A Carillon Christmas Set to Kick Off Another Year

This season, Carillon Historical Park once again offers not only a window into the city of Dayton’s rich past, but also the opportunity to take part in a dazzling holiday celebration. A Carillon Christmas kicks off Nov. 25, welcoming visitors to this Dayton History destination known for transforming its historic Deeds Carillon into the 200-foot-tall Carillon Tree of Light each holiday season. 

The Carillon Tree of Light casts a warm glow across the grounds and sets the scene for festive evenings throughout the season. A Carillon Christmas runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).  

A visit, of course, includes plenty of history, and the on-site Wright Brothers National Museum is a must-visit location on Carillon Historical Park’s 65-acre campus. Decorated for the holidays, the museum boasts the largest collection of artifacts that belonged to Orville and Wilbur Wright and their family, including the original 1905 Wright Flyer III.

Printing history is also demonstrated here at the Gem City Letterpress, where visitors can check out a 1930s-era letterpress in action. For a tale of transportation history — and an easy way to see many of the park’s sights — climb aboard the Carillon Park Railroad. For just $5, visitors can take a narrated, mile-long train ride on a replica of the kind that once chugged through Dayton during the heyday of rail travel. Visitors can also take a ride on the Carousel of Dayton Innovation, which features larger-than-life versions of Dayton icons like Mikesell’s potato chips and Esther Price candies alongside traditional carousel horses. 

Exploring the grounds is sure to work up an appetite, and visitors can find holiday treats across the grounds as well as at Morris & Hetzel Bakery, which offers hearth cooking demonstrations. Also, check out the Deeds Barn Replica where the film “A Very Carillon Christmas” is playing, or step into the Locust Grove School No. 12 building for puppet shows every half hour.

A Carillon Christmas also provides opportunities to visit with the jolly old elf himself, who will be hearing the Christmas wishes of visiting children. Parents and grandparents can relive Christmas mornings past, too, as Santa Claus will be seated among a display of Dayton-made toys dating to the early 1900s.

For more information, visit daytonhistory.org.

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