Indy Tree Lighting Ceremonies to Start the Season with Sparkles | 2026

Between early November and the New Year, there are a ton of 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!

A few of our favorite tree lightings haven’t announced their 2026 plans yet. You’ll find them at the bottom of this list, and we’ll move them up as soon as dates are posted. Indy with Kids isn’t affiliated with any of these events, and details can change, so double-check with each host before you head out.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 14, 2026

Christmas in Pendleton

460 Falls Park Dr, Pendleton
November 14, time TBA

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 21, 2026

Carmel Christkindlmarkt Tree Lighting Ceremony

10 Carter Green, Carmel
November 21, 6 – 6:45 pm

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt Tree Lighting Ceremony, a magical evening of festive entertainment and family fun. Opening day of the 2026 market wraps up on Carter Green with special performances, a few words from the hosts, and the official countdown as the market’s Christmas tree glows for the first time this season. Come early to explore the market, which is open through December 24.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 27, 2026

Danville Christmas on the Square

1 Courthouse Sq #106, Danville
November 27, 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 Alliance’s Circle of Lights

Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Downtown Indianapolis
November 27, Time TBA

The most-viewed Indy tree lighting ceremony is at Monument Circle! Celebrate Indy’s most iconic holiday tradition as the Circle of Lights marks its 64th year on the night after Thanksgiving. Monument Circle transforms into a glowing winter wonderland with live music, local performances, and festive fun. The 2026 schedule hasn’t been released yet, so check back for the moment the lights are flipped on!

Tree Lighting Ceremonies for November 28, 2026

A Lawrence Christmas

Lawrence Civic Plaza, 5710 Lawrence Village Pkwy, Indianapolis
November 28, 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 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
November 28, 5 – 6:30 pm

Start the holiday season in Zionsville at the Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting! The parade steps off at 5 pm from Eagle Elementary and winds downtown, ending just in time for Santa and Mrs. Claus to light the town tree. Arrive early to shop and dine before Main Street closes for the parade, then stay after for more holiday fun.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 5, 2026

Santa Soirée and Tree Lighting

14390 Clay Terrace Blvd Ste 165, Carmel
December 5, 4–6 p.m

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 a cup of hot cocoa.

Westfield in Lights

225 South Union Street, Westfield
December 5, 3 – 6 pm

Celebrate the season at Westfield in Lights on Saturday, December 5, from 3 – 6 pm at Grand Junction Plaza. Enjoy holiday performances on the main stage, gift vendors, hot chocolate, food, and a Build-A-Buddy activity before the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm. Want to skate? Special Ice Ribbon sessions run during the event for a fee. Santa photo sessions take place at the Westfield Washington Public Library on December 4 and 5 ($15 per session, with advance registration recommended once sessions are released on November 5). Free parking is available at the library, and the garage at The Union offers your first three hours free.

Brownsburg Christmas Under the Stars

61 N. Green Street, Brownsburg
December 5, 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. This year’s parade Grand Marshal, picked from community nominations, gets the honor of leading the parade and lighting the tree. It’s a festive evening of lights, local shopping, and holiday cheer for the whole family.

Fortville Winterfest

Downtown Fortville
December 5, Noon – 6 pm

Head to downtown Fortville for a magical day 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, plus live music, carolers, and the beloved Holiday Parade, which steps off at 1 pm. Don’t miss your chance to meet the Snowflake Princess, then stick around until 6 pm, when the community Christmas tree and downtown lights glow to close out the day.

Franklin Courthouse Lighting

Courthouse Square, Franklin
December 5, All day; parade at 5:30 pm, lighting at 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. Stop by the Santa Shack, see the Live Nativity, and catch a holiday movie at The Historic Artcraft Theatre. The Lighted Parade begins at 5:30 pm, followed by live entertainment and the courthouse lighting at 7 pm, a perfect finale to this holiday celebration.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies on December 6, 2026

Broad Ripple Lights Up

Guilford Ave, next to the Broad Ripple Fire House
December 6, 3 – 6:30 pm

Broad Ripple Lights Up features a Wonderland Village with holiday-themed activities for the kids, visits with Santa, artist and maker vendors, live entertainment, and a tree lighting at 6 pm. Don’t miss the Twilight Parade, which steps off at 5:30 pm!

More Tree Lightings: 2026 Dates Coming Soon

These local favorites haven’t posted their 2026 details yet. Check back, because we’ll update each one as soon as it’s announced.

The Shops at Perry Crossing Annual Tree Lighting and Parade
2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield
2026 date TBA
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. It’s the perfect way to start your holiday celebrations.

Light Up Main Street
Plainfield Main Street
2026 date TBA
Plainfield kicks off the holiday season with a magical night on Main Street! In past years, the community has gathered for a festive tree lighting, 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 on Small Business Saturday and joining The Elves Are Loose scavenger hunt. Celebrate downtown Plainfield, support local shops, and welcome the season with sparkling joy.

McCordsville Tree Lighting Celebration
McCord Square, 5811 Main St, McCordsville
2026 date TBA
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. Admire the town’s 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
2026 date TBA
Celebrate Mooresville’s Victorian Christmas season (the 2026 Victorian Christmas Celebration is Saturday, December 5) 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)!

Avon Christmas Tree Lighting
6570 E. US Highway 36, Avon
2026 date TBA
Celebrate the season at the 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. Don’t miss the beautiful horse-drawn carriage rides around the lake ($10 per person in 2025) for a perfect holiday night in Avon.

Arcadia Annual Tree Lighting Festivities
208 W Main St, Arcadia
2026 date TBA
Celebrate the season at the 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 evening tree lighting.

Christmas in Clayton
Downtown Clayton
2026 date TBA
Downtown Clayton hosts a magical holiday event 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.

Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular & Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
183 Jefferson Street, Martinsville
2026 date TBA
Celebrate the holidays where “Jingle Bell Rock” began at the Bobby Helms Christmas Music Spectacular in downtown Martinsville! Enjoy live music, hot cocoa, s’mores, and visits with Santa and characters from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Families can take carriage rides, hop aboard the trackless train, and enjoy the free synthetic ice rink. The evening wraps up with a Christmas tree lighting (around 7:15 pm in past years), a festive finish to this hometown holiday celebration honoring Martinsville’s musical legacy.

Hometown Holiday at Hummel Park
Hummel Park, Plainfield
2026 date TBA
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
2026 date TBA
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, when a local child gets the honor of turning on the lights, followed by a DJ spinning holiday tunes to keep the fun going.

Greenfield Christmas Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting

Depot Street Park, 251 Depot St, Greenfield
Time TBA

Greenfield’s hometown holiday kickoff starts with a lighted parade through downtown, with Santa riding along, and wraps up at Depot Street Park, where the community Christmas tree glows right after the parade. Grab a spot along the route early, then follow the crowd to the park for the big moment.

For the Coming Soon section

Noblesville Lighting of the Square

Hamilton County Government & Judicial Center, 1 Hamilton County Square, Noblesville
2026 date TBA

Spend Small Business Saturday shopping downtown Noblesville, then head to the Judicial Center for holiday performances before Santa leads the crowd outside for hot cocoa and the lighting of the historic Courthouse Square. Santa’s House on the Square opens for visits right after.

Fishers Night Lights

Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr, Fishers
2026 date TBA

Fishers’ holiday kickoff fills the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater with live music, fire pits, igloos, live ice carving, reindeer, and food trucks. Santa and the mayor make a fire-truck entrance for the tree-lighting countdown, and holiday lights around the Nickel Plate District stay glowing all season.

Lebanon Christmas on the Square

Boone County Courthouse Square, Lebanon
2026 date TBA

The Lebanon Parks & Recreation Christmas Light Parade rolls into the historic courthouse square, where Santa picks one lucky kid to help light the towering tree on the courthouse lawn. Stick around for crafts, music, and visits with Santa.

Merry at Main

Main Street Park, 4286 S. Main Street, Whitestown
2026 date TBA

Whitestown’s Main Street Park glows for the season at Merry at Main. Grab a treat from the food vendors, visit Santa in his workshop, and stay for the countdown when the whole park lights up.

Cicero Christmas Tree Lighting

Cicero Community Park, Cicero
2026 date TBA

Northern Hamilton County gets festive at Cicero’s annual tree lighting. In past years, the Cicero Kiwanis Christmas Parade has kicked off the day, and the fun kept going after the lights came on with horse-drawn carriage rides, crafts, and ice skating.

Brown County History Center Community Tree Lighting

90 E Gould St, Nashville
2026 date TBA

Make Nashville’s tree lighting part of a cozy Brown County getaway. Families gather at the Brown County History Center for holiday music, homemade cookies, and hot chocolate, and Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome kids inside the Gnaw Bone Log Cabin Room.

Bloomington Canopy of Lights

Monroe County Courthouse Square, Bloomington
2026 date TBA

Bloomington has been lighting up its courthouse square since 1985, and the Canopy of Lights is worth the drive. Santa flips the switch on thousands of bulbs strung from the courthouse to the surrounding buildings, turning the square into a glowing canopy. Admission is free, and in past years the city has offered free metered parking downtown all weekend.

Columbus Festival of Lights

Downtown Columbus
2026 date TBA

Columbus celebrates the season with its Festival of Lights Parade, and this year’s theme, Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights, honors America’s 250th birthday. After the floats roll by, swing past the city’s Christmas tree at City Hall. In past years, a musical fireworks show has lit up the sky right after the parade.

Light Up Logansport

Iron Horse Park, 4th St and Melbourne Ave, Logansport
2026 date TBA

Logansport kicks off the holidays with a lighted parade down Broadway, followed by a Christmas tree lighting at Iron Horse Park. It’s a sweet small-town stop if you’re heading north for the holidays.

Have these Indy tree lighting ceremonies put you into the holiday spirit? Cut your own Christmas tree at a local Christmas tree farm.

Find all Indy holiday events here.

Have you been to any Central Indiana tree lighting ceremonies? Which Indy Christmas tree lighting ceremony is your favorite?