Small Indiana Towns with Christmas Charm You Should Visit This Holiday Season

Indiana is home to many quaint small cities and townships, and if you are lucky enough to reside within the tristate, you either call one of those towns home or are within driving distance from many of them. Here are a few towns you should add to your holiday adventure list this year.

French Lick, Indiana 

How did this small town with a population of around 1,700 get its iconic name anyhow? Well, it all dates back to 1811 when there was a fortified ranger post set up in this area of the state. French settlers at the time made note of the natural mineral springs and salt licks in the area, and so the name "French Lick" was born. Here are some upcoming Christmas events happening in this uniquely named town this holiday season.

French Lick Springs Hotel

The Christmas tree lighting at French Lick Springs Hotel is upcoming this weekend, on Saturday, November 19th at 6 pm. The annual tree lighting will commence at 7 pm and the celebration will also include a fireworks display and a projection light show at the front of the hotel. After the tree lighting ceremony, the fun continues indoors with holiday music, s'mores making, and photographs with Santa Claus.
Before the tree lighting that evening there is a winter wonderland to be discovered in the Windsor Ballroom (11 am until 4 pm) there will be carnival games set up along with prizes, crafts, and a magical indoor snowball fight that is sure to bring out the child in us all.

French Lick Springs Hotel is located at 8670 IN-56 in French Lick Indiana.

Melton Public Library

Reindeer at the Melton Public Library in French Lick. Come to the library to enjoy a magical holiday event. There will be reindeer to visit and interact with, along with other polar animals to see. This will be held on Thursday, December 15th, and will start at 4 pm.

Homes and History for the Holidays Tour

This tour is hosted by the French Lick West Baden Museum. On December 10th come enjoy a remarkable opportunity to explore what a small hometown Christmas means. Learn more about the past and the present on this tour around French Lick. Visit historical and modern homes along with a couple of iconic restored landmarks of the past. Tickets must be purchased for this event. You can save by purchasing a ticket in advance. For more information on this event including ticket prices, visit the museum's Facebook page for upcoming events.

Santa Claus, Indiana 

You can't forget to include Santa Claus, Indiana on a list of small Indiana towns to visit over the holidays. It's a perfect town to visit to get in the holiday spirit. There are several things to see and do while you are in town!

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Festival of Lights

December 10th and the 11th at Christmas Lake Village, there will be 9 miles of light displays to enjoy with your family. Admission is free, however, there will be an option to place a donation to CASA at the gate entry. Christmas Lake Village is a gated community and is located at 193 S. Louis J. Koch Blvd. in Santa Claus.

Santa Clause Christmas Store

When in Santa Claus, this store is about as close as you can get to Santa's toyshop at the North Pole. There is something to find for everyone on your Christmas list here. The Santa Claus Christmas store is a whole magical shopping experience.

From handmade keepsakes, ornaments, Christmas décor, and fabulous stocking stuffers this shop shouldn't be missed when in the area.

Candlelight Evening at the Farm

Less than 10 minutes away from Santa Claus, Indiana, you will find Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. This event is taking place on November 19th and again on December 17th.
Creating a setting similar to what Abraham Lincoln would have experienced in his youth, the farm will be set aglow in candlelight, oil lamps, and a warm fire. Park rangers will be there to answer questions and demonstrate how the farm would have been operating back in the time of Lincoln.

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Visitors are welcome to bring their flashlights to help light their paths as they explore the farm. Dress weather appropriate, as temps might be colder as we progress further into the year. Admission is free.

 Madison, Indiana

Madison, Indiana, is a Hallmark Christmas movie kind of town, but don't take my word for it. Look at these photos as the town undergoes its's yearly holiday transition.

There are many holiday events happening in the upcoming days in Madison

40th Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes

This tour will take you to six private homes, three historic sites, the history center, and a church around Madison. This event takes place across four days on back-to-back weekends. Visit this link for more information and tickets.