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2 events,The prairie maze at McCloud Nature Park is mowed into the tall grass every fall, and it’s open daily from dawn until dusk through Halloween. There’s no ticket and no line, so it’s an easy stop on a pretty afternoon. Bring good shoes, because the paths get soft after rain.
Free
Beasley’s opens the barn doors for the full fall run: the corn maze, the pumpkin patch, cider, donuts, and the market. It runs daily from mid-September through the first of November, and it’s one of the anchors of fall in Hendricks County. |
3 events,A touring Disney concert built around music from across the catalog, staged for an arena. Tuesday evening at Gainbridge, which is an easy weeknight run in from the county. Geared toward kids without being unwatchable for the adults along for the ride. |
3 events,The Pacers host the Philadelphia 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with LeBron James on the visiting roster, so this one draws a big crowd. It’s a marquee matchup downtown and an easy trip in from the west side. Tip-off time is still being confirmed, so check before you go. |
6 events,The Brownsburg Field of Honor returns to the Town Hall Green with 500 full-size American flags flying together in a moving tribute to service and country. The display runs from late October through Veterans Day, and the community opening ceremony is Saturday, November 8 at 10 a.m. It’s a quiet, powerful thing to walk through, […]
Free
The Brownsburg Field of Honor returns to the Town Hall Green with 500 full-size American flags flying together in a moving tribute to service and country. The display runs from late October through Veterans Day, and the community opening ceremony is Saturday, November 8 at 10 a.m. It’s a quiet, powerful thing to walk through, […]
Free
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The library turns Simmons Street into a trick-or-treat route with local businesses and organizations handing out candy. Costumes encouraged, admission free.
Free
The opening ceremony for the Field of Honor, when the flags on the Town Hall Green are lit for the first time. It’s short, it’s free, and it sets the tone for the two weeks that follow.
Free
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9 events,The ISO plays the score live while the film runs on the big screen. Friday is 7:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday are both 2:00 PM.
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Costume contest at 6:30 PM, film at 7:00 PM, all of it outdoors at Arbuckle Acres. Bring blankets and chairs, and dress for an October night in Indiana.
Free
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A lantern-lit hike through McCloud on Halloween weekend. Spooky enough to be fun, not so spooky that it’s a problem. Five dollars.
$5
The Hendricks Symphony takes on a program of British classics at Hendricks Live! Tickets are through the venue. Hail Britannia runs through the British Invasion catalog, from the Beatles and the Stones forward. The Friday night show is the louder of the two in this run. Worth the […] |
7 events,Beasley’s closes its fall season with a Dia de los Muertos weekend, with the farm decorated for the holiday and the usual activities open. Admission runs fourteen dollars. It’s the last weekend of the season, so it’s a good one to catch before everything shuts down for winter.
$14
The Haunted Dash is a Halloween morning run and walk through The Shops at Perry Crossing, costumes encouraged. Starting at nine gives you the whole rest of the day for trick-or-treating. Registration details are on the Perry Crossing site. |
8 events,The Sunday matinee performance of the Hendricks Symphony’s British classics program at Hendricks Live! Tickets are through the venue. The Sunday matinee of Hail Britannia covers the same British Invasion ground as the Friday show, in an afternoon slot. Easier timing if a late night isn’t appealing. Same band, […] |
4 events,Brownsburg collects non-perishable food from early November through the first week of December. Drop-off bins are at Town Hall plus four other town buildings, open weekdays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Free
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4 events,
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A free board game night at Bundy Lodge. Bring your own or play what’s on the tables, and stay as long as the games hold up.
Free
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7 events,
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Every marching band in Indiana points its whole fall at this day. State Finals runs from morning into the night at Lucas Oil, and Hendricks County schools are usually well represented. Even if you don’t have a kid on the field, the top-tier bands are something to see.
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The Veterans Day ceremony held among the flags on the Town Hall Green. Attending is free, and flag dedications in honor of a veteran are $50 through the town.
Free
All four class championships in one afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. High school volleyball at this level is fast and loud, and tickets are far easier to come by than for the basketball finals. Short drive in from the county. The Dave Matthews Tribute Band has been doing this for decades, and they play the deep cuts along with the radio songs. Expect long jams and a crowd that sings along to all of it. Saturday night at Hendricks Live! |
6 events,
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A traveling marketplace of oddities, curiosities, and sideshow performance at the State Fairgrounds. Strange in the best way.
Ticketed
One of the NFL’s marquee matchups comes to Lucas Oil Stadium when the Colts host the Dallas Cowboys. Expect a packed house, a downtown buzz, and a game-day feel that’s worth the short drive in from Hendricks County. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., though nationally televised games can shift, so double-check the time before […] A Sunday afternoon variety show at Hendricks Live! with local performers taking the stage. The program changes year to year, which is part of the fun. Matinee timing keeps it […] |
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5 events,Five days and roughly 375 vendors, this is the biggest holiday shopping show in the state. Twelve dollars in advance, fourteen at the door. Wear comfortable shoes.
$12 – $14
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5 events,The national marching band championships take over Lucas Oil Stadium for three days. Downtown fills up, so plan parking ahead. The national marching band championship takes over Lucas Oil for three days, with prelims Thursday and Friday, then semifinals and finals on Saturday. Bands come in from all over the country. If you’ve only ever seen state-level marching, this is a different thing entirely. The Kings of Queen take on one of the hardest catalogs in rock, and they go after the big ones without flinching. Thursday evening show. If you’ve ever wanted to […] |
10 events,Rick Steves narrates while the ISO plays music from across Europe, with film projected above the stage. Two nights at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.
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An evening at Eaton Hall with manicures, snacks, and a photo station. Registration is $25 per pair through Brownsburg Parks.
$25
The Pacers host the Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in an NBA Cup group game, seven o’clock tip. Cup nights bring a different energy downtown, and this matchup has real history behind it now. Worth planning around if you follow the team. Pacers and Knicks in NBA Cup group play, which means the game actually counts for something beyond the standings. These two have history now, and the building reflects it. Friday night tip at 7:00.
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Stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress at Hendricks Live!. Friday at eight. This is an adult comedy show.
Ticketed
Hannibal Buress brings his stand-up to Plainfield for a Friday night set. His style is loose and conversational, and he tends to let a story run as long as it needs to. Grown-up humor, so plan accordingly. |
9 events,
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Vendors fill the fairgrounds with handmade goods, holiday decor, and gifts. It’s a solid one-stop stop for Christmas shopping without leaving the county.
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Build a fresh evergreen wreath with park staff. Thirty-five dollars covers everything, and you take the wreath home.
$35
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A projection-mapped retelling of Sleeping Beauty at Hendricks Live!, with showings at four and six on Saturday.
Ticketed
This one pairs classical ballet with projection and lighting design, so the stage shifts around the dancers as the story moves. Shorter and more visual than a traditional ballet, which […] |
3 events,The Colts host the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium for a Sunday afternoon of NFL football. Game day brings a real buzz to downtown Indianapolis, and it’s an easy drive in from Hendricks County. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., though nationally televised games can shift, so double-check the time before you head in. |
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2 events,
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The holiday edition of Ladies Night Out on the square. Shops stay open late the week before Thanksgiving, which is a good head start on the list.
Free
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8 events,The reimagined Ringling Bros. show runs three days at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with multiple performances. Tickets through the venue. Winterland has been lighting up Ellis Park for nearly three decades, and it’s still a drive-through, which means you can go in pajamas with the heat on. Open nightly from November 20 through December 27, 6:00 to 9:00 Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 to 10:00 Friday and Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Bring cash […]
$5 – $10
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A morning of tree planting at Williams Park with Brownsburg Parks. Gloves and shovels provided, and the trees stay long after the morning does.
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Make handmade holiday ornaments at McCloud. Fifteen dollars, two hours, supplies provided.
$15
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Pull into Lincolnwood Park, tune the radio, and watch Elf from the car. Free, first come first served on parking spots.
Free
Indiana and Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium is about as big as a November basketball game gets in this state. Friday night, neutral floor, and a crowd that will be loudly divided. Expect traffic downtown. The Smithereens are still touring behind a catalog of jangly, hook-heavy rock from the eighties and nineties. Friday night, full band, no frills. A good room for this kind of show. |
6 events,The zoo lights up nightly from late November into early January. Included with zoo admission, and it’s one of the longest-running holiday traditions in the city.
Included with admission
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The Avon UMC Holiday Craft Fair is a long-running local shopping stop right before the holidays. Free to get in, with handmade goods, baked items, and vendors filling the church. Come early if you want first pick.
Free
An easy guided walk with a naturalist along the White Lick Creek Greenway to see what’s moving through that morning. Binoculars help, though you don’t need any experience to come along.
Free
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5 events,
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A free drop-in craft session at Bundy Lodge with a fall harvest theme. Come make something, then get on with your day.
Free
The Pacers host the Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 7:30 tip. It’s the Finals rematch, so this one will be the hottest ticket of the month. Buy early if you want to be in the building. |
7 events,The Soldiers and Sailors Monument becomes the world’s largest Christmas tree the night after Thanksgiving. It’s free, it’s downtown, and it’s the official start of the holiday season in Indianapolis.
Free
Indiana’s high school football title games run back to back at Lucas Oil Stadium over two days. Tickets through the IHSAA.
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The day after Thanksgiving, downtown Danville lights the community tree and fills the square with music, holiday characters, and a live nativity with real animals. Danville Fire serves chili, and there’s a mailbox for letters to Santa. Tree lighting with Santa is at 6:30, and the whole thing is free.
Free
Black Friday night the Pacers host the 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in an NBA Cup group game, 7:30 tip. If you’d rather skip the shopping, this is a solid alternative. Downtown is lit up for the holidays by then, which makes the whole trip better. |
9 events,Brownsburg’s shops and restaurants mark Small Business Saturday the weekend after Thanksgiving. Watch the town’s channels for which businesses are running specials.
Free
A German-style holiday market in the Rathskeller biergarten on Mass Ave. Gluhwein, raclette, live music, and multicultural holiday nights. Free to walk in.
Free entry
Downtown Indy sets up seasonal activities on Monument Circle on Saturdays and Sundays from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. It’s free to wander through.
Free
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Small Business Saturday around the courthouse square. The shops go all in on this one, and the square is worth the trip on its own.
Free
Hendricks Live! opens its holiday season the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a full Christmas variety show. Think carols, dancers, and the kind of staging that gets everyone in the mood […] |
6 events,
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Thanksgiving weekend home game at Lucas Oil, one o’clock kickoff. A decent plan for the Sunday when everyone’s still in town and nobody wants to cook again. Giants come in as the visitor. |
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9 events,A staged version of the Capra film, running four nights at Hendricks Live!. It holds up, and watching Bedford Falls come together in a room full of neighbors hits differently than watching it at home. Evening shows at 7:30 with matinees at 2:30 on Dec 5 and Dec 6.
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Local authors and illustrators set up at the Avon library to talk about their work and sign copies. Free to walk through, and a good place to find a signed book before the holidays.
Free
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The Avon Chamber lights up the Pavilion Center for a night of glow bingo with prizes. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
$35 – $40
Hendricks Civic Theatre stages the Bedford Falls classic at Hendricks Live! Tickets are through the venue box office. |
12 events,The ISO’s holiday production hits its 40th anniversary this year, with performances running from early December through the 23rd. Showtimes vary by date, so check the schedule when you buy. The sixth year of Plainfield’s walk-through holiday tree display. Dozens of decorated trees light up the sports complex, and it’s free to walk through. Bundle up, it’s all outdoors.
Free
Local businesses, clubs, and families each decorate a tree on a theme, and the whole lot gets strung into a walking trail of lights. There’s a heated tent with free programming, a fireside s’mores spot, food trucks, and snowball fights for the kids. Sixth year running, free for all ages, 6:00 to 9:00 each night.
Free
Yuletide turns forty this year, and it’s still the Indianapolis Symphony doing a full holiday production with singers, dancers, and the tap-dancing Santas. Shows run December 4 through 23 with matinees and evenings, so there’s almost always a slot that works. Brunch with Santa is a separate add-on on December 13 and 20.
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Holiday Fest fills the Expo Hall with vendors, crafts, and seasonal shopping. Admission is free.
Free
Hendricks Civic Theatre stages the Bedford Falls classic at Hendricks Live! Tickets are through the venue box office. |
17 events,The drive-thru light display opens the night of Christmas Under the Stars and runs through December 31. Lights are on nightly from 5:00 to 11:00 PM at Town Hall and Arbuckle Acres Park, and it’s free to drive through.
Free
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The December session of the evergreen wreath workshop at McCloud Nature Park. Thirty-five dollars, wreath included.
$35
Two performances on Saturday, a 2:30 PM matinee and a 7:30 PM evening show. Hendricks Civic Theatre stages the Bedford Falls classic at Hendricks Live!, with tickets through the venue box office.
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Avon lights its tree at Blue Heron Park with horse-drawn carriage rides, music, and hot chocolate. Free to attend.
Free
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Brownsburg shuts down a stretch of Green Street for a winter market, a parade, and a tree lighting that caps the night. The market opens first and the parade rolls through later, so there’s time to eat and shop before the crowd gathers. Free, and all of it within a couple of blocks.
Free
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Brownsburg Kiwanis hosts photos with Santa in Eaton Hall and the Town Hall lobby during Christmas Under the Stars. Donations go to Riley Hospital for Children.
Donations accepted
The Big Ten title game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Downtown will be packed all day, so plan around it if you’re heading in.
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The Big Ten title game is back at Lucas Oil, prime time on a Saturday night in December. Downtown fills up all weekend for it, which is part of the appeal. Who’s playing won’t be settled until the week before. |
11 events,The closing Sunday matinee of Hendricks Civic Theatre’s holiday production at Hendricks Live! Tickets are through the venue box office. |
