The holiday season is officially upon us! Indianapolis is filled with so many holiday-themed events this year for you to enjoy. Check out our round-up of Indianapolis holiday events for your family to enjoy this season both in and around our city. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Conner Prairie – Merry Prairie Holiday
Where: Conner Prairie | 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038
When: Friday and Saturday, November 28th & 29th then Fridays-Sundays, December 5th–21st, 22nd, & 23rd
About: The annual Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie has experiences for everyone in your family. Enjoy all of the regular activities you love – the historic Prairietown, the beautiful lights displays, Trinket Puddingmoon with Santa’s official naughty or nice list, Kringle’s Carousel, Frosty’s Skating Rink, and the 150-foot Polar Bear Plunge tubing hill with a new light tunnel to guide you through. And returning this year – the William Conner House will become a 3D projection mapping holiday show, featuring “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” bringing you all the holiday feels. Experience their “From Solstice to Santa: A Magic Lantern Crankie Show” at the Potter Shop Kiln Shed.
Christmas Nights of Lights
Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds | Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1698 E 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205 — PLEASE USE ENTRANCE AT GATE 3 ON 42ND STREET
When: November 7th–December 31st
About: Christmas Nights of Lights is returning to Indianapolis for the 2025 holiday season! Families will drive their cars through a magical experience and can see lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music that is played right through your car stereo. Admission starts at $38/carload and needs to be reserved online.
Sullivan Hardware & Garden – Sullivan Express
Where: Sullivan Hardware & Garden | 6955 N Keystone Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
When: November 22nd–December 23rd
About: A very popular holiday staple in Indianapolis, the Sullivan Express takes you on a fun train ride with your family to see Santa at the North Pole. Check-in at Central Station and travel to the North Pole on a narrated train ride with surprises along the way. You and your kiddos get to play in Santa’s workshop and visit and snap a picture with Santa Claus himself as he prepares for his big Christmas Eve present delivery. There are still a few time slots available for the traditional experience as well as the Santa’s Outpost Experience on their website!
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Where: Between The Palladium and The Tarkington Theater | 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032
When: November 22nd–December 24th
About: Carmel’s Chriskindlmarkt (say that five times fast!) is back this year and bringing the holiday cheer. Their dedicated German market is loaded with products sourced from Germany and other German-speaking European countries. You won’t feel like you’re in Carmel, Indiana when you are enjoying traditional German foods and gifts being sold from small wooden huts. And make sure to enjoy the beautiful outdoor ice skating rink! Check out their schedule here, and note they are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Indianapolis Zoo – Christmas at the Zoo
Where: Indianapolis Zoo | 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222
When: November 22nd, 2025–January 4th, 2026
About: Christmas at the Zoo has been delighting guests since 1967 – isn’t that amazing? Included in general admission, you can visit “Santa’s Village” in the Bicentennial Pavilion and enjoy the following: a visit with Santa Claus, a visit to Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, checking out Santa’s infamous sleigh and reindeer at Santa’s Barn, the Penguin Encounter, their Polar Pathway, and Tinsel Tavern for the adults. And back again this year – Santa’s Cottage!
Indiana State Museum – Celebration Crossing
Where: Indiana State Museum | 650 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
When: November 28th, 2025–January 4th, 2026
About: Experience the magic of the holidays with Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum! This year, experience the Snowfall Express, a fun ride you can take to discover “a forest populated by charming, whimsical characters celebrating the coming winter and the first snowfall.” Along with that, enjoy the favorites of Celebration Crossing – visits with Santa, Magical Mornings, Santa’s Holiday Breakfasts, Winter Wonderland Workshops, and more.
Monument Circle – Circle of Lights & Spark Holidays on the Circle
Where: Monument Circle | 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204
When: November 28th, 2025–January 10th, 2026
About: When you think of the holidays in Indianapolis, you think of the Circle of Lights on Monumental Circle in downtown Indianapolis. The lights are illuminated every year the day after Thanksgiving and this year is the 63rd annual lighting! During the traditional televised program on WTHR, there will be performances and musical acts leading up to the grand finale. Then Santa Claus will “flip the switch” on the monument, and those lights will remain glowing until January 10th. Spark Holidays on the Circle begins after the Circle of Lights reveal event and lasts every Saturday and Sunday from 4:00-8:00 pm through December 22nd. See the think for more details.
Eiteljorg Museum – Jingle Rails
Where: Eiteljorg Museum | 500 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
When: November 15th, 2025–January 19th, 2026
About: Another fun tradition for your family to enjoy in Indianapolis is Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at Eiteljorg Museum. Jingle Rails is a “breathtaking model train display featuring eight G-scale trains traveling through spectacular landscapes and past famous landmarks of Indianapolis and the American West. Each scene is masterfully crafted from natural materials and adorned with festive holiday decorations and twinkling lights, creating a magical experience for visitors of all ages.”
Newfields – Winterlights + Latkes and Lights
Where: Newfields | 4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208
When: November 21st, 2025–January 4th, 2026
About: Enjoying Winterlights at Newfields has become a tradition for my family and we can’t wait to visit again this year. Winterlights features nearly two million lights glittering in The Garden, and you have to see it in person because photos and videos do not do it justice! And we are even more excited to check out the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis’ takeover for Latkes and Lights on December 15th. The Lilly House will be lit up with Menorahs and Stars of David. We’ll see you there!
Children’s Museum – WinterFaire
Where: Children’s Museum | 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
When: November 15th, 2025–February 22nd, 2026
About: WinterFaire is back for its third year! It is a magical indoor world featuring a festive, carnival-like atmosphere, fun-filled games, loveable critters, and hands-on activities. Play, laugh, and make lifelong memories together in this one-of-a-kind indoor winter experience. To learn more, visit the event website. And make sure not to miss Santa’s BIG Snowball Fight at Winterfaire!
Indiana Historical Society – Festival of Trees
Where: Indiana Historical Society | 450 W Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
When: November 14th, 2025–January 3rd, 2026
About: The Festival of Trees features more than 80 beautifully decorated trees in a winter wonderland “representing individuals, families, and organizations from around Indiana.” Make sure to purchase your tickets on their website in advance.
The Lighted Trail
Where: Greenwood Amphitheater Park | 300 S Washington St, Greenwood, IN 46143
When: Beginning December 7th
About: Walk through the Amphitheater Park and take in the holiday lights! Take festive pictures and make it a new holiday tradition. The lights will be on from dusk until dawn. Features include 85 trees of lights, 12 Arch Candy Cane Tunnel, 3600 Lights on the Bridge,
and more!
Danville Winterland Holiday Lights
Where: Ellis Park | 600 E Main Street, Danville, IN 46122
When: Beginning November 21st
About: The Winterland Holiday Light Show in Ellis Park in Danville is a drive thru experience that showcases thousands of lights in hundreds of displays to celebrate the holiday season. Admission is $10/car on the weekend and $5/car during the week.
Downtown Noblesville – Holidays at the Hill
Where: Federal Hill Commons | 175 Logan St, Noblesville, IN 46060
When: November 22nd, 2025–January 6th, 2026
About: You won’t want to miss Holidays at the Hill this holiday season! The city of Noblesville is pulling out all the stops at Federal Hill Commons. The park transforms into a sparkling holiday village featuring the Ice Plaza, visits from Santa, festive music, light displays, and seasonal treats. And you won’t go hungry – there will be snacks and drinks available for all to enjoy.
Zionsville Winterfest
Where: Mulberry Fields Park | 9645 Whitestown Rd, Zionsville, IN 46077
When: December 2025–February 2026
About: Zionsville is turning into a winter wonderland for their Winterfest. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy during their three month-long celebration. From the Open-Air Holiday Maker’s Market, to Christmas in the Park and a visit from Santa and his reindeer to luminary walks, and a little Mischief and Magic thrown in. Check out the website for all the details!
Share with us! Where are your favorite Indianapolis holiday events you enjoy with your family?
