"Christmas in Historic Springboro is a cherished tradition that lights up our town, sparks holiday magic and brings our community together under the mistletoe," organizing committee member Heather Powell told the Dayton Daily News ahead of this year's festival.
The mistletoe is from the theme. The change I care most about this year has to do with what's for sale. For the 39th festival, the organizers say they are taking the craft tents "back to their origins." Other than exhibiting sponsors and community-impact organizations, every booth goes to an artisan. That makes Nov. 20–22 a handmade shopping weekend first and a street fair second. Several of the shops along South Main are planning their own deals for the same three days.
What "back to their origins" means for the 72 booths
The festival's craft vendor page lists three large heated tents with 72 booths in all. They sit on E. North Street, W. Market Street and E. Factory Road. The organizers pitch them as an alternative to the mall and online shopping, and they say outright that "Christmas shopping can be finished this weekend."
The artisan focus changes how you plan the day. If you go to these tents for gifts, you're buying from the people who made them. There are three windows to shop: Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., which is the longest day, and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
A local nonprofit runs all of this. Springboro Festivals Inc. hosts the festival as part of the Springboro Community Foundation, and a committee of about 10 volunteers plans it year-round. The Dayton Daily News expects about 80,000 visitors across a seven-block stretch of South Main Street.
A map of the weekend, built around the tents
The three craft tents are on side streets, so a shopping loop has you crossing Main Street several times. Here's where things sit:
- Rotary Park, 330 S. Main St. has the opening ceremony and tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday.
- Craft tents are on E. North Street, W. Market Street and E. Factory Road.
- The entertainment tent is at East Market Street and Main Street. The organizer says it hosts school choirs, bands and local dance companies.
- The Warped Wing Brewing Company beer tent is at S. Main and W. State Street.
- Food comes from more than 30 vendors, according to the festival's food page. The Dayton Daily News named Schmidt's Sausage Haus, Moore's Flipside Grill, All About Churros and Louisiana Grill Bourbon Chicken among them.
So the tents set the route. You can walk from the Market Street tent to the entertainment tent at Market and Main, then over to the North Street and Factory Road tents, with food stands along the way.
Downtown's own storefronts are in on it
The artisan booths aren't the only local shopping that weekend. According to the Dayton Daily News, the shops on and around Main Street are running their own festival promotions.
- Eve's Ink plans $35 piercings, flash tattoos and gift certificate sales.
- Blue Dog Books plans special discounts and unique gifts.
- Heather's Cafe is celebrating its 17th anniversary that weekend. The paper says the restaurant will be decorated for the season, with live music and football games on Sunday, Nov. 22.
A bookstore discount and a gift certificate from a local shop fit the same idea as the artisan tents: holiday money spent close to home.
One more Main Street address to know: the Dayton Daily News reported that 70/70 Social Club, a whiskey and cigar lounge, was planned for 140 S. Main St. The plans include a whiskey selection, classic whiskey cocktails, beer and wine, light bites, a humidor for up to 1,500 cigars and a patio for smoking.
The clock, especially if kids are along
Festival hours and children's tent hours don't line up, and the gaps matter if you're shopping with little ones.
| Day | Festival hours | Children's tent hours |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Nov. 20 | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | Noon to 5 p.m. | Noon to 4 p.m. |
On Saturday the festival is open for three hours before the children's tent opens. That makes Saturday morning the natural time to shop the craft tents, see the noon parade, and then head to the kids' activities once the tent opens at 1. The children's tent page lists Santa photos, cookie decorating, face painting, Spin the Wheel, Ring Toss and Santa's Cookie Toss, plus a Fun Slide, Carousel and Zip Line. The Dayton Daily News reports that A&S Party Rental is providing the carousel, slide and zipline.
Saturday starts early. The city calendar lists 5K registration at 7:30 a.m., parade staging at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K start at 9 a.m. The Dayton Daily News calls it the 13th annual Christmas in Springboro 5K run/walk, starting at the corner of West Mill Street and South Main Street. Awards go to the top male and female finishers in each age group, and registrants get medals while supplies last. Packet pickup is Thursday, Nov. 19 at Warped Wing, 25 Wright Station Way. You can also register Saturday at the beer tent at S. Main and W. State Street. The 5K page also offers a virtual option: finish your miles in November and report your own time.
The noon parade runs a loop
This year's parade theme is "Lights, Magic, and Mistletoe!" Judges score floats on criteria such as commitment to theme, originality and personalization. The parade page gives a route that starts and ends at the same school:
- Step off from staging at Clearcreek Elementary on South Main Street.
- Head north to State Route 73.
- Turn left on North Street.
- Turn left onto Florence Drive.
- Turn right on Mill Street.
- Turn left on Lookout Street.
- Turn left on Elmwood Drive, back to staging.
If you're walking or riding in it, check-in times depend on your entry: 10:30 a.m. for floats being judged, 10:45 a.m. for motorized vehicles not being judged, and 11:15 a.m. for all participants and animals.
Parking is on you
The festival FAQ says there is no official festival parking. It suggests neighborhood streets and these lots instead:
- Springboro Baptist Church on Mill Street
- United Church of Christ on Mill Street, marked as paid
- Springboro Intermediate School
- Springboro Christian Church on 741
- Clearcreek Elementary
- Fraternal Order of the Eagles at the corner of East Street and Main, marked as paid
The FAQ says the free lots are open according to their posted hours. Clearcreek Elementary is also the parade staging area, so on Saturday morning that lot shares space with floats, animals and walking groups before noon. The city calendar also notes the street closes at 8 a.m. Friday for setup, about ten hours before the tree lighting.
The mailbox opens a week early
The city's Letters to Santa runs Nov. 13 through Dec. 7 at 320 W. Central Ave., according to the City of Springboro calendar. It opens a week before the tree lighting, so kids can send a letter before they meet Santa at the children's tent.
I love the weekend Springboro opens the holiday season, and I hope to see you at one of the craft tents. If you have questions about getting around downtown or about Springboro in general, reach out to me at Donte Scott. I'm always glad to help a neighbor. Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation.
