Merry & Bright By Susan Salaz
Mark your calendars for the area’s most festive celebrations and dazzling light displays this holiday season.
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For old-world charm and a fresh new take on the holiday season, visit the Christkindlmarkt (carmelchristkindlmarkt.com) from November 19 through December 30 at Carter Green in the heart of Carmel. The open-air market features individual huts aglow with lights, offering authentic German food and one-of-a-kind gifts, along with live entertainment, activities and an outdoor ice-skating rink. “It’s amazing how much we’ve been able to pack into the experience at the market,” says Maria Murphy, who has served as the CEO and Market Master of the award-winning event since its inception in 2017, noting the market’s positive impact on the community. After your time at the market, be sure to check out the Magnificent Monon, an outdoor walking tour of holiday lights from Carter Green to Main Street along the Monon Greenway.
For those that prefer a holiday light show from the comfort of their car, Magic of Lights (magicoflights.com) at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville is a dazzling drive-through experience on display from November 18 through January 2. Pass through the Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, ramble over the well-lit fields, and view time-honored holiday scenes with all of your favorite Christmas characters.
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Winterlights (discovernewfields.org) may be one of the newest light shows in Indianapolis, but this spectacular show on the grounds of Newfields is undoubtably one of the best. From November 20 through January 8, you can take a stroll through the gardens, where more than 1.5 million (yes, million) lights surround your every step, sparkling through the cold winter nights, warming your heart yet again.
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Since 1967, Christmas at the Zoo (indianapoliszoo.com) has been a winter tradition at the Indianapolis Zoo—the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. “The zoo is truly a special place to make lifelong memories,” says Judy Palmero, director of public relations at the Indianapolis Zoo. From November 19 through December 30, guests can wander through the animal exhibits, view the lights from the train and even hear the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir caroling near the campfires on select Saturday nights.
‘Tis the season when the already quaint town of Zionsville transforms into a quintessential Christmas village, complete with horse-drawn wagon rides, strolling carolers and outdoor ice skating. From November 25 through December 18, find a variety of festivities at Christmas in the Village (business.zionsvillechamber.org) and from December 9 through January 2, skate the day away on the open-air ice rink—and then warm up with a hot cup of cocoa—at Winterfest (zionsville-in.gov) held at Mulberry Park Fields.
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Visit Conner Prairie’s A Merry Prairie Holiday (connerprairie.org) for truly old-fashioned Christmas traditions, and some new ones. Open Fridays through Sundays, November 25 through December 18, as well as December 21 and 22, this magical event is perfect for guests of all ages. “Families will enjoy thousands of lights across acres of grounds with photo ops around every corner,” says Rich Cooper, VP and Chief Program Officer at Conner Prairie. “Discover how different cultures celebrated Christmas in the 1800s, delight in watching a 3D projection show on the historic William Conner Home, race down a tubing hill, and skate in your socks on our skating rink.”