Explore Indy Arts

2021 Holiday Arts Guide

Welcome back to the arts in Indy! After 2020’s many canceled or online-only festivities, in-person experiences have returned. Browse our guide to plan a holiday season to remember. Check back weekly for new events.

Heartland Film and Downtown Indy Inc.

Dec. 17

Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.,Indianapolis, IN

“It’s a Wonderful Life: 75th Anniversary Screening”

What better way to send off the year than counting your blessings in black and white with George Bailey? (Ugly holiday sweaters highly encouraged.)

GO TO EVENT

Christmas Carol: Unscripted (A “Nice” Family Performance & A “Naughty” 18+ Performance)

ComedySportz Indianapolis

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Dec. 4 & Dec. 11

Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave., Indianapolis, IN

Christmas Carol: Unscripted (A “Nice” Family Performance & A “Naughty” 18+ Performance)

Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption takes a turn through the irreverent wringer—audience suggestions set the arc—at Arts for Lawrence’s newly renovated theater.

GO TO EVENT

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

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Dec. 10-12

1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, IN

‘Tis the Season

Garlands of greenery deck the recently restored home of the first president to decorate a Christmas tree in the White House, while local actors playing historical figures regale you with stories as you’re ushered between the 10 rooms.

8660 Purdue Rd., Indianapolis, IN

Yelp’s Totally Bazaar: Festive Freakshake Week at TeeJay’s Sweet Tooth

This Instagrammable ice cream shop levels up for the holidays with “festive freakshakes” and “Santa’s donut sandwiches” stuffed with eggnog or gingerbread-flavored ice cream, which you can score for free for a week with the Yelp app.

Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

The Nutcracker

The Sugar Plum Fairy is a sweet role, but the evening’s high note is the small army of dancers who emerge from beneath Mother Ginger’s gigantic hoop skirt.

Holiday Arts Market on the Circle

Visit local arts & craft vendors, eat and drink, and enjoy live music—all set against the backdrop of the world’s largest Christmas tree.

Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis, IN

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn

After a year of muted, truncated, and skipped holiday celebrations, what better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to celebrate a half dozen of them in a little over two hours?

Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze

The celebrated singer/actress, formerly of SNL, mixes a big band-era vibe with a modern comedic touch. Sugar & Booze follows her critically acclaimed I’m Hip.

5377 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra — Holiday Big Band Series

Christmas tunes both sacred and secular are on the menu for this blast of big band repertoire at Indy’s foremost jazz club (try the homemade crab cakes with your carols).

Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana

Freetown Village Singers at Winterlights

Grab some gooey chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa and enjoy holiday carols by Indy’s storied group of African-American singers, strolling among a million and a half bulbs.

GO TO EVENT

Fiddler’s Holiday: Expanding Tradition with Kelly Hall- Tompkins

International Violin Competition of Indianapolis

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Dec. 16

Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave., Indianapolis, IN

Fiddler’s Holiday: Expanding Tradition with Kelly Hall- Tompkins

It’s not every day you get to hear the original violinist—a.k.a. The Fiddler—from the Broadway revival of “Fiddler on the Roof” mix showtunes with holiday favorites, accompanied by guitar, bass, and accordion (“Tradition!”).

GO TO EVENT

Indianapolis Men’s Chorus

Dec. 17-18

Marian University Theatre, 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis, IN

Step Into Christmas

Between the line of tapping toy soldiers, a soulful “Silent Night,” and dazzling, glittering tuxedos, this mix of pop songs and classic carols like “The First Noel” would satisfy even Scrooge himself.

627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN

Ben Asaykwee: A Happy JingleSprinkleTimez Cabaret

Local favorite Ben Asaykwee meshes songs, poetry, and storytelling with appearances by characters from his hilarious one-man shows “ProZack the Sad Elf” and “Satan LIVE!” — and adds a few new ones.

GO TO EVENT

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir & Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

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Dec. 17-19

The Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel, IN

Festival of Carols

The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and renowned Hoosier soprano Angela Brown tag-team to make merry in Carmel once again this year (make sure to grab some pre-show Glühwein at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt on the plaza outside).

Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis, IN

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”

Presented as a live 1940s radio broadcast, this play, which is based on the classic film, is filled with a menagerie of sound effects created by a washboard, a tiny cabinet, and a tray of cornflakes.

GO TO EVENT

Indianapolis Children's Choir

Dec. 17-19

Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St.

Comfort & Joy

Sit back, relax, and reflect on what the season means to you while enjoying choir performances of classic holiday songs.

GO TO EVENT

Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre

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Nov. 27-Dec. 19

Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre

Bakersfield Mist

Based on a true story of a woman who bought a thrift-store painting and learned it could be an undiscovered masterpiece, this play will make you think twice about what’s real vs. fake.

GO TO EVENT

Conner Prairie

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Nov. 26-Dec. 19; Dec 21-22

13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, IN

A Merry Prairie Holiday

Ogle new 3-D holiday projections at the nearly 200-year-old William Conner house, then grab a cup of hot cocoa and stroll the Prairie town transformed into a twinkling wonderland — and don’t miss the 150-foot Polar Bear Plunge tubing hill.

GO TO EVENT

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

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Dec. 3-23

Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN

Yuletide Celebration

Sandi Patty, the tap-dancing Santas, and the Wurlitzer’s organ carols return this year for the Broadway-style revue on Monument Circle that’ll leave you tapping your toes all the way out to the Circle of Lights.

GO TO EVENT

Indiana Repertory Theatre

Nov. 26-Dec. 26

140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

There’s a new Scrooge this year after Ryan Artzberger’s nearly a decade in the role, and the hardworking snow machine promises to delight all ages with its falling flurries (spoiler alert: yes, there is a splash—erm, snow—zone in front of the stage).

1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN

Christmas at the Zoo

When Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, head to the Deserts pavilion for a warm-up among the boas and bearded dragons. (It’s worth the extra $3.50 for a train ride through a glowing castle tunnel whose pulsing lights feel like Disney’s Space Mountain.)

GO TO EVENT

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

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Dec. 31

3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN

Countdown to Noon

Kids whose bedtime falls before the fateful late-night clock strike can still enjoy a water-clock countdown, live music, and frenetic flag-waving at 12:00 … p.m. (yes, parents, this means you can hit the hay at 8:00 p.m.).

GO TO EVENT

The Indiana State Museum

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Nov. 26-Jan. 2, 2022

650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN

Celebration Crossing

Even if you’ve been clambering into the miniature train cars for years, it might be time for a return visit—a new Snowfall Express train ride debuts this year in a 13,000-square-foot forest filled with Indiana animals past and present.

GO TO EVENT

Garfield Park Conservatory

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Nov. 26-Jan. 2, 2022

2505 Conservatory Dr., Indianapolis, IN

Conservatory Crossing

The season’s prettiest local poinsettia party is back this year with thousands of twinkling white lights, model trains, and hundreds of the red, white, and pink flowers—all in a toasty tropical setting.

GO TO EVENT

Jingle Rails — The Great Western Adventure

Eiteljorg Museum

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Nov. 20- Jan. 17, 2022

500 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN

Jingle Rails — The Great Western Adventure

Yes, you can follow the nine working model trains through national landmarks like Mount Rushmore, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Grand Canyon, but it’s the unbelievably detailed miniature replica of Lucas Oil Stadium we’ll be parked in front of.

1505 N. DELAWARE ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Holiday Window Walking Tour

Once a year, the Harrison Center’s basement windows become a Macy’s-style smorgasbord of artist-designed holiday displays (pro tip: the best time to visit is after dark).

GO TO EVENT

COVID-19 Safety Pledge

Indy’s arts and culture community is working together to keep our audiences, employees, and artists safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Our city’s arts and culture organizations are dedicated to following the most current public health standards to ensure visitors feel safe and welcome. Many organizations require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test for admission. Other organizations require or recommend that attendees wear masks. Please make sure to check the safety policies of individual organizations and events before purchasing tickets.
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Thanks for helping us #KeepIndyLive and doing your part to ensure that #IndyKeepsCreating.

Video Credits

Eiteljorg Museum
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Newfields
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Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
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The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
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Indianapolis Children's Choir
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Indianapolis Ballet
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Conner Prairie
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Young Jewish Professionals of Indianapolis
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Indiana State Museum
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Photographer Bob Scheer
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Harrison Center
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The Cabaret
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Indiana Repertory Theatre
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Indiana Historical Society
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2021 Holiday Arts Guide

“It’s a Wonderful Life: 75th Anniversary Screening”

Christmas Carol: Unscripted (A “Nice” Family Performance & A “Naughty” 18+ Performance)

‘Tis the Season

Yelp’s Totally Bazaar: Festive Freakshake Week at TeeJay’s Sweet Tooth

The Nutcracker

Holiday Arts Market on the Circle

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn

Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze

Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra — Holiday Big Band Series

Freetown Village Singers at Winterlights

Fiddler’s Holiday: Expanding Tradition with Kelly Hall- Tompkins

Step Into Christmas

Ben Asaykwee: A Happy JingleSprinkleTimez Cabaret

Festival of Carols

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”

Comfort & Joy

Bakersfield Mist

A Merry Prairie Holiday

Yuletide Celebration

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Christmas at the Zoo

Countdown to Noon

Celebration Crossing

Conservatory Crossing

Jingle Rails — The Great Western Adventure

Holiday Window Walking Tour

Visit the Indy Arts Guide →

Indy Arts Organizations

American Pianists Association

ArtMix

Arts for Lawrence

Arts for Learning

Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Big Car Collaborative

Brick Street Poetry

Buck Creek Players

The Cabaret

Cat Head Press Printshop and Cooperative

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Classical Music Indy

Claude McNeal's Musical Theatre Training Program

Dance Kaleidoscope

The District Theatre

Drum Corps International

Echoing Air

Eiteljorg Museum

Ensemble Music Society of Indianapolis

Fonseca Theatre Company

Footlite Musicals

Freetown Village

Harrison Center

Heartland Film

Hoosier Salon

Iibada Dance Company

Indiana Fashion Foundation

Indiana Historical Society

Indiana Music Education Association & Foundation

Indiana Performing Arts Centre

Indiana Repertory Theatre

Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Indiana Writers Center

Indianapolis Art Center

Indianapolis Ballet

Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

Indianapolis Children's Choir

Indianapolis Early Music

Indianapolis Jazz Foundation

Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective

Indianapolis Opera

Indianapolis Suzuki Academy

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Indianapolis Women's Chorus

Indianapolis Zoo

Indy Convergence

Indy Shakes

IndyBaroque Music

IndyFringe Theatre

Visit the Indy
Arts Guide →

Visit the
Indy Arts Council Website →