Shipshewana, Indiana, is a charming destination year-round, but during Christmastime, it becomes a magical place for visitors of all ages. A three-hour drive from Indianapolis and two and a half hours from Chicago, Shipshewana is a great weekend getaway.
If you’re looking for Hallmark town vibes in the Midwest, Shipshewana should be on your list.
Christmas Lights Around Shipshewana
The Lighting of Shipshewana is one of the best holiday events in Indiana and beyond! Nominated for the best Holiday Parade by USA Today, the Shipshewana Light Parade is one part of the Lighting of Shipshewana.
Every November, there’s a day-long festival that includes food, character meet & greets, live music, entertainment, and more. In the evening a beautiful light parade takes to the streets of Shipshewana with floats, tractors, horses, buses, carriages, golf carts, and trucks all dressed with bright lights, decorations, and music. Guests and residents line the streets with chairs and blankets to see the illuminated event.
Following the parade, the lighting ceremony takes place and the whole downtown area is “plugged in” to bring the carefully placed lighted decor to life.
Drive Thru Light Show in Shipshewana
Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy drive-thru Christmas light display takes place on the grounds of the Shipshewana Flea Market. Over two million lights make up the nearly two-mile path of lighted displays, animatronics, and decorations. Tune your radio to the hosted radio station and enjoy holiday music as you drive through the show. We spent more than 30 minutes on this activity and it was worth every penny of the carload fee!
Lighted Carriage Rides
During the day, you can enjoy a ride in a traditional Amish buggy or in a carriage. At night during the holidays, a lighted carriage ride will take you through the streets of Shipshewana so you can enjoy the sights and scenes of the holidays.
Delicious Food in Shipshewana
If this wasn’t a holiday article, I would have started with the information about the food in Shipshewana. From the Bluegate restaurant’s Amish-style cooking buffet with more than 20 different pies, to pizza and mini golf at Shipshe Pizza & Mini-Golf, there’s something yummy for everyone.
You’ll find lots of other opportunities to indulge in delicious treats throughout town. Grab an ice cream flight at the Vanilla Bean Creamery, sample dozens of flavors of small-batch gourmet popcorn at the Shipshewana popcorn company, and then take home your favorites. Soft-baked pretzels are our favorite snack when we’re in Shipshewana, and it’s a hard decision between Ben’s Pretzels and JoJo’s…so we get both.
Small Town Shopping
Boutiques, mercantile, markets, shops — they’re all a charming part of Shipshewana and you can find them throughout town. You’ll find a great selection of giftable food items, trinkets, clothing, musical instruments, toys, antiques, and more as you peruse Shipshewana businesses.
Be sure to check out the David Mercantile building, four floors filled with 21 stores in one convenient place. On the 4th floor, stop for a ride on the 1906 Dentzel Carousel, a masterpiece with the animals of Shipshewana, carved by a young Amish boy more than 100 years ago.
Another can’t-miss stop is E & S Sales Bulk Foods. This store has a large variety of fresh cheeses, an amazing bakery, and is most famous for its bulk food selection. You can buy bulk spices, candies, flours, nuts, noodles, and so many other things! The selection is vast! While you’re there, look around at the collection of vintage toys and pedal cars that decorate the store.
Hotels in Shipshewana
There a several hotel offerings that are lovely to stay at year-round, but my experiences are at The Blue Gate Garden Inn and the Farmstead Inn. The Blue Gate is a beautiful property with the best breakfast and I slept so well. Plus, it’s conveniently located right next to the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center. My stay at the Farmstead was delightful and my children enjoyed swimming in the pool. The Farmstead is right across the street from the Lights of Joy and just about a 10-15 minute walk to the downtown area.
Entertainment and Shows in Shipshewana
The Blue Gate Performing Arts Center has a jam-packed holiday schedule, including shows that families love. There are also shows and plays at the Blue Gate Music Hall.
Shipshewana has special events year-round and the holidays are no different. Breakfast with Santa, Chocolate Day, and even a January Ice Festival are just a few events on the calendar.
There’s no better time to visit Shipshewana than right now. With the Hallmark movie town vibes, local charm, and beautiful holiday magic, Shipshewana is the place to be this season.
