Carmel knows how to have a good time, even in the winter! The 2026 Ice at Carter Green events include the Carmel Festival of Ice from January 16 & 17 and the Carmel Winter Games from January 24th.
Watch ice carvers transform blocks of ice while enjoying savory chili and family-friendly activities at the Festival of Ice. Cheer on Carmel Firefighters versus the Carmel Police Department competing on the ice, or join in for Human Hungry Hippos at the Carmel Winter Games. On January 15th, there’s a Sensory Friendly Skate Day reserved for those who require a calmer and quieter atmosphere. The Carmel Festival of Ice includes several days of fun for the whole family. Bundle up and head on over to Carmel City Center to spectate or be a part of the action.
Ice at Carter Green Events 2026
Carmel Festival of Ice
The festivities kick off with the Carmel Festival of Ice on Friday, January 16th. There will be professional ice carvers and ice carving demonstrations by professional ice carvers from around the Midwest, up and down Main Street in the Carmel Arts & Design District from 4-8 pm. Ice sculptures can typically be found on Main Street in front of Anthony’s Chop House, Agave Bar & Grill, Muldoon’s, Petos, and Woody’s Library Restaurant. Sculptures will remain on display until they melt, so if you come another day, be sure to walk over and check them all out!
On Saturday, January 17th, from 10 am – 4 pm, there will be a Big Block ice carving competition and a large ice sculpture carving on the Ice at Carter Green. Visitors can vote for their favorite ice sculptures. From 12 pm – 2 pm, the Carmel Fire Department will host a chili cook-off where visitors can taste a variety of chili and vote on their favorite. Ice skating, a live DJ, and food and beverages will be available from 11:30 am – 9 pm. Advance tickets for ice skating are required. Visit TheIceAtCarterGreen.com to purchase ice skating tickets and fill out your waiver online.
Carmel Winter Games
Carmel Winter Games is the most fun you’ll have in the winter. The Carmel Winter Games on Saturday, January 24th, build team spirit on the ice, through non-skating competitive games like Human Curling, Human Hungry Hippos, and Ice Trike Relays. In addition, you can cheer on your favorite hometown heroes during the Hero-Olympics.
The Carmel Winter Games begin at 10 am with the Hometown Hero-Olympics on the Ice at Carter Green. Bring your whole family to enjoy the fun as the Carmel Fire Department and the Carmel Police Department battle it out on the ice.
At 1 pm, the Carmel Winter Games begin with the Ice Trike Relay first, followed by Human Curling and Human Hungry Hippos. Anybody can put a team together and participate, all while supporting local nonprofit organizations. A live DJ will be playing music from 1 pm – 4 pm, and you can meet the Mascots from 2 – 4 pm.
Sensory Skate Day
December 11 from 2–3:30 p.m. and January 14 from 5–7 p.m.
Families are invited to a special sensory-friendly skating experience designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, or any special needs. The environment is calmer and more supportive, and skate aids will be available to help kids feel confident on the ice. For more information, email kwhited@carmel.in.gov
Carmel Festival of Ice Parking
Carmel City Center offers free parking on the street, at marked parking lots, and in various public parking garages. Public parking can be found in the Arts & Design District, Carmel City Center, Midtown, and by the Palladium. I find the Veterans Way Garage to be the easiest to get into and out of when heading to this area. You can always park at Midtown Plaza Carmel or near the Arts & Design District and enjoy the lovely walk along the Monon Trail (which is decorated with holiday displays and lights) to the Carmel Festival of Ice.
Explore Nearby Activities
Want to explore Carmel after visiting the Carmel Festival of Ice? There are lots of cute shops and restaurants to explore just steps away from the Ice at Carter Green. Head up the steps for a bite to eat at Eggshell Bistro, Divvy Tapas, Hanami Sushi, or Matt the Miller’s Tavern. For a fancier affair, make reservations to dine at Vivante French Eatery in the Hotel Carmichael and head to the Cake Bake Shop for dessert! There are several local shops to visit after your meal, with home decor, gifts, children’s clothing, and more.
You can also walk up the Monon Trail to Midtown Plaza in Carmel, and challenge your family to some outdoor games. Equipment is provided for games of billiards, shuffleboard, bocce ball, cornhole, and ping pong. Pick up a rental bike from several different self-service locations along the Monon Trail. Or, you can explore even more of Carmel with an electric bike rental from Pedego. With miles of the Monon Trail connecting to Westfield and Indianapolis, and other trails connecting you to all parts of Carmel, you can go further with a little help from an electric bike.
Food & Drink Near the Carmel Festival of Ice
If you are looking for a sweet treat or quick bite to tide your crew over during the Carmel Festival of Ice, there are plenty of dining options in Carmel.
1832 BREW
When looking at ice sculptures, it is important to have a warm beverage option. 1832 Brew features a full espresso bar, hot chocolate, chai, tea, smoothies, and more. This coffee shop is located inside the SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream Shop, so parents can grab a cup of coffee while kids can create their own flavor of ice cream, a win-win!
BAZBEAUX PIZZA
Located at the intersection of Main Street and the Monon Trail, Bazbeaux Pizza is an Indy favorite. Dine in or place a to-go order for one of their thin-crust pizzas with unique toppings. A gluten-free, vegan crust is available; however, all pizzas are made in a flour-filled environment.
THE CAKE BAKE SHOP
For a memorable meal, make reservations at this glamorous bakery located in the Carmel City Center. Kids and grown-ups alike will swoon over the sparkling lights, seasonal decor, and sparkling touches. If you want to try the amazing cake or food but do not have reservations, you can place an order at the to-go counter. It is still a fun experience to walk through the bakery line and select layered cakes to go. Gluten-free options include cake, brownies, and macarons.
MARY’S MOUNTAIN COOKIES
Warning. If you give a child one of these cookies, they might ask you to come back another time. These cookies are HUGE and come in a variety of flavors. They also offer ice cream cookies and cookie dough, available in the freezer. Gluten-free cookies are available in the freezer, but the store does not guarantee that it is a gluten-free kitchen.
NO LABEL AT THE TABLE
One of my favorite local shops is No Label at the Table. All menu items are gluten and dairy-free and change daily. The bakery was opened with a mission to serve the community and provide employment opportunities for people on the autism spectrum.
SOCIAL CANTINA
Social Cantina Carmel is a modern take on traditional Mexican street fare. Featuring mouth-watering tacos and refreshing margaritas, and tequila, your taste buds will thank you for choosing to dine here. Whether it’s a girl’s night out, date night, or family dinner, there is something for everyone at Social Cantina Carmel.
SUN KING BREWERY
With a menu ranging from roasted brussels sprouts to pizza to a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich, there is bound to be something to please anyone in your crew at Sun King Brewery in Midtown Carmel. In addition to a full food menu, Sun King also features a variety of beverages. Vegan options are available. Outside of Sun King is Midtown Plaza, featuring several outdoor games.
BUB’S BURGERS
A family favorite, this local burger place is a great place to grab lunch. Bub’s Burgers is located inside the yellow house off the Monon Trail on Main Street. Bub’s Burgers features hand-pattied, flame-grilled burgers made from 100% ground chuck. The menu also features hand-dipped milkshakes if you have room for dessert. If someone in your family is a fan of food challenges, try the Big Ugly Challenge to earn a spot on the wall of fame.
SUBZERO NITROGEN ICE CREAM
SubZero, with its unique twist of watching ice cream being made before your eyes. You select your base, flavor, and mix-in, and then the science (magic) happens with a blast of liquid nitrogen as the liquid treat becomes a frozen dessert.
BOBER TEA & MOCHI DONUTS
If you have a tween or teen, you are likely familiar with boba tea. The Carmel Bober Tea and Mochi Donut location recently opened and has been well-received. Tea options include hot teas, fruit teas, Bober milk teas, and espresso drinks. Mochi donut flavors rotate every week. The store walls are bright pink, covered in flowers, and pink hearts with a pink horse, perfect for photos. Bober Tea has dairy-free drink options.
The Carmel Festival of Ice is a unique way to celebrate the winter weather. Stop by to enjoy the artwork being created from power tools and blocks of ice, cheer on your favorite Midwest ice sculptor, enjoy a cup of chili, and go ice skating with the family.
If you’re looking for other winter activity ideas, check out nearby skiing and snowboarding slopes. For an epic adventure closer to home, visit the Koteewi Seasonal Slopes for snow tubing, check out a local sledding hill, pick one of our 100 winter break activity recommendations, or think about all of the other ways to play in the snow and places to play in the snow in Indianapolis. Need ideas of things to do when snowed in? Take your pick from these 100+ indoor fun ideas to do with kids.
Have you been to the Carmel Festival of Ice or the Carmel Winter Games? Share your comments and photos 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!
