Here's five Dayton-area holiday home tours that are more than worth the price of admission.
St. Anne's Hill
The St. Anne's Hill Dickens of a Christmas Tour is the longest continuously operating home tour in the Dayton region and features tour guides dressed in period costumes, who are specially trained to inform you about the history of St. Anne's Hill. The tour will begin at the High Street Gallery located at 48 High Street in Dayton and will conclude in the landmark Bossler Mansion with a special holiday dessert and a visit to Victoria's Parlour Gift Shoppe. Each tour is scheduled to last approximately 2 1/2 hours. Ample parking is available at Bomberger Park. All event proceeds go towards preserving the character and integrity of this historic neighborhood.
WHEN: Dec. 11-13, various times
WHERE: Tour begins at High Street Gallery, 48 High St., Dayton
COST: $22 per person, plus $2.09 fee
TICKETS: Eventbrite.com
INFO: Website | Facebook | Call (937) 716-0163
Germantown
The 150th Anniversary of the Rohrer Mansion is this year, and in celebration, there's a special Open House Tour on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1-5 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Historical Society: $5 for members, $10 for non-members. The historical society will be open from 1 to4 p.m. to purchase tickets and will be serving complimentary Christmas cookies and punch.
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 6, 1-5 p.m.
WHERE: 47 W. Center St., Germantown
COST: $10 for non-members, $5 for members of Germantown Historical Society
TICKETS: Purchase at the Germantown Historical Society
INFO: Website | Facebook | Call (937) 855-7255
South Park
You're invited to this year's Historic South Park's Annual Hot Toddy Party. Enjoy food, drink, music and chat with your neighbors on Saturday, December 12 at 6 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church (at Hickory & Perrine) has been made sparkly for the holidays. Cost is $5 for HSPI members, $10 for non-members, and children are free.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 12, 6-8 p.m.
WHERE: Hope Lutheran of Dayton, 500 Hickory St., Dayton
COST: $10 (non members), $5 for HSPI members, children are free
INFO: Website | Facebook
Tipp City
Each of this year's homes will be elegantly decorated for Christmas, and we're also decking the halls of the downtown shopping district with seasonal trimming and special offers. Warm up by visiting us in the RE/MAX Victory Ticket Room & Will Call at the Hotel Gallery (at the corner of 2nd and Main) for complimentary tasty treats. The 2015 tour will feature the West Broadway Boulevard Neighborhood.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: 101 E Main St., Tipp City. Look for the OH-571 Exit 68 towards West Milton/Tipp City on I-75. Head East on Main St. and travel a short 3 stop-lights to the downtown. The Christmas in the Village home tour features the West Broadway Boulevard Neighborhood in 2015.
COST: $16 in advance, $20 day of tour
TICKETS: downtowntippcity.org/christmas/tickets
INFO: Website | Facebook | Call (937) 667-4499
Oregon District
The Oregon Historic District will sparkle for visitors during its annual Candlelight Holiday Tour set for Dec. 7, 8 and 9.
“We get the entire district involved with candles in windows to light the way for our patrons,” said Kit Wymer, organizer of the 36th annual tour. “The district is decorated with greenery and we do this ourselves.”
The event features two levels of tour prices -- one with the tour by itself and one including dinner at four Oregon District restaurants (Jay's Seafood, Lily's Bistro, Salar and Wheat Penny).
But if you were not among the lucky few to snag early tickets to this holiday home tour, unfortunately, tickets are now sold out for Oregon District Annual Candlelight Holiday Tour. Visit oregondistrict.org and the Oregon Historic District Facebook page for more info.
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