A Central Indiana Winter Wonderland: Winter Activities for Your Family

There’s plenty to do and see this time of year in Central Indiana. The holidays bring on a plethora of options for you and your family. Here are a few of our favorite things!

Fun AND Free

Household budgets are always extra tight around the holidays. Thankfully, Indy offers a ton of free events and activities throughout the holiday season. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt offers the old world charm of German Christmas. Open on select days now through December 24, bring the family and celebrate the joys of traditional Christmas markets. Another fun freebie that’s sure to light up your family’s night can be found in Fishers. Drive by Reynolds Farm Equipment’s annual Christmas lights display. This popular event gets bigger and better every year, and it’s always a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Speaking of lights, even if you missed the official lighting at Monument Circle on November 24, downtown Indy’s impressive display is still going strong. The crowds - all 100,000 of them or so - that watched officials flip the switch are gone, making it easier to witness the breathtaking beauty of 52 garland strands and nearly 5,000 shining lights. Don’t forget your ears! Be sure to visit the Indiana State Museum for a series of free performances through December 17. Visit the museum’s website to find community choirs, bands, soloists and more, all performing in the majestic Grand Hall. And here’s more proof that farmers’ markets don’t end along with the regular growing season. We love these things, and there are a bunch of terrific winter markets happening all over the metro. Find a market near you, or branch out a bit and discover something new.

Worth the Admission Fee

Lace up and hit the ice at the Indiana State Fairgrounds! It’s tough to beat wintertime ice skating, and the fairgrounds won’t let you down, even if your balance does. Admission is $9, and you can rent skates for three dollars more. Check the fairgrounds’ website for a full schedule of public skate times. We’re lucky to have one of the nation’s best zoos right here in our own backyard, and if you’ve never done Christmas at the Zoo, you are definitely missing out! Find out how the animal kingdom enjoys Christmas and watch your favorite creatures have fun in the sun and snow. Christmas at the Zoo is included with regular admission to the Indianapolis Zoo. Check out the admission prices here. Finally, what would Christmas be without something unique to our great state and truly one of a kind? Back for its second annual event, Lights at the Brickyard is on now through December 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More than two miles long and boasting - get this - more than 2.5 million bright lights, the Lights at the Brickyard course travels along the IMS infield and along the front stretch of the speedway’s historic oval, even crossing the world famous Yard of Bricks. Monday-Wednesday: $25 per car and Thursday-Sunday: $30 per car. What are some of your holiday traditions around Central Indiana? Fore more ideas, check out our winter checklist with 40 fun activities for Indiana families. OR, if the weather is keeping you indoors, be sure to read our guide to indoor winter activities. Whether you drive the family around town or take a walk through your own neighborhood, Lawn Pride wishes you all a fun, festive, and very merry Christmas.