It’s time to usher in some holiday cheer now that December is here.
From winter markets to holiday showcases and movie nights to festive crafting workshops, the holidays in Indianapolis are simply buzzing with fun things to do. The Recorder has put together a list of a few free and low-cost activities, celebrations and performances around Indianapolis this December.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Mistletoe Musical Festival — FREE (Recurring through Dec. 20)
Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
The annual festival invites Hoosiers to celebrate the holiday season with various local musicians and groups in the Indianapolis Artsgarden throughout the month.
indyarts.org/event/mistletoe-music-festival
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Winter Party with Kwanzaa Claus — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
Kwanzaa Claus will spend an evening at Indy Reads, featuring Flanner House CEO Brandon Cosby. Kids will get to take a photo, browse the selection of holiday books and receive a free goodie to take home.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Merry Movie Nights — $7 (Recurring through Dec. 7 and on Dec. 11)
Heartland Film Headquarters | The Basile Event Center, 8950 Otis Ave.
Hosted by Heartland Film, Hoosiers are invited to enjoy a weekend full of holiday movie screenings, including “The Shop Around the Corner,” “Four Christmases,” “Frozen,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and more.
events.heartlandfilm.org/schedule
“A Very Phoenix Xmas XVII: Sleigh, Queen, Sleigh!” — $17-$32 (Recurring through Dec. 12)
Phoenix Theater and Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St.
Directed by Zack Neiditch, the holiday sketch comedy show is back this year, celebrating the spirit of the season through music and laughter.
phoenixtheatre.org/buy-tickets
Friday, Dec. 5
“A Christmas Story” — $72 (Recurring through Dec. 27)
The Tarkington, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
Presented by Civic Theatre, the musical version of “A Christmas Story” is based on the classic film. Set in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, in the 1940s, the show follows 9-year-old Ralphie’s quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts.
All Decked Out — FREE (Recurring through Dec. 6)
Factory Arts North, 1125 Brookside Ave & Factory Arts South, 1011 Massachusetts Ave.
This two-day holiday-themed First Friday event will feature more than 50 vendors, live music, unique ornaments and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
The Nutcracker: A Drag Holiday Spectacular — $23.18
Metazoa Brewing Company, 140 S. College Ave.
With proceeds going directly to support Pride of Indy Bands, Hoosiers are invited to enjoy a night filled with drag, comedy, live vocals and holiday cheer in this “fabulously festive” retelling of “The Nutcracker.”
Winter Artisan Market 2025 — FREE
The Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
The Harrison Center is celebrating its 8th annual WAM (Winter Artisan Market), inviting guests to shop for handmade wares, jewelry and goodies from local artisans and small business vendors.
harrisoncenter.org/winter-artisan-market-2025
Saturday, Dec. 6
Breakfast with Buddy the Elf! — $10; FREE for children 3 and under
St. Paul’s Indy, 6050 N. Meridian St.
Kids and families are invited to have breakfast with the one and only Buddy the Elf. The event offers two morning sessions to choose from, each with breakfast provided by BSA Troop #73, arts and crafts, storytime with Papa Elf, coloring, a book sale, hot cocoa, and a meet and greet with Buddy.
stpaulsindy.org/offerings-events/breakfast-with-buddy-the-elf
Dabke Workshop with Arab Alliance of Indiana — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
The Arab Alliance of Indiana is teaming up with Indy Reads for a special afternoon community dance workshop. Participants of all ages are welcome to learn a traditional Levant folk dance as well as the history and introduction to Dabke.
indyreads.org/event/dabke-workshop
LIVE! Family Christmas — $11-$16
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St.
Hoosiers are invited to spend a presidential holiday with the Harrisons in a festive Christmas tour of the Harrison family home.
bhpsite.org/events/live-family-christmas
Winter Art Sale — FREE (Recurring on Dec. 13)
Indy Art Center, 820 E. 67th St.
Finish up that last-minute holiday shopping with the Indy Art Center’s annual Winter Art Sale, featuring one-of-a-kind artworks, wares and holiday cheer.
indyartcenter.org/winterartsale
Sunday Dec. 7
A Soulful Motown Holiday Cabaret — $40
Marian University Theatre, 3200 Cold Spring Road
Urban Musical Theatre and KaidyDid Productions present a holiday performance for the whole family, featuring the unforgettable sounds of Motown blending with festive holiday classics.
Sleigh Bells and Snowflakes — $22
Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
The Indiana Wind Symphony is hosting a holiday concert this season with music for guests of all ages. The program aims to honor the “sacred and secular aspects” of Christmas alongside Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Friday, Dec 12
Indianapolis Children’s Choir: Holiday Memories — $17; FREE for children 5 and under (Recurring through Dec. 14)
Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St.
Celebrating the Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s 40th anniversary, this holiday program brings young singers together from across Central Indiana to highlight the magic and traditions of the season.
Indy Black Professionals’ 5th Annual Ugly Sweater Party — $23.18; FREE for IBP members
The Foxhole at Hotel Tango, 670 Virginia Ave.
For the fifth year in a row, Indy Black Professionals is inviting Hoosiers to don their ugliest sweater and celebrate the holidays. The event will include music, dancing, food and refreshments, a photo booth and games.
“Who Stole the Naughty & Nice List?” — $16-$20 (Recurring through Dec. 14)
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St.
Candlelight Theatre presents an interactive play inviting guests of all ages to journey through the historic Benjamin Harrison home, interviewing Christmas characters and uncovering clues to the truth behind the list’s disappearance.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Big Gay Holiday Market — FREE
The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd
Featuring more than 100 LGBTQ+ artists, makers and community partners, the Big Gay Holiday Market is partnering with Indy Pride’s Frost Series for two days of shopping, local queer talent, handmade art and holiday cheer.
Joy to the World: A Funky Good Christmas — $10-$15
Global Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette Road
In partnership with the Asante Arts Institute, cultures from across the city are coming together to celebrate joy and promote peace with understanding during this funky holiday concert.
Indy’s Global Village Holiday Bazaar — FREE
Global Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette Road
The International Marketplace Coalition is bringing back its annual Holiday Bazaar, featuring unique gifts, local artists, live performances, Santas from around the world and the World of Trees exhibit.
The Nutcracker with a Twist — $37.88
Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St.
Ballet INitiatives’ “Nutcracker with a Twist” invites Hoosiers to enjoy a holiday classic with a little more sugar and spice, blending the traditional Tchaikovsky score with Duke Ellington’s jazzy suite.
Winter Arts Market — FREE
Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Dr.
Guests can enjoy live music, arts and crafts, warm drinks and sweet treats from Parkside Public House while they shop from local artists and small business vendors. Solo show openers Marck Johnson, Sarah Johnston and Carol Sewell will also be on the first, second and third floors.
Sunday, Dec. 14
Holiday Pops with the CSO: Spirit of the Season — $44
Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
Join the Carmel Symphony Orchestra for a holiday performance with seasonal favorites, led by Maestro Kelly Kuo, and a visit from Ole St. Nick himself.
Messiah Sing-Along & Carols — $25
Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave.
The Indiana Chamber Orchestra’s Christmas Sing Along returns this year, bigger and better, featuring the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” and a blend of beloved holiday carols.
icomusic.org/concerts/messiah-sing-along-carols
Monday, Dec. 15
Latkes and Lights — $16-59 (included with Winterlights ticket)
Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
In partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Winterlights will have latkes in the wintermarket, trails illuminated with menorahs and Stars of David, and Landscape of Light dazzling along to Judith Clurman’s “Songs of Freedom: A Celebration of Chanukah” for the eight days of Chanukah.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Meet a Reindeer with Silly Safaris — FREE
Indianapolis Public Library, West Perry Branch, 6650 S Harding St.
Kids and families are invited to meet a reindeer and other animals during a drop-in session with Silly Safaris at the West Perry Branch of the Library. Kids are encouraged to take photos and ask all their burning questions.
attend.indypl.org/event/14377410
Thursday, Dec. 18
Boozy Book Club: Holiday Book Swap — FREE; RSVP required
Loudmouth Books, 212 E. 16th St.
Instead of the weekly book club, members are encouraged to bring a gently loved book from home to swap with a friend, featuring complimentary cider from Ash & Elm.
loudmouthindy.com/events/1910620251218
Friday, Dec. 19
Atheneum Christkindlmarkt — FREE
Athenaeum (Biergarten), 401 E. Michigan St.
Christkindlmarkt promises to be a feast for the senses, inviting Hoosiers to eat, drink and be merry in the enchanted Rathskeller Biergarten each weekend through the end of December.
athenaeumindy.org/event-guide/christkindlmarkt/
“Christmas at the Jewel” – a Holiday Dinner Theatre Show — $40 (Recurring through Dec. 20)
Jewel Center, 3333 N. Illinois St.
Genesis Theatre Company presents dinner and a show with their holiday performance, traveling back in time to the birth of Christ in “Christmas at the Jewel.”
“Kwanzaa Claus” New Play Stage Reading — Donations
Flanner Arts Stage Academy, 2307 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Written by Austin Dean Ashford, Ph.D., the community is invited to a reading of a new Afrofuturistic Stage play. There will be drinks and light refreshments, a brief intermission and a talkback with the cast.
“Wonders” — $21-$31
The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave.
Local playwright and director Ben Asaykwee presents Hoosiers with a new holiday musical in “Wonders,” a retelling of “A Christmas Carol” through the eyes of Scrooge’s spirit guides.
Saturday, Dec. 20
Snowflake Science – Saturday Smarties — FREE
Indianapolis Public Library, College Avenue Branch, 4180 N. College Ave.
This bi-monthly school-age program at College Avenue branch invited kids to learn the real science behind snowflakes and experiment in different ways of creating their own to take home.
attend.indypl.org/event/14377454
Sunday, Dec. 21
Folding Origami with Yukiko — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
Indy Reads welcomes back Yukiko for a second origami folding workshop. Guests of all ages are welcome to learn to craft origami ornaments.
Monday, Dec. 22
Winter Open Activities — FREE
Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
Specialists will be at Central Library this week, assisting kids and families with some free indoor winter-time fun through games, activities, tech and winter-themed crafts.
attend.indypl.org/event/14834810
Sunday, Dec. 28
Kwanzaa Community Celebration: Roots and Rhythm — $16-$22
Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St.
In partnership with Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, the community is invited to celebrate Kwanzaa with African drumming and dance, storytelling, vendor booths, arts and crafts and more as they explore Celebration Crossing.
Please note: Admission and ticket prices listed are general and before taxes/fees.
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.
