Deck the Diamond Lights Up Dayton This Holiday Season
Each winter, the Dayton Dragons trade baseball for holiday lights at Day Air Ballpark in downtown Dayton. Deck the Diamond is a walk-through light show that covers the field and concourse with more than 1.5 million lights, plus a light show set to holiday music every 10 minutes and enough kid activities to fill an evening. You walk it at your own pace, so nobody is stuck in a car line staring at the back of a minivan.
Dates, Hours and Tickets
Deck the Diamond runs on select nights Nov. 13 through Jan. 2 at Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Blvd. in Dayton.
- November: Wednesdays through Saturdays, starting Friday, Nov. 13. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
- December and January: Nightly Dec. 2 through Jan. 2, except Christmas Day. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Some nights sell out and a few are reserved for private company events, so check the calendar before you load everyone into the car.
Ticket prices:
- General admission: $13.50, with no added fees
- Dragons season ticket holders and sponsors: $10
- Children 2 and under: Free
Every ticket is a flex ticket, good for any night that’s open to the public, so you don’t have to commit to a date when you buy. Get tickets through the official Deck the Diamond website, at the Dragons box office or by calling 937-228-2287.
Around the Ballpark
Light Displays
More than 1.5 million lights cover the ballpark. The field display has a penguin theme, a 44-foot Grand Tree anchors the scene, and a light show synchronized to holiday music starts every 10 minutes.
Santa
Photos with Santa are included with admission, and kids can write their letters to Santa while they’re there.
Merry Market
Shop holiday gifts and exclusive holiday-themed Dayton Dragons merchandise. Purchases are extra.
North Pole Express and Polar Barrel Express
The North Pole Express is a miniature train that rides through the glowing ballpark, and it costs extra. The Polar Barrel Express is a second ride that gets kids up close to the lights. [Can’t verify: Polar Barrel Express price]
S’mores and Treats
Fire pits around the ballpark are set up for roasting s’mores. The food lineup includes holiday treats, popcorn, corn dogs and souvenir cups, plus winter cocktails for the grown-ups. S’mores kits and all food and drinks cost extra.
Crafts and Activities
Kids can make a beaded bracelet and a custom ornament, work through a scavenger hunt and stop at the Elfie Stations along the concourse. All of it is included with admission.
Family Tips
- Arrive early for easier parking and shorter Santa lines.
- Dress warmly. The whole experience is outdoors.
- Weeknights tend to be less crowded and more stroller-friendly.
- Bring a card. Day Air Ballpark is cashless.
- Parking is on nearby side streets and at metered spots. Meters are free starting at 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Make a Night of It
Between the lights, Santa and the train, most families can fill an evening at Deck the Diamond without trying very hard. For more ideas this season, check our full list of things to do in Southwest Ohio.
Deck the Diamond
More than 1.5 million lights transform the Dayton Dragons' Day Air Ballpark into a walk-through holiday display with a themed light show…
