The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Indianapolis

There’s no time like Christmas in Indianapolis, where you can’t help but feel the magic of the holiday season. From drive-thru Christmas light displays and performances of The Nutcracker to ice skating and train rides, there are SO many fun things for families this season!

Here are a few of our favorite holiday events, Christmas light displays, family-friendly activities, and beloved holiday festivals this holiday season around Indianapolis.

The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun around Indianapolis

Best Family-Friendly Holiday Attraction

1. Festival of Trees | Nov. 15-Jan. 4

2. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov. 23-Jan. 5

3. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov. 22-Jan. 5

4. Jingle Rails | Nov. 16-Jan 20

5. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Nov. 23-Dec. 24

6. A Merry Prairie Holiday |Nov. 29–30 & Dec. 6–22

7. Conservatory Crossing | Nov. 29-Dec. 29

8. Celebration Crossing|Nov. 29-Jan. 5

9. WinterFaire at the Children’s Museum | Nov. 16-Jan. 5

10. Sullivan Express to the North Pole |Nov. 24-Dec. 23

11. Reindeer Ride Express | Nov. 16- Dec. 23

Best Christmas Light Displays

12. Nights of Lights | Nov. 8-Dec. 31

13. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov. 23-Jan. 5

14. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 29–30 & Dec. 6–22

15. Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights | Tree Lighting on Nov. 29

16. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov. 23-Jan. 5

17. The Holiday Stroll | Nov. 29-Dec. 23

18. Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park| Every Fri, Sat, & Sun; Nov. 30-Dec. 29

19. The Lighted Trail | Dec. 8-31

The Best of the Holiday

20. The Best Christmas Tree Farms Near Indianapolis

21. Where to Have Breakfast with Santa Around Indy

22. 7 Local Indy Bakers Making Hot Cocoa Bombs This Season

23. Santa Mailboxes: Where to Mail a Letter to Santa in Indianapolis

24. 10 Cool Local Toy Stores in Indianapolis

25. Where to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Indianapolis

26. Visit a Christmas-themed pop-up restaurant

27. The Best Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating

28. The Best Places to see Christmas Lights in Indianapolis

29. 7 Best Holiday Train Rides in Indiana

Holiday Markets & Christkindlmarkts

30. Christmas Gift & Hobby Show | Nov. 6-10

31. Heritage Farm Artisan Christmas Market | Nov. 9 & 10

32. St. Luke’s Holiday Bazaar | Nov. 9

33. Junior League Holiday Mart | Nov. 15 & 16

34. Carmel Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 23 -Dec. 24

35. Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 29 -Dec. 22

36. Holiday Author Fair | Dec. 7

37. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt – Dec. 7

Holiday Performances

38. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas | The Tarkington | Nov. 29-Dec. 24

39. AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration | Hilbert Circle Theatre | Dec. 6-23

40. Peanut Butter & Jam: Melchior Marionettes Holiday Cabaret on Strings | The Studio Theater | Dec. 14

41. Family Pops: A Viennese Christmas | The Palladium | Dec. 15

42. Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol | Indiana Repertory Theatre | Nov.16-Dec.24

43. A Christmas Story: The Musical | Beef & Boards | Nov. 29-Jan. 4

44. A Christmas Carol | Beef & Boards | Nov. 24-31

Outdoor Ice Skating

45. The Ice at Center Green | Nov. 23-Feb. 2

46.Carmel Christkindlmarkt Rink – Nov. 23-Feb. 2

47. Lawrence Civic Plaza | Dates Coming Soon

48. Ice Ribbon Skating Rink | Opens Nov 23

49. Downtown Indianapolis’ Bicentennial Unity Plaza Ice Rink | Nov. 22-Jan. 26

50. Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza | Nov. 23-Jan. 6

Free Holiday Events

51. Christmas in Pendleton | Nov. 9

52. Holidays in Carmel Kick-off | Nov. 23

53. Circle of Lights | Nov. 29

54. A Lawrence Christmas | Nov. 30

55. Christmas in the Village: Parade Day | Nov. 30

56. Fortville Winterfest | Dec. 7

57. Westfield in Lights | Dec. 7

58. Broad Ripple Lights Up Holiday Festival and Parade | Dec. 7

59. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt | Dec. 7

60. Holly Jolly Jamboree | Dec. 7

61. Merry at Main | Dec. 7

62. Franklin Holiday Lighting | Dec. 7

63. Victorian Christmas Celebration | Dec. 7