Arts and Culture

Montgomery County and the Dayton region are known for their grassroots arts organizations, which are coveted by local citizens and recognized nationally for their excellence and vision. The area also hosts music festivals and theater events year-round at modern venues like the Fraze Pavilion or The Rose Music Center, entertaining and enriching the lives of all ages. 

For a more complete listing of activities, visit DiscoverDayton.org or see the Guide to Arts & Culture in the Dayton Region from Culture Works which includes a full directory of organizations, features on some of the region’s premier arts providers, a festival listing, and more! Whether you love dance, theatre, history, or literature, if you love arts and culture, the Guide can help you find your next arts experience!

The Dayton Philharmonic, the Dayton County Orchestra and the Dayton Ballet – the second largest regional ballet company in the U.S. – merged in 2012 to form the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. The organization entertains all ages with everything from Mozart to Miles Davis, Carmen to Dracula, the Nutcracker to swing dance. People can also experience world class, contemporary dance programs through the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC).

Accessible family programming, arts classes and interactive experiences bolster the Dayton Art Institute’s world-class permanent collection for casual observers and art aficionados alike. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery makes it a point to educate all ages on the world’s scientific mysteries.

The Kettering Children’s Choir and Theater values arts education and entertains young and old alike with professional-grade performances. And kids can also exercise their creativity at Muse Machine, an arts-collective serving 72,000 students a year, and the K-12 gallery, displaying childrens art and offering art classes.

While feeding your mind and soul, don’t forget to take a lunch or dinner break at one of the area’s may award-winning restaurants. Featuring cuisine from all over the world, at every price point, you can stake out a few favorites and know that there’s always another dish to discover.