot runners swing by after the race. Cash only, worth every penny.

Clifton Mill turns on 5 million lights the day after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of December. One of the largest holiday light displays in the country and it costs about the price of a movie ticket. A miniature village, over 3,000 Santa Claus figurines, a live Santa in the workshop, and a musical covered bridge show every hour starting at 6 PM. Gates open at 5 PM, lights at 6. Twenty minutes from Dayton in the village of Clifton.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is a great excuse to spend a few hours in the Oregon District. Independent shops, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants up and down Fifth Street. No big box, just locally owned. Shops often have specials, extended hours, and hot drinks on the sidewalk. Good energy and worth making a morning of it.

Yellow Springs goes big for Small Business Saturday. The main street has independent bookstores, galleries, gift shops, and places like Dark Star Books. Combine it with brunch at one of the restaurants in town and a walk on the Little Miami trail if the weather holds. About 25 minutes from Dayton and worth the drive for how different the energy is from anywhere else in the area.

If you missed opening night, the full Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to get to Clifton Mill before the holiday crowds really build in December. The mill itself is historic and the village of Clifton is worth wandering. Grab food in Yellow Springs on the way back. This is one of the most genuinely unique things in the Dayton area and new residents are always shocked they hadn't heard of it.

Late November in Ohio is hit or miss but when you get a decent day over Thanksgiving weekend the MetroParks are a good call. Possum Creek, Germantown Reserve, and Caesar Creek have good fall foliage well into November. A 2 mile walk before the big meal or after is one of those Thanksgiving traditions that is worth building. Free to enter, good for all ages.