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This year’s Festival of Trees will feature a winter wonderland of more than 80 trees representing individuals, families and companies from around Indiana. The seven-week annual holiday extravaganza includes special programs and enhanced dining and shopping options. Tickets are on sale now, so purchase yours today! As always, IHS members can take advantage of their complimentary admission benefit by reserving their tickets online.
With a paid ticket to Festival of Trees, guests can also enjoy additional programming and performances, with special holiday treats offered at the Stardust Terrace Café by Jonathan Byrd’s. Also join us for a photo opportunity inspired by classic holiday songs in the Cole Porter Room and a display from the movie “A Christmas Story.”
- Closed on Mondays
- Closed on the following dates (holidays) 11/28, 12/6, 12/24, 12/25, 1/1
- Twilight Nights, Open 5 – 8pm on 12/3, 12/5, 12/10, 12/12, 12/17, 12/19
Open Sundays Noon – 5pm
Parking:
Our (FREE) parking lot is located on New York Street a ½ block east of West Street. Free parking with admission.
Accessibility:
The Indiana Historical Society aims to provide a welcoming and engaging experience for all guests of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. Please contact IHS at (317) 232-1882 with questions, concerns or to make advance plans for your visit.
Visiting the History Center
Complimentary admission is offered to licensed care providers. Service animals are welcome.
Mobility
Accessible parking is available in the surface lot at the corner of New York and West streets in downtown Indianapolis. There is a curb cut on the east end of the lot, near the Visitor Entrance, for guests to access the sidewalk surrounding the History Center.
- Power doors are located at public entrances on the main level and off the Canal Walk.
- Complimentary manual wheelchairs are available upon request. Please see Welcome Center staff for assistance. Motorized wheelchairs are welcome in the History Center.
- Accessible restrooms are available throughout the History Center. All restrooms have manual flush toilets. Public restrooms near the Welcome Center (main level) and Stardust Terrace Café (canal level) have automatic hand dryers, sinks and soap dispensers.
- Elevators are accessible to wheelchairs/power chairs and service all public areas.
- Accessible drinking fountains are located outside public restrooms. Seating is available throughout the History Center.
Hearing
Guests will find open captioning on videos throughout the History Center. Where captions are not available, staff can provide copies of text upon request.
Vision
Braille signage is available near elevators, entrances and restrooms. Videos and digital interactive activities throughout the History Center feature narration or the option to turn on narration.
Additional Tips for Visiting the History Center
Visitors who enjoy tactile play and activities may wish to visit the W. Brooks and Wanda Y. Fortune History Lab, where they can try out one of the many techniques used to safely mend fragile paper.
Visitors in need of a quiet area at any point during their visit should contact staff at the Welcome Center or seek assistance from any staff member in a blue shirt.
The Indiana State Fairgrounds once again hosts Christmas Nights of Lights, Indy’s largest drive thru light show synchronized to music broadcasting through your car radio!
Banish your bah humbugs! A Christmas Carol shines a light on the power of kindness and love in this uplifting tale of one man’s journey to redemption. As the weather turns cold, warm your heart with story and song at the IRT.
This beloved annual holiday tradition is a breathtaking model train display featuring eight G-scale trains traveling through spectacular landscapes and past famous landmarks of Indianapolis and the American West.
Explore a magical indoor world featuring a festive, carnival-like atmosphere, fun-filled games, loveable critters, and hands-on activities. Play, laugh, and make lifelong memories together in this one-of-a-kind indoor winter experience.
This winter, a captivating tradition continues as the Elevance Health Rink transforms into a mesmerizing ice-skating wonderland right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
A light sprinkling of snow and the glow of twinkling lights will fill the sky, creating a magical nighttime experience that has become one of Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Holiday explorers, shoppers, and foodies will be able to enjoy Circle of Lights as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument will be festively lit all season long! Discover the magic that Downtown Indy has to offer!
Locals know it. Visitors quickly catch on. From visionary public art, live theatre, shops that are one-of-a-kind, chef-inspired food and drink restaurants, to historic neighborhoods and architecture, this is a place unlike any other.
Twinkling lights, a dazzling bandshell, and a fairy-tale scene! Step inside the enchanted Rathskeller Biergarten and experience an authentic German winter market, traditional food, live entertainment, and holiday celebrations from around the globe.
At the Indiana State Museum’s Celebration Crossing, you’ll discover an epic train ride on the Snowfall Express, a holiday buffet inside the L.S. Ayres Tea Room, a visit with Santa, and winter wonderland activities.
Indiana’s greatest holiday tradition returns this December! The celebration starts in the theatre lobby with festive decorations, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, melodies from the Wurlitzer organ and unique photo ops.
There’s no place like home (plate) for the holidays! The most wonderful event of the year is finally here. Our holiday programming includes a pancake breakfast, photo opportunity with Rowdie dressed as Santa Claus, face painting, crafts, and even a spirited evening of cheer with great bourbon.