Looking for “Live Nativity Scenes Near Me?” At these unique events, guests are invited to visit real people and animals who come together to create a beautiful depiction of Jesus’ birth. Churches around Indianapolis want to draw our attention to the central figure of the world’s biggest birthday party by building realistic and immersive experiences that take us back in time and around the world. Follow Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, hear the angels sing, meet the shepherds, and witness the wise men bestowing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
For Christians around the globe, the birth of Jesus is what gives the Christmas season its true significance. All are welcome to follow the star to the little stable where a very special baby was born. Children especially will love watching the story come to life before their eyes.
Put these Indianapolis live nativity scene events on your calendar before your Christmas season books up!
2024 Indianapolis Live Nativity Scenes Near Me
Castleton United Methodist Church
7101 N Shadeland Avenue, Indianapolis
December 6-7
Travel to Bethlehem and experience the retelling of the birth of Jesus at this two-day event. On Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7 from 6-8 pm, you can enjoy a live nativity complete with real animals. Guests have the option to walk or drive through the display. Head inside for cookies and hot chocolate following your journey!
Great Oak Church
6341 Mann Rd, Indianapolis
December 13-14
Dress warmly and visit Great Oak Church between 6:30-8:30 each night to enjoy a walking tour of the Christmas story. The Live Nativity is a free event and features a beautiful reenactment, free warm drinks, and a Bethlehem Market full of handmade goods, gifts, and food for guests to purchase. Each nativity tour lasts about 20-30 minutes.
2024 Central Indiana Live Nativity Scenes Near Me
Cornerstone Lutheran Church
13450 E 116th Street, Fishers
December 6
The Cornerstone Fishers Living Nativity will take place on Friday, December 6 from 5-8 pm. Come together for their drive-through Living Nativity and experience the Christmas story with real animals, including camels! All ages are welcome.
First EPC Kokomo
2000 W Jefferson St, Kokomo
December 6-7
From 6-8:30 pm each night, take a guided walking tour through Bethlehem to experience the story of the first Christmas. See the bustling marketplace, a king’s palace, the hillside where the shepherds heard angels sing, the crowded inn, and finally, the stable where Jesus was born.
Maple Grove Church of God
2729 E 38th Street, Anderson
December 7-8
The 46th presentation of the Nativity scene will occur on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8. At the time of publication, the 2024 presentation times are TBA, but in the past, tours were held at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 on both nights. The free presentation will include music, narration, live animals, snacks, and more!
New Life United Methodist Church
6145 N 400 W, Fairland
December 13-14
Take a journey through Bethlehem at this Live Nativity. You can enjoy the Christmas story from the comfort of your own vehicle. Drive through 10 scenes of reenactments from all parts of the birth of Jesus, complete with live animals. Times TBA.
Neese Farm, Sponsored by Advance Community Christian Church
10406 W 450 N, Thorntown
December 14
Each year for the past 10 years, Advance Community Christian Church has told the story of Jesus’ birth with a living nativity. This year, guests are invited to Neese Farm in Thorntown for “Where Is He? The Story of the Magi.” The event is scheduled from 4-8 pm.
Lafayette Living Nativity at Faith Church
5526 State Road 26 E. Lafayette
December 6-8, 13-15
The Lafayette Living Nativity takes place two weekends in December on Friday-Sunday nights (weather permitting). Dates for 2024 are December 6-8 and December 13-15. The event runs from 6:30-8:30 each night. Admission is free. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the retelling of the Christmas Story.
Living Nativity Events We Hope to See Return
The following events have been offered in previous years but have either not yet been announced for 2024 or are not happening this holiday season. We will update this page if we learn that these events have returned!
Even If Church
2625 Glenns Valley Ln, Indianapolis
Even If Church on Indy’s south side invites you to step back in time to Bethlehem and witness the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. From 6-8 pm each night, guests can drive through this free nativity experience with complimentary hot beverages and cookies in hand. Plan to spend 15-20 minutes on your journey through the scenes of live actors and animals.
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
4780 E 126th St, Carmel
St. Mark’s Holy Walk Through Bethlehem is a longstanding tradition and hosts thousands of visitors every year. The event is held from 6-9 pm each night and reservations are required this year. See Mary and Joseph, Roman soldiers, live animals, and more at this reenactment of the Christmas story. The event is free, but guests are encouraged to bring a canned food donation.
Southeastern Holiness Church
3957 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis
Looking for a Christmas event for the whole family? Here’s one to enjoy from the warmth of your car. December 2 and 3, you can come anytime between 5:30 and 8:30 pm to see the reenactment. You’ll be greeted with free cookies and cocoa and the whole experience is narrated through your car radio. During the busy holiday season, this 20-minute play is the perfect way to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas!
Danville United Methodist Church
820 W. Mill Street, Danville
The Danville UMC will host “How Far to Bethlehem?” a drive-thru Live Nativity on Sunday, December 17, from 6-8 pm. The pageant features live animals and ten scenes with accompanying Bible passages. The church is celebrating 33 years of providing this event and is so excited to welcome members of the community again this year.
Zionsville Presbyterian Church
4775 W 116th Street, Zionsville
Go Back to Bethlehem with Zionsville Presbyterian Church from 4:30-7:30 pm. Tour through six vignettes with theatrical, occasionally interactive, presentations that immerse you in the world of ancient Israel. Expect to spend half an hour on your tour, then spend extra time in the Bethlehem Marketplace participating in activities and enjoying refreshments. There is a charge of $5 per person (max. $20/family) for this event, but contact the church for options if the cost might keep you from attending.
During this season, there always seems to be something pulling you in a thousand different directions. Nativity scenes are an excellent opportunity to slow down and reflect on Christmas’s true meaning and why we celebrate each year. Are you looking for more holiday events to attend with your family? We have an extensive guide with everything you’ll need to know to celebrate the holidays this year.
Learn more about how you can celebrate Hanukkah with your family.
Get tickets to IRT’s production of A Christmas Carol.
Find all of Indy’s top Christmas events here.
