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YOUR INDY HOLIDAY FUN LIST · 2026
Plan Christmas events, Santa visits, holiday lights & train rides around Indianapolis, with tickets or required sign-ups. Start with dated events, then browse Seasonal for season dates. All times Eastern.
Merry Prairie and Christmas Nights of Lights booking samples reviewed October 14, 2026. Piney Acres still marks Glimmer Lights and Lunch with the Grinch tickets coming soon. Winterlights still lacks a clean current season calendar, so its cautious pending details remain. Other dates & admission last reviewed October 5. Check each listing & the organizer’s current availability.
Dated events, nearest first. Check each listing’s ticket status & choose an available session with the organizer.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt · Carmel
Event dates: November 19, 2026 · general admission 6–9 PM
Plan a holiday night out with market food samples, drinks, shopping, and live entertainment before the market opens for the season.
Adults 21+ only. Check the organizer for current general-admission tickets.
VIP tickets are sold out according to the organizer. General admission is listed at $100; check the booking page for current availability.
Payne & Mencias Palladium · Carmel
Event dates: November 28, 2026 · 2 & 7 PM; November 29 · 1 & 6 PM
See the classic ballet with Indiana Ballet Conservatory dancers and the score performed live by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.
The organizer welcomes children and adults of all ages. Tickets start at $15; box-tier seating is handled directly by Indiana Ballet Conservatory.
The official ticket page offers four performance-selection links. Check the chosen performance and seating area for current inventory and total price.
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Choose your date on the calendar →Indiana State Museum · Indianapolis
Event dates: November 29 & December 5, 6, 13, 19, 2026 · 9–10 AM
Enjoy a festive buffet breakfast, holiday music, and a special appearance by Santa in the heart of Celebration Crossing.
Separate ticket required; register at least 24 hours ahead. Children under 3 are free but must be registered. Members receive a discount; check current availability.
November 29 registration is available. Check each December breakfast separately for remaining places.
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Choose your date on the calendar →Nickel Plate Express · Hobbs Station, Noblesville
Event dates: December 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2026 · departure times in the booking calendar
Ride the holiday train for 90 minutes with seasonal music, a sweet treat and a commemorative wine glass.
Ages 21+ only. Standard admission is $55. The onboard bar is cashless, and beverages cost extra.
Tickets are available. Choose a date and confirm its departure time and current inventory in the booking calendar.
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Choose your date on the calendar →Clowes Memorial Hall · Indianapolis
Event dates: December 3–6, 2026 · six afternoon & evening performances
See Butler Ballet’s full holiday production with the Butler Ballet Orchestra, Indianapolis Children’s Choir, scenery, costumes and stage effects.
Everyone entering needs a ticket, regardless of age. Performances are December 3 at 7:30 PM; December 4 at 8 PM; December 5 at 2 & 8 PM; and December 6 at noon & 5 PM. All times Eastern.
Ticketmaster lists an active general sale for all six performances. Choose your performance to check current seats & total price.
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Choose your date on the calendar →Indiana State Museum · Indianapolis
Event dates: December 4, 11 & 18, 2026 · 9–10 AM
Visit Santa, enjoy elf story times, and ride the Snowfall Express during a quieter Celebration Crossing morning for families with children 6 and younger.
For families with children ages 6 & younger. Registration is included with museum admission; free for members. Check the Santa schedule.
Registration is available for December 18. Check the other listed dates separately; museum admission rules still apply.
502 East Event Centre · Carmel
Event date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 · 9:30 AM Eastern
A Christmas-themed mahjong retreat hosted by Lucky Tiles & Hoosier Mahj. Gather friends for a festive day at the table.
The hosts are accepting reservations. Check the booking page for price, player experience requirements, age policy & remaining spaces. End time has not been confirmed.
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9:30 AM Eastern
Apple / Outlook includes a 15-minute alert. Choose that notification in Google Calendar when saving.
Indiana State Museum · Indianapolis
Event dates: December 8, 2026 · 6–8:30 PM
Wear festive pajamas for a Santa visit and photo, hot chocolate, a live animal show, and a ride on the Snowfall Express.
For families with children younger than 6. Separate ticket required; train rides are first come, first served.
Public adult & child tickets are available for December 8. Children under 18 months still need a free ticket.
The Children’s Museum · Indianapolis
Event dates: December 12, 13 & 19, 2026 · 8–10 AM
Enjoy early access to WinterFaire and the WinterSlide, make holiday keepsakes, and take a family photo with Santa.
Everyone age 2+ must register. Nonmember general museum admission is separate.
Tickets are on sale. Choose an available December session; everyone age 2+ must register.
Nickel Plate Express · Hobbs Station, Noblesville
Event dates: December 16 & 17, 2026 · 6:30–9:30 PM
Join a three-hour interactive holiday murder mystery with a buffet dinner aboard the train.
Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $85 for a suspect role or $95 for an investigator role, depending on the selected car and experience. Drinks are extra; the onboard bar is cashless.
Tickets are available. Choose your date, seating class and role, then confirm current inventory.
Fishers Event Center · Fishers
Event date: December 19, 2026 · 7 PM
Experience the story of the birth of Jesus in a theatrical production with live music, aerial acts, movement arts, dance & visual effects.
Everyone entering needs a ticket; Ticketmaster lists an eight-ticket purchase limit. Tickets are mobile, the venue is cashless & public age guidance has not been published.
The public sale opened October 2 at 10 AM Eastern, and the official ticket listing now exposes a Find Tickets route. Availability and prices can change; check the live event page before buying.
Clowes Memorial Hall · Indianapolis
Event date: December 23, 2026 · 7:30 PM
See Dickens’s holiday story reimagined in the Smoky Mountains with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton; she does not appear in the musical.
Recommended for ages 8+. Everyone needs a ticket, and Ticketmaster lists an eight-ticket limit.
General sale is active, and Ticketmaster currently exposes ticket-type and quantity filters. Availability varies; check current seats and prices for this performance.
Indiana State Museum · Indianapolis
Event date: December 31, 2026 · 6–8:30 PM
Count down to 2027 early with a DJ dance party, face painting, hands-on activities, Celebration Crossing and an 8:30 PM balloon drop.
All ages and alcohol-free. Separate event admission is required. Nonmember tickets are $18; ages 2 and younger are free. The Snowfall Express is a separate $2 add-on, and every rider needs a ticket.
The official checkout currently accepts adult, child and train-ride quantities. Members receive 25% off; Access Pass tickets are $8 and must be purchased in person or by phone.
Ticketed outings that run across the season, ordered by season start. Check operating days before visiting; a season range does not mean daily opening.
Indiana State Fairgrounds · Indianapolis
Season dates: November 6–December 31, 2026 · nightly, rain, shine or snow
Drive through synchronized holiday light displays while festive music plays through your car radio.
Enter Gate 3 at 1698 E. 42nd St. Online reservations are required; the ticket booth does not accept payment. The organizer says nightly capacity is limited, tickets are nonrefundable and exchanges depend on availability.
At the October 14 check, the official flow accepted a November 6, 6–8 PM sample for one carload of up to 8 at $40 including fees. Only that date, time and vehicle size were verified; choose your own visit and confirm current availability before planning.
Indiana Historical Society · Indianapolis
Season dates: November 13, 2026–January 2, 2027 · 10 AM–5 PM
Walk through the Indiana Historical Society’s building-wide display of decorated holiday trees.
The 2026 season is announced, but the organizer says holiday and Festival of Trees admission pricing may vary. Check the visit calendar for holiday closures, special programs and current visitor details.
The current official pages confirm the season dates but do not expose a clear 2026 visitor ticket route or festival-specific admission price. Check admission before planning.
Indiana Repertory Theatre · Indianapolis
Season dates: November 14–December 26, 2026 · selected afternoon & evening performances
See IRT’s stage adaptation of Dickens’s story, with Scrooge’s journey through Christmas past, present and future.
Recommended for 3rd grade and older. Runtime is about 2 hours 5 minutes with intermission; mild profanity, ghosts and effects may frighten young children. A sensory-friendly performance is November 14 at 2 PM.
IRT lists 2026 performances and exposes date-specific purchase controls. December 16 currently shows best-available and choose-your-seat options; check your preferred performance and section for current inventory.
Piney Acres Farm · Fortville
Season starts: November 21, 2026 · exact operating nights and season end not announced
Take a nighttime train ride through holiday light displays at the Christmas tree farm.
The organizer lists a November 21 return but has not published a complete 2026 schedule or a working Glimmer Lights checkout.
Tickets are marked coming soon. The current ticket button leads to a different event, so use the organizer page and wait for the correct booking route.
Eiteljorg Museum · Indianapolis
Season dates: November 21, 2026–January 18, 2027 · regular museum hours, with select extended evenings
Watch eight G-scale trains travel through miniature Indianapolis and American West landmarks built from natural materials.
The exhibit is for all ages and included with museum admission. Regular hours are Monday–Saturday 10 AM–5 PM and Sunday noon–5 PM; the organizer lists select December dates open until 7 PM.
Included with museum admission. Check admission and museum hours for your visit date; an exhibit date does not guarantee admission inventory.
Indianapolis Zoo · Indianapolis
Season dates: November 21, 2026–January 3, 2027 · festivities from 5 PM; holiday closures apply
Stroll through twinkling lights, sip hot cocoa, and visit cold-weather animals. Check Santa’s Magic Cottage hours if a Santa stop is on your list.
Zoo admission or membership required. Low-sensory evenings: December 2 & 16. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day.
The 2026–27 dates are announced. Check zoo admission for your preferred evening.
Indiana State Museum · Indianapolis
Season dates: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027 · 10 AM–5 PM; closed Christmas Day
Ride the Snowfall Express, play in Santa’s Front Yard and the Reindeer Barn, and explore the museum’s holiday displays.
Museum admission or membership required. Santa visits continue through December 24; check the Santa schedule. Special breakfasts have separate registration.
Check museum admission for your visit date. Breakfasts & special holiday programs have separate registration.
Conner Prairie · Fishers
Season dates: November 27–28; December 4–6, 11–13, 18–23 & 26–28, 2026 · 5:30–9:30 PM
Explore a holiday evening of lights and historic Prairietown traditions at Conner Prairie.
This is mostly an outdoor experience. Confirm Santa availability and other date-specific details for your selected evening.
At the October 14 check, one Guest Adult age 13+ and one Guest Youth age 2–12 for November 27, 5:30–6:30 PM reached a $52 selection summary without the earlier membership restriction. This verifies one sample only—not every date, time, party size or current capacity. Guest tickets are $26 each; member $15 and eligible Access Pass $10 options require login. Children under 2 do not need a ticket.
Hilbert Circle Theatre · Indianapolis
Season dates: December 4–23, 2026 · selected performances
Enjoy the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, festive singers and dancers, cirque performers, and the beloved tap-dancing Santas.
Brunch with Santa is a separate add-on for December 13 or 20 and also requires that day’s 2 PM concert ticket.
The symphony lists tickets on sale. Check your preferred performance for remaining seats.
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Choose your date on the calendar →French Lick Resort · French Lick, Indiana · Overnight getaway
Package dates: 2026 holiday season · call for available nights
Make it a holiday getaway with one night at French Lick Springs Hotel or West Baden Springs Hotel and one coach-class Polar Express train ticket per person.
Train: 7:30 PM Eastern departure only, with hot chocolate, cookies & a keepsake sleigh bell per ticket holder. The railway runs on selected dates November 6–December 23, 2026; confirm which nights are available with the resort package.
Call (844) 241-6361 for dates, a package quote & child/infant pricing. Book at least 48 hours ahead. Full deposit is due when booking; cancellations are refundable up to 14 days before arrival.
Packages are limited and first come, first served. Available nights & prices are confirmed by phone; taxes are additional.
Nickel Plate Express · Forest Park, Noblesville
Season dates: November & December 2026 · exact ride dates in the booking calendar
Take a 75-minute holiday train ride with seasonal music, a cookie, a letter-to-Santa activity, and a visit from Santa.
Choose your date and seating in the booking calendar. Prices are by group or table; lap-child rules depend on seating class.
Reservations are available. Choose your departure & seating; prices are per group or table, not per person.
Nickel Plate Express · Forest Park, Noblesville
Season dates: 2026 holiday ride dates are in the organizer’s booking calendar
Pedal an open-air railbike through festive displays and a 60-foot light tunnel, with a hot chocolate and cookie stop along the one-hour route.
All ages; children must remain seated and supervised. Children under 3 ride free only when secured to an adult in a family-provided infant carrier. Dress for the weather and arrive early—late riders may miss departure.
The organizer lists $24.95 per seat or $89.95 for a four-person bike. The live calendar did not load during this check, so confirm an available 2026 date and time before planning.
Sullivan Hardware · Keystone Avenue, Indianapolis
Season dates: 2026 ride dates not announced yet
Ride through a holiday world of elves and festive displays on the way to a Santa experience at the North Pole.
Tickets open November 1 at 4 PM Eastern. Select your train experience and confirm its ride dates, inclusions, and current price.
Tickets open November 1, 2026 at 4 PM Eastern. Ride dates & ticket options are separate from the sale date.
The Garden at Newfields · Indianapolis
Season dates: 2026 season dates not announced yet
Keep this garden light walk on your holiday planning list. Newfields has also announced private, heated igloos for winter 2026.
Full 2026 dates, prices, and booking details are still to come. Check the latest announcement before making plans.
A confirmed 2026 ticket-release date is still needed. Watch for the full season & igloo reservation announcement.
Dated events with upcoming ticket releases. Booking dates are separate from event dates.
Piney Acres Farm · Fortville
Event date: November 22, 2026 · 11 AM–noon
Have lunch at the farm with the mean one for a compact holiday character outing.
The organizer has announced the date and time, but not the ticket release date, current price or age rules.
Tickets are marked coming soon. The current ticket button leads to a different event, so use the organizer page and wait for the correct booking route.
Traders Point Creamery · Zionsville
Event date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 · Time to be announced
Save the date for Christmas on the Farm at Traders Point Creamery!
Full 2026 activities, pricing & age policies are still to come.
Ticket release: Date & time not announced. Join the farm’s newsletter for the next announcement.
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Event time to be announced
Saves as an all-day reminder. Add the time once confirmed.
Dates refer to the 2026 holiday season unless noted. Check each organizer’s calendar for current hours, ticket options & availability. All times are Eastern.