Madison

These five Indiana towns know how to get into the holiday spirit, offering fun activities and events throughout the Christmas season. Whether you’re dreaming of visiting a classic Christmas town in Indiana or planning a festive winter getaway, these destinations deliver lights, markets, Santa visits and unforgettable family experiences. Add extra sparkle to your holiday memories by planning a road trip to one of these family-friendly Christmas towns in Indiana. 1. Santa Claus Santa Claus, Indiana is perhaps the most famous of all the Christmas towns in Indiana. Its claim to fame is Santa’s Post Office, the only post office in the world with the Santa Claus name. Santa Claus, Indiana, is also home to many other attractions, including Santa’s Toy Shop, Santa’s Candy Castle, Santa’s Stables, and more. Each holiday season, the town hosts the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration, a town-wide festival with special events over multiple December weekends. Families can also experience the Santa Claus Land of Lights, a 1.2-mile drive-through light adventure at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph that tells the story of Rudolph in brilliant LED displays, along with other festive events, parades and light shows throughout the town. If You Go: Santa Claus Drive time from Indy: About 2.5–3 hours southwest. Best time to visit: Late November through December for the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration and Santa Claus Land of Lights. Don’t miss: Santa Claus Museum & Village, Santa’s Candy Castle, Santa Claus Land of Lights, and the town’s famous post office. More info: Official Santa Claus, Indiana tourism site 2. Carmel Carmel, Indiana, has put itself on the map as one of the best Christmas towns, primarily because of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is the premier holiday attraction in Carmel, Indiana, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each season and earning national recognition as one of the best Christmas markets in the United States. The sights, smells and vendors transport visitors into the world of an authentic Christmas market in Germany. Enjoy authentic German treats, sip warm Glühwein or Glühbier, ice skate on a gorgeous outdoor rink, shop for German-made ornaments and gifts, and take in live music and entertainment. The market is free to attend and open to all; there is a fee for ice skating, food and drink. If You Go: Carmel Drive time from Indy: About 5–30 minutes from most Indy-area neighborhoods, depending on where you live. Best time to visit: Late November through Christmas Eve during Christkindlmarkt season. Don’t miss: Ice skating on the outdoor rink, collectible boot mugs, German treats and evening visits under the twinkle lights. More info: Official Carmel Christkindlmarkt website 3. Shipshewana Magical is the only word to describe wandering around Shipshewana during the holidays. Something about the clip-clop of horse hooves and millions of twinkle lights among blankets of Midwestern snow turns everyone into a kid again. Holiday highlights in Shipshewana include the Lighting of Shipshewana with its Christmas Light Parade and downtown tree lighting, plus Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy, a drive-through light experience that runs from late November through the end of December. Add in festive shopping, carriage rides and cozy Amish-country lodging, and you have a memorable Christmas getaway. If You Go: Shipshewana Drive time from Indy: About 2.5–3.5 hours north. Best time to visit: Early November for the Lighting of Shipshewana, and late November through December for Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy. Don’t miss: Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy drive-through display, the Christmas Light Parade, downtown shopping and buggy rides. More info: Visit Shipshewana Christmas page 4. Madison Experience a memorable season in Merry Madison. Christmas in the historic city of Madison, IN holds a unique charm. With fairy lights twinkling on the rooftops of Main Street and warmly lit stores packed with gifts beneath, a beautifully decorated holiday-themed fountain and personal visits from Santa Claus, it is indeed a time of merriment and radiance. Each year, Madison becomes “Merry Madison & More,” with a full calendar of holiday events that includes Light Up Merry Madison, the A Very Merry Madison Christmas Parade and the A Very Merry Madison Christmas Celebration at the historic Broadway Fountain, along with concerts, candlelight tours and special shopping nights throughout the season. Everyone is warmly invited to soak in the festive atmosphere and engage with the spirited local community. If You Go: Madison Drive time from Indy: About 1.75–2 hours southeast. Best time to visit: Late November through early December during Light Up Merry Madison and the Christmas Parade. Don’t miss: The Christmas Parade and Celebration at Broadway Fountain, historic Main Street shopping and Ohio River views. More info: Visit Madison official tourism site 5. French Lick French Lick Resort is the place for all things jolly this holiday season. The resort’s beloved Season of Lights (also known as 50 Days of Lights) transforms the property into a dazzling winter wonderland from mid-November into early January. Families can enjoy two grand tree-lighting ceremonies at French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel, plus a half-million lights, towering Christmas trees, gingerbread displays, holiday train rides, kids’ activities and festive dining experiences. With family-friendly activities throughout the resort, the holidays shine brightest at French Lick. If You Go: French Lick Drive time from Indy: About 2–2.5 hours south. Best time to visit: Mid-November through early January during the Season of Lights. Don’t miss: Tree-lighting ceremonies, the grand lobbies at French Lick and West Baden, holiday train rides and gingerbread displays. More info: French Lick Resort Season of Lights

Madison

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