The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Indianapolis 2025

Planning your 2025 Indianapolis Christmas events? This family guide rounds up the can’t-miss holiday fun across Indy, including drive-through Christmas light displays and performances of The Nutcracker, plus outdoor ice skating and festive train rides.

Below you’ll find our curated list of holiday events, sparkling light displays, family-friendly activities, and beloved holiday festivals happening around Indianapolis this season.

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The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events and Holiday Fun around Indianapolis

Best Family-Friendly Holiday Attraction

These family favorites include hands-on activities, indoor exhibits, and meet-Santa moments. Perfect for all ages in Indianapolis.

1. Festival of Trees | Nov. 14–Jan. 3
2. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov. 22–Jan. 4

   

3. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov. 21–Jan. 4
4. Jingle Rails | Nov. 15–Jan. 19
5. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Nov. 22–Dec. 24
6. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 28–29 & Dec. 5–23
7. Conservatory Crossing | Nov. 28–Dec. 28
8. Celebration Crossing | Nov. 28–Jan. 4
9. WinterFaire at the Children’s Museum | Nov. 15–Feb. 22
10. Reindeer Ride Express | Nov. 16–Dec. 23
11. Sullivan Express to the North Pole | Nov. 22–Dec. 23

    

Best Christmas Light Displays

Discover the brightest drive-through and walk-through Christmas lights in Indianapolis, featuring synchronized shows, giant trees, and magical photo spots.

12. Nights of Lights | Nov. 7–Dec. 31
13. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov. 22–Jan. 4
14. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 28–Dec. 23

    

15. Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights | Tree Lighting on Nov. 28
16. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov. 21–Jan. 4
17. The Holiday Stroll | Nov. 28–Dec. 23
18. Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park | Nov. 28–Dec. 28
19. The Lighted Trail | Dec. 7–31

The Best of the Holiday

Round out your Indy holiday season with can’t-miss extras, from tree farms and Santa breakfasts to toy shops and Nutcracker performances.

20. The Best Christmas Tree Farms Near Indianapolis
21. Where to Have Breakfast with Santa Around Indy

    

22. 7 Local Indy Bakers Making Hot Cocoa Bombs This Season
23. Santa Mailboxes: Where to Mail a Letter to Santa in Indianapolis
24. 10 Cool Local Toy Stores in Indianapolis
25. Where to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Indianapolis
26. Visit a Christmas-themed pop-up restaurant
27. The Best Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating
28. The Best Places to see Christmas Lights in Indianapolis
29. 10 Best Holiday Train Rides in Indiana

Holiday Markets & Christkindlmarkts

Shop artisan gifts, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy live music at Central Indiana’s European-style Christkindlmarkts and local holiday bazaars.

30. Christmas Gift & Hobby Show | Nov. 12–16
31. Junior League Holiday Mart | Nov. 21 & 22
32. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Nov. 22–Dec. 24

    

33. Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt | Nov. 28–Dec. 21
34. Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farm Artisans Festival | Nov. 28–30 & Dec. 5–7
35. Holiday Author Fair | Dec. 6
36. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt | Dec. 6

Holiday Performances

Celebrate the season with classic shows, orchestral spectaculars, and kid-friendly performances across Indianapolis venues.

37. A Motown Christmas | The Palladium | Nov. 20
38. Peanut Butter & Jam: Silly Safaris – Animals of the North Pole | The Studio Theater | Nov. 22
39. A Beef & Boards Christmas | Beef & Boards | Nov. 28–Dec. 31
40. AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration | Hilbert Circle Theatre | Dec. 5–23
41. A Christmas Story | The Tarkington | Dec. 5–27
42. indyschild.com beef and boards A Christmas Carol
43. Holiday Pops: Spirit of the Season | The Palladium | Dec. 14
44. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol | Indiana Repertory Theatre | Nov. 16–Dec. 24
45. A Christmas Carol (1-hour show) | Beef & Boards | Dec. 5–22

Outdoor Ice Skating

Lace up for festive outdoor rinks around Indianapolis, with skate rentals, warming stations, and skyline views.

46. The Ice at Carter Green | Nov. 21–Feb. 1
47. Ice Rink at Holliday Park | Nov. 28–Mar. 1
48. Lawrence Civic Plaza | Nov. 29–Jan. 4
49. Ice Ribbon Skating Rink | Nov. 22–Dec. 21
50. Downtown Indianapolis’ Bicentennial Unity Plaza Ice Rink | Nov. 21–Jan. 25
51. Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza | Nov. 22–Jan. 5

Free Holiday Events

Enjoy budget-friendly Christmas events Indianapolis families love, including parades, tree lightings, and neighborhood festivals, all free to attend across Indy.

52. Christmas in Pendleton | Nov. 8
53. Holidays in Carmel Kick-off | Nov. 22
54. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Nov. 22–Dec. 24
55. Circle of Lights | Lighting event, Nov. 28

    

56. Bridgeton County Christmas | Nov. 28–30
57. A Lawrence Christmas | Nov. 29
58. Christmas in the Village: Parade Day | Nov. 29
59. Merry at Main | Nov. 29
60. Fortville Winterfest | Dec. 6
61. Westfield in Lights | Dec. 6

    

62. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt | Dec. 6
63. Christmas Under the Stars | Dec. 6
64. Franklin Holiday Lighting | Dec. 6
65. Santa Soirée | Dec. 6
66. Victorian Christmas Celebration | Dec. 6
67. Broad Ripple Lights Up Holiday Festival and Parade | Dec. 7
68. Holly Jolly Jamboree | Dec. 13

Sensory-Friendly Holiday Events

Sensory-friendly holiday events in Indianapolis create a calmer experience with lower lights and volume, smaller crowds, and supportive spaces. Many offer early entry, quiet rooms, and visual schedules to help families plan. Always check registration and specific accommodations in advance, since dates and details can change.

69. Christmas at the Zoo – Sensory-Friendly Evenings | Dec. 3 & 17
70. The Children’s Museum – Museum My Way (holiday session) | Dec. 9
71. Indiana State Museum – Sensory-Friendly Afternoon | Dec. 7
72. Caring Santa – Mall photo sessions (reservation recommended) | Dec. 7
    • Greenwood Park Mall: Sun, Dec. 7, 9–10 am
    • The Fashion Mall at Keystone: Sun, Dec. 7, 9:00 am
73. Jingle Rails – Sensory-Friendly Morning | Dec. 14