By Caroline Cope

With the school year coming to a close and the weather getting warmer, many outdoor activities are starting back up in the Dayton and Cincinnati area. Here are a few attractions opening up soon.

#1 — Dixie Twin Drive-In

The Dixie Twin Drive-In is an outdoor movie theater in Vandalia that offers double-feature movies in the summer season. It opened for its 2026 season on April 2, and will operate until October. The Dixie Twin Drive-In is open everyday except Mondays, has two large movie screens, and shows two movies per screen each night. The cost per person is around $10, and you may stay for both movies.

The first movie screenings start around 8pm or dusk, and viewers are welcome to bring lawn chairs or camp in truck beds to view the movie. There is a restroom and an indoor concession stand that offers snacks and drinks during both movies. Movie watchers must tune into a certain radio frequency on a radio in order to listen to the movie.

Address: 6201 N. Dixie Dr, Dayton, OH 45414

Website: https://dixietwin.com

#2 — Kings Island

Kings Island’s opening weekend is April 24, and will be open throughout the summer with a few exceptions that can be viewed on their website. Visitors with a Silver, Gold, or Prestige Pass have unlimited entry during the summer and can ride Kings Island’s top attractions like The Beast and The Diamondback roller coasters, get free general parking, waterpark access, and other park perks.

Senior Remy Conwell has had a Gold Pass for three consecutive years and would like to get one for this summer. “Last summer, I went to Kings Island three times a week,” Conwell said. “The investment was absolutely worth it.”

Address: 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45034

Website: https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland

#3 — Cedar Point

Cedar Point’s opening weekend is May 9, and the Sandusky park will be open throughout the summer with a few exceptions that can be viewed on their website. Because Cedar Point is owned by Six Flags, Gold and Prestige Pass holders of Kings Island can also gain entry to Cedar Point throughout the summer. Cedar Point is on the gorgeous Lake Erie and is home to the record-breaking Millenium Force giga coaster.

Senior Lizzie Visger prefers Cedar Point over Kings Island and plans on going back this summer, especially because her Gold Pass will also allow entry into Cedar Point. “Cedar Point is a lot bigger and busier than Kings Island, and it has a lot more roller coasters,” Visger said.

Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870

Website: https://www.sixflags.com/cedarpoint

#4 — Free concerts at Leavitt Pavilion

The Levitt Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue in downtown Dayton that puts on free concerts on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the summer. To learn more about their lineup and showtimes, visit their Facebook page or website below.

Address: 134 S Main St, Dayton, OH 45402

Website: https://levittdayton.org/

#5 — County fairs, 4th of July celebrations, and America’s 250th anniversary festivals

There will be various county fairs, festivals, and Independence Day celebrations around Bellbrook this summer, including…

Huber Heights Marigold Festival — https://www.daytonlocal.com/events/huber-heights-marigold-festival/ – May 8 – 10

Vandalia Sweet Treats Fest — https://www.daytonlocal.com/festivals/vandalia-sweet-treats-fest/ – May 9

Spring Fest in the Burg — https://www.daytonlocal.com/festivals/spring-fest-in-the-burg/ – May 15 – 17

Dayton Burger Fest — https://www.daytonlocal.com/food/dayton-burger-fest-food-truck-rally/ – May 22

Passport to MetroParks 2026 — https://www.daytonlocal.com/events/passport-to-metroparks/ – May 29

Troy Strawberry Festival — https://www.daytonlocal.com/festivals/troy-strawberry-festival/ – June 6 – 7

Dayton Air Show 2026 — https://www.daytonlocal.com/events/dayton-air-show/ – June 13 – 14

Pickle Fest — https://www.daytonlocal.com/festivals/pickle-fest/ – June 20

All America 250 Ohio Events — https://tka.1c9.myftpupload.com/events-calendar/ 

Rotary Park Fourth of July Celebration — https://beavercreekohio.gov/605/4th-of-July 

174th Montgomery County Fair — https://www.montcofair.com/ – July 14 – 19

Dayton Celtic Fest —https://daytoncelticfestival.com/ – July 24 – 26