Holiday season kicks off in Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The holidays are officially here as more than 50,000 colored lights signal the start of the of the Dayton Holiday Festival.

The Grande Illumination at Courthouse Square Friday night was followed by the Dayton Children's Parade Spectacular in Lights.

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the parade pass.

The festival also features music, as well as carnival games and rides.

Virginia Kettering created the festival forty years ago, so that all kids could enjoy the holidays regardless of their economic status.

It's a become a holiday tradition for many families across the area.

The festival continues throughout the month of December with such activities as the Family Movie Series at The Neon, the Tike's Shop, Virginia Kettering's Holiday Train Display, animated window displays and entertainment in the Schuster Center Wintergarden, and much more.

For a complete list, go here.