MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for December

Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month.

Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Know before you go: Your Five Rivers MetroParks are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, except for the Ice Rink on New Year’s Day. Visit metroparks.org for more information on park and facility hours.

PROGRAMS

Adult Nature Exploration

• EcoTalk: Climate Science: Dec. 18 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark

Active Outdoors

• Dayton Backpacker Campfire Series: Hiking the Arizona National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Utah: Dec. 5 – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Backcountry Cooking: Dec. 10 – 6 to 8 p.m. at the 2nd Street Market
• Hiking for Older Adults: Englewood: Dec. 11 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark
• Advanced Fly Tying: Dec. 12 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Five Rivers MetroParks’ Main Office

Youth & Family

• Coyote Search: Dec. 6 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Caring for our Animal Ambassadors: Dec. 7 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
• Owl Prowl: Dec. 13 – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark
• Saw Whet Owl Search: Dec. 14 – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark

SPECIAL EVENTS

Heritage and history holidays

Visit Carriage Hill and Aullwood Garden MetroParks for a few of MetroParks’ most popular free holiday programs:

• Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk: Dec. 7 at Aullwood Garden MetroPark – Enjoy a stroll along the garden’s luminary-lit pathways. Take a tour of the Aull house while enjoying music and refreshments.
• Christmas on the Farm and Holiday Evening: Dec. 15 at Carriage Hill MetroPark – Experience what the Christmas holiday would have been like on a farm in the late 1800s. Enjoy bygone crafts, music, games, recipes and more.

Both events are free and for all ages. No registration is required.

Get Out & Skate at the MetroParks Ice Rink

MetroParks Ice Rink is open through the end of February and offers extra themed skates this season. This December, be sure to visit the rink for:

• Dec. 6: Good Grief (music inspired by Charlie Brown Christmas)
• Dec. 13: Skate & Scare (music inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas)
• Dec. 20: Santa is Coming! (music inspired by Elf!)
• Dec. 27: Wizarding World Skate (music inspired by Harry Potter)

In addition to themed skates, the MetroParks Ice Rink will have special holiday skating hours on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day. Daily hours change throughout the season and can be found at metroparks.org/icerink.

Learn more about skating lessons, season passes, this year’s fitness challenge and more online.

The MetroParks Ice Rink is sponsored by MSD, USI Insurance Services, Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio, WKEF/FOX45/Dayton 24/7 Now and WINANS Chocolates + Coffees.

Support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation this Giving Tuesday

What began more than 60 years ago as a green movement in the Miami Valley to ensure land protection for future generations has turned into 18 MetroParks, 8 conservation areas and almost 16,000 acres of protected land, providing safe spaces where more than two million people connect with nature each year.

Today, Giving Tuesday, we hope you will support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation by becoming a Champion of MetroParks. Help us protect your region’s green spaces and provide outdoor experiences with a monthly donation. Your gift, no matter the amount, will help make a difference by ensuring the protection of green space today and for future generations. Become a Champion today.

Holiday fun at the 2nd Street Market

The 2nd Street Market is your destination to shop small this holiday season, with 50 small business vendors that offer fresh, local foods; pantry staples; hand-crafted items; and more.

The final Sunset at the Market of the year is Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will offer evening shopping hours, dining, festive holiday activities and roaming carolers. Additionally, Deeply Rooted Landscapes will host its annual Native Christmas Tree Sale outside the Market. The Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., will also be hosting an event, Holly Days at The Arcade, from 3 to 8 p.m. The Arcade’s multiple levels will be filled with live entertainment, shopping, cash bars and more.

The Dayton RTA will offer a free shuttle, running every 15 minutes between the two events and the Oregon District Garage. Punch cards will be available to shoppers and those who visit both destinations and make a purchase will be entered to win a holiday vendor basket and MetroParks Money.

Due to its popularity, the Market has extended its Breakfast with Santa program to two sessions on both Sunday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 22. Participants will enjoy a vendor-curated buffet with Santa and his elves. Registration is required and is available online.

Learn more about seasonal offerings at the 2nd Street Market.

Holiday Lights Recycling

Five Rivers MetroParks and Cohen Recycling are making the holidays greener by providing bins at 10 MetroParks locations where the public can drop off string lights to be recycled now through Feb. 1, 2025. To ensure ease of drop off and that bins are located equitably throughout Montgomery County, MetroParks has added drop-off bins to additional parks this year, including Englewood, Germantown and Eastwood MetroParks.

Recycling lights supports MetroParks’ conservation mission, and Cohen will make a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation equal to the market value of the recycled lights collected. Learn more.

MONTHLY MUST-DOS IN YOUR METROPARKS

Eye on the sky: Now that the leaves are dropping from the trees, birds may be easier to spot. Head out to your favorite MetroPark to see what you can find. If you don’t know where to start, check out MetroParks new birding webpage for suggestions.

Downtown lights: Not into skating? RiverScape MetroPark is dressed up with decorations that will get visitors into the holiday spirit. Visitors can also grab a hot cocoa from the RiverScape Café and then walk E. Monument St. to Main St. to experience the holiday lights.

Sledding hills: Should there be enough snowfall for sledding, bundle up and head to Englewood, Germantown, and Taylorsville MetroParks.

SUSTAINABILITY TIP: Cooking earth-friendly means less food waste and eating more plants. The average U.S. household wastes 31.9% of its food, much of which ends up in the landfill. Additionally, nearly 25% more waste is generated during the holiday season. Learn how to cut down on food waste and incorporate more plant-based options into your diet with 2nd Street Market vendors, Invoke.

DECEMBER CHALLENGE: Gift the gift of adventure this season with MetroParks Money.

Rather than gifting something that could end up in the landfill, opt to gift an experience this season! MetroParks Money is an e-gift card program of Five Rivers MetroParks that gives you the flexibility to support your favorite 2nd Street Market businesses and enjoy the outdoors.

MetroParks Money can be used for a variety of MetroParks experiences, from program registrations to lunch at the 2nd Street Market. Learn more and purchase MetroParks Money as a gift this season.

Those who purchase $50 in MetroParks Money before Dec. 31 will earn a bonus $10, while supplies last. Limit 5 per customer.

Please note: Programs and events with limited capacity may fill quickly; however, in some cases waitlists are available. Please contact 937-275-PARK to inquire about being placed on a waitlist. Additionally, programs may be cancelled due to a variety of reasons – including weather conditions – please check MetroParks’ online calendar to check the status of a program or event before attending.