September Dayton Dozen: guide to Family Friendly Events {2018}

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I don’t know about you, but September is my cue to start doing “all the fall things” in the greater Dayton area. Here at Dayton Moms Blog, we’ve got a full list of fun festivals and activities for your entire family to enjoy. 

  1. Ohio Renaissance Festival @ Waynesville Ohio

***DMB Tip*** Get your tickets online and skip the line. Also, bring cash for parking!

  • Weekends Sept 1st – October 28th
  • 10:30am – 6:00pm
  • Sept 1st – 3rd is opening weekend and Adult Tickets are BOGO Free!

Forget your cares and step back in time to this 30-acre re-created 16th Century English village and enjoy over 400 years of fun in a single day! The festival offers something for everyone featuring nearly 100 shows daily on 14 stages, over 150 unique arts and crafts shops, hearty food and drink, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages.

      2. Free Admission Day @ Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

***DMB Tip*** Get there early as this event is sure to get busy!

  • September 2nd
  • 1pm – 5pm

Enjoy a free admission day at Aullwood on Sunday, September 2nd, from 1 PM to 5 PM at both the Farm and the Center! Take a hike on our six miles of trails and explore. Hear and see the birds in the woods, prairies, and meadows. Meet our animals at the center and the farm. It’s the perfect time to be outside and have an adventure!

      3. Oktoberfest Springboro @ Springboro Ohio

***DMB Tip*** Bring cash to avoid hunting down an ATM.

  • Admission $3
  • September 7th 6pm – Midnight
  • September 8th 11am – Midnight
  • *DEAL ALERT* Between 11am and 1pm Saturday, show up with one of your kiddos in their sports uniform and the whole family gets in FREE!

Join us for OKTOBERFEST SPRINGBORO! Friday & Saturday at the Springboro United Church of Christ, 5 W. Mill Street, at the corner of Main and Mill in Downtown Springboro. Authentic German food, beer, wine, and entertainment for the whole family. Portions of proceeds benefit local Charities.

      4. Beavercreek Popcorn Festival @ Beavercreek Ohio

***DMB Tip*** Be ready for lots of walking so bring strollers for the little ones.

  • September 8th 10am – 8pm
  • September 9th 11am – 6pm
  • Free Admission

The Beavercreek Popcorn Festival has over 200 booths with festival foods, tantalizing treats, special services, creative crafts, and sensational specialties made with Popcorn. 

      5. Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market @ Springfield Ohio

***DMB Tip*** You’re sure to find a treasure or two so make sure you’ve got room to haul home your goodies so bring a friend or two!

  • September 14th-16th 
  • 8am-4pm Every Day
  • Please check the website for admission cost

The Springfield Antiques Show and Flea Market’s semi-annual event features 2,000 vendors and is a sight to be seen!

      6. Miami Valley Bluegrass and Artisans Festival @ Riverfront Park Miamisburg Ohio

***DMB Tip*** Bring folding chairs to set up camp and enjoy the festivities!

  • September 14th 4pm-11pm
  • September 15th 12pm-11pm
  • Free Admission

4th annual 2 day Bluegrass Festival located at Riverfront Park in Historic downtown Miamisburg, OH. Join us as we celebrate the rich Bluegrass Heritage of the Miami Valley. Featuring Grammy Award winning, legendary bluegrass icons, and exceptional regional string bands. True Artisan craft vendors, free kids activities on Saturday. Cold brews, and great food trucks! (beer and wine sales available to persons over 21 with valid ID) No pets, pop up tents, coolers, large umbrellas, or outside spirits permitted.

      7. Preble County Pork Festival @ Preble County Fairground Eaton Ohio

***DMB Tip*** With farm animals around, come wearing the right shoes to protect those toes!

  • September 15th 6:30am-8pm
  • September 16th 6:30am-5pm
  • Free Parking and Admission

Head out to the country for a day of fun, food and craft vendors!

      8. 23rd Annual Wool Gathering @ Youngs Jersey Dairy Yellow Springs Ohio

  • September 15th 10am-6pm
  • September 16th 10am-5pm
  • Free Admission

Join us for an awesome festival of fibers at the 23rd Wool Gathering at Young’s Dairy. Observe sheep, llamas, alpacas, cashmere goats, Angora rabbits and other wool-bearing animals at the show. There will be shearing demonstrations, wool spinning, weaving and much more to see and learn. There are over 100 vendors from several surrounding states. Admission to this event is free – bring the whole family!

      9. Germantown Pretzel Festival @ Germantown Ohio

***DMB Tip*** Most parking is on the street only, so give yourself time to find a lot offering parking or drive around this charming little town to find street parking. 

  • September 22nd 9am-9pm
  • September 23rd 12pm-6pm
  • Free Admission

Visit our scenic community and enjoy our free fall festival held each year since 1980. Festival features handcrafts, good food, and free entertainment with live music and shows. Park is handicapped accessible with sidewalks and contains historic railroad depot, caboose, log cabin and children’s play area. Free parking on nearby streets. Travel West on State Route 725 from I-75 or State Route 4 to Historic Downtown Germantown and follow the signs to the festival.

      10. Family Friendly Comedy @ Dayton Funny Bone

***DMB Tip*** Stay until the end and enjoy comedy from kids in the audience! 

  • Sunday September 23 @ 4PM
  • Tickets are $15 – Grab yours HERE!

Boy do we love to laugh! If you’re looking for a date night, check out one of Greg’s regular shows Thursday, Friday or Saturday, then swing back with the kids for the Sunday matinee. 

      11. Aullwood Apple Fest @ Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

***DMB Tip*** With this event happening later in September so be aware of the weather and dress appropriately!

  • September 22nd & 23rd 10am-5pm
  • Children 2 and Under Free
    Children 3 to 11 $5
    Adults 12 and Over $7
    Aullwood Members Free with Membership Card

Spend the day enjoying enjoy the special ambiance of Aullwood Farm and all the sights, sounds and aromas of Apple Fest!

      12. Oktoberfest @ Dayton Art Institute

***DMB Tip*** This is a huge event here in Dayton so make sure you come prepared with all the essentials for a full day’s worth of fun for the whole family. 

  • September 22nd Noon-11:30pm
  • September 23rd Noon-7pm
  • Please check website for admission cost

Fall festival season will be here in no time, and that means it’s time to start making plans for Oktoberfest weekend, September 21-23 at The Dayton Art Institute! Presented by Miller Lite, this community event boasts artisans, unique foods, ample domestic, international and craft beers, international wines, kid-friendly art activities, live music on two stages throughout the weekend, and much more! Oktoberfest includes a fully covered Main Stage viewing area and Food Court, as well as a “TV Cave” with four big-screen TVs for all the weekend sports action. 

      And since there’s so much fun to be had this month, we’re making September a baker’s dozen!

     13. Lebanon Country Apple Festival @ Warren County Fairgrounds

***DMB Tip*** This event goes on rain or shine and is one day only, so come prepared for the weather!

  • September 29th 10am-7pm
  • Free Admission

The fairgrounds will be filled with quality homemade crafts, great food, and entertainment. It will be great to see you there!

     


YMCA of Greater Dayton

Looking for more routine Fall fun for your family? Check out your local YMCA branch to see what Fall sports are available. No tryouts. No getting cut. No bench warmers. Sounds like a terrific way to get started in sports where everyone plays so everyone learns.