Signature Events
The Dayton Art Institute‘s annual events bring art and community together in memorable ways. The museum hosts five Signature Events each year: Curated, Art Ball, Art in Bloom, Oktoberfest and Bourbon & Bubbles. Among the most popular social events in Dayton, they are also vital fundraisers supporting the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
Complementing these celebrated occasions is the NEW Art After Dark series, a collection of after-hours experiences that offer fresh ways to engage with the museum while supporting its mission.
Follow the links below to learn more about plans for each of these events in 2026!
The Dayton Art Institute‘s annual events bring art and community together in memorable ways. The museum hosts five Signature Events each year: Curated, Art Ball, Art in Bloom, Oktoberfest and Bourbon & Bubbles. Among the most popular social events in Dayton, they are also vital fundraisers supporting the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
Complementing these celebrated occasions is the NEW Art After Hours series, a collection of after-hours experiences that offer fresh ways to engage with the museum while supporting its mission.
Follow the links below to learn more about plans for each of these events in 2026!
Curated
April 9, 2026
The newest DAI signature event offers guests the chance to sip on a variety of handcrafted cocktails created by the region’s best bartenders while socializing and enjoying delicious bites in the museum’s Shaw Gothic Cloister. With a mission-based focus, this event raises funds for conservation and art protection.
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Art Ball
June 13, 2026
Art Ball has been the Miami Valley’s premier social event for more than 60 years. This annual black-tie function raises critical funds for the museum’s mission of bringing art to all.
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Art In Bloom
July 30, 2026
Whether you’re an art lover, a flower enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable night out, Art in Bloom offers a unique blend of elegance, inspiration and summertime joy. Stroll among stunning floral arrangements created by some of the region’s top floral designers, each one inspired by masterpieces from the DAI’s permanent collection.
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Oktoberfest
SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2026
A Dayton tradition established in 1971, Oktoberfest is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser and vital to everything we do at the Dayton Art Institute. The three-day fall festival takes place the fourth full weekend of September.
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Bourbon & Bubbles
November 6, 2026
Celebrate with an artsy cocktail party in the beautiful setting of the museum’s Shaw Gothic Cloister and Great Hall. Bourbon & Bubbles features a selection of exclusive, handcrafted bourbons and refreshing bubbly from around the world, plus gourmet bites, tasty treats and fun entertainment. Tickets for the event include up to eight tastings of bourbons and/or Champagnes.
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Art After Hours Series
Dates and Times Vary
New this year, the Dayton Art Institute’s Art After Hours series offers fun, small-group evening experiences after the museum closes, highlighting behind-the-scenes elements of the collection. This fall and winter, guests can solve a spooky Mystery at the Museum, enjoy A Cozy Tea Party inspired by Wall Power! Spectacular Quilts from the American Folk Art Museum, and compete in festive Holiday Trivia.
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