Things to do on New Year's Eve in Dayton

By the time New Year’s rolls around, opening gifts and eating excess amounts of food has passed. For many college students this is the last chance to party hard, without worrying about school before the start of a new semester. Dayton has activities for the whole family as well as a nightlife to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

During the day in downtown Dayton, families can visit RiverScape MetroPark. They have an ice skating rink, as well as a light display on the Miami River. Admission is $7. This is open for all ages and starts at 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Children might also enjoy the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, open to the whole family. This includes fun, games and contest for $30 starting at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Other family activities include the light display at Clifton Mill. It has 3.5 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, the trees and the bridges. There is a miniature village, a Santa Claus museum and a spectacular synchronized light and music show. This attraction is $10 for adults and children under six are free. It starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.

Something closer to campus that all ages will appreciate is Harlem Globetrotters at the Nutter Center. The show starts at 2 p.m. and is a “You write the rules” world tour for the team. The fans decide the rules for the game, which could affect the final outcome.

As for the nightlife in Dayton, there are many options on New Year’s Eve which include, Masque, located downtown. There will be reserved seating for groups, special drink offers and complimentary party favors for the night. Doors open at 10 p.m. Other popular places are the Oregon District, an urban oasis of galleries, shops, restaurants, bars and clubs located in the heart of Downtown. Some clubs include Oregon Express. They will be having a New Year’s Eve Party with Paradikm Shift, Simple Truth, Lyle, The Steel, and Horse Ramblers all performing live. Pizzas are half price starting at 5 p.m. Music starts at 9 p.m. with a cover charge of $5. The Dublin Pub, open from 7 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, will be having drink specials and champagne toasts at 7 p.m. (midnight in Ireland) and at midnight. Blind Bobs will be having Motown Night starting at 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve can also be celebrated at MJ’s Café and Dance from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. A live show will begin at 10 p.m. followed by champagne toasts and a balloon drop at midnight with cash prizes. There is a $5 cover charge. For those who enjoy R&B, the Vault Nightclub will be having Old School James Night. They will have $3 drink specials and free food from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Other bars and clubs downtown include: Aquarius, Binger’s Bar, Club Vex, Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers, De’Lish, Gilly’s, Pulse, Stage Door Lounge, Therapy Café, Wiley’s Comedy Club and many more.

Students should enjoy this break and celebrate the New Year in an exciting way. Check out what Dayton has to offer on New Year’s Eve.

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