Between early November and the New Year, there are a ton of fantastic holiday events! Some of our favorites, which tend to be scheduled earlier in the holiday season, are 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!
Near Indy Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 18, 2023
Holiday at Carter Green
10 Carter Green, Carmel
3:15-6:30 pm
Holiday at Carter Green takes place on the lawn of the Palladium in Carmel. This tree lighting ceremony is the perfect kickoff to for the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, with the holiday lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, live reindeer, and other animals to pet, holiday entertainment, and children’s activities. Come see your neighbors and friends and get in the holiday spirit.
The Shops at Perry Crossing Annual Tree Lighting and Parade
2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield
5-8 pm
Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 24, 2023
Nashville Tree Lighting
90 E Gould St, Nashville
5-7 pm
There will be music, homemade cookies, hot chocolate, and tea served at the Brown County History Center at this year’s tree lighting! Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Gnaw Bone Log Cabin Room.
Christmas on the Square
49 North Wayne Street, 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. Santa lights the Christmas Tree and canopy of lights at 6:30. This has become a favorite family tradition!
Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Circle of Lights
Soldiers and Sailor’s Monument, Downtown Indianapolis
5-8 pm
Enjoy this free, outdoor celebration on Monument Circle celebrating the Hoosier holiday spirit with lighting and video elements, outstanding live entertainment, a festive beer and whiskey garden, and Santa, of course. Entertainment for the Circle of Lights begins at 6:00 pm or you can watch the made-for-TV special from home on WTHR-13.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on November 25, 2023
A Lawrence Christmas
5710 Lawrence Village Pkwy, Indianapolis
1-7 pm
Enjoy skating this year on November 25 during A Lawrence Christmas! There will also be a parade, choir performances, a variety show, and tree lighting.
Christmas in the Village Tree Lighting
Main Street, Zionsville
5-8 pm
Zionsville hosts its Christmas in the Village Parade and Tree Lighting. The parade begins at 5 and the tree will be lit at the corner of Pine and Main Street at approximately 6:15. Paid and Selfie stations for photos with Santa will be offered.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 1, 2023
NPT Night Lights
Nickel Plate Trail in Downtown Fishers
6-8 pm
Join Fishers Parks for its annual celebration of the season! Experience the Nickel Plate Trail all dressed up for the holidays throughout the month of December. While no specific tree lighting ceremony seems to be on the schedule, guests who visit on December 1, 2, or 3 will be treated to an evening of festivities along the trail. Purchase food, enjoy live music, document your visit with snaps from a variety of photo ops, and more.
Mooresville Tree Lighting
N. Indiana Street, Mooresville
7-9 pm
The tree lighting in Bicentennial Park will be at 7 pm. Santa, Mrs Claus, and elves (some naughty, some nice) will be on hand, as well as choirs, food trucks, and more. The tree lighting event kicks off the town’s Victorian Christmas Celebration, which takes place the next day.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 2, 2023
Franklin Tree Lighting Ceremony
East Court Street, Franklin
1-8 pm
Enjoy holiday festivities and a Winter Market all afternoon and evening. A lighted parade along Jefferson Street starts at 5:30pm and the lighting at the courthouse happens at 7:00 pm.
Santa Soiree and Tree Lighting
14390 Clay Terrace Blvd Ste 165, Carmel
4-7 pm
Join Clay Terrace as it welcomes Santa home to the Village Green in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods with a welcome parade. Help spread some Holiday Cheer as guests line down the sidewalks of Clay Terrace to welcome Santa this holiday season! This free event includes fun activities like a snowglobe photo station, roaming performances, crafts, face painting, and sleigh rides. Reindeer meet-and-greets will be available earlier in the day from 10 am-1 pm.
Westfield in Lights
225 South Union Street, Westfield
3-6 pm
Join us in downtown Westfield to kick off the Holiday season! Westfield in Lights will feature pictures with Santa, Frosty the Snowman, vendors, live music & performances, caricature artists, carnival games, llamas, and more! The tree lighting is at 5:50 pm.
Brownsburg Christmas Under the Stars
61 N. Green Street, Brownsburg
6-9 pm
Christmas Under the Stars, Brownsburg Parks’ annual parade of lights, features colorfully lighted floats, including one featuring Old Saint Nick himself. A Winter Market begins at 4 pm and the parade steps off at 6:00 pm. After the parade, there will be a tree lighting at 7:15, music, and Santa Claus at Town Hall.
Arcadia Annual Tree Lighting Festivities
208 W Main St, Arcadia
4-8 pm
Dance in the street, cozy up to the fire pits, shop the artisan market for Christmas presents, and enjoy many kids’ activities. The concert choir from Behold the Lamb ministries will accompany the tree lighting. Festivities begin at 4 pm and the tree is set to light up at 7 pm.
Fortville Winterfest
Downtown Fortville
12-7 pm
Dress warmly and bring the kiddos to Fortville’s Main St. for a little fun, food, and shopping at this year’s Winterfest. Visit our amazing shops and restaurants and see what holiday specials they may have for the day. The free kid zone features carnival rides, ice skating, and more! The parade begins at 1:30 and the tree lighting will be at 6:00.
Avon Christmas Tree Lighting
6570 E. US Highway 36, Avon
4-6 pm
Join us for our Annual Tree Lighting at Avon Town Hall! The tree lights up at 6:00 pm. Visit with Santa at the Town Hall, and spend the afternoon enjoying holiday treats, entertainment, live reindeer, and kids’ activities.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 3, 2023
Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular & Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
183 Jefferson Street, Martinsville
3-7 pm
Broad Ripple Lights Up
Guilford Ave, next to the Broad Ripple Fire House
3-5:30 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 5:30 from the Monon Trail and Broad Ripple Ave!
Not Confirmed for 2023
McCordsville Town Hall
6280 W 800 N, McCordsville
At McCordsville’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Santa shows up not in a sleigh, but in a police cruiser. A local elementary school student helps him light the big Christmas tree. Other festive fun includes musical performances, crafts, free hot cocoa, cookies, balloon twisting, and glitter tattoos. Children also have the chance to write a letter to Santa and recieve a written response in the mail!
Falls Park, Pendleton
460 Falls Park Dr, Pendleton
Join in the traditional lighting of the Community Christmas Tree to celebrate the season together. Everyone will have an opportunity to place a wish on the tree, and we will sing carols with Pastor Derek Bishop to celebrate the Christmas season in Pendleton. Mark your calendars for November 12 at 6 pm in the Falls Park Memorial Garden.
Afterward, stop by the large shelter house for a cup of hot cocoa take on your walk, or drive through historic Falls Park for the first night of lights during Falls Park Hometown Christmas.
Find all Indy holiday events here.
Cut your own Christmas tree at a local Christmas tree farm.
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