Indianapolis sparkles during the holiday season: Christmas lights, ice skating, and holiday cheer! This holiday season, join in the celebration by getting out and visiting one (or more!) of these lesser-known, under-the-radar holiday festivals close to Indianapolis.
Under-the-Radar Fall Festivals near Indianapolis:
Holidays at the Hill
Opening Date: Nov. 18; activities vary by date. | Federal Hill Commons
Enjoy the Holiday Walking Light Tour, Ice Skating, Holiday Carriage Rides, and more! 
A Lawrence Christmas
Nov. 24 | Lawrence Civic Plaza
Visit the newly renovated Civic Plaza, where you can skate on a skating rink, browse food vendors and holiday-themed booths at the winter market, see a variety show hosted by Brian Wilkes and enjoy free cookies while listening to live music.
Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm Artisans Festival
Nov. 24-26 & Dec. 1-3 | Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm
Two weekends for crafts and artisans to share their wares. Plus this festival offers guests the chance to cut down their Christmas tree, live music, pony rides, and more.
Santa Train & Holiday Market
Dec. 1 | 24 N Main St, Bargersville
Experience the magic of the holiday season at our Santa Train and Holiday Market community event! The highlight of the event will be the arrival of Santa Claus himself, as he makes a grand entrance on the Santa Train. Farther down Main Street, indulge in the Holiday Market, where local craft vendors will showcase their talents and offer unique gifts and goodies.
Indianapolis Christmas Carnival
Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 14-24 | Waterman’s Family Farm
The festival’s vast array of attractions includes the Creepy Christmas Fun House, Frozen Experience, and Indiana’s largest inflatable snow tube slide. Adventure seekers can try rock climbing or a train ride through a dazzling multi-color Christmas tree.
The Holiday Stroll
Dec 1-3, 8-10, 15-23 | Kelsay Farms
Kelsay Farms invites visitors to stroll through the farm during the holidays for a magical experience. Come with your cameras to make the most of the festival’s larger-than-life decorations and capture some truly extraordinary memories! Relax amongst the lights and the trees while sipping your hot cocoa by a warm campfire.
LIVE! Family Christmas
Dec. 2 | Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
The year is 1888 and President Harrison, his Ohio family, and the household staff will be home for the holidays. Excited for Christmas Day, they will be wrapping presents, chatting about the upcoming move to Washington, whether or not there will be a Christmas tree in the White House, and personally offering their good wishes to you and yours for the holidays.
Christmas on the Farm
Dec. 2 | Traders Point Creamery
Visit Santa in the big Red Barn and give him your Christmas list! Sing along with live Holiday Music and make Holiday Crafts. Take in the beauty of the farm on a Sleigh-Hayride.
Treat yourself to our organic Eggnog, Hot Chocolate, and a festive menu at the Jingle Bell Cafe in the Traders Point Creamery barn.
Westfield in Lights
Dec. 2 | Grand Junction Plaza
This FREE Holiday festival will have Pictures with Santa, Food & Retail vendors, Frosty the Snowman, Reindeer Show & Petting, Carnival Games with prizes, Caricature Artists, Llama Walking Attraction, Live Music, and More! The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:50 PM on the Main Stage!
Victorian Christmas Celebration
Dec. 2 | Downtown Mooresville
Discover Victorian Christmas in Downtown Mooresville with a free shuttle, carolers, craft fair, carriage rides, and more.
Fortville Winterfest
Dec. 2 | Downtown Fortville
Celebrate the holidays with a parade, Santa, live music, food vendors, and the tree lighting at Fortville Winterfest.
Sankt Nikolaus Festival
Dec. 3 | Athenaeum
All are welcome to enjoy this nostalgic visit with Christmas past. With a focus on family fun and making lasting memories, the Athenaeum Foundation brings traditional holiday favorites to ring in the season of joy.
Christmas in the Park
Dec. 9 | Elm Street Green
Here’s your chance kids! Grab your letter to Santa and head to Elm Street Green. Santa and his reindeer will be stopping by. Enjoy activities, cocoa and a toasty campfire, crafts, a candy cane scavenger hunt and MORE as we bring Christmas to the park this holiday season! Parking will not be available at the park. Register to secure your spot.
Reindeer on Main
Dec. 16 | Main Street Greenfield
Make it the most wonderful time of year with a morning out in historic downtown Greenfield! Join us Saturday, Dec. 16 to meet Santa’s reindeer before they have to head back to the North Pole and step inside Penny Lane’s vintage VW photo bus and enjoy a complimentary holiday family photo. Gourmet hot cocoa and freshly roasted holiday nuts will be available for purchase. Plus, enjoy shopping local for a few last-minute gifts at our mini holiday market just inside the Bradley Hall Events building lobby.
