Wanderland Guide
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Holiday Agendas
downtown indy winter wanderland
Everything Leads to the Circle of Lights

Fill your holi-days and nights with the best downtown Indy has to offer this magical season. From traditional favorites to new seasonal surprises, there’s plenty to celebrate in the heart of Indianapolis. What are you waiting for? It’s time to eat, sing, and skate your way through the holidays as you venture to the Circle of Lights.® Use this Guide to plan your next Winter Wanderland adventure!

circle of lights
Don't miss the 62nd Annual Circle of Lights on November 29!
wanderland highlights
Christmas at the Zoo
New This Year! Santa’s Magic Cottage
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step inside a glittering snow globe, then Santa’s Village under the Bicentennial Pavilion is the place to be. At the Indianapolis Zoo, guests will have the opportunity to take a personal journey to the North Pole with Santa’s Magic Cottage warmed by Peterman Brothers!
celebration crossing
All Aboard the snowfall Express

The Snowfall Express 18-passenger train takes visitors on a journey through a snowy forest filled with music, movement and wonder, where charming woodland characters come to life within the whimsical wintertime scenes. Bring the whole family and make cherished memories as you hop aboard the Snowfall Express for an enchanting train ride!

Festival of Trees
A Christmas Carol
Christkindlmarkt
the cherrished family circle of lights
The Perfect Plan for Everyone in the Fam!

Fill your holi-days and nights with the best Downtown Indy has to offer this magical season.From traditional favorites to new seasonal surprises, there’s plenty to celebrate in the heart ofIndianapolis. Eat, sing, and skate your way through the holidays as you venture to the Circle of Lights!

holiday events galore
athenaeum
Celebrate Holidays from Around the World

Enjoy live entertainment and holiday celebrations from around the globe, including Krampusnacht, Sankt Nikolaus Fest, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, and Kwanzaa! It’s a feast for your senses.

AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
Catch Special ASL-Interpreted Shows

The ISO is offering two performances featuring an American Sign Language Interpreter and audio descriptions. The celebration starts in the theatre lobby with festive decorations, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and unique photo opps.

Don't Miss Classic Holiday Performances

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.

See the Famous Kicking Santas

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 opps.

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.

Christmas at the Zoo
Indiana State Museum's Celebration Crossing
Eiteljorg's Jingle Rails
animated ice skates
Hit the Holiday Ice!
This winter, a captivating tradition continues as the Elevance Health Rink at Bicentennial Unity Plaza transforms into a mesmerizing ice-skating wonderland right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
jingle rails
Don't Miss Unique Family Photo Opps

This beloved annual holiday tradition is a breathtaking model train display featuring nine G-scale trains traveling through spectacular landscapes and past famous landmarks of Indianapolis and the American West.

eat drink and be merry
Cross Off Your Holiday Wish Lists

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.

tea room
Enjoy Holiday Feasts inside the L.S. Ayres Tea Room

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.

winter wanderland map
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Festival of Trees
This holiday extravaganza features a winter wonderland of more than 80 trees representing individuals, families and companies from around Indiana. Don't miss special programs and enhanced dining and shopping options, too.
November 15 - January 04
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A Christmas Carol
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.
November 16 - December 24
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Jingle Rails
This beloved annual holiday tradition is a breathtaking model train display featuring nine G-scale trains traveling through spectacular landscapes and past famous landmarks of Indianapolis and the American West.
November 16 - January 20
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Mass Ave
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.
November 16 - January 03
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Christmas at the Zoo
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.
November 16 - January 05
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Elevance Health Rink
This winter, a captivating tradition continues as the Elevance Health Rink at Bicentennial Unity Plaza transforms into a mesmerizing ice-skating wonderland right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
November 22 - January 26
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62nd ANNUAL CIRCLE OF LIGHTS®
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!
November 29 - December 31
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Celebration Crossing
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.
November 29 - January 05
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Christkindlmarkt
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.
November 29 - December 22
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AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
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 opps.
December 06-23