Festival of Trees | Friday, Nov. 29-Saturday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Indiana Historical Society | $20 | Take part in this holiday tradition that features 85 elaborately decorated trees, special programs, holiday-themed dining, and shopping.
Salute to Santa | Friday, Nov. 29-Tuesday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | Hotel Tango Distillery | Free | Hotel Tango Distillery is making spirits bright with a festive holiday pop-up bar — sip on limited-edition holiday craft cocktails, snuggle up by a crackling fireplace, and enjoy the cozy vibes.*
Cirque Dreams Holidaze | 4 p.m. | Old National Centre | $34+ | This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family.
Ice Rink Opening | 5 p.m. | Holliday Park | $14+ | The first 25 skaters at each session on opening day will receive a free tote bag, plus there will be new food and drink offerings by MashCraft.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Winter Market at Jingle Rails | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Eiteljorg Museum | Museum admission | Don’t miss this festive opportunity to celebrate creativity + take home something special — admission includes access to the market and the beloved Jingle Rails exhibit.
SPARK: Holidays on the Circle | Saturday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 22 | 4-8 p.m. | Monument Circle | Free | Enjoy themed musical performances + appearances from Santa Claus.
The Nutcracker | Saturday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 1 | Times vary | The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel | $40 | Children and adults of all ages will be transformed by this heartwarming tale of a young girl and her beloved Nutcracker as she learns the value and resiliency of the human spirit.
Sunday, Dec. 1
Nature Preserve Hike | 1-2 p.m. | Fort Harrison State Park | Free | Join a naturalist for a guided 1-mile hike along Lawrence Creek Trail.
Lula Avery, an 8-year-old from Plainfield, won this year’s AES Indiana Coloring Contest + will “flip the switch” at the Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights this evening. You can watch the big show live on WTHR. See Lula’s winning drawing. (WTHR)
Environment
Carmel is giving residents the opportunity to go green this holiday season with a holiday lights recycling drive. Instead of throwing away broken or unwanted lights, you can recycle them at White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center at 731 South Range Line Rd. now through Friday, Jan. 10.
Plan Ahead
Sunday, Dec. 1 is Secondhand Sunday. Created by secondhand marketplace seller Poshmark, the day encourages shoppers to purchase pre-owned items for gifting like records, clothing, jewelry, and home decor. In case you need vintage store inspo, we have the perfect guide for you.
Sports
Indy Ignite snagged two top 10 picks in this year’s Pro Volleyball Draft, thanks to a last-minute trade with Atlanta. The Ignite drafted a couple players from Louisville: outside hitter Anna Debeer and libero Elena Scott. See the team’s schedule. (WTHR)
Ranked
The 2025 Best Cities list just dropped and Indy isn’t on the list. What gives?Let us know where you think Indianapolis should have ranked and why.
Drink
Your weekend assignment: Sit back, unwind, and sip your way through Great Legs Wine + Spirits’ new lineup of cocktails. Along with beloved classics and a carefully curated wine selection, the Garage Food Hall’s resident wine bar now offers a handful of craft cocktails. Cheers.*
Seasonal
Kick off the holidays at Westfield in Lights on Saturday, Dec. 7 (3-6 p.m.) Head to Grand Junction Plaza for festive family fun, including carnival games, live music, a llama attraction + more. Snag tickets for pictures with Santa + ice skating.*
Shop
Not sure what to gift that special someone on your list this season? That’s what we’re here for. Discover 20 unique gift ideas in Hendricks County (~30 minutes from downtown Indianapolis) — from locally-made artisan goods to memorable experiences.*
Finance
How much could you borrow from your home? Get HELOC quotes now — calculate your payment.*
The Buy
The Buy
Don’t miss five more brands with stellar Black Friday sales:
Looking for a different holiday activity to do with the family? The Athenaeum’s Christkindlmarkt opens today — bringing German food, live entertainment, and holiday celebrations to the heart of downtown. Admission is free.
