The holidays can be a whirlwind of excitement with all the parties, fancy lights, visiting family members, gift-giving, food and spirits.
However, not everyone enjoys the added flavors of alcohol along with their merriment. The Recorder has compiled a list of a few ‘dry’ things to do around the city — with or without kids — while remaining festive and fun.
Attend holiday festivals and markets
The Indy Winter Farmers Market is back open at The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd., every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through April 2026. Guests can shop from a variety of local farmers and business owners for in-season staples, handmade goods and more.
From Nov. 12-16, the 76th annual Christmas Gift + Hobby Show returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., providing Hoosiers with a unique shopping experience, live performances, contests and a meet and greet with Tyler Hynes of Hallmark Channel. Find more information and ticketing at christmasgiftandhobbyshow.com.
Hoosiers can also get some holiday shopping done with the Women and Small Business Market where they can support local businesses while enjoying live carolers, light bites and a Black Santa Claus during their Holiday Night Market – Carols, Cocoa & Community. The event is free and takes place from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the AMP at 16 Tech.
If you’re still not done with your shopping, the Junior League of Indianapolis is hosting its 54th annual Holiday Mart for early Christmas shoppers at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Nov. 20-22. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at Jlindy.org/holidaymart.
See holiday lights
A long-standing tradition in my family is to drive around different neighborhoods to see how our community has decorated their homes and yards for the holidays.
Hoosiers can take this one step further with one (or several) of Indianapolis’ annual light show traditions, such as the family-friendly walk-through experience with Winterlights at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road; Circle of Lights, a live light display downtown at Monument Circle; or Christmas Night of Lights drive-thru music and light show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Attend special events at a museum
The Eiteljorg Museum’s annual model train display, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, runs through the end of December. The exhibition features eight G-scales trains, the addition of the Route 66 exhibition and Winter Markets. For more information and ticketing, visit eiteljorg.org/exhibitions/jingle-rails.
WinterFaire returns the Children’s Museum Nov. 15 through Feb. 22, 2026, featuring a “magical indoor winter experience” for children and adults to meet Santa, zoom down the WinterSlide, and explore games, critters, and hands-on activities. Included with museum admission, for more, visit childrensmuseum.org.
The Indiana History Center’s Festival of Trees always aims to dazzle guests with specialty dining and shopping options and their winter wonderland of more than 80 decorated evergreens representing individuals, families and companies from around the state. Festival of Trees runs through Jan. 3, 2026, and Tickets are $20; free for children under 5.
Take an art or crafting class
There’s no better time than the holidays to brush up on your creative skills. The Indianapolis Art Center offers a variety of classes year-round for children and adults. During the holiday season, the Fishers Art Center is offering a specialty Crafts & Carols class at 1 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7 and 13. Tickets are $15-$20. Register at fishersartcenter.org/crafts-carols
Sometimes you can even find decorating classes at local bookstores, such as The Whispering Shelf, which is hosting a Holiday Crafting and Decorating Party on Dec. 2. Guests can register for free on Eventbrite.com.
Pick up a seasonal book
If you made a New Year’s Resolution to finish a book or two, the holidays are the perfect opportunity. Your next favorite read could be waiting for you at Indy Reads, Loudmouth Books, Tomorrow Bookstore, Ujamaa Community Bookstore or Golden Hour Books.
These bookstores also offer a variety of free programming during the holidays (and year-round), including seasonal storytimes, themed book clubs and English and Spanish conversation circles.
If you need a place to start, here are some upcoming events:
- Yoga with Camile, at noon, Nov. 19, at Ujamaa Community Bookstore
- Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson in Conversation, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, at Loudmouth Books
- Holiday Hello, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, at Golden Hour Books
- Author Expo from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Indy Reads
To read more about events going on around Indianapolis, check our monthly Community Arts Calendar or Events Page at Indyrecorder.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
