Between early November and the New Year, there are a ton of fantastic holiday events in Indy! Some of our favorites, which tend to be scheduled earlier in the holiday season, are the Indy tree lighting ceremonies. Bookmark this page and come back weekly to check out all the local Christmas tree events, organized here by date, so you can start planning to make many joyful memories with your family and friends. You aren’t going to want to miss this! From the Indy with Kids family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season!
Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 8, 2025
Christmas in Pendleton
460 Falls Park Dr, Pendleton
November 8, 5 pm
Kick off the holiday season with Christmas in Pendleton, a charming small-town celebration that turns downtown into a festive wonderland. Enjoy reindeer visits, kids’ train rides, and over 100 local vendors as holiday magic fills the streets. Stay for the illuminated parade, tree lighting, and a community snowball fight at Pendleton Falls Park to officially welcome the season.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 22, 2025
Carmel Christkindlmarkt Tree Lighting Ceremony
10 Carter Green, Carmel
November 22, 3 – 6:45 pm
Kick off the holiday season at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt Tree Lighting Ceremony, a magical evening of festive entertainment and family fun. From 3–6 p.m., enjoy live performances, Silly Safari’s reindeer, a magician, a juggler, and a special visit from Santa. At 6:00 p.m., the Indiana Ballet Conservatory takes the stage, leading into the official tree lighting countdown at 6:30 p.m., a sparkling start to Carmel’s holiday season!
The Shops at Perry Crossing Annual Tree Lighting and Parade
2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield
November 22, 5-8 pm
Kick off the holiday season at The Shops at Perry Crossing with the annual Tree Lighting & Parade, featuring the lighting of a 54-foot Christmas tree in Town Square! This free, family-friendly event includes live music, reindeer visits, and a special appearance from Santa Claus—the perfect way to start your holiday celebrations.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 28, 2025
Danville Christmas on the Square
1 Courthouse Sq #106, Danville
4 – 7 pm
Christmas on the Square is a free evening filled with holiday cheer. Visit the Courthouse Square to enjoy the live nativity, carriage rides, food trucks, carolers, and kids’ activities. As the highlight of the evening, Santa lights the Christmas Tree and the canopy of lights. Come participate in this favorite family tradition that’s one of many top holiday events in Hendricks County, Indiana.
Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Circle of Lights
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Downtown Indianapolis
5 – 8 pm
The most viewed of Indy tree lighting ceremonies is at Monument Circle! Celebrate Indy’s most iconic holiday tradition as the Circle of Lights marks its 63rd year. Monument Circle transforms into a glowing winter wonderland with live music, local performances, and festive fun. Just after 6:50 pm, the lights are flipped on!
Light Up Main Street
Plainfield Main Street
6 – 7:30 pm
Plainfield is kicking off the 2025 holiday season with a magical night on Main Street! Join the community for a festive tree lighting at 6:30 PM, cozy fire pits, s’mores, music, and cheerful visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hendricks Live! Make a day of it by shopping local during Small Business Saturday and joining the holiday fun early with The Elves Are Loose scavenger hunt from 10 AM to 1 PM. Celebrate downtown Plainfield, support local shops, and welcome the season with sparkling joy.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on November 29, 2025
A Lawrence Christmas
Lawrence Civic Plaza, 5710 Lawrence Village Pkwy, Indianapolis
6 – 8 pm
A Lawrence Christmas features a festive Winter Parade, live musical performances, and the official tree lighting of the City’s Christmas Tree. Families can enjoy a cheerful holiday market with local vendors, food trucks, and a synthetic ice-skating rink that’s fun for all ages. The evening is packed with community spirit, holiday magic, and plenty of family-friendly fun to kick off the season.
Christmas in the Village Tree Lighting
Main Street, Zionsville
5-8 pm
Kick off the holiday season in Zionsville at the Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting! The parade steps off at 5 p.m. from Eagle Elementary and ends downtown around 6 p.m., just in time for Santa and Mrs. Claus to light the town tree. Arrive early to shop and dine before the streets close, then stay after for more holiday fun and photos with Santa until 8 p.m.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 5, 2025
McCordsville Tree Lighting Celebration
6280 W 800 N, McCordsville
5:30 – 8 pm
Join the McCordsville community for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration! Enjoy cookies and photos with Santa, hot chocolate from the Moo & Lou Truck, performances by local school choirs and bands, and free train rides. New this year: admire the town’s brand-new 30-foot Christmas tree, step inside a giant inflatable snow globe, and drop off letters to Santa at his mailbox. It’s a joyful, family-friendly evening full of holiday spirit!
Mooresville Tree Lighting
N. Indiana Street, Mooresville, IN 46158
4 – 6 pm
Wrap up Mooresville’s Victorian Christmas Celebration with the annual Tree Lighting at Bicentennial Park! Watch as the town tree sparkles to life and enjoy visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their merry band of elves—some naughty, some nice!
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 6, 2025
Santa Soiree and Tree Lighting
14390 Clay Terrace Blvd Ste 165, Carmel
4 – 6 pm
Kick off the holiday season at the Santa Soirée at Clay Terrace, a free family event filled with festive fun! Enjoy live music, face painting, crafts, and a giant snow globe photo op. Meet Santa and his reindeer, take a carriage ride, and stay for the Christmas Tree Lighting while sipping hot cocoa, beer, or wine from Kona Grill.
Westfield in Lights
225 South Union Street, Westfield
3 – 6 pm
Celebrate the season at Westfield in Lights on Saturday, December 6, from 3–6 pm at Grand Junction Plaza. Enjoy live performances, holiday vendors, carnival games, and meet Santa, llamas, and miniature horses before the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm Free parking and shuttle service are available, making it an easy, festive night for the whole family.
Brownsburg Christmas Under the Stars
61 N. Green Street, Brownsburg
4 – 8 pm
Celebrate the season at Brownsburg’s Christmas Under the Stars. Enjoy the Winter Market, Santa’s Workshop, and the Christmas Parade at 6 pm, followed by the Tree Lighting and photos with Santa at Town Hall Green. A festive evening of lights, local shopping, and holiday cheer for the whole family.
Fortville Winterfest
Downtown Fortville
12 – 7 pm
Join us in downtown Fortville for a magical evening at Winterfest! This festive celebration is filled with family-friendly fun, including an Artisan Marketplace, Santa visits, and plenty of holiday cheer. Enjoy ice skating, DIY crafts, and festive photo ops, then stick around for live music, carolers, and the beloved Holiday Parade. Don’t miss your chance to meet the Snowflake Princess and soak in the sights and sounds of the season in charming downtown Fortville.
Avon Christmas Tree Lighting
6570 E. US Highway 36, Avon
4 – 6 pm
Celebrate the season at the 2025 Avon Tree Lighting, a festive evening filled with small-town holiday magic! Families can visit with Santa, see live reindeer, build holiday crafts, and enjoy the model train display before the countdown to the tree lighting. Sip hot cocoa, snack on mini donuts, and listen to live music by the Irenical Duo starting at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss the beautiful horse-drawn carriage rides around the lake (available for $10 per person, first-come, first-served) for a perfect holiday night in Avon.
Franklin Courthouse Lighting
Courthouse Square, Franklin
5 – 7 pm
Celebrate the season in downtown Franklin at the Holiday Lighting & Winter Market, a full day of festive fun for the whole family. Enjoy local shopping, holiday activities, and community traditions that make Franklin shine. Visit Santa at the Johnson County Museum, see the Live Nativity, and catch a holiday movie at The Historic Artcraft Theatre. The Lighted Parade begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by live entertainment and the courthouse lighting at 7 p.m., a perfect finale to this holiday celebration.
Arcadia Annual Tree Lighting Festivities
208 W Main St, Arcadia
4 – 8 pm
Celebrate the season at the 10th Annual Arcadia Christmas Tree Lighting! Enjoy a cozy evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus, featuring street dancing, fire pits, and a chili supper, along with kid-friendly activities throughout downtown. Shop local at the Arcadia Christmas Market on Main, featuring artisan vendors, gifts, and food trucks while you enjoy the festive music and community fun leading up to the tree lighting at 7 pm.
Christmas in Clayton
Downtown Clayton
4 pm
Downtown Clayton will host a magical holiday event on December 6 with a festive day filled with holiday cheer, small-town traditions, and activities the whole family will love. Enjoy a holiday parade, carriage rides, live nativity, Santa meet-and-greet, story time, and s’mores. Browse local vendors and crafts, grab a bite to eat, and stay for the Christmas Tree Lighting to conclude the celebration.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 7, 2025
Broad Ripple Lights Up
Guilford Ave, next to the Broad Ripple Fire House
3 – 6 pm
Broad Ripple Lights Up features a Wonderland Village with holiday-themed activities for the kids, live entertainment, and a holiday light display lighting ceremony. Don’t miss the parade that steps off at 5 pm from the Monon Trail and Broad Ripple Ave!
Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular & Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
183 Jefferson Street, Martinsville
3 – 8 pm
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 13, 2025
Hometown Holiday
Hummel Park
noon – 4 pm
Celebrate the season at Plainfield’s annual Hometown Holiday at Hummel Park. This family-friendly event features both indoor and outdoor activities, including photos with Santa, holiday music, free cookies and hot chocolate, crafts, and prize giveaways. Kids will love the train and wagon rides, pony rides, and a chance to enter a free toy drawing. Stay warm with seasonal treats or bundle up for outdoor fun — everything is free and designed with families in mind.
Christmas in the Park
Scamahorn Park, Pittsboro
4 – 8 pm
Celebrate the season in Pittsboro with the annual Christmas in the Park festivities. Enjoy a festive craft bazaar featuring 20+ local vendors inside the Scout and Legion Buildings, connected by a heated tent for comfortable browsing. Visit and take photos with Santa, warm up at outdoor stations, and grab something tasty from food trucks on-site. The evening wraps up with the Town Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:00 PM — a local child will have the honor of turning on the lights — followed by a DJ spinning holiday tunes to keep the fun going.
Have these Indy tree lighting ceremonies put you into the holiday spirit? Cut down your own Christmas tree at a local Christmas tree farm.
Find all Indy holiday events here.
Have you been to any Indy tree lighting ceremonies? Which are your favorites? Share your comments and photos of your experiences at Indy tree lighting ceremonies with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
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