Plus, the ultimate T-Swift tailgate party goes on sale today.
 
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Today’s Forecast

39º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 8:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.
 

🔌 Electric vehicle boogaloo

What you need to know about buying an electric vehicle in Indy
Woman highfiving a person dressed as a dinosaur
Learn about EVs with Highly EVolved, a campaign to educate the public on the benefits and realities of electric vehicles. | Photo by Emma Knutson, provided by Indianapolis Office of Sustainability
Where we’re going, we don’t need roads... or at least gasoline-powered vehicles.

The electric vehicle market in the US is expected to show an annual growth rate of 18.17% from 2024-2028. If you’re thinking about hopping onboard the EV express, here’s a quick breakdown of the status of driving electric in the Circle City.

What’s the Indy EV scene like?

If you swear you’re seeing more Teslas on the streets, you’re not wrong. There were 17,700 battery-only EV registrations in Indiana in 2022. This number represents only 0.3% of all vehicles in the state, but is a staggering 58% increase from 2021’s registration numbers.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Charging the Crossroads program plans to invest nearly $100 million to build an EV charging network at strategic locations along Indiana’s interstates and highways. When applications for the program closed this past November, 86 potential EV charging sites had been identified as candidates. INDOT plans to make its final selections by early 2024 and begin installation in 2025.

How do I charge an EV?

Believe it or not, you can charge your car with a regular old 120-volt outlet — it just might take a full day.

To fill up in a few hours, many EV owners install a Level 2 charger — which is 240 volts — but the charger and installation could cost hundreds. That said, many companies like AES Indiana and Duke Energy offer rebates for installation at both homes and businesses, along with cash incentives for residential customers who charge their EV during off-peak hours. Duke Energy even offers a charger rental program for those who may be looking for a cheaper short-term solution.

The city is also stocked with public charging stations. As of Dec. 12, 2023, there are 684 charging stations in the Indianapolis area, 109 of which are free to use.
But what about rebates?
 
Events
Wednesday, Dec. 13
  • Festival Of Carols | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis | $36-$58 | Join the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir for one of Indy’s favorite holiday traditions filled with seasonal cheer.
  • Winterlights | Wednesday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Jan. 7 | 11 a.m. | Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis | $15-$24 | It’s merry, it’s bright, it’s Winterlights, presented by Bank of America, featuring music, laughter, and two million sparkling lights in The Garden at Newfields.*
Thursday, Dec. 14
  • Holiday Luncheon | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove | $0-$15 | Indulge in a delicious meal with friends and family and bring a gift valued at $15 for a gift exchange.
  • American Girl Live! In Concert | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 7-8 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis | $25-$105 | Watch American Girl characters come to life in an immersive pop concert experience about the power of friendship.
Friday, Dec. 15
Saturday, Dec. 16
  • Indianapolis Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $24.50-$84.50 | Enjoy this classic Christmas show presented by Indianapolis’ only professional ballet.
Sunday, Dec. 17
  • A Holiday Bake Sale | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 12 p.m. | Dear Mom, 2121 E. 10th St., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Grab a box and fill it up with pastries from five local bakers while you listen to sweet holiday tunes.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Indy Chamber
 
Seasonal

Need holiday shopping inspo? Head to Downtown Indy
a shelf full of holiday-themed cards, candles, and gifts
You’ve made your list and checked it twice — now it’s time to knock out holiday shopping at local shops like Silver in the City at Mass Ave. | Photo provided by Downtown Indy, Inc.
Looking for last-minute gifts this holiday season? Surprise your loved ones with the perfect presents from Downtown Indy. Here are some of our top picks for stores with unique finds that are off the beaten path:
  • The Basile History Shop inside the Indiana Historical Society + the Indiana Store inside the Indiana State Museum
  • The Indy Winter Farmer’s Market at 16 Tech
  • SoChatti and The Best Chocolate in Town (perfect for chocolate lovers)
Pro tip: Don’t forget that many places offer online shopping, such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Happy holiday shopping, Indy
News Notes
Announced
  • In honor of Taylor Swift’s birthday today, tickets for Indiana State Museum’s TAY/gate, a pre-concert tailgating-themed party that will take place when the Eras Tour is in town Nov. 1-3, 2024, are on sale at noon. Tickets include food, themed cocktails + mocktails, bracelet trading, DJ entertainment, karaoke, and local vendors.
Cause
  • Colts fans are invited to give back at the 24th annual Bleed Blue blood drive at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, Dec. 15. Donors will be able to meet-and-greet players, take photos with the Lombardi Trophy, run a 40-yard dash, and enter to win game tickets and other prizes. (WTHR)
Weather
  • The suspicious lack of snow so far this month may have you wondering: Are we in for a green Christmas? Here are the odds. (WISH)
Theater
  • We’re ovo-r the moon to welcome Cirque du Soleil back to Indy for the first time since 2019 with the show “Ovo.” Five performances are planned from Aug. 22-25, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 18. (IBJ)
Ranked
  • Pop the champagne — WalletHub released its list of best cities for New Year’s Eve, and Indy came in at No. 23. Keep an eye out next week for our roundup of local events and parties to ring in 2024.
Featured
  • Whether it’s Ruoff or Deer Creek to you, doesn’t matter — Noblesville’s iconic music venue has been named the top amphitheater in the world in ticket sales by Pollstar. It also ranked third worldwide in gross sales. (FOX59)
Arts
  • Need something to do this weekend? There are currently four new exhibitions on display at the Indianapolis Art Center now through Saturday, Dec. 23. Bonus: The exhibitions are always free and open to the public.*
Job
  • We’re hiring a Branded Copywriter to support the strategy, creation, and placement of branded content campaigns for 6AM City’s clients. From creating dynamic content (including written articles and social) within the 6AM tone and style to closely following the process of how we fulfill advertiser contracts — see details and apply.
 
Trending

Hey Google... What did Indy google this year?

What Hoosiers googled this year
INDYtoday: INDY_skyline google search bar results_DEC23
Did you search “Eras Tour dates” this year? So did the rest of the US — but this is what Hoosiers were googling on a more local level. | Photo by @rivvidproductions, graphic via 6AM City
It may come as no surprise that Damar Hamlin was the most-searched person on Google this year, but what about the fact that Hoosiers searched for nearby staffing agencies more than anywhere else in the US?

Google’s 2023 Year in Search is out, and its local search function provides an interesting peek into our city’s queries. Take a look at what we were searching most this year (plus, our answers to your searches — we may not be Google, but we know a thing or two about where to find good jobs).

Unique local searches

  • Top trending TV show | “The Last of Us” on Max
  • Top trending tour | Taylor Swift | “The Eras” Tour
  • Air quality near me | Check out our guide to understanding the Air Quality Index.
  • Staffing agencies near me | Amplify your job search with our city guide featuring Indy’s top industries and employers.
More interesting Indy searches
Asked

What was the top trending “Movies” Google search in the US this year?
A. “Oppenheimer”
B. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”
C. “Cocaine Bear”
D. “Barbie”
Test your trendiness
The Buy

The Buy 12.13.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A heated vest, jacket, or socks from Ororo so you’re actually comfortable this winter. Bonus: They make great holiday gifts, too.
 
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Shea
From the editor
As a big “The Last of Us” fan, I’m happy to see that my neighbors must have been as invested in the show as I was. Hands up if you’re still sobbing over the “Long, Long Time” episode.
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