Plan a holiday getaway to Indy this season
If twinkling lights, trimmed trees, seasonal treats and overall holiday cheer is what you’re seeking this season, consider planning a trip to Indianapolis.
Bundle up and stop by Indy's decades-old tradition, the Circle of Lights at Monument Circle. Cozy up with a warm beverage at a Christmas market. Find unique gifts for loved ones. Head to the theater to watch a Christmas classic. Perhaps best of all, there will be no shortage of bright lights and sparkling displays all throughout town.
Read on to get in the spirit and start planning a holiday getaway to Indy.
Indy’s dazzling downtown
The holiday celebrations kick off with the 62nd anniversary of lighting of the Circle of Lights. Located in Monument Circle in the heart of downtown Indy, the Soldiers & Sailors Monument is dressed in thousands of lights for a dazzling display. The lighting ceremony takes place Friday, November 29 at 6 p.m. You can enjoy the display through January 11, 2025.
There's nothing like a bustling Christmas market to put you in the holiday spirit. The Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt will be bringing German Christmas traditions to the Mass Ave. Arts District on Fridays through Sundays starting November 29 until December 22. Peruse the market, enjoy live music and warm up with a glass of gluhwein—a tasty, mulled wine that's something of a staple Christkindlmarkt beverage.
Locomotive fans will want to mark the occasion with a trip to Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. This display of model trains includes famed Indianapolis and American West landmarks set against festive decor for an added spark of wonder.
Stay in the middle of the magic at one of the many hotels downtown. The Conrad Indianapolis is a 5-star hotel just steps away from Monument Circle. The luxe accommodations include an on-site spa, pool, fitness center, and—for those traveling with their furry best friends—the hotel is pet friendly (they'll even receive their own bandana during their stay).
For a taste of Indianapolis holiday traditions, make a reservation for the holiday lunch buffet at the L.S. Ayres Team Room. The original establishment dates back to 1905 when it opened in the L.S. Ayres department store. Today, a replica in the Indiana State Museum is serving up some of its authentic recipes. Try their chicken velvet soup, cherry walnut chicken salad and chicken pot pie—all classic L.S. Ayres inspired items. For dessert, try a mini pecan ice cream ball or the clown cone (vanilla bean ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate candies and a sugar cone).
A city full of holiday adventure
To experience the most of Indy's holiday activities, download the Holiday Adventure Pass. The pass is free to sign up and includes 15 seasonal attractions (the pass does not include entry to ticketed events). When visiting any of the 15 spots, check in on the pass for a chance to redeem prizes, which include a special edition festive sticker, an ornament and a beanie.
If you were already thinking of adding the Circle of Lights, Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt and Jingle Rails to your holiday itinerary, then you'd already have three down for the pass (that would get you an ornament). Here are a few more activities to consider (two more stops would get you that beanie).
Winterlights at Newfields is a display of nearly three million lights throughout the campus garden. Traverse the garden trails to the tune of holiday hits and warm up with a cup of cocoa. For more festive decor, head to the Indianapolis Zoo's Christmas at the Zoo. The zoo has been hosting this holiday lights tradition since 1967. In addition to the lit-up displays, be ready to pose for a holiday photo at picture-perfect stops; encounter holiday-themed characters, like the "Ice Princess"; see wintertime animals; stop into Mrs. Claus' kitchen to decorate your own cookie and more.
For some indoor holiday family-fun, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is hosting WinterFaire through January 5. Included with general admission, this winter carnival-themed experience filled with games and activities. Kids can race down the WinterSlide, test their skills at carnival games like Skee-Ball and help Gerty the beaver run her Artisans Corner shop.
Catch one of the many holiday performances scheduled throughout this season. Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" will be performed at the Indiana Repertory Theatre on select dates through Christmas Eve. A beloved local tradition, the Festival of Carols by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will host performances at The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 20–22. Expect a rendition of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," holiday musical highlights and more.
Finish your shopping list with one-of-a-kind gifts
Get some of your holiday shopping done at the local shops around Indy. Whether you're looking for something luxury, something from a well-known store or something you can't find anywhere else, the Indy area has hundreds of shops to choose from.
For starters, you could head to Massachusetts Avenue. The Mass Ave District is known for boutiques prime for gift picking. Shop Nap or Nothing's collection of original, Indy-inspired apparel. At Silver in the City, find a wide-ranging collection of gifts from coffee table books to quirky mugs to locally designed jewelry.
Also off Mass Ave. is the Bottleworks District. Its focal point is the Bottleworks Hotel, a boutique stay set inside a former Coca-Cola Bottling Works. Wake up and start your day at the district's Blue Collar Coffee Co. with a caffeinated beverage and some breakfast (think breakfast sandwiches, burritos and baked goods).
Find the perfect stocking stuffers in this shopping district, like Pumkinfish's eclectic gift shop. Bring the scents of the season home with you from the Penn & Beech Candle Company. Choose from their collection or make a reservation to pour your very own. End the day with dinner from The Garage, a food hall with culinary options including sushi, BBQ, Cuban and more.