Every year, our family looks forward to the start of the holiday season because there are so many holiday events in Indy. There’s something so special about that first tree lighting, the sound of carols floating through small-town streets, and the moment the kids spot Santa Claus in a parade. We love finding free holiday festivals near Indianapolis because it means we can soak up the magic all season long without spending a fortune. Whether you’re looking for twinkling lights, outdoor markets, or hometown parades, these free events around Central Indiana are perfect for celebrating with your family.
Christmas in Pendleton
Date: November 8, 2025
Location: Town of Pendleton, 100 West State Street, Pendleton
Kick off the season with a classic small-town celebration. Downtown Pendleton transforms into a holiday village with reindeer visits, kids’ train rides, and more than 100 vendors. Families line the streets for the illuminated parade and stay for the evening tree lighting and community snowball fight at Pendleton Falls Park that officially opens the holiday season in Pendleton.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Dates: Wednesday – Sunday, November 22 – December 24, 2025
Location: Carter Green, 10 Carter Green, Carmel
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is one of Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions. The European-style market features handcrafted gifts, traditional food, live music, and cozy holiday cheer. Admission is free, so you can browse the lantern-lit huts, take in the smells of roasted nuts and pretzels, and stay as long as you’d like. Take a spin on the real ice skating rink and enjoy cozy fires.
Holidays at the Hill
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 6, 2026 (weather permitting)
Location: Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan Street, Noblesville, IN
Celebrate the season at Holidays at the Hill, Noblesville’s festive winter destination at Federal Hill Commons. The park transforms into a sparkling holiday village featuring the Ice Plaza, light displays, visits from Santa, music, and cozy firepits for warming up with hot cocoa. The Ice Plaza offers real outdoor ice, skate rentals, music, concessions, and photo ops, making it the perfect family outing all winter long.
Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt
Dates: Friday through Sunday, November 28 through December 21
Location: The Athenaeum, 401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis
The Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt market brings European charm to one of Indy’s most historic buildings. Browse artisan vendors, enjoy live music, and taste German holiday favorites like glühwein and raclette. Kids can meet St. Nick or catch a glimpse of Krampus while parents find unique, handcrafted gifts.
Circle of Lights
Date: November 28, 2025, 6 pm
Location: Monument Circle, 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis
Celebrate Indy’s most iconic holiday tradition as the Circle of Lights marks its 63rd year. Monument Circle transforms into a glowing winter wonderland with live music, local performances, and festive fun. Just after 6:50 p.m., Santa and the AES Indiana Coloring Contest winner will “flip the switch,” lighting up Downtown Indianapolis for the holiday season.
Danville Christmas on the Square
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025, 4 pm – 7 pm
Location: Historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square, Danville, IN
Celebrate the season at Christmas on the Square in downtown Danville on November 28 from 4–7 p.m. Enjoy holiday activities like letters to Santa, a live nativity, snowball fights, and a Children’s Entrepreneurial Market, all set against the glow of twinkling lights and carolers. The highlight of the evening comes at 6:30 p.m., when Santa lights the tree and canopy, marking the official start of the holidays in Danville.
A Lawrence Christmas
Date: November 29, 2025
Location: Lawrence Civic Plaza, 5710 Lawrence Village Pkwy, Indianapolis
Lawrence’s community celebration, A Lawrence Christmas, includes a parade, live performances, and a bright tree lighting. It’s the kind of neighborhood event where you’ll see familiar faces and feel the warmth of the season.
Whitestown Merry at Main
Date: November 29, 2025
Location: Main Street Park, 4286 S Main Street, Whitestown
Perfect for younger kids, Merry at Main offers an easy evening of lights, Santa photos, and family fun at the park. It’s simple, festive, and ideal for families who want to celebrate without big crowds.
Zionsville Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting
Date: November 29, 2025
Location: Main Street, Downtown Zionsville
Kick off the holiday season in Zionsville at the beloved Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting! The fun begins at 5 pm as the parade departs from Eagle Elementary and winds through downtown, ending at Old National Bank around 6 pm Families will cheer as Santa arrives in style, followed by the lighting of the town tree with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Arrive early to shop and dine in the Village before the streets close at 4 pm, then stay after the parade for more holiday fun, including shopping, dining, and selfies with Santa until 8 pm.
McCordsville Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025, 5:30 – 8 pm
Location: McCord Square, 5811 Main Street, McCordsville, IN
Join the McCordsville community for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration! Enjoy cookies and photos with Santa, hot chocolate from the Moo & Lou Truck, performances by local school choirs and bands, and free train rides. New this year: admire the town’s brand-new 30-foot Christmas tree, step inside a giant inflatable snow globe, and drop off letters to Santa at his mailbox. It’s a joyful, family-friendly evening full of holiday spirit!
Deck the Downtown Weekend in Noblesville
Dates: Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7, 2025
Location: Downtown Noblesville, Federal Hill Commons, and Seminary Park
Celebrate the holidays in downtown Noblesville during Deck the Downtown Weekend, December 5–7. Enjoy Lights Over Seminary, a festive Holiday Market at Federal Hill Commons, and the dazzling Holiday in Lights Parade on Saturday at 6 pm, featuring glowing floats, marching bands, and Santa’s grand arrival to light the city’s Christmas tree on the Square. It’s a full weekend of holiday fun, shopping, and family cheer!
Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista
Dates: December 5–6, 2025
Location: Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, 1284 N Minnetrista Pkwy, Muncie
Kick off the holiday season with one of Muncie’s most magical family traditions, the Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista. Stroll through three miles of twinkling lights while enjoying live music, sweet treats, food, and festive fun for all ages.
Arcadia Christmas Tree Lighting & Market
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 4 pm – 8 pm (Tree Lighting at 7 pm)
Location: Arcadia Town Hall & Main Street, Arcadia, IN
Celebrate the season at the 10th Annual Arcadia Christmas Tree Lighting! Enjoy a cozy evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus, street dancing, fire pits, and a chili supper, plus kid-friendly activities throughout downtown. Shop local at the Arcadia Christmas Market on Main, featuring artisan vendors, gifts, and food trucks while you enjoy the festive music and community fun leading up to the tree lighting at 7 pm.
Avon Tree Lighting Festival
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 4 pm – 6 pm
Location: Avon Town Hall Park, 6570 E. U.S. Highway 36, Avon, IN 46123
Celebrate the season at the 2025 Avon Tree Lighting, a festive evening filled with small-town holiday magic! Families can visit with Santa, see live reindeer, build holiday crafts, and enjoy the model train display before the countdown to the tree lighting. Sip hot cocoa, snack on mini donuts, and listen to live music by the Irenical Duo starting at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss the beautiful horse-drawn carriage rides around the lake (available for $10 per person, first-come, first-served) for a perfect holiday night in Avon.
Brownsburg Christmas Under the Stars
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Downtown Brownsburg & Town Hall Green, 61 N Green St, Brownsburg
Celebrate the season at Brownsburg’s Christmas Under the Stars. Enjoy the Winter Market, Santa’s Workshop, and the Christmas Parade at 6 pm, followed by the Tree Lighting and photos with Santa at Town Hall Green. A festive evening of lights, local shopping, and holiday cheer for the whole family!
Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Historic Cumberland (E. Washington St. from Muessing St. to S. Heflin St.)
Celebrate the holidays at Cumberland’s 14th Annual Weihnachtsmarkt, a festive German winter market filled with artisan vendors, traditional food and beer, live entertainment, and kids’ activities. Visit with St. Nick and his reindeer from 3–5 p.m., enjoy music and crafts all day, and stay for the Tree Lighting and Fireworks Show at 5:30 p.m.
Fortville Winterfest
Date: December 6, 2025, 12 pm – 7 pm
Location: Downtown Fortville, Main Street
Join us in downtown Fortville for a magical evening at Winterfest, presented by 3Rivers Federal Credit Union! This festive celebration is filled with family-friendly fun, including an Artisan Marketplace, Santa visits, and plenty of holiday cheer. Enjoy ice skating, DIY crafts, and festive photo ops, then stick around for live music, carolers, and the beloved Holiday Parade. Don’t miss your chance to meet the Snowflake Princess and soak in the sights and sounds of the season in charming downtown Fortville.
Franklin Holiday Lighting & Winter Market
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Downtown Franklin
Celebrate the season in downtown Franklin at the Holiday Lighting & Winter Market, a full day of festive fun for the whole family. Enjoy local shopping, holiday activities, and community traditions that make Franklin shine. Visit Santa at the Johnson County Museum, see the Live Nativity, and catch a holiday movie at The Historic Artcraft Theatre. The Lighted Parade begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by live entertainment and the courthouse lighting at 7 p.m., a perfect finale to this holiday celebration.
Greenfield Christmas at the Fair
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 12 pm – 5 pm
Location: Hancock County Fairgrounds, 620 Apple Street, Greenfield, IN
Celebrate the season at the 2nd Annual Christmas at the Fair, a festive day packed with holiday fun for all ages! Families can enjoy pictures with Santa, letters to Santa, storytime with Bentley’s Buddies, and carriage rides around the fairgrounds. Kids can get creative with cookie decorating, wreath making, and the Home Depot Kids Workshop, while everyone shops local at the Christmas Market and visits the friendly Highland cows from Remark-able Ranch.
Mooresville Victorian Christmas Celebration Mooresville
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Downtown Mooresville
Christmas Past Comes Alive Downtown! Step into a storybook scene at Mooresville’s 36th Annual Victorian Christmas Celebration, a free community event filled with old-fashioned holiday magic. Enjoy live performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, artisan vendors, and festive activities throughout town.
Santa Soirée at Clay Terrace
Date: December 6, 2025, 4 pm – 6 pm
Location: Village Green at Clay Terrace (east side of Dick’s Sporting Goods), 14350 Clay Terrace Blvd, Carmel, IN 46032
Kick off the holiday season at the Santa Soirée at Clay Terrace, a free family event filled with festive fun! Enjoy live music, face painting, crafts, and a giant snow globe photo op. Meet Santa and his reindeer, take a carriage ride, and stay for the Christmas Tree Lighting while sipping hot cocoa, beer, or wine from Kona Grill.
Westfield in Lights
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3 – 6 pm (Tree Lighting at 6 pm)
Location: Grand Junction Plaza, Westfield, IN
Celebrate the season at Westfield in Lights on Saturday, December 6, from 3–6 pm at Grand Junction Plaza. Enjoy live performances, holiday vendors, carnival games, and meet Santa, llamas, and miniature horses before the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm Free parking and shuttle service are available, making it an easy, festive night for the whole family.
Zionsville Parks Department Makers Market
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9 pm – 12 pm
Location: Downtown Zionsville, near Pine & Main Street
Celebrate the holiday season with Zionsville Parks & Recreation at this charming outdoor market. Browse handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind creations from local makers, crafters, and artisans, just in time for your holiday shopping. The Makers Market is a wonderful way to support small businesses and soak up the festive spirit of downtown Zionsville.
Broad Ripple Lights Up Festival & Parade
Date: December 7, 2025, 3 pm – 6 pm
Location: Broad Ripple Village, 818 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis
Kick off the holidays at the Broad Ripple Lights Up Festival & Parade, presented by DAVID Electric! From 3–5 p.m., families can explore the Wonderland Village, featuring holiday-themed kids’ activities, visits with Santa, and live musical entertainment. The Lights Up Parade begins at 5:30 p.m., filling Broad Ripple’s streets with sparkling floats, lights, and festive cheer. Stay after the parade to visit local shops, enjoy dinner in the Village, and soak up the holiday magic.
Martinsville Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular & Tree Lighting
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025, 3 – 8 pm (Tree lighting at approximately 7:15 pm)
Location: Downtown Martinsville Performance Venue, 183 N. Jefferson St., Martinsville, IN
Celebrate the holidays where “Jingle Bell Rock” began at the Bobby Helms Christmas Music Spectacular in downtown Martinsville! Enjoy live music, hot cocoa, s’mores, and visits with Santa and characters from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Families can take carriage rides, hop aboard the trackless train, and enjoy the free synthetic ice rink open all weekend long. The evening wraps up with a Christmas tree lighting around 7:15 pm—a festive finish to this hometown holiday celebration honoring Martinsville’s musical legacy.
