Polar Bear Express

So many fabulous holiday happenings this weekend in Hamilton County! Festive Fridays in Carmel - Final Night! Every Friday night through Dec. 18, join participating merchants of the Carmel Arts & Design district for an evening of food, fun and shopping! Visit the Museum of Miniature Houses for Holiday Storytelling. Search Shop Windows for Decorated Christmas Stockings and your chance to win valuable prizes! Snap Holiday Selfies along the Trail of Selfie Stops. Details: When: Friday nights through Dec. 18 Where: Carmel Arts & Design District Cost: Free admission Festival of Carols Add sparkle, shimmer, and musical magic to your holiday season as Festival of Carols celebrates its 25th anniversary. Featuring your all-time favorite Christmas carols including Hark, The Herald Angels Sing and I’ll be home for Christmas. The Symphonic Choir is joined by two-time Grammy Award winning artist, Sylvia McNair, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and special guests, including old St. Nick himself. Create new memories with one of the Midwest’s most beloved holiday traditions this December. Details: When: Dec. 18-20, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. Where: The Palladium, Carmel Cost: Tickets start at $15 A Year with Frog and Toad presented by Actors Theatre of Indiana They’re back! After a long hibernation, Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters have returned to hop “page to stage” in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s charming holiday musical production, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD! Holding true to the heart of the book series, this is a story of friendship that spans four fun-filled seasons. It bubbles with beautiful melody and wit, making it an inventive, exuberant and enchanting musical for ages 4 to 104! Make it a part of your family’s annual holiday tradition. Details: When: December 11-27 Where: Studio Theatre, Carmel Cost: Adults: $25.00; students (3-18): $17.50 Mary Poppins See the musical the NY Daily News called “Magical. A roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!” Based on the similarly titled series of books by P.L. Travers and one of the most popular Disney movies of all time, this show is fun for the whole family. On Dec. 11 and 18, immerse yourselves in a totally English experience before the performance with the Mary Poppins High Tea experience (additional cost). Details: When: Select days, Dec. 11-Jan. 2 Where: The Tarkington, Carmel Cost: $48 Adult, $24 Students Conner Prairie by Candlelight This family-friendly, 90-minute guided tour that takes you back more than 175 years ago to Prairietown where it’s the night before Christmas. Meet the Ullmans who are celebrating Hanukkah. Discover who Belznichol is at the Golden Eagle Inn, and then visit with the Curtis family to hear about Santa Claus and who he might visit that night. Following the guided tour, laugh and joke with the Rowdies around the bonfire, who are known town partiers. Recommended for ages 7 and older and is ideal for guests who prefer a more structured program in the evening hours. Pre-paid reservations are require. Details: When: Dec. 18-19; tours begin at 6 pm and run every 12 minutes until 9 pm. Where: Conner Prairie, Fishers Cost: $16/adult ($14/adult member) $13/youth ages 2-12 ($11/youth member) $15/adult & $12/youth for groups of 15+ guests Country Christmas at Stonycreek Farm Create (or continue!) a family tradition with a hayride to the field to choose and cut your own Christmas tree! At the Greenhouse you will also find a wide selection of freshly cut Fraser Fir trees, fresh wreaths, garland, kissing balls, and poinsettias. Browse through the gift shop to find gifts for your friends and family! Details: When: Daily through Dec. 20 Where: Stonycreek Farm, Noblesville Cost: Free admission; tree prices vary Ride the Polar Bear Express Join Santa and his friends on the Polar Bear Express! It’s one of Indiana’s beloved Holiday Traditions for kids of all ages brought to you by the Indiana Transportation Museum. Journey to the North Pole on the Museum’s Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a holiday story and treats along the way. For departure dates, times and tickets, visit http://itm.org/events/pbx/ Seats sell quickly! Purchase yours soon! Details: When: Select days through Dec. 23 Where: Fishers Train Station Cost: See website for ticket pricing Holiday Adventures and Gingerbread Village at Conner Prairie Experience an 1836 winter season with a visit to the homes and businesses in Prairietown. Join in the holiday preparations as you find out which Prairietown residents celebrate Christmas and which ones do not. Lend a helping hand with wintertime chores, explore the science of baking, see historical chocolate processing techniques, and be an actor for the day when you participate in the popular Anything Can Happen Theater. Holiday Adventures is recommended for all ages and is ideal for little ones and family members who prefer to move at their own pace. While at Conner Prairie be sure to stop by the Gingerbread Village, featuring a variety of gingerbread creations made by both amateurs and professionals. Details: When: Select days through Jan. 3 Where: Conner Prairie, Fishers Cost: $12/adult, $9/youth ages 2-12; free for members and youth under age 2 Free Carriage Rides in Zionsville Enjoy a carriage ride for FREE compliments of Blue River Carriage Company. Snuggle up with your loved ones while you enjoy a carriage ride through the streets of downtown Zionsville, which are all decked out for the holidays. Rides are offered on a first come first serve basis, no reservations needed. Details: When: Sat., Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. and Sun., Dec. 20 at noon Where: Carriage rides depart from the corner of Cedar and Main. Cost: FREE on a first come, first serve basis

Polar Bear Express

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