Looking for the best Christmas lights near Indianapolis? Every holiday season, Indy fills up with drive-thru light shows you can see in your pajamas, walk-through gardens and trails, free neighborhood displays and a few road trips worth the gas. This guide sorts them by how you want to see them, with dates, prices and our own family notes. The first drive-thru opens Nov. 6, 2026, and nearly everything on this list is lit by the first weekend of December.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Indianapolis
- Drive-thru Christmas lights
- Walk-through lights (tickets needed)
- Free Christmas lights
- Worth the drive
- Quick guide table
Related Article: Free Holiday Festivals in Indianapolis
Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Near Indianapolis
No coats, no stroller and no one wandering off. These shows let the whole family see the lights from the car.
Near Noblesville or Fishers? Try the Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure or A Merry Prairie Holiday.
Christmas Nights of Lights
- Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds; enter at Gate 3, 1698 E. 42nd St., Indianapolis
- Dates: Nightly, Nov. 6 to Dec. 31, 2026, rain, shine or snow
- Hours: 6 to 10 p.m., with later entry on select December nights
- Price: $40 per carload of up to eight people; online reservations required. Christmas Nights of Lights tickets
My family’s take: Christmas Nights of Lights is a never-miss tradition for us. Even our dog comes along and loves the ride. We usually swing through McDonald’s for Happy Meals and let the kids eat in the car while we wait. It might be the easiest activity we do all season. Weeknights have been the quickest for us.
The drive takes 30 to 40 minutes and runs past light tunnels and displays set to music on 90.7 FM. Kids can count the elves along the way.
Danville Winterland Holiday Light Show
- Location: Ellis Park, Danville
- Dates: Nightly, Nov. 20 to Dec. 27, 2026; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
- Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Price: $5 per car Monday through Thursday; $10 per car Friday through Sunday
A classic drive-thru in a Hendricks County park, and one of the cheapest paid light shows around on a weeknight. Santaland is open Fridays through Sundays. The Winterland Holiday Light Show is an easy add-on to dinner on the west side.
Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park
- Location: Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Road, Anderson
- Dates: Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 27, 2026
- Hours: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Price: $10 per vehicle. Friends of Mounds State Park: Nights of Lights
A relaxed drive past campsites decorated by individuals, groups and businesses inside the state park. Read more about Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park.
Free drive-thrus: Christmas Acres in Franklin, the Mooresville Christmas Light Tour and Arbuckle Acres Park in Brownsburg cost nothing. Find them in our list of free Christmas lights near Indianapolis.
More drive-thrus: Lights Under Louisville and Santa Claus Land of Lights are drive-thru shows too. Find them under Christmas lights worth the drive.
Walk-Through Christmas Lights (Tickets Needed)
Most of these are walks, and several sell timed tickets. The last two, Glimmer Lights and the Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure, are rides.
Christmas at the Zoo
- Location: Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
- Dates: Nov. 21, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027, daily starting at 5 p.m.; closed Nov. 26, Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31, 2026, and Jan. 1, 2027
- More info: Christmas at the Zoo details
My family’s take: The zoo at night is pure magic, especially with the lights. My kids always remember meeting Tropical Santa by the flamingos. The extra activities make it feel like the North Pole came to Indy. Paths are stroller-friendly, and there are plenty of warm-up spots.
Santa’s Magic Cottage is open nightly. Sensory-friendly evenings on Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and 16, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m., turn down the music, swap flashing lights for steady ones where possible and set up a calming room. See the Christmas at the Zoo listing for more.
Winterlights at Newfields
- Location: Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis
- Dates: Nov. 20, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027
- Price: $25 to $39 for adults and $16 to $30 for ages 6 to 17, depending on the night; kids 5 and under free. Tickets are on sale now. Winterlights at Newfields
My family’s take: Winterlights at Newfields is a tradition we rarely miss. I try to book the very first time slot of the evening. It feels warmer and the crowds are lighter.
This is the 10th season of Winterlights, a walk of about 90 minutes through the gardens on an accessible path. Strollers, small wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. Advance timed tickets are required, so plan ahead for December weekends.
A Merry Prairie Holiday
- Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers
- Dates: Nov. 27 to 28, 2026; Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 4 to 20, 2026; Dec. 21 to 23 and Dec. 26 to 28, 2026
- Hours: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. with timed entry
- Price: $26 for ages 2 and up; $15 for members; $10 with an Access Pass; under 2 free. Tickets for A Merry Prairie Holiday
My family’s take: A Merry Prairie Holiday gets bigger every year. I love Prairietown any time, but the lantern glow and carols make it extra special.
Expect thousands of lights in The Junction, holiday scenes in Prairietown, a projection show on the Conner House, Kringle’s Carousel and the Polar Bear Plunge tubing hill. The Merry Marketplace has an indoor sock-skating rink, so pack socks. Candle dipping ($5) and Santa photos ($15 per image) cost extra.
The Holiday Stroll at Kelsay Farms
- Location: 6848 N. County Road 250 E., Whiteland
- Dates: Dec. 4 to 23, 2026; Fridays through Sundays, plus nightly Dec. 17 to 23, 2026
- Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.
- Price: $10 for ages 2 and up; under 2 free; $8 each for groups of 20 or more. The Holiday Stroll at Kelsay Farms
Lighted trees, oversized decorations, campfires, cocoa, a Whoville hunt, snowball throwing, farm animals and Santa visits make The Holiday Stroll an easy night out with early bedtimes in mind. Parking is free in the hay field, and restrooms are portable.
Glimmer Lights at Piney Acres
- Location: Piney Acres Farm, 1115 E. 1000 N., Fortville
- Dates: Select nights Nov. 15 to Dec. 20, 2026, mostly Thursdays through Sundays
- Price: Train ride $18, tractor-wagon ride $15, plus fees; $3 off the 8 and 8:30 p.m. rides
A short train ride through light displays on the tree farm, with cocoa, a cookie and a visit with Santa in his cabin. Read more about Glimmer Lights at Piney Acres.
Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure
- Location: Nickel Plate Express, check in at Santa’s House in Forest Park, 825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville
- Dates: Select nights Nov. 19 to Dec. 31, 2026; rides at 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.
- Price: $24.95 per seat or $89.95 for a four-person bike
Pedal an open-air railbike through holiday lights and a 60-foot light tunnel in Noblesville, with a cocoa and cookie stop. Bring blankets. Get the details on the Holiday Lights Railbike Adventure.
Free Christmas Lights Near Indianapolis
Some of the best lights around Indy cost nothing. These are our favorites, and our full list of free Christmas lights near Indianapolis has dates, addresses and more stops.
- Circle of Lights, downtown Indianapolis: The lighting celebration is Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monument Circle.
- The Lighted Trail, Greenwood: A walk-through display of 42,840 lights in Amphitheater Park, starting Dec. 6, 2026.
- Magnificent Monon, Carmel: A display of lights and seasonal décor along the Monon Greenway from Carter Green to Main Street, November through January.
- Brownsburg Holiday Lights: A light show set to 88.5 FM at Town Hall and a drive through Arbuckle Acres Park, Dec. 5 to 31, 2026.
- Trees of Plainfield: A trail of decorated trees with s’mores and snowball fights, Dec. 4 to 6 and 11 to 13, 2026.
- Christmas Acres, Franklin: A drive-through display of more than 160,000 lights, opening Nov. 25, 2026.
- Mooresville Christmas Light Tour: A drive-by tour of decorated homes and businesses each December.
My note: We go to Monument Circle every holiday season to see the lights. The display stays up all season so you can take it in any night.
Christmas Lights Worth the Drive
Lights Under Louisville
Drive your own car through more than 7 million lights underground at the Louisville Mega Cavern, about two hours south of Indy. It runs Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027, and standard vehicle passes start at $42.99. All tickets must be bought online in advance. Read more about Lights Under Louisville.
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
More than 5 million lights cover a historic mill and gorge in Clifton, Ohio, about 30 miles east of Dayton, with a light show on the covered bridge every hour. Lights run 6 to 9 p.m. nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, 2026, and admission is $15 for ages 4 and up. Read more about Clifton Mill.
Winter Wonderland at Wellfield Botanic Gardens
Elkhart’s botanic garden lights up for 19 select nights between Nov. 27, 2026, and Jan. 2, 2027, with entry from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Early tickets start at $13 for adults and $8 for ages 3 to 12, and prices rise as the date gets closer. A ticket works on any open night. Read more about Winter Wonderland in Elkhart.
Santa Claus Land of Lights
A 1.2-mile drive through light displays that tell the story of Rudolph, at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph next to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind. It runs Friday through Sunday nights from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6, 2026, then nightly Dec. 11 to 23, 2026, 5 to 9 p.m. Central time, and is closed Dec. 24 and 25. Admission is $20 per vehicle for up to 14 people. Read more about Santa Claus Land of Lights.
Quick Guide: Christmas Lights Near Indianapolis 2026
| Display | Type | Location | Dates | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Nights of Lights | Drive-thru | State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis | Nov. 6-Dec. 31, 2026 | $40 per carload |
| Danville Winterland | Drive-thru | Ellis Park, Danville | Nov. 20-Dec. 27, 2026 | $5 to $10 per car |
| Nights of Lights at Mounds | Drive-thru | Mounds State Park, Anderson | Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 27-Dec. 27, 2026 | $10 per vehicle |
| Christmas at the Zoo | Walk-through | Indianapolis Zoo | Nov. 21, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027 | To be announced |
| Winterlights | Walk-through | Newfields, Indianapolis | Nov. 20, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027 | From $25 |
| A Merry Prairie Holiday | Walk-through | Conner Prairie, Fishers | Select nights Nov. 27-Dec. 28, 2026 | $26 |
| The Holiday Stroll | Walk-through | Kelsay Farms, Whiteland | Dec. 4-23, 2026 | $10 |
| Glimmer Lights | Train ride | Piney Acres, Fortville | Nov. 15-Dec. 20, 2026 | $15-$18 plus fees |
| Holiday Lights Railbike | Railbike | Forest Park, Noblesville | Select nights Nov. 19-Dec. 31, 2026 | $24.95 per seat |
| Circle of Lights | Free | Monument Circle, Indianapolis | Lighting Nov. 27, 2026 | Free |
| The Lighted Trail | Free | Amphitheater Park, Greenwood | Starts Dec. 6, 2026 | Free |
| Brownsburg Holiday Lights | Free | Town Hall and Arbuckle Acres Park | Dec. 5-31, 2026 | Free |
| Lights Under Louisville | Drive-thru, road trip | Louisville Mega Cavern, Ky. | Nov. 13, 2026-Jan. 2, 2027 | From $42.99 per vehicle |
| Santa Claus Land of Lights | Drive-thru, road trip | Santa Claus, Ind. | Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 27-Dec. 6, then nightly Dec. 11-23, 2026 | $20 per vehicle |
| Clifton Mill | Walk-through, road trip | Clifton, Ohio | Nov. 27-Dec. 30, 2026 | $15 for ages 4 and up |
| Winter Wonderland at Wellfield | Walk-through, road trip | Elkhart, Ind. | Select nights Nov. 27, 2026-Jan. 2, 2027 | From $13 adults, $8 ages 3 to 12 |
Tips for Planning Your Holiday Lights Route
- Reserve early for timed events. Christmas Nights of Lights, Winterlights and A Merry Prairie Holiday sell timed tickets, and popular nights can sell out.
- Weeknights are calmer. Midweek evenings usually mean shorter lines for both walk-throughs and drive-thrus, and Danville is cheaper Monday through Thursday.
- Pair a drive with a walk. Do a drive-thru one night and a walk-through on another so little legs and bedtimes survive.
- Check each listing before you go. Weather and operating nights can change, so use the links above for same-day updates.
