The Junior League of Indianapolis (JLI) cordially invites you and your family to attend their 51st annual Holiday Mart fundraiser and shopping event from November 17 – 20 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Each year, Holiday Mart offers a unique seasonal shopping experience, featuring small businesses selling everything from clothing to jewelry, art and children’s items. With a wide array of vendors, it’s the perfect place to start your holiday shopping.
New this year, bring your aspiring dancers to Breakfast with Ballerinas on Sunday, November 20, at 10 am. This Nutcracker-inspired special event provides a buffet breakfast and an up-close opportunity for your tiny dancer to see a brief ballet performance, followed by a heartwarming photo opportunity with the dancers from The Village Dance Studio. Attendees are encouraged to dress as ballerinas, too. Make it an afternoon of fun by shopping Holiday Mart following the event. Tickets are available online for $30 and include admission to Holiday Mart.
Older children and families who enjoy festive baked goods are invited to attend a holiday
cupcake decorating class, taught onsite by Cakes by Coffee at 1 pm and 3 pm. Attendees will decorate and take home four distinct, festive cupcakes using holiday-themed designs. Tickets are $45 online and include admission to Holiday Mart.
As the league extends its focus on supporting foster and kinship care to its Holiday Mart
programming, you can expect to see children and families more prominently featured
throughout this year’s event. Event decor this year will feature a “perfect winter day” as drawn by kids supported by The Villages of Indiana. The JLI also introduced Enchanting Entrepreneurs, a new opportunity for young proprietors ages 5-17 to bring their business to Holiday Mart, selling their handmade products during special showcase hours, as follows:
Thursday, November 17, 6 pm – 8 pm during Shoppers’ Eve
Saturday, November 19, 10 am – 2 pm (GA shopping through 6 pm)
Sunday, November 20, 10 am – 2 pm (GA shopping through 4 pm)
Notably, Enchanting Entrepreneurs will not be onsite during general shopping hours (10 am – 8 pm) on Friday, November 18, to ensure participating youth do not miss any school. To learn more about Holiday Mart, participating vendors, special events occurring during Mart, or to purchase tickets, please visit jlindy.org/holidaymart. General admission is free for children 10 years of age and younger.
