Free Indianapolis Fun

Join us for December’s Free Saturday, sponsored by the Hamer D. & Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation, for a day of festive holiday fun! When children enter the museum, they will receive Santa bucks that they can use to make and purchase gifts for their families and friends. There will also be a hot cocoa bar that children can enjoy. Since this is Free Saturday, admission will be FREE for all!

*Please note that Amazing Elf Adventure is not included in Free Saturday.

Meet Santa’s Reindeer at Clay Terrace this Holiday Season! Come say hello to Sant’a Reindeer they will be in front of Santa’s house! Maybe you’ll see one fly!

It’s that time of year again – Rowdie Claus time! Indianapolis Indians mascot Rowdie dons the red suit and fluffy white beard for this FREE event.

Come and enjoy:

• Pictures with Rowdie Claus
• Create a holiday craft
• Have some yummy snacks and hot chocolate
• See the Victory Field holiday lights display

This event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring canned food donations for Wheeler Mission Ministries.

Parking is free in the Victory Field parking lot.

Enjoy a spin around our city entertainment districts or brave the elements with a brisk stroll along the Monon Greenway. The free Holiday Trolley will stop in the Arts & Design District, Carmel City Center, the Indiana Design Center and Center Green for the Christkindlmarkt and Ice at Center Green.

Families are invited to try a variety of the Learning Curve’s robotics technology and practice programming. With various types of robots and games available each week, participants can try something new or dive deeper into a favorite. Children under the age of 7 need to be accompanied by an adult. This program will be held in the Arena.

GREENWOOD, IN Greater Greenwood Community Band is concluding its 25th Anniversary season with the annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 16 in the Greenwood High School auditorium. Narrated by Greenwood Mayor, Mark Myers, this musical event is packed with festive Christmas favorites, multimedia, and a special visit from Santa.
Directors, Ora Pemberton and Randy Greenwell will be conducting the not-for-profit 80 piece band of volunteer musicians. Last year Greenwell retired from Lawrence Central High School and was inducted into the Bands of America’s “Hall of Fame”. For further details about the organization and to join the mailing list, visit the group’s website, http://www.GreenwoodBand.org.

Bring friends and family to enjoy a festive Sunday afternoon concert celebrating the start of winter. No tickets required. Donations to help support the band are greatly appreciated, and a gift of canned goods for the local Salvation Army will be collected to help those in need within our local community. Doors open at 1:30 for a concert downbeat at 2:00.

Your donations to help support the band are greatly appreciated, but, as always, admission is free!

Calling all homeschoolers between the ages of 5-8! Join us on the third Monday of each month to explore a STEAM concept in a fun, hands-on environment! No registration required.

Preschoolers ages 3 – 6 and an adult are invited to listen, jump and dance to holiday music with Miss Kasey. Scarves and rhythm instruments will be provided for added fun.

Tuesday Night Concerts are better than ever! With the updated
AMP boasting improved connectivity and sidewalks, centrally
located restrooms, and more, families will love this Fishers
summer tradition. Bring your blanket and a picnic for these
free concerts presented by IU Health Saxony. June concerts
will be held on the Central Green as we await the grand
opening of the new NPD AMP.

Preschoolers 2 and 3 years old and an adult are invited for stories, songs, movement, crafts and STEAM activities. FREE.

Young ones from infants to age 6 are invited for a class that will provide instrument play, coordinated dance and song, free movement, socialization and an introduction to music that is fun and purposeful. This program is presented by Girls Rock! Indianapolis. Call to register. FREE.

Families are invited to try a variety of the Learning Curve’s robotics technology and practice programming. With various types of robots and games available each week, participants can try something new or dive deeper into a favorite. Children under the age of 7 need to be accompanied by an adult. This program will be held in the Arena.

Celebrate Christmas Eve at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis with free admission.

Join GPAC for an evening of terrible art! Trophies will be awarded for the worst possible thing created. Skills are frowned upon. Come out for some fun, some music, and a time to socialize with other inept artists. FREE.

Put on your cutest pair of pajamas, grab your favorite teddy bear, pack up an old blanket, and join us for Pajama-Rama! Families looking for a fun program to enjoy with their toddlers and preschoolers will love the Music Educator from Moriah Music, who will lead us in songs and stories about some of our favorite animals. Best for families with children ages 1-7. FREE.

Preschoolers and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays and rhymes following by playtime at the library. FREE

Join them for their monthly preschool story hour. Story hour includes a craft, activity and of course a story! Pre-registration: Preferred.  FREE. 

The Festival of Ice at Center Green Art of Ice weekend features carving demonstrations by professional ice carvers, a fast-paced carve-off competition, a firehouse chili cook-off, a kids play area, skating to a live DJ, and more!  Grab your family, friends or significant other and join the fun! Free.

Hot Jazz for Cool kids! 😎 Always one of our most popular programs. Coming in 2019, three free, all age concerts featuring Indy’s top jazz musicians performing at Central Library in the Clowes Auditorium.

Guitarist Bill Lancton, January 13.

Adults and families are invited to experience the dynamic world of chamber music with members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. This program is made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. FREE.

Service and community were central themes in the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration of his life and legacy, guests are invited each year in January to join the Indianapolis Zoo as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Along with our other partners in White River State Park, parking and admission to the Zoo are free on this day with the donation of a non-perishable food item for Gleaner’s Food Bank (minimum donation of one item per person).

Admission to Conner Prairie is free Jan. 21 as the museum invites visitors to celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of peaceful protesting. Special events and activities are planned throughout the day, including theatrical performances, family games, archaeology activities, art and much more! FREE.

The Eiteljorg Museum will offer FREE admission to all on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day along with the other White River State Park (WRSP) attractions. Free.

FREE museum admission with donation of a canned good for Gleaners Food Bank
Celebrate Dr. King’s dream and explore the struggle for civil rights. See highlights from Dr. King’s most iconic speeches, explore activities pertaining to civil and human rights, help create a “Dream” mural, and reflect on what you can do to ensure the dream lives on.

Where are the animals in winter and how do we know they are around? Join the Naturalist for a .5 mile hike at 12pm to look for clues they leave behind. Please wear warm shoes and warm coats! Afterwards, warm up in the Activity Center with a fire and crafts (available from 12:45 to 4). Free. 

Children ages 2 – 6 are invited to marvel in the frozen precipitation called SNOW with Professor Watermelon. They’ll enjoy fun stories, puppets, songs and dances while learning that snowflakes, like our thumbprints, are uniquely designed. FREE.

Children up to age 6 with an adult are invited to the Library’s community room to play together. Toys will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own. This is an opportunity for adults to get to know other caregivers who have young children. FREE.

Young ones ages 2 – 5 with an adult are invited for stories, songs and movement activities. FREE.

Babies and toddlers up to 36 months and an adult are invited to listen to stories, sing, clap and stomp their way to reading readiness! Playtime will follow the storytime.

Babies up to 18 months and an adult are invited to listen, clap, bounce and learn.

Come find out how winter affects our beautiful central Indiana butterflies and how they prepare for it. We’ll talk about ways to support them throughout their life cycle and make a butterfly feeder to take home. Pre-registration: Preferred. FREE.