Thanksgiving in Indianapolis 2024

Celebration Crossing - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Jan 5, 2025
Indiana State Museum. Santa arrives via helicopter on opening day. Hop on the Snowfall Express, the must-ride experience of the holiday season, to discover a forest populated by charming, whimsical characters celebrating the coming winter and the first snowfall. Many favorites are back this year, including visits with Santa, activities in Santa’s Front Yard, the 92 County Tree, Santa’s Holiday Breakfasts, Winter Wonderland Workshops, the Reindeer Barn and more.

Festival of Trees at Lanthier Winery - Madison, IN - Nov 29 to Dec 24, 2024
Over 100 decorated trees highlight the holiday season.

Host of Angels - Madison, IN - Nov 29 to Dec 30, 2024
Lanthier Winery. Splendid gathering of traditional holiday angels, celestial creatures and cherubs

Circle of Lights - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29, 2024
Monument Circle. Indy tradition for 50+ years. Join thousands of spectators at Monument Circle downtown for this holiday lighting spectacular event, presented by IBEW.

A Beef & Boards Christmas - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Jan 4, 2025
For 2024, “A Christmas Story: A Musical” and “A Christmas Carol” (and in the past – A Beef & Boards Christmas, and Irving Berlin’s A White Christmas, among others) treats guests to an array of all their holiday favorites.

Winterfaire at the Children’s Museum - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Jan 5, 2025
From the arrival of Santa to Countdown to Noon and all things in between, the museum’s calendar is a Nice List full of indoor holiday events

A Merry Prairie Holiday - Fishers, IN - Nov 29 to Dec 22, 2024
A 3D projection mapping holiday show will blanket the William Conner House with “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” A sock skating rink, the Reynolds lights and lessons about holidays around the world are among more activities.

Drumstick Dash - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 28, 2024
4.6 mile “Full Gobbler,” and 2.75 mile “Mini Gobbler.” 100% of the proceeds helps Wheeler Mission serve those experiencing homelessness in the community.

Turkey Day 5k - Greenfield, IN - Nov 28, 2024
The course starts and finishes in front of the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Building. The route includes a run through historic downtown as well as along the beautiful Pennsy Trail. Walkers, you have up to 90 minutes to complete the 5K. Costumes welcome and encouraged

Christmas at the Zoo - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 23 to Jan 5, 2025
Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo continues to grow.

Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 16 to Jan 21, 2025
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure is a G-scale model train wonderland containing nine working model trains that wind through a stunning miniature landscape. The exhibit features miniature versions of local treasures of downtown Indianapolis, including the Eiteljorg Museum, Monument Circle, Union Station and Lucas Oil Stadium. The trains then head through the national parks of the American West, passing legendary sites, including grand railway lodges, Northwest Coast Native villages, and wonders both natural and human-made—Mt. Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Falls, Old Faithful, San Francisco, the Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam and much more.

Festival of Trees at Indiana Historical Society - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 15 to Jan 4, 2025
This year’s extravaganza will feature a winter wonderland of over 75 elaborately decorated trees representing individuals, families and organizations from around Indiana. Each guest will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tree. Visitors can also take part in scavenger hunts for The Elf on the Shelf throughout the building & watch IHS’s social media channels for hints on its locations!

Christmas Nights of Lights at the Indiana State Fairgrounds - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 8 to Dec 31, 2024
Come see over 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show and begin a new Christmas tradition with us.

Winterlights - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 20 to Jan 8, 2023
Experience the wonder of over a million and a half lights glittering in The Garden this holiday season at Winterlights presented by Bank of America. Just over the river and through the woods Winterlights transforms Newfields into a winter wonderland.

Magic of Lights – Noblesville - Noblesville, IN - Nov 18 to Jan 1, 2023
Drive through light experience at Ruoff Music Center

Peewinkle’s Christmas Puppet Show - Indianapolis., IN - Dec 4, 2021
50 min puppet show at Arts for Lawrence inside the Theater at the Fort. This fun filled, high spirited, holiday entertainment is a perfect event for the whole family. Mozart and Ludmilla, the ritzy rodents, will host this variety show of holiday marionettes, music and audience participation.

A Christmas Carol at Beef and Boards - Indianapolis, IN - Dec 3 to Dec 31, 2021
From the pages of Dickens comes this delightful musical adaptation of the holiday classic with traditional carols. Experience the transformation of the miserly Scrooge into someone who understands the true meaning of kindness and love, accomplished with the help of three spirits from the past, present, and future.

AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration - Indianapolis, IN - Dec 3 to Dec 23, 2021
Your favorite holiday music will once again be brought to life with Broadway-style showstoppers, the famous tap-dancing Santas, and more.

Holiday Sounds - Indianapolis, IN - Dec 1 to Dec 17, 2021
Indiana State Museum. Delight in the sounds of the season from school and community choirs, bands, ensembles, and soloists as they perform holiday music daily in the museum’s Great Hall.

Santa’s Holiday Breakfast - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 28 to Dec 19, 2021
Enjoy a delicious and festive buffet breakfast with Santa amidst the holiday splendor of Celebration Crossing featuring holiday music, decorations and Santa’s helpers in the Great Hall. After breakfast, visit Santa in his house, explore Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn and take a ride on the Snowfall Express

Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble - Pendleton, IN - Nov 25, 2021
The 5K course will start at the Pendleton YMCA and continue into downtown Pendleton. All registration proceeds benefit the YMCA of Madison County’s Annual Campaign, which provides scholarships to kids and families in need. The Gobble Wobble is the perfect way to kick start your family’s Thanksgiving Day activities!

Gobble Til You Wobble at the Indianapolis Zoo - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 25, 2021
Virtual for 2021. Fifth annual Gobble Til You Wobble 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2! Lace up those running shoes and get wobbling! They’re donating at least 20% of each registration to Feeding America, which is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to connect people with food and end hunger.

Thanksgiving Eve at Howl at the Moon Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 24, 2021
Turkey is good, but booze is better! Celebrate the long holiday weekend with some live music, dancing and drinks, with featured drinks, games, dancing and a great night out!