See the best holiday highlights in Lawrence! Our guide features all the must-see events and activities. For those who call Lawrence home and those who wish they did, our guide is your holiday roadmap.
One notable event is the Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights, where the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument illuminates the sky with vibrant lights, creating a festive atmosphere. Additionally, Nights of Lights transforms the city with stunning displays that capture the spirit of the season. And the 77th Mitchell Persimmon Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique blend of local culture and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Lawrence
- Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights (Indianapolis)
- Nights of Lights (Indianapolis)
- A Christmas Carol (Indianapolis)
- Elf The Musical (Indianapolis)
- AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration (Indianapolis)
- A Merry Prairie Holiday (Indianapolis)
- 77th Mitchell Persimmon Festival (Mitchell)
- A White Christmas (Indianapolis)
- Festival of Carols (Indianapolis)
- Santa and Mrs. Claus (Indianapolis)
See these and even more events listed below!
Lawrence Holiday Light Displays
Holiday in the Village
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic Pioneer Village setting.
Description:
Stroll through the historic Pioneer Village as it is beautifully lit during the Christmas season. Visit Santa, enjoy warm beverages and cookies, and listen to holiday music in the village cabins.
Where: Mitchell | More Info: Holiday in the Village
Holiday in the Village
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic Pioneer Village setting.
Description:
Stroll through the historic Pioneer Village as it is beautifully lit during the Christmas season. Visit Santa, enjoy warm beverages and cookies, and listen to holiday music in the village cabins.
Where: Mitchell | More Info: Holiday in the Village
Nights of Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a new cosmic display.
Description:
Christmas Nights of Lights at the Indiana State Fairgrounds features a new Cosmic Wall of Lights, 180 feet long and over 2 stories tall, with colorful images and synchronized music.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Nights of Lights
Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights
What to Expect:
Iconic lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument with live music and community involvement.
Description:
Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition featuring the Soldiers and Sailors Monument illuminated with 4,784 LED lights and 52 garland strands. The event includes live music, a live DJ, vendors, and various activities, celebrating its 61st anniversary.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights
NPT Night Lights
What to Expect:
Free light display with live music and food trucks.
Description:
NPT Night Lights is a free holiday light display along the downtown portion of the Nickel Plate Trail, presented by Centier Bank. The event features a light display that turns on at dusk nightly through the end of December, accompanied by food trucks and live music on specific evenings.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: NPT Night Lights
Westfield in Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
Westfield in Lights is a FREE holiday festival featuring Santa pictures, food vendors, a Frosty Snowman, carnival games, caricature artists, a llama walking attraction, live music, and a tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Westfield | More Info: Westfield in Lights
Lawrence Holiday Markets and Shopping
Craft Show in the Village
What to Expect:
Unique, handcrafted items from local artisans.
Description:
The Craft Show in the Village at Spring Mill State Park features unique, handcrafted items from various vendors, offering a diverse array of local artisans' work.
Where: Mitchell | More Info: Craft Show in the Village
Christmas in Pendleton
What to Expect:
European-inspired market with new vendors each weekend.
Description:
The Pendleton Christmas Market is a European-inspired holiday event featuring festive shopping, local treats, and hand-crafted gifts. Visitors can enjoy hot spiced wine, beer, and apple cider in a quaint atmosphere with twinkle lights.
Where: Pendleton | More Info: Christmas in Pendleton
Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with handcrafted gifts and holiday favorites.
Description:
Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt is a German winter market celebrating the town's early German settlers. It features artisan vendors, traditional food and beer, kids' activities, and holiday entertainment.
Where: Cumberland | More Info: Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt
Merry at Main
What to Expect:
Holiday market with local vendors and reindeer visits.
Description:
Merry at Main is a holiday event at Main Street Park featuring a holiday market with local hand-crafted items, baked goods, and reindeer visits. The event promises to create cherished memories for families and friends.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Merry at Main
Lawrence Holiday Shows and Entertainment
AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with tap-dancing Santas and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Description:
The AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration is a quintessential Hoosier holiday tradition featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, tap-dancing Santas, and delicious treats. It showcases the real holiday magic through the musicians and the community's love for this holiday tradition.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
Elf The Musical
What to Expect:
Hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy about a human raised by elves.
Description:
Elf The Musical is a hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag and is transported to the North Pole. Unaware he is human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity, spreading Christmas spirit along the way. Featuring songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, this modern-day Christmas classic is a joyous spectacle that earns its five stars with ease.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Elf The Musical
Festival of Carols
What to Expect:
Acclaimed soloist Bruno Sandes joins Debby Knox for a heartwarming holiday performance.
Description:
The Festival of Carols features the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Chamber Orchestra performing family favorites and holiday classics, including a special rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Emmy award-winning journalist Debby Knox, and a visit from Ol' Saint Nick.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Festival of Carols
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Interactive Artist Conversations and sensory-friendly performances.
Description:
A Christmas Carol at the Indiana Repertory Theatre is a heartwarming adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, following Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from miserliness to redemption. The production features stunning sets, period costumes, and special effects, celebrating the power of kindness and love.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: A Christmas Carol
A White Christmas
What to Expect:
Wholesome musical with a dazzling score and family-friendly fun.
Description:
A heartwarming musical adaptation of Irving Berlin's timeless film, featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. The story follows veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as they follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge owned by their former army commander. The musical includes well-known standards like "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano," and "How Deep Is the Ocean."
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: A White Christmas
Holly Jolly Jamboree
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, animals, and crafts.
Description:
Join us at the Holly Jolly Jamboree for a holiday celebration featuring Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus, animal encounters, crafts, and cookies at Cool Creek Nature Center.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Holly Jolly Jamboree
Lawrence Other Holiday Activities
77th Mitchell Persimmon Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating 77 years of persimmon traditions with live music and amusement rides.
Description:
The 77th Mitchell Persimmon Festival is a week-long celebration in southern Indiana, featuring live entertainment, amusement rides, historical re-creations, car shows, and delicious food offerings. It honors the native persimmon fruit and brings together the community with nightly musical performances and various activities for all ages.
Where: Mitchell | More Info: 77th Mitchell Persimmon Festival
Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest
What to Expect:
Hot air balloons in special shapes and pyrotechnic skydivers.
Description:
The Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds features hot air balloons in special shapes, pyrotechnic skydivers, fireworks, food vendors, commercial vendors, a beer and wine garden, and a Jeep Show.
Where: Bedford | More Info: Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest
Autumn Harvest Days
What to Expect:
Pioneer-style activities celebrating fall in the 19th century.
Description:
Autumn Harvest Days at Spring Mill State Park is a celebration of fall in the 19th century. Spend the weekend in the Pioneer Village, participating in activities like yarn doll demonstrations, pie eating contests, and hog calling contests. Learn about weaving, spinning, and quilting while enjoying the rich history of the area.
Where: Mitchell | More Info: Autumn Harvest Days
A Merry Prairie Holiday
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with historical reenactments and interactive activities.
Description:
A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie features thousands of lights, historic holiday traditions, and interactive activities like the Polar Bear Plunge and Kringle's Carousel. Explore historic Prairietown, experience holiday customs from around the world, and enjoy festive food and drinks.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: A Merry Prairie Holiday
Sullivan Express to the North Pole
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday scenes with Santa's workshop visit.
Description:
The Sullivan Express to the North Pole is a family-friendly train ride that takes you on a narrated journey through holiday scenes to meet Santa Claus. Along the way, you'll encounter talking bears, reindeer training, and elves busy at work. Upon arrival at the North Pole, kids can explore Santa's workshop and enjoy a one-on-one visit with Kris Kringle. The experience includes toys and coloring activities while you're there. Afterward, you'll catch the next train back to Central Station.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Sullivan Express to the North Pole
Reindeer Ride Express
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
Join Santa Claus on a 75-minute train ride through the scenic Hamilton County countryside. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and interactive sing-alongs while writing a special letter to Santa. Meet other beloved helpers and experience a heartwarming visit with Santa himself.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Reindeer Ride Express
The Holiday Stroll
What to Expect:
Live Nativity amidst festive farm decorations.
Description:
Stroll through Kelsay Farms to experience larger-than-life decorations, relax amidst twinkling lights and trees, sip hot cocoa by a warm campfire, and enjoy a live Nativity.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: The Holiday Stroll
Santa and Mrs. Claus
What to Expect:
Personalized Santa visits in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Santa and Mrs. Claus invite you to their cozy home, where you can meet the Jolly Old Elf in his personal study and enjoy a special visit, telling him your wishes and creating lasting memories with a perfect photo opportunity.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Santa and Mrs. Claus
Victorian Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Free admission with local performers and vendors.
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Celebration in Mooresville, Indiana, features performers, carriage rides, vendor booths, and surprises throughout the town. Hundreds of participants from local businesses, vendors, and performing groups will be present. Admission is free.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Victorian Christmas Celebration
Reindeer on Main
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with Santa and his reindeer.
Description:
Join Santa Claus on a 75-minute train ride through Northern Hamilton County, enjoying hot chocolate, cookies, and interactive sing-alongs. Meet Elwin, Santa's Head Reindeer Wrangler Elf, and write a special letter to Santa. This holiday experience includes a round-trip ride from Noblesville to Arcadia, passing through Cicero and over Morse Reservoir.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: Reindeer on Main
FREE Admission to The Children’s Museum Christmas Eve
What to Expect:
Free admission to the museum on Christmas Eve.
Description:
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis offers free admission to visitors on Christmas Eve, providing a unique opportunity for families to explore the museum's exhibits and activities without the regular admission fee.
Where: Indianapolis | More Info: FREE Admission to The Children’s Museum Christmas Eve
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Indianapolis (9 miles)
- Carmel (11 miles)
- Greenfield (14 miles)
- Noblesville (14 miles)
- Zionsville (15 miles)
- Westfield (15 miles)
- Greenwood (16 miles)
- Fairfield Heights (19 miles)
- Brownsburg (20 miles)
- Plainfield (22 miles)
- Franklin (25 miles)
- Muncie (42 miles)
- Columbus (44 miles)