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 traditions this holiday season around Indianapolis.

The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun around Indianapolis

Best Family-Friendly Holiday Attraction

1. Festival of Trees | Nov. 10-Jan. 6
2. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov. 18-Dec. 30
3. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov. 18-Jan. 7
4. Jingle Rails | Nov. 18-Jan 15
5. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Nov. 18-Dec. 24
6. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 24-Dec. 22 
7. Conservatory Crossing | Nov. 24-Dec. 31
8. Celebration Crossing – Nov. 24-Dec. 31
9. WinterFaire at the Children’s Museum | Nov. 18-Feb. 11
10. Sullivan Express to the North Pole |Nov. 24-Dec. 23
11. Reindeer Ride Express | Nov. 24- Dec. 21

Best Christmas Light Displays

11. Nights of Lights | Nov. 10-Dec. 31
12. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov. 18-Dec 30
13. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 24-Dec. 22
     
14. Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights | Tree Lighting on Nov. 24
15. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov. 18-Jan. 7
16. The Holiday Stroll | Dec. 1-Dec. 30
17. Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park| Fri-Sun in December 
18. The Lighted Trail | Dec. 3-31

The Best of the Holiday

19. The Best Christmas Tree Farms Near Indianapolis
20. Where to Have Breakfast with Santa Around Indy
21. 7 Local Indy Bakers Making Hot Cocoa Bombs This Season
22. Santa Mailboxes: Where to Mail a Letter to Santa in Indianapolis
23. 10 Cool Local Toy Stores in Indianapolis
24. Where to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Indianapolis
25. Visit a Christmas-themed pop-up restaurant
26. The Best Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating
27. The Best Places to see Christmas Lights in Indianapolis
28. 7 Best Holiday Train Rides in Indiana

Holiday Markets & Christkindlmarkts

28. Christmas Gift & Hobby Show | Nov. 8-12
29. Heritage Farm Artisan Christmas Market | Nov. 11-12
30. St. Luke’s Holiday Bazaar | Nov. 11
31. Junior League Holiday Mart | Nov. 16-19
32. Carmel Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 18 -Dec. 24
33. Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 24 -Dec. 17
34. Holiday Author Fair | Dec. 2
35. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt – Dec. 2

Holiday Performances

36. AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration | Hilbert Circle Theatre | Dec. 1-23
37. Elf The Musical | The Tarkington | Dec. 1-23
38. Santa and Mrs. Claus | The Palladium | Dec. 3
39. Festival of Carols | The Palladium | Dec. 16-17
40. Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol | Indiana Repertory Theatre | Nov.18-Dec.24
41. A Christmas Carol | Beef & Boards | Dec. 1-Dec. 22
42. A White Christmas | Beef & Boards | Nov. 24-31

Outdoor Ice Skating

43. The Ice at Center Green | Nov. 18-Feb. 29
     

    

44. Ice Rink at Holliday Park | Nov. 24-Feb. 29
45. Lawrence Civic Plaza | Nov. 25-Dec. 23
46. Ice Ribbon Skating Rink | Nov. 18-Jan 30
47. Downtown Indianapolis’ Bicentennial Unity Plaza Ice Rink | Nov. 19, 2023-Jan. 21, 2024
48. Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza | Dates Coming Soon
49. Penguin Park at Washington Township Park (Synthetic Ice Rink) | Open for special events

Free Holiday Events

50. Christmas in Pendleton | Nov. 11
51. Christmas in the Village: Parade Day | Nov. 25
52. Circle of Lights | Nov. 24
53. NPT Night Lights | Dec. 1-3
54. Victorian Christmas Celebration | Dec. 2
55. Fortville Winterfest | Dec. 2
56. Holiday in the Arts District | Dec. 2
57. Westfield in Lights | Dec. 2
58. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt | Dec. 2
59. Broad Ripple Lights Up Holiday Festival and Parade | Dec. 3
60. Christmas Express at Brookside | Dec. 9
61. Holly Jolly Jamboree | Dec. 9
62. Merry at Main | Dec. 9
63. Franklin Holiday Lighting | Dec. 9
     

    

64. Reindeer on Main | Dec. 16
65. Christmas Under the Stars
66. Christmas Eve Luminaries | Dec. 24
67. FREE Admission to The Children’s Museum Christmas Eve | Dec. 24