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To help you get the most out of the most wonderful time of the year, we’ve compiled a list of winter events + activities around Indy to warm up the whole family. ❄️
Holiday shopping 🛍️
- Peppermint Nights Winter Market | Sat., Dec. 4 | 12-6 p.m. | 540 N. College Ave. | Free | Come shop at the first of Strata Markets’ indoor winter markets at St. Joseph Brewery + Public House. 🍬
- Wonderland | Fri., Dec. 10-Sat., Dec. 11 | 4-10 p.m. | Free | After a couple successful outdoor markets this year, Sixways Markets is hosting an indoor winter evening market at The AMP at 16 Tech. ⛄
- Jingle + Mingle | Sat., Dec. 11 | 5-9 p.m. | 421 Mass Ave. | Free | Stop into Francis + Fern Boutique for a holiday shopping + mingling event. 👗
- Makers Meet + Jingle | Sun., Dec. 19 | TBD | Tinker House Events, 1101 E. 16th St. | Free | Mingle + support local businesses while crossing off your holiday shopping list. 🎁
- Irvington Holiday Open House | Fri., Dec. 3 | 5-10 p.m. | Collectors Paradise, 5618 E Washington St. | Cost of purchase | Enjoy holiday shopping at local Irvington shops and restaurants. 🛍️
Performances 🎭
- Indiana State Museum Holiday Sounds | Wed., Dec. 1 | 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W Washington St. | Included with admission | Starting today, enjoy daily holiday music performed by local school + community groups in the museum’s Great Hall with your admission ticket. 🎼
- Butler Ballet Presents The Nutcracker | Thurs., Dec. 2-Sun., Dec. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. | $25+ | Watch Butler Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker just in time for the season. 🩰
- Jingle Bones 2021 | Sun., Dec. 5 | 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W Washington St. | Free | Catch the annual show of Midwest trombonists gathering to play holiday music — all ages and skill levels are welcome to register to play. 🎶
- Elf the Musical | Fri., Dec. 3- Fri., Dec. 24 | 2, 4 + 7 p.m. showings | Civic Theatre, 1 Carter Green, Carmel | $58+ | Spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear with this performance based on the cherished 2003 Cinema hit Elf.
For the family 🎄
- Puppy Pics with Santa | Sat., Dec. 4 | 12-3 p.m. | Metazoa Brewing Company, 140 S College Ave. | $30 | With your ticket price donation to Sketchy Mutts + Underdogs Rescue, get two professional photos of your pooch with Santa. 🐶
- Lights Up Holiday Festival and Parade | Sun., Dec. 5 | 3 p.m. | Broad Ripple | Free | Enjoy a Wonderland Village, Santa, live reindeer, food trucks + a twilight parade to tour over 10,000 holiday lights — parade starts at 5:30 p.m. 🦌
Food + drink🍴
- Free Kitchen Party: Quick Holiday Appetizers | Wed., Dec. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | CUTCO Stores Indianapolis, 5025 E 82nd St. | Free | Learn to make unique holiday hors d’oeuvres like Cranberry Goat Cheese Truffles with Cutco’s 7 5/8" Petite Chef. 🍳
- Christkindlmarkt Bier Competition | Sat., Dec. 18 | Noon-2 p.m. | Winter Pavilion, 10 Carter Green | Free | Bier enthusiasts submit their best German-style beer for a competition with live feedback from judges. 🍺
Celebrations 🎉
- AF-Indianapolis: Annual Holiday Party | Thurs., Dec. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | Sun King Barrel House Broad Ripple, 1021 Broad Ripple Ave. | Free | Join America’s Future, nonprofit + small business supporter, in a celebration featuring an ugly sweater contest — appetizers + first drink ticket provided. 🍷
- Old Fashioned Christmas Party | Thurs., Dec. 23 | 5-10 p.m. | Allison Mansion, 3200 Cold Spring Rd. | $100+ | A red dress affair to celebrate the holidays with live entertainment, food + liberations. 💃
- New Year’s Eve Party | Fri., Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | 20 E. Georgia St. | $65+ | Ring in the New Year with Howl at The Moon. Premium open bar + champagne toast at midnight. 🥂
Get active 🏃
- Glühwein Gallop 5k | Sat., Dec. 4 | 10:30 a.m. | Carter Green, Carmel | $32+ | This inaugural scenic run will start + finish at the Christkindlmarkt festival, along with a costume contest and a free serving of Glühwein or beer with your ticket. 🍻
- Red Nose Romp | Sat., Dec. 11 | 9-10:30 a.m. | White River State Park | $39+ | Run or walk a holly jolly 5K or half marathon as Christmas Carols play throughout the downtown course decked out with selfie stations. A portion of every entry helps purchase holiday gifts for local youth. 🎁
