Indy goes igloo | Book one of these cozy spots to dine al fresco without turning into an ice sculpture.
Events
Events
Friday, Dec. 20
Bleed Blue Blood Drive | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | Free | Donate blood to benefit fellow Hoosiers, then enjoy on-field photo ops, holiday activities, giveaways, and more.
A Christmas Carol | Friday, Dec. 20-Tuesday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Indiana Repertory Theatre | $25+ | Banish your bah humbugs with this classic tale of one man’s journey to redemption.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Santa Selfies | Saturday, Dec. 21-Sunday, Dec. 22 | 11 a.m. | Main and Cedar, Zionsville | Free | Snap the perfect selfie with Santa in a magical winter wonderland.
Franc D’Ambrosio: Christmas in Carmel | 7:30-9 p.m. | Feinstein’s At Hotel Carmichael, Carmel | $50+ | Join the Broadway legend for a joyous celebration of holiday music.
Monday, Dec. 23
The Holiday Stroll | 6-9 p.m. | Kelsay Farms, Whiteland | $6+ | Stroll through the farm for a magical holiday experience, including larger-than-life decorations, hot cocoa, and warm campfires.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Souper Bowls | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Second Helpings | $15 | This popular soup competition between top local chefs (and benefitting Second Helpings’ work to fight hunger from all angles) is back, and it’s up to you to determine whose soup reigns supreme.*
Ambrosia Hospitality Group announced it’s opening a French-inspired restaurant in Carmel at the end of January. The eatery, named Josephine, will offer a full dinner menu of French dishes, wines, and cognacs in the former The Pint Room space at 110 W. Main St. (IBJ)
Holiday
You officially have an excuse if you can’t check off all your tasks tomorrow — it’s the shortest day of the year. Tomorrow, Dec. 21, is the winter solstice and the beginning of Yule. Celebrate at the Indy Winter Solstice Celebration.
Number
$560,000. That’s the approximate income you need to make to be considered a one-percenter in Indiana — compare that to the $1.22 million you need to make in Washington, DC. Factor that into the cost of living in Indy. (Axios)
Trending
I scream, you scream, we all scream for “The Ice Cream Man.” The feature shot inside Zaharakos, a historic ice cream parlor in Columbus, has advanced in the “Live Action Short Film” category for the Academy Awards. If you make a trip down for a scoop, be sure to jog over to Nashville with our Brown County visitors guide. (WTHR)
Try This
Can Taco Bell beat World Famous Hot Boys in a chicken taste test? We doubt it, but you can decide for yourself now that Taco Bell has released its crispy chicken nuggets nationwide. If that doesn’t hit the spot, dive into more food news.
Tech
There’s a new app in town.Mozi lets you know when you’re in the same city or at the same event as other friends. If you’re headed to Winterlights (or any other winter events), for instance, you can use the app to meet up with other people you know who are also there.
Sports
$140. That’s the average cost for a family of four to attend an MLB game, according to a study by MoneyGeek. All the more reason to love our Indians.Get tickets for next season, starting with the home opener on Tuesday, April 1.
Listen
Locked On Irish and Locked On Hoosiers join forces to chat about the biggest college football game in Indiana history. This is our “Avengers: Endgame.”
Plan Ahead
Melt the year away and welcome 2025 at Midnight, the surrealist soiree of the season, in the heart of Newfields. The second annual New Year’s Eve party (themed “Melt into the Moment”) is back with a twisted take on an evening of glitz, glamour, live music, and high spirits — grab tickets.*
Try This
Meet Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Indy, the ultimate movie escape. From heated recliners and in-seat dining to immersive Dolby surround sound and a chef-driven menu, this local landmark blends nostalgia with next-level entertainment — offering Hoosiers a can’t-miss cinematic experience.*
Seasonal
While it may already feel like winter in Indy, the official start of the season is tomorrow, Dec. 21. Check out six tips from AES Indiana to score savings on your energy bill (think: in-home energy assessments, ideal thermostat settings, and rebate options).*
Fun Fact
INDYtoday does not have paywalls because we believe access to essential local news is priceless. You can support our free, daily newsletter with a donation. Think of it like buying us coffee — or tea, if that’s more your style. Thank you for your support.
Shop
The holidays are here — and with them come extra expenses. Regain control of seasonal credit card debt with a 0% intro APR credit card. Experts scoped out this top option that offers a long interest-free period and earns up to 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first three months.*
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🎁 Don’t miss these last-minute gift picks
Including a cute necklace and a Kindle remote page turner. | Graphic by 6AM City
Need a last-minute holiday gift that will ship quickly? Shop five great gifts available with Prime two-day shipping.
Layering initial necklace | $15.99 | Ship it fast, but make it feel personal with this 14K gold necklace displaying their first name initial.
Magnetic portable power bank charger | $37.99 | Perfect for the friend whose phone is always dying, this portable charger offers on-the-go power.
Candle warmer lamp + Thymes Fraiser Fir Candle | $39.99 + $36.00 | Make a candle extra special by pairing it with a warmer lamp that will make it last longer with flame-free heat.
Winter is coming to Indianapolis. | Photo by @greglipps
We know the question on your mind, Hoosiers — when’s it going to snow again (and actually stick)? Here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter may bring. Reminder: The first official day of winter is tomorrow.
Temperature
It’s getting hot... err, slightly warmer than cold in here.This winter, Indy has a 33-40% chance of temperatures being warmer than average.
Precipitation
Expect more precipitation. Indianapolis has a 33-40% chance of seeing above average snow and rainfall amounts this winter, potentially due to La Niña conditions emerging.
Drought
Thanks to the higher precipitation expectations, drought removal is likely.
January
Did you know January is usually the coldest month of the year in Indiana? Lows typically average between 21°F and 36°F. Historically, January is also the snowiest month of the year, with as much as 10” in the northern part of the state.
With just a few days left in the year, I’m contemplating my resolutions for 2025. One is to read a new book every month. If you have any recommendations, send them my way — bonus points if it’s a local author.
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