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A Somewhat Tipsy Guide to Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019

11/20/2019

5 Comments

 
The Holidays are upon us! Whether it's with friends, family, or a solo mission, check out these lovely and festive things to do in Indianapolis this Christmas season!
Winterlights at Newfields. Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Obviously, drinking recommendations are 21+. Not legal advice.
No matter how often I travel, I'm *always* happy to come back to Indy, especially at the Holidays. For a relatively small place, Indianapolis really shines at Christmas. We love Christmas, we do have perfect holiday weather, and we fill the city with holiday-themed *everything.*

From theatrical productions, to over-the-top museum displays, and, of course, our concrete Christmas tree, let's walk through the top Christmas activities in Indianapolis in 2019. They mostly involve drinks...or at least the easy proximity of drinks! Not necessarily advocating it...but did you know Indianapolis does not have open container laws?

So spike that hot cocoa and let's get strolling.

Christmas Activities in Indianapolis

​Indianapolis Christmas 2019: A Christmas Carol at the IRT

Seeing A Christmas Carol at the Indianapolis Repertory Theatre is one of the highlights of the Christmas Season and an excellent way to get yourself into the right mindset for the holidays. Running November 16-December 26, 2019, you've still got plenty of time to stop by and give your tear ducts a work out! If you happen to be an Indiana State Employee, you get a discount on tickets if you go in November (but not December!)

Buy your tickets from the IRT website, or stop by (easier if you're looking for one of the discounts).

Indianapolis Christmas 2019: Winterlights at Newfields

Interior of Oldfields at Winterlights. Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019
Interior of Oldfields, the Lilly Mansion, at Newfields' Winterlights
Winterlights at Newfields was a recent creation of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, after it underwent rebranding a few years back. A massive success, Winterlights features both the grounds of the museum and the interior of Oldfields, the Lilly family mansion on the property, lit up magnificently, from 5-9 in the evenings.

So grab a beverage (yes, there is alcohol at Winterlights), and stroll the grounds! Winterlights runs November 23, 2019 - January 5, 2020.

​Be sure to coordinate with your out-of-town family and buy your tickets in advance. If you buy before December 3rd, you can enjoy a discount! And if you're into strolling the grounds of lit-up museums, The Indianapolis Zoo offers a unique and popular experience as well, Christmas at the Zoo.
Newfields, Winterlights. Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019
Exterior lights at Newfields, Winterlights
Newfields, Winterlights. Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019
Newfields, Winterlights

Indianapolis Christmas 2019:
Mass Ave Midnight Sip & Stroll

Get a head start on the shopping on Friday, November 22, with a special shopping event Downton on Mass Ave, Sip & Stroll! Drinks and shopping local- an unbeatable combination!

Indianapolis Christmas 2019: Christmas Tree Lighting

Monument Circle Christmas Tree, Indianapolis. Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019
Monument Circle Christmas Tree
On November 29, come downtown Indy to enjoy all the festivities surrounding the lighting of our "Christmas Tree" aka the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Monument Circle, the heart of downtown Indianapolis. We've been lighting it up like this for 57 years, so why stop now! Fair warning: it's a bit crowded!

And even if you can't make it to the lighting, be sure to check out Monument Circle during the Holiday Season when you're Downtown. I'd recommend dinner over on Mass Ave beforehand!

Indianapolis Christmas 2019: Miracle on South Street

So I have never personally experienced this, but it is *definitely* on my list for this year! My favorite Indy hotel, The Alexander, is hosting a Christmas pop-up bar, Miracle on South Street, which premiers on Black Friday. What better way to celebrate surviving Thanksgiving?

​Fun fact of the day: Christmas and alcohol in Indianapolis have a strange history...we weren't actually allowed to buy alcohol on Christmas Day in a grocery/liquor store until 2015.

Christmas Activities on Indianapolis's North Side

Indianapolis Christmas 2019: Carmel Christkindlemarkt

Carmel's Palladium and ice rink during Carmel Christkindlemarkt
Carmel's Palladium and ice rink during Carmel Christkindlemarkt
I am *definitely* biased here, but Carmel's Christkindlemarkt is my absolute top recommendations for Indianapolis-area Christmas events this year (and every year!). It runs November 16-December 24, 2019, so it's open now and remember - you can't go *after* Christmas!

From ice skating (if they have space!) to the most delicious gluhwein, to checking everyone off your Christmas list with authentic, German Christmas decor and gifts, the Christkindlemarkt really has something for everyone, of any age. Plan to spend a little while at the Markt - you'll need some time to take it all in...and get a second little mug of gluhwein.
Gluhwein Tower at Carmel's Carmel Christkindlemarkt
Gluhwein Tower at Carmel's Carmel Christkindlemarkt
Makers at work at Carmel's Carmel Christkindlemarkt
Makers at work at Carmel's Carmel Christkindlemarkt

Indianapolis Christmas 2019:
​A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie

I had the pleasure of working at Conner Prairie, in various positions, for around 10 years - and their events just keep getting better. Conner Prairie has revamped its holiday offerings. Be sure to add A Merry Prairie Holiday to your Christmas agenda, weekends, starting December 29! Check out all the festivities they're offering here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful holiday season in and around Indy! There's so much to see and do - be sure to send your tips my way in the comment section!

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Indianapolis Christmas Events, 2019
5 Comments
Anna Nagy link
1/20/2020 04:06:02 pm

These are great! It kills me that I've lived in Indy and only been to one or two of those things... Gonna have to check these out next year!!

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
1/21/2020 08:26:06 am

Always next year!! The Carmel Christkindlemarkt is super cool - we often go over Thanksgiving (it normally closes like the 24th). So I'd pick that one, if you're looking to tick another off your list! xx

Reply
Anna
8/13/2020 11:38:57 am

Hello! Thanks for sharing. I will be in Indianapolis this Christmas visiting family and I'm looking for things to do. Hopefully these events happen this year as well. I'll definitely check out Carmel Christkindlemarkt, it sounds great! Thanks again. <a href="https://indianapolisbasementwaterproofing.com" class="postlink"><span style="font-size: 1%; line-height: normal"><span style="color: #ffffff">basement wall repairs</span></span></a>

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Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pâté link
8/18/2020 07:20:43 am

My pleasure! Unfortunately I'm sure quite a few of these will be cancelled, but you'll just have to visit family next year as well! They'll be happy with the suggestion hahah ;) xx

Reply
Information link
8/24/2020 09:51:50 am

My husband and I really want to travel somewhere during the Christmas season in 2021, since we both love the holiday so much. Indianapolis seems like a really great option, there is a ton of festive stuff to do. Thanks for sharing!

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