The Best Things to Do in Indianapolis this Holiday Season

Indianapolis sounds like the place to be this year, for all things holiday events and entertainment. Within a short drive time of the tri-state, here is what is upcoming in the Hoosier Capital of Indy.

The Athenaeum Indy's Christkindlmarkt

This inaugural event will be taking place at the Rathskeller Biergarten, a structure erected by novelist Kurt Vonnegut's grandfather. This market will include 12 vendor huts with wares for sale such as holiday items, memorabilia, gifts, and so much more. The Christkindlmarkt will feature live entertainment as well on the Biergarten stage. Holiday favorites such as St. Nicolas and Krampus will be paying guests at the market a visit as well. There will be food and drinks including an exclusive beverage from Sun King Brewery. 

Opening weekend is this weekend, November the 25th and the marketplace will be open until December the 18th. 

Krampusnaucht will be celebrated on December the 4th and is family-friendly, this will be from 4-9 pm with family-friendly hours from 4-7 pm. 

https://athenaeumindy.org/events/newchristkindlmarkt/

Winterlights at Newfields 

For the last six years, no expense has been spared when it comes down to this holiday light extravaganza. An estimated 1.5 million lights decorate the campus of the Newfields Museum including a light show that is displayed on the Lily House Lawn. Snacks and drinks will be available for guests to enjoy during their tour of the light displays. This event returns as one of the "must-sees in the Midwest" of holiday experiences.

Winterlights will kick off on November 20th and will be open until January 8th. For more information on ticketing prices, visit their website and place your reservation on a memorable Christmas tradition.

https://discovernewfields.org

Circle of Lights on Monuments Circle

.A top-five ranked must-see Christmas Tree in the nation according to Travelocity, Indy is home to the largest Christmas Tree in the world. The beloved 284-foot-tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument dresses up season-appropriate each year. With crowds of upwards of 100,000, each year on Black Friday the annual tree lighting is a spectacle

To view a downtown calendar of events, visit this website for any additional information about upcoming happenings. https://downtownindy.org/events/calendar

Christmas at the Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the country to offer its visitors a holiday light event. Since Indy's Zoo's first trailblazing Christmas season, many zoos across the country have started their own yearly holiday lights and festivities. Christmas at the Zoo in Indianapolis is a much-loved event for all, residents and visitors alike.

The Indy zoo is one of the largest privately owned zoos in the country and includes 64 acres in White River State Park. The zoo is meant to inspire a love of nature, spark conversation about wildlife conservation, and is open year-round to all visitors.

You can currently place you vote for Christmas at the Zoo, Indy is currently in sixth place and voting is ongoing! Year after year Indianapolis Zoo ranks top five in the country for its Christmas Light event. Help the zoo place number one this year.

Celebration Crossing at Indiana State Museum

From November 5th until January 1st, 2023 the Indiana State Museum welcomes everyone to come to experience a little bit of Christmas magic. Visit Santa and enjoy a breakfast meal, along with many other activities to enjoy. This holiday experience is included with the regular admission fee.

Visit the museum's website to learn more. https://www.indianamuseum.org/experiences/celebration-crossing/

Jolly Days Winter Wonderland at Children's Museum Indianapolis (final season)

November 25th until January 1st, 2023, Jolly Days at the Indy Children's Museum makes its yearly return. Come and enjoy all the fun activities the museum has in store for the 2022 holiday season. Activities to expect include meeting Santa, sliding down the Yule Slide, and exploring the ice castle you can even mail your letter to Santa here as well.

Visit the website for information on hours and ticket costs. https://www.childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/jolly-days