When you think about the holidays, many people automatically go straight to Christmas—decorated trees and homes, pictures with Santa, Christmas songs, and lots, and lots of events!
However, there are holidays other than Christmas that are celebrated by families in the month of December, like Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice. As a Central Indiana native, I’ve seen our city become such an amazing melting pot over the last several years, and what better way to show our kids this diversity than with some non-Christmas events around Indianapolis?
Non-Christmas December Holiday Celebrations
Chanukah
Chanukah, the more traditional spelling of Hanukkah, is a Jewish holiday that lasts eight days and is a wintertime “festival of lights.” It’s celebrated with nightly menorah (a seven-branch candelabrum) lightings and other community events. First, special blessings are recited, often a traditional melody, and traditional songs are sung afterward. The menorah is lit in each home and placed in a doorway or window.
Since the Hanukkah miracle involved oil, it’s customary for those who practice to have delicious fried foods for the holiday. A fun game played by children on Hanukkah is Dreidel (a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side). The game is played for coins, nuts, or other small gifts. Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 25 this year and ends at nightfall on January 2, 2025.
2024 Menorah Lightings in Indianapolis
December 25 at 5 pm
Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 26 at 5 pm
Hooverwood Living & Jewish Community Center ECE
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 27 at 4:30 pm
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation & Jewish Community Relations Council
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 28 at 6:45 pm
Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 29 at 4:30 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom & Congregation Shaarey Tefilla
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 30 at 6:30 pm
Indianapolis Jewish Discovery Center
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 31 at 5 pm
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis & PJ Library
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
January 1 at 7 pm
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
2024 Hanukkah Events in Indianapolis
December 22 at 11 am
Celebrating Hanukkah at the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt
December 25 at 5:30 pm
Fishers Chanukah Celebration Location TBD
December 26 at 6 pm
Israeli Chanukah Party at Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis
December 27 at 6 pm
Hanukkah Palooza at Indianaplis Hebrew Congregation
December 29 at 5 pm
Latkes & Lights at Winterlights at Newfields
December 31 at 5 pm
PJ Library Chanukah Candle Lighting & New Year’s Eve Celebration at the JCC
2024 Menorah Lightings in Greater Indianapolis
December 28 at 7:30 pm
Robert Goldman Jewelers, Zionsville
TBD
Roy G. Holland Park, Fishers
TBD
Main Street, Zionsville
For more Hanukkah activities, check out our Indy Hanukkah Guide and discover Eight Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Learn more about the holiday on the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis website or watch educational videos at chabad.org.
Kwanzaa
Did you know that Indy has a community that celebrates Kwanzaa? What is Kwanzaa you ask? It’s a unique and fun family-filled African-American celebration. Kwanzaa is a celebration that focuses on heritage, ancestry, family togetherness, the community you are part of, and nature. The celebration is held from December 26, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
There are various important decorations that make Kwanzaa a great holiday to celebrate with family. The Kinara is a seven-day candle holder and represents the seven important aspects of Kwanzaa. The seven candles for each day include; one black, three red, and three green candles. The Mkeka is a straw mat that goes under the Kinara. An ear of corn for each child in the family, a fruit basket, and a unity cup.
Because Kwanzaa is a family-oriented celebration it’s easy to get little ones involved in all aspects of the seven-day celebration. Kids can help their family members light the Kinara for each day. Family members can have the child choose their ear of corn to have placed on the Mkeka and help put together a fruit basket. During the celebration, there is lots of music, dancing, delicious food, a gift exchange on the last day, and storytelling about history.
2024 Kwanzaa Events & Celebrations
Celebrating Kwanzaa
December 1 from 11 am – 1 pm
Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt
The Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt celebrates Kwanzaa with special programming that will include traditional music, ranging from drum circles to dance groups, as well as a performance by a storyteller who will share the culture and tradition of the holiday. This special celebration is FREE for all ages to attend.
Kwanzaa at Winterlights
December 5 from 5 pm – 6 pm
Newfields
Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa at Winterlights. Enjoy live performances that honor the rich traditions of Kwanzaa and immerse yourself in the joyous holiday celebration of African heritage and unity. Tickets to Winterlights at Newfields can be purchased in advance.
Kwanzaa Claus Visits Indy Reads
December 19 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Indy Reads
Join Indy Reads in the community bookstore for the annual winter holiday celebration. Children are welcome to bring their holiday wishes and take a photo with Kwanzaa Claus! Every child will receive a free goodie to take home.
Kwanzaa Community Festival
Sunday, December 29 from 10 am – 4 pm
Indiana State Museum
Join Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and the Indiana State Museum for the inaugural Kwanzaa Community Festival entitled, “Harambee! A Cultural Celebration of Fatih, Family, and a Vision for the Future.” This day-long immersive cultural experience features family activities, African music and dances, cultural vendors, and a community worship service. The event is included with Indiana State Museum admission.
Winter Solstice
The Solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice, once in summer and once in winter, each year when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole. During Solstices, the tilt of the axis of the Earth (with respect to the Sun) is the maximum at 23° and 26°. Solstices occur on the 20th or 21st of June and the 21st or 22nd of December each year. During summer the day of the solstice is the longest day of the year and during winter the day of the solstice is the shortest day of the year.
With all this cold and snow moving into central Indiana it’s safe to say that we have truly entered the winter season. Winter Solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year and that happens during this month. This year the winter solstice will be on Saturday, December 21, 2024, which is the “official” start of our winter season. Many people around the world and right here in Indy celebrate and welcome the arrival of Winter Solstice.
Those who celebrate the Solstice enjoy singing special songs, telling stories, doing different crafts and activities, and having a nice feast afterward. A great way to get kids involved is to talk about the changes our earth goes through and about the various aspects of nature. Decorate your home with all things winter to welcome the season. A fun idea for littles is to have a fun sensory bin with snow and all things winter and to include a yummy treat as well. No matter what your family celebrates, everyone experiences the seasons changing and winter solstice is a great way to welcome in a new season.
2024 Winter Solstice Events & Celebrations
Indy Winter Solstice Celebration
Friday & Saturday, December 20 and 21 at 7 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis
The Indy Winter Solstice Celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis will be on December 20 and 21 with the celebration starting at 7 pm and seating beginning at 6:30 pm. The celebration consists of singing, storytelling, and a pitch-in feast. The celebration is free to attend and open to the public for all ages, but be sure to arrive early to secure your seat.
In addition to the family feast, attendees can look forward to family-friendly, non-denominational, holiday celebration fun, including:
– the fantastic space in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis
– twinkle lights and candlelight
– instruments ranging from djembe (African drum) to cello and synthesizer
– a celebration choir, conducted by Pam Blevins Hinkle
– original music by Le Isaac Weaver
– spectacular visuals by Stephanie Lewis Robertson and crew
– a beautiful ritual published by Emerald Earth Publishing
– feasting and fellowship after the ritual
Explore some of these non-Christmas holiday events and teach your children about the diversity of religions and beliefs in our community. For more holiday fun, check out our ultimate holiday guide for things to do this season.
Magical Holiday Experiences Throughout the Midwest
Do you celebrate a Non-Christmas holiday? Have you been to any of these Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or Winter Solstice events? Share your comments and pictures 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!
