The holidays are just around the corner and November is here! Here is our round up of some of the family fun activities and events happening this month in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas! And there is A LOT happening, so get that calendar out and schedule your month of fun now.
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St. Richard’s Episcopal School provides a timeless, challenging curriculum that embraces diversity while developing global citizens socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually. Located at the corner of 33rd and Meridian Street in Indianapolis, we provide a rigorous academic curriculum that incorporates three world languages, public speaking and leadership opportunities, a strong fine arts program, organized athletics, and city-wide experiences that bring learning to life.
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Ongoing fun activities you and your family can enjoy this month:
Events Around Our City:
November (Dates vary based on YMCA location)
Kids Night Out at YMCA
Event Website: Family Specialty Activities
Head to your local YMCA for their KIDS NIGHT OUT EVENT. Parents, this event is perfect to allow yourself a night out on the town and the kids will have fun too! Program activities include swimming, gym play, arts and crafts, and kid friendly movies. Dinner and snacks provided. Prices and details vary with each YMCA. Call your local YMCA for more details and date information.
November 1st
Day of the Dead at Noblesville Creates
Event Website: Day of the Dead
On November 1st, head to Noblesville Creates from 12:00-4:00 pm to enjoy and learn about Day of the Dead, also known as Día de Muertos. Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates the memory of family and friends who have died. You and your family can expect to enjoy delicious traditional foods, art making, music, face painting, and more. Costumes are encouraged – make them family friendly!
November 2nd
Holliday Park Grand Opening Celebration
Event Website: Holliday Park Grand Opening Celebration
From 1:00-4:00 pm, head to Holliday Park to celebrate the park opening again! Featuring snacks, refreshments, and nature-inspired activities, this free, family-friendly event celebrates an incredible community achievement: a new chapter of play, connection, and discovery at Holliday Park for generations to come.
November 5th
Indy Fuel versus Bloomington Bison
Event Website: Indy Fuel versus Bloomington Bison
Midweek hockey? Yes please! It gets even better with the return of 317 Nights! Our beloved Indy Fuel will play the Bloomington Bison on November 5th at 7:00 pm. Get a $3 hot dog, $1 popcorn, $7 domestic beer, and $7 specialty T-shirts! Wednesday Night hockey just got better!
November 6th-16th
Spirit & Place Festival
Event Website: Spirit & Place
Held at the School of Liberal Arts on the IUPUI campus, the Spirit & Place Festival is from November 6th-16th. This year’s theme is NATURE and the festival has 32 events throughout these ten days. From the event website, “The festival is a multi-day series of independently created events that each use the arts, humanities, and/or religion to explore a common theme.” Make sure to visit their event calendar to learn more or plan your trip with their Festival Event Guide.
November 7th
Christmas Nights of Lights Begins
Event Website: Christmas Nights of Lights
Christmas Nights of Lights is coming back to Indianapolis for the 2025 season! Come see all the lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show and begin a new Christmas tradition with us. Registration is required, and you can get your tickets here.
November 8th
Veterans Appreciation Day at the Children’s Museum
Event Website: Veterans Appreciation Day
On Saturday, November 8th, all veterans and active military receive free admission and 10% off for additional family members at the Children’s Museum. All you have to do is provide your military ID at the box office.
November 11th
Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities
Event Website: Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities
It’s time to enter the multi-verse. The NINJA KIDZ are leaping out of your screens and into your city with Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities. The fate of the universe hangs in balance as imposters threaten to infiltrate Indianapolis. Join for the first ever Ninja Kidz live action adventure filled with audience participation, physical challenges, games, and epic battles.
November 12th-16th
The SpongeBob Squarepants Musical at Schrott Center of the Arts
Event Website: The SpongeBob Squarepants Musical
Based on the beloved animated series, The SpongeBob Squarepants Musical tells the story of friendship, cooperation, and unity when Bikini Bottom faces the threat of destruction from a volcano. Join SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Plankton, Mr. Krabs and a host of other lively characters as they band together to save their underwater world while employing the powers of optimism and unexpected heroism. The musical features an incredible score of original songs by a diverse group of well-known artists!
November 12th-16th
Christmas Gift & Hobby Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Event Website: Christmas Gift & Hobby Show
Get your holiday shopping on at the Christmas Gift & Hobby Show. Not only will you be able to shop ’til you drop, you can enjoy the beautiful holiday tablescapes, local entertainment, and you can even have a Girls Night Out and shop with your friends! And this year, you can see Tyler Hynes of the Hallmark Channel on November 14th. Make sure to look through their Show Features Page for all the info.
November 15th
Indiana Pacers versus Toronto Raptors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Event website: Pacers v Raptors
Our beloved Indiana Pacers will take on the Toronto Raptors on November 15th at 7:00 pm. Check out their full schedule on the website. Go Pacers!
November 14th
Festival of Trees Begins at Indiana Historical Society
Event Website: Festival of Trees
Indulge in a winter wonderland of more than 80 beautifully decorated trees and special programs at the Festival of Trees, presented by Sullivan Hardware & Garden, and running until January 3rd, 2026. There’s something magical happening every day – including Twilight Tuesdays, scavenger fun, and holiday treats.
November 15th
Reindeer Ride Express Begins at Nickel Plate Express
Event Website: Reindeer Express
All aboard! The Nickel Plate Express is in the holiday spirit, and they want to take you for a fun, family-friendly train ride. The 75 minute drive includes a hot chocolate, a holiday cookie, and a chance to see Santa. You even get to write a letter to have delivered to the North Pole! Kids under two ride for free (please note they will need to sit in your lap).
November 15th
Winterfaire at the Children’s Museum
Event website: Winterfaire
WinterFaire will be back again this 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!
November 15th
Jingle Rails Begins at Eiteljorg Museum
Event Website: Jingle Rails
Be one of the first to experience the Eiteljorg Museum’s Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, a favorite family holiday tradition that is unlike any other. Marvel as model trains wind past miniature landscapes featuring Indianapolis and the American West.
November 20th-24th
Wicked: For Good at IMAX
Event Website: IMAX Experience – Wicked: For Good
Sweet OZ! What better way to enjoy the second Wicked movie than an IMAX Experience?! Wicked: For Good will play from November 20th to the 24th at The IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum. See the link for showtimes!
November 21st
Family Friday Night Campfires: Cranes of Indiana
Event Website: Family Friday Night Campfires
For ages 3+, head over to Holliday Park as a family, enjoy a treat around the campfire and learn about the cranes of Indiana. This event is $7 per person and registration at the website is required.
November 21st
Winterlights at Newfields Begins
Event Website: Winterlights 2025
Bundle up! It’s time to head to Newfields for their 9th annual Winterlights event. Presented by Bank of America, there are nearly two million lights on display outside. Nearly two million lights will dazzle and delight during the ninth annual holiday tradition in The Garden. Lights will dance beneath your feet and twinkle overhead, reaching the very tips of 100-year-old trees and lighting the way. The undeniable display of wintertime wonder extends inside the historic Lilly House with whimsical Dickens Villages, sweetly scented gingerbread, and a sprinkle of holiday delight at Styled for the Season presented by LINNEA.
November 22nd
Christmas at the Zoo Begins
Event Website: Christmas at the Zoo
Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo, presented by Indiana Members Credit Union, continues to grow. For their 58th year, they are inviting everyone to sip hot cocoa and stroll through twinkling lights as you visit scampering red pandas, playful penguins, whiskered walrus and the graceful arctic fox. And, of course, visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves at Santa’s Magic Cottage. To learn more about what you can find under the Bicentennial Pavilion, head to the event website.
November 22nd
Carmel Christkindlmarkt Begins
Event Website: Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Experience the tradition of Christkindlmarkt in Carmel! There is so much to do and experience, including ice skating, shopping at the market, and enjoying the traditional food and drinks. For more information, including their special hours of operation and about their new free weekend shuttle, visit the event website.
November 27th
Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash in Broad Ripple
Event Website: Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash
The Drumstick Dash is celebrating 23 years of moving your feet so others can eat! The Thanksgiving morning run/walk helps fight homelessness with all proceeds providing meals and care to homeless men, women, and children in the Indianapolis community. Things kick off at 9:00 am, and you can find more information at the event website.
November 28th
Circle of Lights Celebration at Monument Circle
Event Website: Circle of Lights
One of the most beloved traditions in Indianapolis to kick off the holiday season is the Circle of Lights. On November 28th, you and your family can watch the Soldiers and Sailors Monument be illuminated with beautiful lights while watching performances from local performers. The lighting ceremony begins at 6:00 pm and will air exclusively on WTHR Channel-13, if you aren’t able to join in person.
November 28th
Celebration Crossing Begins at Indiana State Museum
Event Website: Celebration Crossing
Experience the magic of the holidays at the Indiana State Museum with their Celebration Crossing! November 28th is opening day, and Santa is scheduled to arrive in the front of the museum in a helicopter at 10:30 am. Then you can take a journey on the Snowfall Express before enjoying all the fun activities the museum has planned for you.
November 28th
Merry Prairie Holiday Festival Begins at Conner Prairie
Event Website: A Merry Prairie Holiday
Enjoy one of Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday festivals – Merry Prairie at Conner Prairie. A Merry Prairie Holiday begins on November 28th. “With acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year.” Get your tickets today. Also, make sure to check out their Breakfast with Santa event, with more information coming soon.
November 28th
Conservatory Crossing Begins at Garfield Park
Event Website: Conservatory Crossing
The Conservatory at Garfield Park is decked out in its holiday best for you to enjoy from November 28th to December 28th. With a brilliant display of poinsettias, model trains and village, and thousands of twinkling lights, you’ll have so much fun exploring as a family! Admission during this event is $6 per person or $14 per family (2 adult max).
November 30th
Indianapolis Colts versus Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium
Event Website: Indianapolis Colts Schedule
Who doesn’t love a midday Colts football game at Lucas Oil Stadium? Our Indianapolis Colts are playing the Houston Texans at 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 30th. Click here to get your tickets.
Looking to get your event featured on our monthly round up? Submit all community events here to our Community Calendar!
