Looking to get out of the house and have some fun this winter? Here are 20 things to do in Indianapolis and beyond to keep the winter blues at bay.
1. Treat your bestie to dinner and a showing of “A Christmas Carol” at IRT (Nov. 18 – Dec. 24).
2. Experience the old-world charm of Christmas in Germany at the Carmel Christkindlmart (Nov. 18 – Dec. 24).
3. Enjoy the magic and wonder of Winterlights (Nov. 19 – Jan. 7, 2024).
4. Make a date with your partner (or BFF) to go ice skating at the Holliday Park Ice Rink (Nov. 24 – February 29, 2024) or Elevance Health Rink (Nov. 19 – January 21, 2024).
5. Take the little train lover in your life to Jingle Rails at Eiteljorg (Nov. 18 – Jan. 15, 2024).
6. Round up the family to see the Indianapolis Symphony’s Yuletide Celebration (Dec. 1 – 23).
7. Check out the new Winter Wonderland stroll at A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie (Nov. 24 – Dec. 22)
8. Create your own holiday-scented candle at Penn & Beech, Unplug Soy Candles, or Circle City Candles.
9. Drive through Dasher’s Lightshow, a 20-minute Christmas display open daily from 5:30-10:30 p.m. in the Castleton Square Mall parking lot (Nov. 25 – Dec. 31)
10. Take a stroll through Garfield Park Conservatory or check out one of their upcoming events from the ‘Conservatory Crossing’ holiday wonderland (through Dec. 31) or perhaps a guided tour after the New Year to keep winter blues at bay.
11. Hit up one of Indy’s sledding hills. See a list of top sledding locations from our friends at FOX59 here.
12. Have a drink by the fire at Just Pop In! and pick up a 12 Days of Christmas gift set while you’re there.
13. Try your hand at cross-country skiing or take a winter hike at Eagle Creek Park.
14. Clear your house of clutter for the New Year – using The Baer Minimalists’ list of recommended donation locations to guide you.
15. Invite a friend to join you for a chocolate and wine class at SoChatti.
16. Go cocktail tasting in Tinsel Tavern, snag a selfie in the Polar Pathway, and say “hi” to Santa at Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo (Nov. 18 – Dec. 30).
17. Celebrate more than 60 years of Downtown Indy Inc.’s Monument Circle of Lights (Nov. 24- Jan. 12, 2024).
18. Hit up a local winter farmers market to support local makers and vendors year-round.
19. Purchase a new puzzle to get you through the long winter nights—some of our favorite retailers for jigsaws include Silver in the City, Stomping Ground, and Wild Geese Bookshop.
20. Take a thrill ride on the toboggan run at Pokagon State Park, open with or without snow (Nov. 24 – Feb. 25, 2024).
RELATED: 8 WAYS TO FIGHT OFF THE WINTER BLUES
Leslie Bailey is the founder and CEO of Indy Maven.
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