Step into the magic of Christmas at Conner Prairie this holiday season. A Merry Prairie Holiday is back and the 2024 Conner Prairie Christmas Festival is better than ever. Grab a hot cocoa and stroll into Prairietown to experience the wonder and excitement of Christmas. The sound of carolers in the air, the joy on your child’s face, and the twinkling lights illuminating around you will have your family coming back every year to make this event your newest family tradition. Conner Prairie Christmas events are always so much fun and A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival will not disappoint!

A Merry Prairie Holiday

Conner Prairie transforms its many acres into A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival beginning Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, then Fridays through Sundays from December 6 through December 22. A mostly outdoor experience, you will be enthralled by the thousands of lights and Christmas shows. You can meet and take a selfie with Santa and his elves. Dare to attempt the Polar Bear Plunge down the huge tube sledding hill. Give sock skating a whirl on Frosty’s Skating Rink. Listen to carolers. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year.

What to See and Do at A Merry Prairie Holiday

Visit Santa and Elves at North Pole Village

As you walk through the lights, you will find the North Pole Village, where your kids will love the interactive elf experience. Head over to meet Trinket Puddingmoon, Santa’s official list keeper, where he will find your child’s name on the nice list, and give them a special sticker to wear with pride as they head into the lodge to see Santa. Here you will find a spot where you can write a letter to Santa to send to the North Pole, as well as an opportunity to get your photo taken with Santa and talk to him about your Christmas list. Outside the lodge, you can stop for a photo opportunity in Santa’s sleigh with his trusty reindeer!

Polar Bear Plunge

Your kids will love the Polar Bear Plunge. Experience this 150-foot tubing hill this holiday season on your visit, where you’ll see Santa and his reindeer riding down the hill with you in style. They have two different hills, one shorter and one longer and steeper, so that even the little ones can enjoy this tubing experience. The hill closest to the amphitheater is the shorter hill and you can catch the tubes at the bottom of the hill to haul to the top and ride down.

3D Projection Show

Returning this year—The William Conner House will be transformed into a magical 3D projection mapping holiday show that will capture the feel and nostalgia of the holidays. Bring the whole family to see a presentation of “Twas The Night Before Christmas” with illuminations, dancing reindeer, snow, and the Jolly Man himself! The show will be on a constant rotation, with five-minute breaks in between, so you can stop by to see this at your convenience on your visit.

Christmas Eve in Prairietown

Step into historic Prairietown to experience the 1800s on Christmas Eve. You will find warm fires, the “From Solstice to Santa: A Magic Lantern Crankie Show,” and a spirited reading of the final chapter of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Head into the houses to interact with the residents by candlelight, and experience the excitement as they prepare to celebrate Christmas on the Prairie. Enjoy the stroll through town illuminated by the beautiful Christmas lights you will find all throughout the grounds on your visit.

Cross the Covered Bridge to Kringle’s Carousel

Head over to the covered bridge, where you will discover a synchronized light display set to music that is sure to impress guests of all ages. Experience the magical stroll through the bridge to enter a dazzling display of lights illuminating the Civil War grounds. Here you won’t want to miss a ride on Kringle’s Carousel. The kids will love the moving horses, or the stationary sleighs as they spin around and enjoy all of the beautiful lights.

Sock Skating on Frosty’s Skating Rink

Do a lap on Frosty’s Skating Rink! There is no need for skates, just kick off your shoes and enjoy this slippery sock skating experience. Slide around on the skating rink and pretend you are skating on real ice! Make sure to wear socks, or bring them with you, to join in on this sliding fun.

Illuminating LED Reynolds Lights

Visitors can catch amazing LED light displays throughout A Merry Prairie Holiday. Take the Winter Wonderland stroll through an illuminated path between 1836 Prairietown and 1863 Civil War Journey. There will also be a light tunnel to direct guests to the tubing hill. Be on the lookout for fun new photo opportunities throughout the experience!

Festival Dates and Tickets

A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival will take place Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, then Fridays through Sundays from December 6 through December 22. Gates open at 5:30 pm and close at 8:30 pm. Activities continue for attendees inside the gates until 9:30 pm. American Sign Language tours of A Merry Prairie Holiday will be held on December 13 and 21.

Tickets are on sale now through December 22 for A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival. Reservations are required for this Conner Prairie Christmas event. Tickets are $13 per person for members and $26 for nonmembers. Families using the Access Pass can take advantage of $5 tickets. Purchase tickets here.

Holiday Food and Beverages

A variety of seasonal favorites are available throughout the event. Enjoy specialty hot beverages from Rose and Lois near the tram pick-up area and tubing hill, try comfort foods from Smokey Blue BBQ near Santa’s Workshop, and delight in sweet treats at the Prairie Grill near the sock skating rink! The Café on the Common will also be operating for your dining pleasure at the Bandstand this Conner Prairie Christmas event. Throughout the festival, you’ll also find hot beverage stations to warm your spirit… with lots of spirits to choose from!

Enjoy a Conner Prairie Christmas

From start to finish, the magic of Christmas will warm you from the inside out during Conner Prairie Christmas events. A Merry Prairie Holiday is unique because there is truly something for everyone in the family to enjoy, kids and adults alike. From the delicious treats, entertainment, and atmosphere created, this is the perfect family festival for the holiday season. Christmas is not complete without a visit to Conner Prairie for this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration. You can purchase Conner Prairie Christmas Events tickets here for your trip back in time this Christmas.

If you’re interested in becoming a youth volunteer at Conner Prairie, consider applying for their amazing Youth Volunteer Program. Youth volunteers work at Conner Prairie Christmas events and other festivals throughout the year!

For more holiday events and attractions to explore in Indianapolis, click here!

Have you been to this awesome Conner Prairie Christmas event? Share your comments and pictures from A Merry Prairie Holiday 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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