Venture out from the hustle and bustle of Indy’s city streets and explore the endless holiday traditions available in the communities of Hendricks County this Christmas. The towns of Brownsburg, Avon, Danville, and others are sure to charm with this year’s roundup of holiday fun, perfect for family days or date nights. Celebrate the season by discovering a new tradition!
The Best Holiday Events in Hendricks County
From sparkling lights to laugh-out-loud performances, there’s something for every family to enjoy in the communities west of Indianapolis this holiday season.
Winterland Holiday Show
Ellis Park, 600 E. Main St., Danville, IN 46122
November 22-December 28 | 6-9 pm (Sun-Thurs), 6-10 pm (Fri-Sat)
This magical event is perfect for any night of the week! Pack up the family and drive through the park to experience a stunning display of lights, all synchronized to festive Christmas music on 93.3 FM. In Santaland, kids can meet Santa himself, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy a sweet holiday cookie. It’s an enchanting evening that will fill your hearts with holiday cheer!
Cost is $5 per car from Sunday through Thursday and $10 per car on Friday & Saturday. Santaland is open Friday – Saturday, 6-9 pm, and Sunday, 6-8 pm, with a $5.00 per child cost to meet Santa. Cash, card, or Apple Pay is accepted.
Danville Train Show
Hendricks County Fair Grounds
November 23 | 10 am-3 pm
This train show spans more than 29,000 square feet with over 100 vendors with model trains and locomotives. This would be a great event if your child loves to watch model trains.
Christmas at the Orchard
Beasley’s Orchard
November 30, December 7 & 14 | 9 am-4 pm
The Barn Market at Beasley’s Orchard is transforming into a winter wonderland, ready to welcome Santa to the orchard! Capture the magic with professional photos of Santa in his classic one-horse sleigh by a cozy stone fireplace and decorated Christmas tree. This enchanting event is open for pre-purchased time slots ONLY! A $20 reservation secures your time with Santa for groups of up to 15 and includes a high-resolution digital image, delivered to your email within 72 hours. Photo prints are also available for an additional cost and can be purchased online or at the event. Don’t miss this festive opportunity to create holiday memories!
Avon Santa Stop
Red Curb Comedy Club
November 30, December 1, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22 | 12-4 pm
Get ready—Hot Rod Santa is back by popular demand! For just $60, you can book a private, unforgettable session with Santa Claus himself. This event fills up fast, so reserve your spot now! Pets and individuals with special needs are warmly welcomed, and special accommodations can be arranged to make everyone’s experience magical. Each reservation includes at least 6 professional photos, sent straight to your email to capture the joy of the day.
Polar Express Experience
Washington Township Parks and Recreation
November 30 | 3-7 pm
All aboard for a magical Polar Express Experience at a brand new location this year! The train will take you to our enchanting Pavilion Center, where holiday magic comes to life. Enjoy a fun-filled array of indoor activities, including photos with Santa, festive crafts, snowball fights, a holiday movie watch party, and a special magical surprise! Be sure to wear your coziest pajamas and join us at the North Pole for an unforgettable adventure. Plus, every participant will receive an exclusive 2024 Golden Ticket—don’t miss out on this festive journey!
Reserve your spot for $8 in advance.
Hendricks County Festival of Trees
Ash & Oak Weddings
December 5-7 | 5-8 pm (Thurs-Fri), 2-8 pm (Sat)
The beautiful event returns to Ash & Oak Weddings for another year, bringing a new batch of festively decorated trees to the venue for visitors to enjoy. Be sure to book your time slot in advance! The purchase of a child ticket includes s’mores, ornament painting in Santa’s workshop, and a photo opp with Santa himself!
The Twelve Daze of Christmas
Hendricks Live! 200 W. Main St., Plainfield, IN
December 5 | 7:30 PM
December 6 | 7:30 PM*
December 7 | 2:30 PM (Matinee)
December 7 | 7:30 PM
December 8 | 2:30 PM (Matinee)
*On Friday, December 6, there will be an ASL Interpreter provided for the Deaf and HOH Community
It’s Christmas time, and all Alice wants is to sing her favorite holiday song, The Twelve Days of Christmas—but as soon as she starts, the characters from the carol magically come to life! Her boyfriend has surprised her by sending each of the twelve quirky gifts from the song, though they’re far from what anyone would expect. From Turtle & Dove, a pair of lawyers urging Alice to sue Santa, to striking milkmaids demanding better working conditions, the play hilariously twists the classic carol into a fast-paced, zany adventure. Audiences will be on the edge of their seats, wondering who will appear each time Alice sings the next verse!
Trees of Plainfield
Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex
December 6-8 & December 13-15 | 6 pm–9 pm
Step into a winter wonderland and let the holiday magic begin! Trees of Plainfield is the ultimate way to get into the holiday spirit, with free admission for the entire community! Wander along a sparkling trail of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, savor delicious treats from local food vendors, and dive into a variety of festive activities designed to make unforgettable memories. Enjoy sweet treats with Mrs. Claus, snap selfies with the mischievous Grinch, join epic snowball fights for all ages, and cozy up by the fire with gooey s’mores. Get creative with community tree decorating and so much more!
Check the holiday schedule and plan your visit—each night brings something new and special. Plus, exclusive programs are available for the first 75 attendees, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot!
Plainfield Tri Kappa Gingerbread Christmas
Plainfield High School
December 7 | 9 am-3 pm
This year marks the 54th annual even of the oldest fine arts and craft show in the area. With a small entry fee of $5.00 cash, this event is a great opportunity to take the family to find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts this holiday season.
Hendricks Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Hendricks Live!
December 13 | 7:30 PM
December 15 | 3 PM
Celebrate the season with Holiday Treats, a festive concert from the Henrick’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus’ Musical Feast series! Enjoy a joyful mix of holiday classics and cheerful tunes, from the soaring choruses of Messiah to the lively dance of The Nutcracker. Let the magic of the season sweep you away—get your tickets now for an unforgettable holiday experience!
Candy Cane Hunt with Santa
Natural Valley Ranch
December 14 | 10-11:30 am or 1:30-3 pm
Santa has scattered candy canes all around the ranch, and now it’s up to your family to help him find them! Gather together for a festive adventure filled with fun for everyone. Since this event is outdoors, be sure to bundle up and dress for the weather. Tickets are $15 per child (2 years and up) if purchased in advance or $17 on the day of the event. Adults are just $5 each, whether you buy tickets in advance or at the event. Don’t miss out on this holiday hunt!
Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebrations
See our full list of Central Indiana Tree-lighting ceremonies here!
Plainfield
Annual Tree Lighting & Parade
The Shops at Perry Crossing
November 23 | 5-8:00 pm
This year, the Shops of Perry Crossing is celebrating the season with their annual tree lighting festivities! Enjoy a variety of fun family activities, including photos with reindeer, balloon twisting, and at 7:00 pm, a festive Jeep Parade featuring Santa himself, riding in style on a fire truck to kick off the holiday season. Be sure to check out the schedule to see when Santa will be at Perry Crossing this season—don’t miss the holiday magic!
Light Up Main Street
Plainfield Main Street
November 30th | 3-5 pm
Plainfield is kicking off the 2024 holiday season on Main Street during Small Business Saturday with a tree lighting in Bicentennial Plaza. This family-friendly, FREE event is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hendricks Live! and check out local businesses beginning at 3 pm to participate in a scavenger hunt. Turn in your completed scavenger hunt cards for your chance to help light the tree at 6:30 pm.
Hometown Holiday
Hummel Park
December 14th | noon -4 pm
Celebrate the 14th Annual Hometown Holiday on December 14 at Hummel Park. This free event is an indoor-outdoor event designed for fun for the entire family. Stay warm inside where you will enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies, crafts and visits with Santa. Outside ride the trackless train around the park, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, and pony rides will also be available. They will also be giving away a sleigh-load of toys and prizes.
Danville
Christmas on the Square
Danville Town Square
November 29 | 4-7 pm
This family fun event will kick off the holiday season in Danville. The businesses around the square will have their shops decorated for the season, and you’ll also find a bounce house, carriage rides, face painting, food trucks, and more until Santa lights the tree at 6:30 pm. Following the festivities, watch Santa ride on a fire truck to his workshop in Ellis Park!
Brownsburg
Christmas Under the Stars
Brownsburg Town Hall
December 7 | 4-8 pm
This holiday event has everything including a holiday market and a parade at 7 pm around Town Hall. Following the parade, the tree will be lit at the town hall.
Avon
Avon Tree Lighting
Avon Town Hall
December 7 | 4-7 pm
Get ready for a magical evening in Avon! Kick off the holiday season with a visit to Santa, enjoy a cozy story from the Avon Library, and be amazed by the intricate model trains on display. Hop on a trackless train ride, pen your wish list in a letter to Santa, and check out festive outdoor activities—including live reindeer! Warm up with hot chocolate and fresh mini donuts and let the sounds of Irenical Music by the tree at 5:30 pm add to the holiday spirit. Then, gather around as the Town of Avon’s Christmas Tree is lit to brighten the season! This festive event is free to attend, with Santa arriving at 4 pm and greeting guests until 5:45 pm. Don’t miss this merry start to the holidays!
Clayton
Christmas in Clayton
Downtown Clayton
December 7 | 4 pm
Downtown Clayton will host a magical holiday event on December 7 with free visits with Santa, a holiday parade, a tree lighting ceremony and at the fire station there will be free barrel train rides and bounce houses for kids to enjoy, and you can make an ornament and enjoy hot cocoa with the firefighters. There will also be free activities including free letters to Santa and bookmark making with the Clayton library.
Pittsboro
Holly Days
Downtown Pittsboro
November 24 | 3 pm
The Pittsboro Business Association invites you to Downtown Pittsboro for a fun-filled tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, November 24, starting at 3 pm. Santa will be there and we will have lots of things going on for all ages. Food trucks, an assortment of entertainment on the main stage, a train ride, a bouncy house, and a vendor market this year! Come have a great time gathering with your community.
Christmas in the Park
Scamahorn Park
December 14 | 2 pm
On Saturday, December 14 from 2 to 6pm, enjoy a special Christmas event at Scamahorn Park, Christmas in the Park will feature with a craft bazaar, food trucks, visit and pictures with Santa and the town Christmas tree lighting!!
Get our printable calendar of merry and FREE holiday events in Central Indiana.
Find out where you can eat breakfast with Santa this Christmas season!
