All Day

63rd Annual Circle of Lights

Monument Circle 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis

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
Ongoing

Let’s Give Food Drive

Brownsburg Town Hall 61 N Green St, Brownsburg

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 […]

Free

Winterland Holiday Light Show

Ellis Park 49 N Wayne St, Danville

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 […]

$5 – $10

Christmas at the Zoo

Indianapolis Zoo 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis

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

Christmas on the Square

Hendricks County Courthouse Square 51 W Main St, Danville

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

Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Gainbridge Fieldhouse 125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis

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.