From Santa visits and gingerbread houses to the Garfield Park Conservatory’s dazzling holiday display, Indy Parks is filling November and December with seasonal fun. There’s something for all ages to enjoy at parks and family centers across the city, plus hikes, campfires and wildlife programs for families who love the outdoors.
Many programs are free or cost just a few dollars. Most programs require registration through Indy Parks’ online registration site.
Conservatory Crossing at Garfield Park
The Garfield Park Conservatory becomes a winter wonderland for Conservatory Crossing, Nov. 29 to Dec. 29, 2026. The Conservatory is decked out in its holiday best with poinsettias, model trains, a holiday village and thousands of twinkling lights.
- Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Closed Dec. 23 to 25.
- Admission: $7 per person or $15 per family (two adults max). Kids 2 and under are always free.
- Location: 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis
Plan a visit around one of these special events:
- Santa at the Conservatory: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids can meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes, and admission is free during these hours. Expect a long line; regular admission applies after 1 p.m.
- Jungle Tales: Train Tales: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m. Little ones ages 2 to 5 listen to a story, make a craft and explore Conservatory Crossing on a scavenger hunt. $8; registration required.
- Green Xmas: Craftstravaganza: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Drop in for budget- and planet-friendly crafts such as card collages, upcycled planters, handmade ornaments and dinosaur-shaped crayons, plus a hot drink. $5; ages 8 and up.
- Evening Holiday Storytime: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026, at 7 p.m. Hear a Christmas story inside the Conservatory, which stays open until 8 p.m. that night. Free with Conservatory Crossing admission; no pre-registration.
Related Article: Best Christmas Lights in Indianapolis 2026
Gingerbread Houses and Holiday Crafts
Family centers across the city are hosting hands-on workshops where kids can make ornaments, gifts and sweet treats.
- Ceramic Christmas Ornaments at Indianapolis World Sports Park: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Kids ages 8 to 12 sculpt and decorate clay ornaments with Ripple Mobile Arts. The ornaments are kiln-fired and ready for pickup three to four weeks later. Free; registration required.
- Merry Makers Ornaments at Municipal Gardens Family Center: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, noon to 2 p.m. Kids design and decorate holiday ornaments to take home. Free; ages 3 and up.
- Santa’s Mailbox Workshop at Brookside Park: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, 6 to 7 p.m. Little ones ages 4 to 7 decorate and write wish letters to send to the North Pole. Free.
- Gingerbread Wonderland at Broad Ripple Park: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon. Families build graham cracker gingerbread houses and enjoy holiday crafts, treats and a special visit from Santa. $11 per person, with group discounts available; pre-registration required.
- Jolly Gingerbread House Spectacular at Indianapolis World Sports Park: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, noon to 1 p.m. Build a graham cracker cabin and decorate it with the sweets provided. $5; open to all ages, and kids 5 and under need an adult with them. Pre-registration required.
- Jingle Jars at Ellenberger Park: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m. Sip hot cocoa while filling and decorating a hot cocoa jar to give as a gift. The rink is open for play while crafts dry, so dress warmly. $5; ages 5 and up.
- Winter Woodland Ornaments at Municipal Gardens Family Center: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Create ornaments and seasonal decorations from natural materials. Free; ages 3 and up.
Santa Visits, Snowball Fights and Holiday Parties
- Indoor Snowball Fight at the Garfield Park Burrello Family Center: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, starting at 1 p.m. No snow? No problem. Kids form teams and plan strategies for an epic battle with artificial snowballs in the gym. Free drop-in event; no registration required.
- Christmas Pajama Jam at Brookside Park: Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m. Kids ages 9 to 13 wear their coziest pajamas for music, games, dancing and holiday crafts. $10.
- Winter Jubilation: Santa’s Workshop at Indy Island: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, with sessions at 9 and 10 a.m. Kids under 12 paint ornaments, decorate cookies, take photos with Santa and join a snowball fight with pretend snowballs. Free; register for a session.
- Santa’s Workshop at Christian Park: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, noon to 2 p.m. Kids under 14 make a Christmas craft, decorate cookies and receive a gift. Free; register online or in person.
- Grinchmas at Riverside Park: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, 1 to 3 p.m. Celebrate with the Grinch through Christmas activities, music, games, sweet treats and photo opportunities. Free; for kids 12 and under, and holiday attire is encouraged.
Hikes, Campfires and Wildlife
Between holiday outings, cooler weather is perfect for hiking with kids, and Indy Parks naturalists lead several family programs this season.
- Hunter’s Full Moon Hike & Campfire at Broad Ripple Park: Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Hike at sunset, learn the history of the Hunter’s Moon and end the night with a cozy campfire and s’mores. $5 per person; ages 3 and up; registration required.
- Hike with a Naturalist at Marott Woods Nature Preserve: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. Meet at the College Avenue shelter, and wear good shoes and bring binoculars if you have them. Free; ages 3 and up.
- Friday Campfire: Talk Turkey to Me at Holliday Park: Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a sweet treat by the fire, learn something new and try a night hike. Roasting sticks and s’mores are provided, and families can bring hot dogs to make a meal of it. $7 per person; ages 3 and up; pre-registration required.
- Meet a Raptor and Falcon Fridays at the Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center: Meet one of the park’s bird ambassadors Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 27, 2026, or Fridays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 18, 2026. Free with park admission; no programs on city holidays.
Join the Christmas Bird Count
Close out the year with the Christmas Bird Count at Eagle Creek Park on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2026, 8 a.m. to noon, followed by a pitch-in lunch at the Ornithology Center. Experienced and beginning birders alike can help count every bird in the Eagle Creek Valley for one of the longest-running citizen science projects in the country. Participants should contact the count coordinator by Dec. 1 through the Ornithology Center at (317) 327-2473 so teams can be formed in advance.
Plan Your Holiday Season at Indy Parks
There’s even more to discover. Program details and availability can change, so check each listing before heading out. Find these programs and more on Indy Parks’ registration site, and visit parks.indy.gov for park locations and the full list of programs across the city.
