The Indianapolis International Airport opened back in 1931. | Photo by Indianapolis Airport Authority
As the airport scene from “Home Alone” may remind you, flying during the holidays can be nothing short of frantic. To help make your time at IND as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from parking to security wait times to food options.
The must-knows
TSA | Security wait times are 12 minutes on average, but can spike to 18 minutes during peak hours.
Food and drink | Our top picks: Grab a five-spice latte from Tinker Coffee Cafe or a bagel sandwich from Shapiro’s.
Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard.
Parking options
Hourly parking is $2 per half hour, and the Cell Phone Lot offers free parking for guests waiting to pick up arriving passengers. Beyond that, the price per day is as listed:
Garage daily parking | $23 per day, $2 per half hour
The Hoosiers have finally done it — the team won their first Big Ten championship since 1967. Get a recap of the tight game and a preview of what’s next with Locked On.
Mansion Monday
A “Batman House” built from limestone that used to serve as a funeral home? Sounds like Mansion Mad Libs — but it’s real, and it’s for sale in Bloomington right now.
Trending
Meet the latest holiday trend taking over the internet: “Tacky Christmas.” The look leans into nostalgic kitsch — think rainbow lights, sparkly tinsel, and mismatched ornaments. Want to join in? Indy’s thrift shops are a great place to start. (House Beautiful)
Number
$106.70. That’s the value of $100 in Indy, according to a new Tax Foundation study on purchasing power across the US. Compare that to California’s $87.42, and your wallet may be feeling a bit thicker than before. Pro tip: Keep it that way by filling your calendar with free activities. (Upworthy)
Drink
A raccoon in Virginia was the first victim to fall foul of holiday season merriment this year. Liquor store employees found the animal passed out in the bathroom after he broke in and had one too many. We recommend celebrating the season responsibly at a holiday pop-up bar. (AP News)
Got two hours? That’s all it takes to make an impact in our community this holiday season. Volunteer at a Red Kettle to help feed a family, keep a home warm, or show your kids the joy of giving. Find a location near you.*
Number
27,400+. That’s how many active job listings you can find on our Job Board. Explore openings in manufacturing, sales, marketing, and beyond. Roles for all experience levels are hiring now. Find a new gig for 2026.
Regional
According to a recent poll, Carmel is the city in Indiana that most deserves a starring role in a Hallmark Christmas movie. While we wait fora director to take up the challenge, we’ll be watching these holiday movies set in Indiana. (IndyStar)
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietitian with Nourish. Find a dietitian covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan — a structured, supportive way to map out your 2026 wellness goals now.*
Category
Culture
✨ Trains and Santa and twinkling lights — oh my
Presented by Indy Parks and Recreation
You won’t want to miss these holiday festivities. | Photos provided by Indy Parks
It’s beginning to look a lot like poinsettias, twinkling lights, and holiday cheer at Conservatory Crossing — happening now through Sunday, Dec. 28.
Explore a festive world of seasonal displays and model trains, plus other fun like:
Train Tales for preschoolers, featuring a story, craft, and scavenger hunt (Dec. 9-10)
Congrats to Mirror Indy on two years of community-powered journalism. Their birthday celebration was held in the Eiteljorg this weekend, which meant us guests got to enjoy the museum’s Jingle Rails exhibit, as well as live dance + poetry performances and a program led by local historian Sampson Levingston.
Every time Editor Shea gets to see Jingle Rails, she wishes she could live in the magical exhibit.
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