The trees are well on their way to being bare, and holiday lists are being made, which means many of us have big calendar planning energy. Or, we’re already overwhelmed by the season ahead. So, what’s the best way to avoid feeling FOMO, overscheduled, or both?
Plan ahead! Here are some of our top recommendations for your bucket list this winter in Indy. From holiday markets and concerts by candlelight to ice skating in the city and cozy soups to slurp, here are 50 things to do in Indianapolis and beyond to keep the winter blues at bay.
1. Take in the lights at Indiana State Fairgrounds Christmas Nights of Lights, Indy’s largest drive-thru light show synchronized to music broadcasting through your car radio.
2. Check out the Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society (Nov. 14 – Jan. 3, 2026), where you can walk through a winter wonderland (indoors) of more than 80 trees decorated by local individuals, families, and organizations.
3. Clear your house of clutter before the holidays kick into gear using The Baer Minimalists’ list of recommended donation locations to guide you.
4. Take the little train lover in your life to Jingle Rails at Eiteljorg (Nov. 15 – Jan. 19, 2026).
5. Create a new family tradition of seeing a “A Christmas Carol” at Indiana Repertory Theatre (Nov. 18 – Dec. 24).
6. Experience the old-world charm of Christmas in Germany at the Carmel Christkindlmart (Nov. 22 – Dec. 24).
7. Try your hand at cross-country skiing or take a winter hike at Eagle Creek Park.
8. Enjoy the magic and wonder of Winterlights (Nov. 21 – Jan. 4, 2026).
9. Snag a selfie with Santa in his magic cottage, have some jolly animal encounters, and even recycle your old Christmas lights at Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo (Nov. 22 – Jan. 4, 2026).
10. Get crafty at one of Create Art Studio’s winter workshops, from cookie decorating and junk journaling to mixed media and knitting fundamentals. The classes are sure to get you through cozy season, but sign up fast —they fill up quickly.
11. See the holidays with a historical twist at A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie (Nov. 28 – Dec. 23).
12. Kick off your commitment to learn something new in 2026 by signing up for a sausage or bacon-making class at Goose the Market.
13. Celebrate more than 60 years of Downtown Indy Inc.’s Monument Circle of Lights (Nov. 28 – Jan. 17, 2026).
14. Take a thrill ride on the toboggan run at Pokagon State Park, open with or without snow (Nov. 28 – March 1, 2026).
15. Find traditional German festival elements (music, warm raclettes, gluhwein, and plenty of platzchen to go around) at The Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt (Nov. 28 – Dec. 21).
16. Take a stroll through Garfield Park Conservatory or check out one of their upcoming events from the ‘Conservatory Crossing’ holiday wonderland (Nov. 28 – Dec. 28), or do a guided tour after the New Year to keep winter blues at bay.
17. Make a date with your partner (or BFF) to go ice skating at the Holliday Park Ice Rink (Nov. 29 – March 1, 2026) or Elevance Health Rink (Nov. 28 – March 1, 2026).
18. Enjoy a unique dining experience in a cozy igloo at Urban Vines. Savor delicious cuisine surrounded by twinkling lights and winter scenery.
19. Support your favorite locally owned shops on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29).
20. Experience the magic of the season with a stunning performance of The Nutcracker. There are several shows throughout Indy, including Palladium Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 29 & Nov. 30), Butler’s Clowes Memorial Hall (Dec. 4-7), and Murat Theatre (Dec. 18-23).
21. Round up the family to see the Indianapolis Symphony’s Yuletide Celebration (Dec. 5–23).
22. Frustrated by non-alcoholic wines? Find your perfect N/A red for wine or sparkling wine for the holidays at a tasting night at Orangily (Dec. 5 and 22, respectively).
23. Calling all Silent Book Club goers—SBC is hosting a holiday book bazaar at The Whispering Shelf for an exclusive hour of shopping, reading, and holiday cheer (Dec. 10).
24. Join us for our final meetup of the year (Dec. 11) at The Indianapolis Propylaeum, where you can gather with fellow Mavens to eat, drink, and be merry.
25. From a theatre performance of “A Christmas Story (Dec. 5-27) to Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 18), there’s something for everyone at Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts this season.
26. Challenge yourself to try as many of your favorite local soups as possible.
27. Candlelight Theatre’s newest production, “Who Stole the Naughty and Nice List?,” invites families to celebrate the holidays with an interactive mystery play at the President Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site (Dec. 12-14).
28. Do a cold-weather fun-run like the Santa Hustle (Half-marathon, 5k, or kids’ dash) at White River State Park (Dec. 14).
29. Create a Winter Terrarium – Bring a bit of green indoors by making a terrarium at spots like the Newfields Greenhouse or local plant stores.
30. Sip Local Brews at Winterfest. The annual beer festival at the Indiana State Fairgrounds (Feb. 7, 2026) is a perfect way to taste seasonal brews from local breweries.
31. Create your own holiday-scented candle at Penn & Beech, Unplug Soy Candles, or Circle City Candles.
32. Catch a Flick at Kan-Kan Cinema. Enjoy a cozy night with an indie film at this artsy theater with plenty of winter and holiday-themed screenings.
33. Keep your green thumb active throughout the colder months with events and workshops like “Winter Wonderland Terrariums” and “Winter Porch Pots” at Alice’s Garden.
34. Hit up a local winter farmers market to support local makers and vendors year-round.
35. Purchase a new puzzle to get you through the long winter nights—some of our favorite jigsaw retailers include Silver in the City, Stomping Ground, and Wild Geese Bookshop.
36. Freshen up dry winter skin with a facial at FACE FOUNDRIÉ. Try the FOUNDRIÉ Glow facial. It hydrates the skin and leaves you with that perfect glow. *Indy Maven members – don’t forget about your discount!
37. Get a team together for regular trivia nights at Ash & Elm, Baby’s, or your favorite local pub.
38. Unleash your inner rock star at Maru Studio Karaoke, which features private karaoke rooms, where you can sing your heart out with friends while enjoying a delectable menu of Korean food and drinks.
39. Learn to make French macarons, croissants, or the perfect pumpkin pie at a Circle City Sweets cooking class. They even have a cookie class for kids.
40. Take yourself out for a tea tasting at Tea’s Me Cafe’s original location.
41. Take a Winter Bird-Watching Walk. The Indiana Birding Trail website offers maps and resources on where to go and what to look for—you can even hire a guide.
42. Get cozy with a new twist on hot chocolate, like the Italian drinking chocolate treats at Caffè Buondi.
43. Try an Art Class at the Indianapolis Art Center. Winter is a great time to experiment with painting, ceramics, or other crafts at this Broad Ripple studio.
44. Have a family (or grown-up) game night at Books and Brews (kids eat free on Sundays and Wednesdays!).
45. Solve a Mystery at a local escape room—Breakout’s ‘Island Escape’ will do the trick on a cold day.
46. Winter skies are some of the clearest; see if you can catch a meteor shower or join a stargazing night to marvel at the stars at the Holcomb or Link Observatories.
47. Grab your sled and head to Heritage Park or Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers, where you’ll find a 60-foot sledding hill—the tallest point in Hamilton County.
48. For even more fun in the snow, consider Koteewi Run in Noblesville—Central Indiana’s only groomed snow tubing hill.
49. Treat yourself to an experience at The AromaRoom, offering Halotherapy, AromaTherapy, and Hydramassage sessions to keep your stress levels down and your vibes up.
50. “Kick back, quiet down, and escape into the season,” as Alamo Drafthouse Cinema invites you to do this season with cozy classics like “The Holiday” (yes, it’s a classic now) and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or get a little more festive with movie parties for “Elf,” National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and more.
Leslie Bailey is the founder and CEO of Indy Maven.
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