It’s the holiday season at Indy Parks! Over the next month, head to one of these Indy Parks and Recreation facilities to create gingerbread houses, dance to Christmas music, and indulge in holiday treats. There are several chances to catch up with Santa at Garfield, Krannert, Perry, and Riverside Parks before he heads to the North Pole for Christmas Eve.

Indy Parks facilities will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Hours will be shorted on New Year’s Day and January 2. All parks will remain open and accessible from dawn until dusk. Regular facility hours will resume Monday, January 3.

The Eagle Creek Park Membership Pass Black Friday sale continues through Cyber Monday. Passes for 2022 are on sale for $10 off, and they can be purchased at indyparks.org. The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 29.

Indy Parks Holiday Events

• Conservatory Crossing

  • When: Now through January 2, 2022
  • Where: Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Dr.
  • Details: Come enjoy our winter wonderland! See the Conservatory decked out in its holiday best with a brilliant display of poinsettias, model trains and village, and thousands of twinkling lights. For times and price information, click here.

• Wreath Making

  • When: November 30, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Where: Broad Ripple Park, 1500 Broad Ripple Ave.
  • Details: Make festive Yuletide wreaths, just in time for the holidays! Basic supplies are provided, but you’re welcome to bring any extra decorations to make your wreath unique to you. Gardening gloves are recommended, as you will be working with fresh pine branches. For details, click here.

• Letters to Santa

  • When: December 1-17
  • Where: Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Rd.
  • Details: Write a letter to Santa and get one back! Letters may be dropped of at Krannert Park’s Family Center or emailed. Replies from Santa can be picked up or will be emailed back between December 20 and 22.

• Christmas Boxes

  • When: December 1-15, pick up December 20-22
  • Where: Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Rd.
  • Details: Bring home some holiday magic! Each box includes holiday movie ideas, games, crafts, treats, and other surprises. For information on how to sign up, click here. 

• Winter Clothing Drive

  • When: December 1 – January 7
  • Where: Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Rd.
  • Details: Donate new or gently used winter clothing, which will be given to a local homeless shelter. Items accepted will include coats, hats, gloves, etc. Donations can be dropped off in the park family center’s lobby.

• Christmas Express Toy Giveaway Registration

  • When: Now through December 3
  • Where: Brookside Park, 3500 Brookside Pkwy S. Dr.
  • Details: Register your child to receive a gift from Santa and a bag of treats! Brookside Park staff is partnering with Toys for Tots to make the holiday season special for local kids. Gifts will be distributed during a drive-thru event on December 11. Registration closes December 3. To sign up a child, click here and select a pick-up time.

• Gingerbread House Making at Broad Ripple Park

  • When: December 3, 10:00 a.m. – 11:15am; December 4, 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.; December 4, 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
  • Where: Broad Ripple Park, 1500 Broad Ripple Ave.
  • Details: Make from scratch your very own delicious gingerbread house to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Your house will be decorated with all kinds of sweets that will be provided. For more information and to register, click here.

• Healthy Holiday Treats

  • When: December 3, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Where: Riverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside Dr.
  • Details: Do you love your traditional holiday dishes but want to upgrade them with a healthy twist? Taught by the Marion County Public Health Department, this class will help you learn how to modify the ingredients without changing the flavors you know and love! To register, click here.

• Cross-Stitch Holiday Ornament

  • When: December 4, 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Where: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Dr.
  • Details: Spend the morning cross-stitching your very own holiday ornament. Pick from a provided pattern and learn how to create the design yourself. You will walk away with a completed ornament, perfect for your own holiday décor or a gift. To register, click here.

• Paws and Claus

  • When: December 4, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Where: Garfield Park Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Dr.
  • Details: Have a furry friend that’s been (mostly) good all year? Bring them to the Burrello Family Center to meet Santa himself! For more information, click here.

• Flow Paint Christmas Ornaments

  • When: December 4, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Where: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Dr.
  • Details: A local artist will show you the art of acrylic flow painting! Create up to five wooden ornaments, just in time for the holidays. To register, click here.

• Holidays at Garfield

  • When: December 11, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Where: Garfield Park Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Dr.
  • Details: Join us for a day of holiday fun for the whole family at Garfield Park! Visit the Conservatory to visit Santa and stop by the Arts Center for holiday-themed arts and crafts, live music, and more. Then, visit the Burrello Family Center to battle your friends in a snowball fight or test your skills at candy cane ice hockey. For details, click here.

• Cookies and Cocoa / Santa Meet and Greet

  • When: December 11, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Where: Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Rd.
  • Details: Decorate Christmas cookies, enjoy hot cocoa, and tell Santa all your Christmas wishes. Take a commemorative photo and work on a craft. To register, click here.

• Skate with Santa

  • When: December 11, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Where: Perry Park, 451 E. Stop 11 Rd.
  • Details: Lace up your skates and hit the ice with Santa! Skates are available for rent.

• Gingerbread House Decorating at Krannert Park

  • When: December 17, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Where: Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Rd.
  • Details: Stop by to decorate your own gingerbread house to enjoy throughout the season! Graham crackers and sweets will be provided. To register, click here.

• Gingerbread House Making at Garfield Park

  • When: December 17, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; December 18, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Where: Garfield Park Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Dr.
  • Details: Bring the whole family to get into the holiday spirit! Listen to holly jolly tunes while creating your very own gingerbread house. Supplies provided. To register, click here.

• Christmas Karaoke Night

  • When: December 17, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Where: Thatcher Park, 4649 W. Vermont St.
  • Details: Grab the karaoke mic and belt out some of your favorite holiday-themed tunes! To register, click here.

• Santa’s Holiday Drive-Thru

  • When: December 18, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Where: Kuntz Soccer Stadium, 1502 W. 16th St.
  • Details: Enjoy a holiday outing with your family while staying socially distant. Wave to Santa and take a picture from a safe distance, drop off a letter to Santa in his mailbox, hear some fun holiday tunes, and receive a special surprise. For more information, click here.

• Christmas Celebration

  • When: December 18, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Where: Riverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside Dr.
  • Details: Stop by and visit Santa before he returns to the North Pole. He will be checking his list to see who has been naughty and nice! For details, click here.

• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas reading

  • When: December 24
  • Where: Virtual
  • Details: Head to Krannert Park’s Facebook page on Christmas Eve to listen to a reading of this Christmas classic.