’Tis the season for big holiday fun, and Central Indiana is home to a whole collection of local traditions, events, and festivities for guests of all ages to enjoy. Here’s your must-do list to check off by the time the New Year rolls around:
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s biggest annual shindig, the AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration delivers a December schedule of enchanting Broadway-style performances full of music, lights, dancing, and fabulous costumes at Hilbert Circle Theater. Or grab tickets for A Christmas Carol; the Indiana Repertory Theatre presents its own retelling of the Charles Dickens classic each holiday season.
While you’re downtown, take a lap around the time-honored Circle of Lights presented by IBEW Local 481 on Monument Circle at the heart of the city. Each year, 52 garland strands containing nearly 5,000 colored lights transforms the Soldiers and Sailors Monument into the “world’s largest Christmas tree.” Giant toy soldiers and candy canes complement the charming decorations.
For even more magical holiday scenery, plan a visit to Winterlights at Newfields to walk through a winter wonderland featuring nearly 2 million lights staged in dazzling displays across the outdoor campus and in the historic Lilly House. Hot chocolate, sweet treats, and adult beverages are available for a quick warm-up if you get cold.
If you’d rather stay toasty in the car, Christmas Nights of Lights at the Indiana State Fairgrounds hosts a drive-through experience with more than 1 million holiday lights to admire in tunnels and whimsical displays—all synchronized to a holiday playlist.
And the fun’s not over yet! Walk on the wild side with Christmas at the Zoo, a festive opportunity to mix and mingle with animal residents while admiring holiday lights and sipping cocoa. Don’t forget to pop in Santa’s Cottage to see St. Nick!
Wrap up your Central Indiana holiday adventures with a spin through A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie to get a glimpse at how Prairietown residents historically marked the holidays back in 1836.
