Christmas Nights of Lights
Nov 6 – Dec 31 · 6 p.m.–10 p.m.
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis
$40 per carload (up to 8 people); $60 for 9–15; $85 for 16–35; online reservations required
Top Event Picks for Family Fun around IndianapolisOur very favorite events happening around Indianapolis
Looking for something to do? Well Indianapolis has hundreds of events each day, so how do you choose what the best ones are? Indy’s Child top rated events list is a curated list based on the events our staff members and readers find most interesting.
The Best Family-Friendly Events in Indianapolis:
Christmas Gift & Hobby Show
Nov 11–15 · Times vary
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis
$14 at the door, $12 online; 12 and under free
Little Ducklings at Eagle Creek Park
Nov 12 & Dec 10 · 10:30 a.m.–noon
Select Thursdays
Eagle Creek Ornithology Center, Indianapolis
Included with park admission ($6 per car for Marion County residents, $8 for nonresidents)
Festival of Trees
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, Indianapolis
$15 adults, $14 seniors, $5 ages 5–17; under 5 and IHS members free
Urban Forest School at Indy Parks
Nov 13, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027 · 10 a.m.–noon
Select Fridays
Marott Woods Nature Preserve, Indianapolis
Disney’s Descendants The Musical at Pike High School
Nov 13–14 · Times vary
Pike Performing Arts Center, Indianapolis
$15 adults, $10 students and youth
St. Luke’s Holiday Bazaar
Nov 14 · 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Indianapolis
Cereal Cinema: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Nov 14 · 10 a.m.
Basile Theater in the Historic Athenaeum, Indianapolis
$7
Heritage Farm Artisan Christmas Market
Nov 14–15 · Times vary
Heritage Farm, Day trip
$6 per person ($25 maximum per family); kids 3 and under free
FreeClasses & Crafts
Lowe’s DIY Workshop
Nov 14, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 & Jan 16, 2027 · 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Select Saturdays
Lowe's Home Improvement, Indianapolis
ISO History in Harmony: Moonstrike at Conner Prairie
Nov 14 · 11 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Conner Prairie, Fishers
Included with regular admission
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Nov 14 – Dec 26 · Times vary
Select dates
Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis
From $27 (fees included); prices vary by date and seat
Circle City Toy Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Nov 15 · 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis
$7 in advance; $10 at the door; ages 10 and under free; parking $10
Playdate at the Park
Nov 17 & Dec 15 · 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
Select Tuesdays
Holliday Park Nature Center, Indianapolis
Broadway in Indianapolis: Mrs. Doubtfire
Nov 17–22 · Times vary
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, Indianapolis
Mamma Mia! at Roncalli High School
Nov 19–21 · Times vary
Roncalli High School, Indianapolis
$10 adults, $5 children and students
SpongeBob The Musical at Southport High School
Nov 20–22 · Times vary
Southport High School, Indianapolis
$10
Santa’s BIG Snowball Fight
Nov 21 · 9:30 a.m.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Included with museum admission
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at the Eiteljorg Museum
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027 · Hours vary
Daily
Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis
Included with museum admission (adults $20, youth 5–17 $12, ages 4 and under free)
Christmas at the Zoo
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · 5 p.m.
Select dates
Indianapolis Zoo
Included with zoo admission: $28.75-$35.75 adults, $25.75-$32.75 ages 2-12 online, by date; zoo members free
Free Community Movie Series
Nov 24 – Dec 15 · 7 p.m.–9 p.m.
Tuesdays
Schrott Center for the Arts, Indianapolis
Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm Artisan Festival
Nov 27 – Dec 6 · 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm, Arlington
Celebration Crossing
Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Daily
Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis
Included with museum admission: $23 adults, $21 seniors, $17 ages 3-17; under 3 and members free
Conservatory Crossing
Nov 27 – Dec 27 · Hours vary
Tue–Sun
Garfield Park Conservatory, Indianapolis
$7 per person or $15 per family (2 adults max); ages 2 and under free; cash or card at the door
Christmas at the Zoo: Sensory-Friendly Evening
Dec 2 & 16 · 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
Select Wednesdays
Indianapolis Zoo
Included with zoo admission: $28.75-$35.75 adults, $25.75-$32.75 ages 2-12 online, by date; zoo members free
AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
Dec 4–23 · Times vary
Select dates
Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis
Tickets from $45; prices vary by performance and seat
FreeClasses & Crafts
Home Depot In-Store Kids Workshops
Dec 5, 2026 – Mar 6, 2027 · 9 a.m.–noon
First Saturdays
The Home Depot, Carmel
Teddy Bear Concert Series
Dec 5, 2026 – Jul 12, 2027 · Times vary
Select dates
Franklin Road Branch Library, Indianapolis
Yuletide Brunch with Santa
Dec 13 & 20 · noon–2 p.m.
Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis
$65 adults, $30 children 12 and under; concert ticket required
Indianapolis Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec 17–22 · Times vary
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, Indianapolis
From $29.65 with fees
Legacy Dance Company: The Nutcracker
Dec 19–20 · Times vary
Mt. Vernon High School, Fortville
$22 plus a $2.20 fee
Indianapolis Ballet’s Nutcracker Sweets
Dec 27–30 · Times vary
Schrott Center for the Arts, Indianapolis
$36.10-$48.55 with fees
Countdown to Noon
Dec 31 · 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Included with museum admission; free for members and children under 2
Family New Year’s Eve at the Indiana State Museum
Dec 31 · 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis
$18; members 25% off; ages 2 and under free; $8 Access Pass
Nov 6 – Dec 316 p.m.–10 p.m.
Christmas Nights of Lights
Nov 11–15Times vary
Christmas Gift & Hobby Show
Nov 12 & Dec 1010:30 a.m.–noon
Little Ducklings at Eagle Creek Park
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 202710 a.m.–5 p.m.
Festival of Trees
Select Fridays, Nov 13, 2026 – Apr 30, 202710 a.m.–noon
Urban Forest School at Indy Parks
Nov 13–14Times vary
Disney’s Descendants The Musical at Pike High School
Nov 13–15Times vary
Seussical at Grace Church
Nov 149 a.m.–3 p.m.
St. Luke’s Holiday Bazaar
Nov 1410 a.m.
Cereal Cinema: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Nov 1410 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Christmas in Pendleton
Nov 14–15Times vary
Heritage Farm Artisan Christmas Market
Nov 14, 2026, Dec 12, 2026 & Jan 16, 202710 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lowe’s DIY Workshop
Nov 1411 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
ISO History in Harmony: Moonstrike at Conner Prairie
Select dates, Nov 14 – Dec 26Times vary
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Nov 1510 a.m.–4 p.m.
Circle City Toy Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Nov 17 & Dec 1510 a.m.–11 a.m.
Playdate at the Park
Nov 17–22Times vary
Broadway in Indianapolis: Mrs. Doubtfire
Nov 19–21Times vary
Mamma Mia! at Roncalli High School
Nov 20–22Times vary
SpongeBob The Musical at Southport High School
Nov 219:30 a.m.
Santa’s BIG Snowball Fight
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027Hours vary
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at the Eiteljorg Museum
Nov 21 – Dec 24Times vary
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 20275 p.m.
Christmas at the Zoo
Tuesdays, Nov 24 – Dec 157 p.m.–9 p.m.
Free Community Movie Series
Nov 27 – Dec 69 a.m.–5 p.m.
Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm Artisan Festival
Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 202710 a.m.–5 p.m.
Celebration Crossing
Nov 27 – Dec 27Hours vary
Conservatory Crossing
Nov 275 p.m.–9 p.m.
Circle of Lights
Dec 2 & 165 p.m.–9 p.m.
Christmas at the Zoo: Sensory-Friendly Evening
Dec 4–23Times vary
AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
First Saturdays, Dec 5, 2026 – Mar 6, 20279 a.m.–noon
Home Depot In-Store Kids Workshops
Dec 510 a.m.–1 p.m.
Santa at the Conservatory
Select dates, Dec 5, 2026 – Jul 12, 2027Times vary
Teddy Bear Concert Series
Dec 6–31All day
The Lighted Trail
Dec 13 & 20noon–2 p.m.
Yuletide Brunch with Santa
Dec 17–22Times vary
Indianapolis Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec 19–20Times vary
Legacy Dance Company: The Nutcracker
Dec 27–30Times vary
Indianapolis Ballet’s Nutcracker Sweets
Dec 3110 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Countdown to Noon
Dec 316 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Family New Year’s Eve at the Indiana State Museum
Feb 2711 a.m.–2 p.m.
2027 Summer Camp Fair
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