Winterlights at Newfields | Walk Through a Light Filled Winter Wonderland

Winterlights at Newfields has enjoyed years of rave reviews and sold-out nights during the holiday season and this year promises to be another landmark year! New this year, guests will stroll through the new Glowing Garden featuring hundreds of color blossoms illuminating the path to the Snowflake Bridge. Near Lilly House, Astraeus, an installation by local artists Owens + Crawley will light the way outside the historic home. Across from Garden Terrace, Big Piñata by the art collective Happy Rebels will debut at Winterlights. This sculpture is inspired by Las Posadas, a festival traditionally celebrated in Mexico and Latin America.

Winterlights at Newfields Indianapolis

Timed entry tickets for Winterlights are available 5 pm – 9 pm, November 2 – January 8th, 2022. In the past Newfields has estimated that it will take the average guest 60-90 minutes to stroll through Winterlights, but we spent a few hours looking at everything without young kiddos.

Holiday music playing, adults and children strolling along the paths beneath and among lights that shine as bright as day, and people around fire-pits, roasting marshmallows to create s’mores. Don’t forget the glorious hot chocolate and hot cider — also available perfectly spiked for the 21+ crowd.

This year, you’ll see the result of 1.5 million lights that create an awesome experience that will leave you awestruck.

Newfields Winterlights with Kids

Bundle up, bring everyone along and get ready for breath-taking moments in the light. Last year when I attended, my kids were 2, 4, 6, and 8 years old, everyone had a great time and I didn’t regret taking everyone along. 

We visited Winterlights early in the season on a very cold night so there weren’t a lot of people around and my kids danced to the music, twirled under the lights, and acted exactly like they should, children. Since it wasn’t crowded, they weren’t in the way and didn’t bother anyone.

I brought along our little red wagon and piled it with blankets and everyone’s coats and gloves and hats. We brought along our own 3D glasses that I ordered from Amazon to see the lights in an even more intense way. These glasses, along with light-up necklaces and other trinkets are available for sale at Winterlights, or you can bring them along to save money. In the past, the 3D glasses sold at Winterlights have had a coupon for a free drink (non-alcoholic) attached to them. 

The most important thing to remember is to dress appropriately for the weather so that you don’t have to cut your night short and leave because you’re too cold.

In addition to the price of tickets, plan on your children asking you to spend money on s’mores kits and hot beverages. The s’mores kits typically are a fundraiser of the local Girl Scouts group. My kids are also very drawn to the twinkling light necklaces and flashy pins, so I try to grab some glow-sticks or light-up jewelry from Amazon or the dollar store or bring along the ones we got suckered into purchasing in the past. If it’s in your budget, definitely buy them at Newfields, as the funds are used for the art museum programs.

Santa will be at Newfields on Tuesdays through December and on December 21 and 22.

Newfields Winterlights Tickets

You’ll want to be sure to purchase your tickets in advance (like, maybe today?) so you don’t miss out this winter. Tickets are $29 per person (members $22), youth aged 6-17 pay $22 admission (members $15), and children 5 and under enter free with paid adults. Families with an Indiana Access Pass pay $2.

New this year are two new premium ticket options for guests who want an all-inclusive experience, the Premier Ticket, and the Winterwonder Pass.

The Premier Winterlights Ticket includes a goodie bag with blinky lights, holographic glasses, a non-alcoholic beverage, and gingerbread popcorn from Just Pop In! as well as access to the express entry line.

The Winterwonder Pass, is designed to be your one-stop-shop for a festive experience at Winterlights. The Winterwonder Pass includes everything you love about Winterlights, plus an elevated experience inside Lilly House. Warm up on the second floor of Lilly House, overlooking Landscape of Light, while you sip a glass of bubbly (or non-alcoholic option) served in a keepsake cup and enjoy a sweet treat. This package includes a flexible arrival time — join us any time between 5 and 9 PM—as well as fast pass access at culinary stops. Your Winterwonder Pass also includes: a Winterlights goodie bag with special blinky lights, holographic glasses, a non-alcoholic beverage and gingerbread popcorn from Just Pop In!.

Ticket Information:

General Winterlights Tickets:

• Public Adults $29 / Senior (55+) $25 / Public Youth (ages 6-17) $22 / Free for children 5 and under  
• Member Adults $22 / Member Youth (6-17) $15 / Free for children 5 and under 
• Access Pass tickets are $2 per person
• Premiere Ticket: Public $49 / Member $44
• Winterwonder Pass: Public $119 / Members $114

Las Posadas Tickets / December 15:

• Public Adults $39 / Senior (55+) $35 / Public Youth (ages 6-17) $32 / Free for children 5 and under
• Member Adults $32 / Member Youth (6-17) $25 / Free for children 5 and under
• Access Pass tickets are $2 per person

Latkes & Lights Tickets / December 18:

• Public Adults $39 / Senior (55+) $35 / Public Youth (ages 6-17) $32 / Free for children 5 and under
• Member Adults $32 / Member Youth (6-17) $25 / Free for children 5 and under
• Access Pass tickets are $2 per person

Winterlights at Newfields Parking

Surface parking at Newfields is available if you enter from Michigan Road or 38th Street. Parking is also available in the underground parking lot with direct access to the building. Parking is free for Winterlights.

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