October 26, 2026 · Community Guides
What's Happening Around Troy & Across Ohio: Late October Through Mid-November 2026
Late October into mid-November is one of Ohio's most generous stretches of the year. The Renaissance Festival near Waynesville is down to its very last weekend, Veterans Day brings ceremonies and parades from Dayton to Cleveland, and by the third Friday of November the first holiday light displays start to glow from the Miami Valley to Lake Erie. If you have been looking for the perfect excuse to get out and explore, the next three weeks are full of them.
This month we are putting a spotlight on Troy, the county seat of Miami County and one of Greater Dayton's steadiest growth stories. Troy sits right on I-75 about 25 miles north of downtown Dayton, at the point where the Great Miami River bends through a beautifully preserved historic square. It is also home to one of the region's best holiday kickoff events, the Grand Illumination, and a quick drive from the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill, so it makes a natural home base for a month of weekend trips.
At Glasshouse Realty, our team lives and works across Greater Dayton, Greater Cincinnati, and the Cleveland market. We know the streets where these events happen, the organizers behind them, and the local businesses that make each town distinct. Here are eighteen festivals and happenings worth putting on your calendar between now and the middle of November.
Spotlight: Troy, Ohio
Troy is a city that keeps quietly growing while holding onto the character that made it worth growing into. Its population has climbed from 26,393 in the 2020 census to an estimated 27,300 to 27,500 residents today, a gain of roughly 1,000 people or about 3.8 percent in five years, and Miami County sits at about 113,400 residents. That steady, deliberate growth is one of the healthiest stories anywhere in the Miami Valley.
The housing market tells the same tale. Typical home values in Troy run around $284,000 to $286,000, up roughly 31 percent over five years, and homes sell in about 30 to 42 days. Redfin ranks the market as very competitive, and a Stacker review of the Dayton metro placed Troy among the fastest-appreciating cities in the region. Development is humming along too, from a proposed 43-unit riverfront townhome project south of the Great Miami to the kind of commercial growth that keeps local jobs close to home.
What makes Troy feel different is the balance. The heart of it all is the historic Public Square at the corner of Main and Market, ringed by the Miami County Courthouse, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, and an evening-ready lineup of restaurants and shops. Walk a block and you find the Great Miami River, then beyond it the neighborhoods, schools, and parks that families have chosen for generations. It is a place where steady growth and small-town warmth share the same address, and that is exactly the kind of community we mean when we say the difference is clear.
The events calendar reflects it, too. The Grand Illumination lights the square on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Lost Creek Reserve holiday lights follow a weekend later, and the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are just up the road. Whether you come for a medieval joust, a Veterans Day ceremony, or the first glow of the holiday season, Troy makes an excellent home base for the weeks ahead.
Ohio Renaissance Festival: Season Finale
Waynesville & Harveysburg · One last weekend: October 31 - November 1, 2026
The season's grand finale is here. The Ohio Renaissance Festival closes out its 2026 run with Heroes & Villains weekend on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 at its permanent sixteenth-century-style village along East State Route 73 in Warren County. Live jousting, costumed performers, artisan shops, and full medieval feasts are all on the bill, with gates open 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM both days.
This is the most family-friendly weekend of the year to go: kids 12 and under get in free, and military members and first responders earn a $3 discount at the ticket booth. Some Saturdays sell out, so grab tickets ahead of time. This one is especially close to our hearts, because Glasshouse Realty keeps a billboard presence along the roads around the festival grounds. As you make your way to the gates, you may just spot our sign, a small reflection of how connected our team is to this corner of Warren County. For jousting fans, costume lovers, and anyone with a taste for turkey legs, this is your last chance of the season, and we hope to see you there.
Dayton VA Veterans Day Parade
Dayton · Saturday, November 7, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
The fifth annual Dayton VA Veterans Day Parade steps off Saturday, November 7 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 4100 West Third Street in Dayton. The free community event features a resource fair, live music, and food alongside a parade honoring those who served. It is a heartfelt, family-friendly way to say thank you to the veterans who call the Miami Valley home.
Dayton's military ties run deep, from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to generations of veterans living right here in Montgomery and Greene counties. Come early, grab a spot along the route, and celebrate the community that shows up for those who served.
Beavercreek Veterans Day Ceremony
Beavercreek · Wednesday, November 11, 2:00 PM
Greene County marks Veterans Day with a ceremony at Beavercreek's Veterans Memorial Park at 1911 North Fairfield Road on Wednesday, November 11 at 2:00 PM. The free gathering brings the community together to honor those who served, a tradition that carries extra meaning so close to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
It is a quiet, moving hour in one of the most patriotic corners of Ohio, and a wonderful way to teach the next generation what this day is really about. Stop by, stand with the community, and take a moment to say thank you.
VFW Post 10380 Veterans Day Ceremony
Cincinnati · Wednesday, November 11, 11:00 AM-noon
In Greater Cincinnati, VFW Post 10380 hosts its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11 from 11:00 AM to noon at Veterans Park Plaza, 6231 Harrison Avenue. The ceremony honors the service and sacrifice of veterans across Hamilton County in a peaceful outdoor setting.
It is a meaningful way to spend the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the traditional moment when the nation pauses to remember. Bring a chair, bring the family, and join the community in saying thank you.
Cleveland Veterans Day Parade & Celebration
Cleveland · Wednesday, November 11, 12:30 PM
Northeast Ohio honors its veterans in a big way with the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade and Celebration on Wednesday, November 11. The parade departs from Cleveland City Hall at 601 Lakeside Avenue at 12:30 PM, marching through downtown with veterans, active-duty service members, bands, and community groups.
It is one of the region's most heartfelt traditions, and a powerful way to spend Veterans Day in the heart of Cuyahoga County. Bundle up, line the route, and cheer for those who served.
Troy Grand Illumination
Troy · Friday, November 27, 5:30 PM
Our spotlight city knows how to kick off the holidays. Downtown Troy's Grand Illumination takes over the Public Square on Friday, November 27 at 5:30 PM at Prouty Plaza, 405 Public Square, with the lighting of the grand tree, a visit from Santa, the Kris Kringle Market, horse and carriage rides, holiday music, and hot cocoa.
The event is free and organized by Troy Main Street, and it is one of the most charming holiday kickoffs in the Miami Valley. Come for the tree, stay for the square, and see firsthand why Troy keeps landing on lists of Ohio's most livable small cities.
Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve
Troy · November 28-29 & December 4-6, 2026
The holiday season in Miami County truly begins at the Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve in Troy. The drive-through light display lights up the reserve on two weekends, the first on November 28-29 and a second on December 4-6, with thousands of lights winding through the winter landscape.
It is a cozy, from-the-car way to enjoy the season with the family, and a perfect follow-up to the Grand Illumination the night before. Grab some cocoa, tune the radio, and cruise through the lights in one of Miami County's favorite parks.
Deck the Diamond at Day Air Ballpark
Dayton · Opens Friday, November 13 through January 2, 2027
Dayton's ballpark turns into a winter wonderland when Deck the Diamond opens at Day Air Ballpark on Friday, November 13. The Dayton Dragons light show fills the stadium with millions of lights, holiday displays, and family-friendly fun, running through January 2, 2027.
It is one of the most spectacular light displays in Southwest Ohio, and a fresh way to experience downtown Dayton in the holiday season. Bundle up, grab a warm drink, and walk the concourse as the city glows.
Winter Fest at Austin Landing
Miamisburg · Saturday, November 14, 5:00 PM
Montgomery County's newest gathering place kicks off the season with Winter Fest at Austin Landing in Miamisburg on Saturday, November 14 at 5:00 PM. The free event centers on the Christmas tree lighting, with holiday music, festive activities, and the glow of the district's restaurants and shops all around.
Austin Landing has grown into one of the Miami Valley's liveliest mixed-use districts, with dining, entertainment, and new neighborhoods springing up around it. Come for the tree, stay for dinner, and watch the season begin in one of the region's fastest-changing corners.
A Carillon Christmas & the Carillon Tree of Light
Dayton · Opens Tuesday, November 24 through December 30
Dayton's Carillon Historical Park welcomes the season with A Carillon Christmas, opening Tuesday, November 24 and running through December 30. The centerpiece is the 200-foot Carillon Tree of Light, one of the tallest Christmas trees in the Midwest, with the park's historic village decked out in holiday cheer.
The Tree of Light is free to view, making it an easy and affordable evening out. Stroll the grounds, warm up in the historic buildings, and take in one of Dayton's most beloved holiday traditions.
Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
Clifton · Opens Friday, November 27, 6:00-9:00 PM nightly
One of Ohio's most iconic holiday displays returns when the Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill open on Friday, November 27. The historic water-powered mill on the Little Miami River glows with more than five million lights, open 6:00 to 9:00 PM nightly through December 30.
It is a bucket-list display that draws visitors from across the state, and it is only a short drive from Troy, making it the perfect capstone to a Miami County holiday evening. Arrive early, dress warm, and prepare to be dazzled.
Pumpkin Chuck at Stanbery Park
Cincinnati · Sunday, November 1, 2026
In Cincinnati, the fall season ends with a satisfying splat at Pumpkin Chuck at Stanbery Park on Sunday, November 1. The family-friendly event puts surplus pumpkins to glorious use with trebuchets and other launchers, a fun and slightly ridiculous way to close out Halloween season.
It is the kind of quirky community gathering that makes Greater Cincinnati feel so welcoming, equal parts science fair and fall festival. Bring the kids, cheer for the biggest launch, and say goodbye to pumpkin season in style.
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati · Opens Thursday, November 19 through January 3, 2027
The region's most beloved holiday tradition returns when the PNC Festival of Lights opens at the Cincinnati Zoo on Thursday, November 19. The zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, the famous ice slide, holiday shows, and seasonal treats, running through January 3, 2027.
It is consistently named among the best zoo light displays in the country, and a magical outing for kids and adults alike. The zoo is closed November 26 and December 24-25, so plan ahead and make it a centerpiece of your holiday season.
Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
Cincinnati · November 20-22, 2026
Downtown Cincinnati welcomes the season with the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market, running November 20-22 at the First Financial Center at 525 Elm Street. The market gathers local makers, food vendors, and artisans under one roof for a weekend of holiday shopping, live music, and seasonal spirit.
It is a wonderful way to shop local and find one-of-a-kind gifts while soaking up the festive energy of downtown Cincinnati. Pair it with a visit to the nearby Christkindlmarkt and make a weekend of it.
Cincinnati Nights of Lights
Owensville, Clermont County · Opens Saturday, November 21, 2026
Clermont County lights up with Cincinnati Nights of Lights in Owensville, opening Saturday, November 21. The drive-through display features two million lights spread across a spectacular route, a favorite family outing for the whole Greater Cincinnati area.
It is the perfect from-the-car holiday adventure, especially on a chilly evening. Tune the radio to the synchronized lights, load up the kids, and cruise through one of Southwest Ohio's brightest displays.
Medina Candlelight Walk
Medina · November 20-22, 2026
Northeast Ohio's historic square kicks off the holidays with the Medina Candlelight Walk, running November 20-22 around the historic Medina Public Square. The weekend begins with a tree and community lighting on Friday evening and builds to a parade with fireworks on Saturday night, all wrapped in candlelight, carols, and small-town charm.
Medina's square is one of the most beautifully preserved in Ohio, ringed by the Victorian gazebo and shopfronts that make the town a favorite day trip. Come for the fireworks, stay for the candlelight, and experience one of Northeast Ohio's most beloved holiday traditions.
Akron Children's Holiday Tree Festival
Akron · November 14-22, 2026
Summit County opens the season with the Akron Children's Hospital Holiday Tree Festival, running November 14-22 at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. Dozens of elaborately decorated trees fill the venue, each sponsored by local businesses and organizations, with live music, shopping, and family activities all week long.
It is a warm, community-driven tradition that benefits a wonderful cause and showcases the generosity of Northeast Ohio. Bring the family, vote for your favorite tree, and find a one-of-a-kind gift.
Turkey Trot Wine & Food Trail
Grand River Valley, Lake County · November 1-25, 2026
Lake County's wine country welcomes the holidays with the Turkey Trot Wine & Food Trail, running November 1-25 across five Grand River Valley wineries. The self-guided trail pairs holiday wine tastings with seasonal food pairings along one of Ohio's most scenic river valleys.
It is a delightful way to spend a late-autumn afternoon in the Cleveland market, exploring the wineries that make the Grand River Valley a destination. Gather a few friends, pick up a trail passport, and toast the season among the vines.
Why We Share These Events
At Glasshouse Realty, we do not just serve these communities from a distance. Our offices and teams are across Greater Dayton, Southwest Ohio, and the Cleveland market, and our agents live in the same neighborhoods where these events are happening. When we share what is happening around town, we are sharing the places we will be spending our weekends, too.
That local connection is at the heart of everything we do. It is the difference between knowing a market and knowing a community, and it is what we mean when we say the difference is clear. From the castle village in Warren County where you might spot our billboard, to fast-growing Troy's historic square, to the Veterans Day ceremonies and first holiday lights glowing from Dayton to Cleveland, these gatherings are a wonderful way to feel the character of each town firsthand.
So mark your calendar: catch the Ohio Renaissance Festival's final weekend in Waynesville, honor our veterans from Beavercreek to Cleveland, watch Troy light up at the Grand Illumination, then follow the glow to Lost Creek Reserve, Day Air Ballpark, Carillon Park, Clifton Mill, the Cincinnati Zoo, and Medina's candlelit square. These weeks across Ohio are something special, and these eighteen events are only the beginning.
And if you are curious what it is like to live in any of these communities, the neighborhoods, the schools, the daily rhythm, we would love to talk. That is what we are here for. Reach out anytime, and we will connect you with someone who knows your community from the inside out.
The Bottom Line
From the Ohio Renaissance Festival's final weekend in Warren County to Veterans Day ceremonies in Dayton, Beavercreek, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, from Troy's Grand Illumination and the Lost Creek Reserve lights to Day Air Ballpark, Carillon Park, Clifton Mill, the Cincinnati Zoo, and Medina's candlelit square, the coming weeks are full of reasons to explore the communities that make up the Glasshouse Realty network. Each event tells you something about the town that hosts it, and together they paint a picture of a region where community still matters. If you are thinking about making one of these places home, we would love to help you find the right fit. The Difference is Clear.
Published October 26, 2026 · Updated October 26, 2026
Love exploring these communities? Let's find you a home in one.
Glasshouse Realty has offices across Greater Dayton, Southwest Ohio, and the Cleveland market. We know these neighborhoods inside and out, and we would love to help you find your place in them.
Get in TouchThinking about making one of these communities home?
Whether you're exploring Troy and Miami County or relocating from across town or across the state, a Glasshouse agent knows every corner of this market.
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll reach out with honest, local insight, no pressure, no scripts.
Schedule a Consultation