Dayton-area festivals to check out throughout May

Fraze Pavilion in Kettering launches a new season of programming with the Kettering Block Party in Lincoln Park Civic Commons on Monday, June 11. CONTRIBUTED

Fraze Pavilion in Kettering launches a new season of programming with the Kettering Block Party in Lincoln Park Civic Commons on Monday, June 11. CONTRIBUTED

The following is a guide to some of the many festivals coming up in the Dayton region.

West Dayton Wakanda Streets Fair

When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 11

Location: 1600 Princeton Drive, Dayton

Description: A one-day community carnival and parade celebrating a higher quality of life. Multiple zones focus on health and wellness, youth, auto, connection, art, food and more. Live music, fitness classes and demonstrations. Free.

Cheese Fest

Live music, plenty of food, beer and fireworks were all part of Cheese Fest, Austin Landing's kick off to Summer on Friday, May 26. Country music artists Alexis Gomez, Jason Michael Carroll and Josh Ross provided the music leading up to the fireworks display. DAVID A. MOODIE/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: David A. Moodie

icon to expand image

Credit: David A. Moodie

When: 3-10 p.m. May 25

Location: 10400 Innovation Drive, Miamisburg

Description: Austin Landing is hosting Cheese Fest with more that 15 local vendors. Craft beer and seltzers will be sold. Live music, fireworks at the end of the evening.

Aullwood Spring Fest

Scenes from the total eclipse viewing event at Aullwood Audubon in Dayton on Monday, April 8, 2024. NATALIE JONES / STAFF

Credit: Natalie Jones

icon to expand image

Credit: Natalie Jones

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18-19

Location: 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton

Description: $20 per car to enter Spring Fest at Aullwood Farm where there will be an Ohio School of Falconry Raptor Roadshow (bring a chair to watch). Children’s activities, new things to try. See and touch interesting animals, visit a learning adventure tent, tour a Unity Wagon and more.

Spring Fest in the Burg

The family-friendly Spring Fest in the Burg community festival was held Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22, 2022 in Miamisburg. Guests enjoyed live music, food, a carnival and over 100 curated artisans. DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

icon to expand image

When: May 17-19

Location: Riverfront Park: 3 N. Miami Ave., Miamisburg

Description: Community art festival Spring Fest in the Burg will return to Riverfront Park in Miamisburg this May with live entertainment by more than 14 bands, and more than 80 local artists will be attending. Free. Festival parade will take place May 18. Proceeds from the event will be given to various causes, including local park restorations and scholarships for local students.

Preble County Pride Fest

When: 1-6 p.m. May 11

Location: Fort Saint Clair State Park: 135 Camden Road, Eaton

Description: Celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride at Fort Saint Clair Park in Eaton. Guests can hear live music, perform karaoke, take part in rock and face painting, and see a drag show from Roxie D. Mocracy. This event will be free, but donations are appreciated.

Passport to MetroParks

Here’s a balcony view of RiverScape MetroPark via the Monument, a new apartment complex which opened in Mar. 2023, located at 140 E. Monument Ave. A model unit was shown during the Downtown Dayton Partnership's Downtown Housing Tour on Saturday, May 13, 2023. TOM GILLIAM/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

icon to expand image

When: 6-9 p.m. May 24

Location: 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

Description: The Passport to the Metroparks is a preview of the events taking place at each of the Dayton Metroparks this summer. There will be live music, food trucks and meet and greets with park rangers. Representatives from the Dayton Celtic Festival, Hispanic Heritage Festival, and Dayton African American Cultural Festival will also be attending, detailing their upcoming festivals with guests.

Halfway to Haunt Fest

NextDoor, a new bar featuring upscale craft cocktails, has opened in Dayton’s Oregon District at 454 E. Fifth St. near Rebel Rebel Tattoo and Brim on Fifth.

Credit: Natalie Jones

icon to expand image

Credit: Natalie Jones

When: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. May 31

Location: NextDoor Dayton: 454 E. 5th St., Dayton

Description: To celebrate the halfway point until Halloween, Clash Dayton is hosting a special festival featuring live music and more. Costumes are encouraged at this 21 and older event. There is no cover charge for this event. Each performance will have a mystery theme, and whoever guesses that theme will win merchandise and tickets to Hauntfest 2024.

Pizza Fest

George Conroy enjoys a cheesy piece of pizza at the Slice of Springfield event at Mother Stewarts Brewery Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. The event offers a chance to taste and vote for the best pizza from eight local pizzerias. The sold out fundraiser was presented by the National Trail Parks and Recreation District and 100% of ticket sales go to support National Trail programs. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

icon to expand image

Credit: Bill Lackey

When: 5-9 p.m. May 17

Location: Mother Stewart’s Brewing: 102 W. Columbia St., Springfield

Description: The Champion City Food Truck Rally is coming to Mother Stewart’s Brewing to celebrate National Pizza Party Day. Entry for this event is free, and there will be a number of food trucks, pizza or otherwise, for guests to try.

Kettering Block Party

Fraze Pavilion in Kettering launches a new season of programming with the Kettering Block Party in Lincoln Park Civic Commons on Monday, June 11. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image

When: 6-8 p.m. May 29

Location: Fraze Pavilion: 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Kettering

Description: The Kettering Block Party is returning to the Fraze Pavilion May 29. The festival will feature free hot dogs and Dilly Bars, bicycle helmet fitting and a performance by the Kettering Civic Band. Free event.

Don’t see your festival on the list? Email alex.cutler@coxinc.com to get it added.

About the Author