Christmas challenge: attend as many tree lightings as possible.
Who doesn’t love Christmas lights? A few of us love them so much, we leave them up all year. If Christmas lights are your thing, here are a few tree lightings around Central Indiana that you won’t want to miss.
Friday, November 29
Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting
The Village Green at Clay Terrace, 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd. #165 Carmel
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Kick off the tree lighting season at Clay Terrace. Create holiday crafts, welcome Santa, take a sleigh ride, write letters to Santa, and have your face painted. The official tree lighting is at 1:30 p.m.
Christmas on the Square “Light Up Danville”
Danville Historic Courthouse Square, 51 W Main St, Danville
4-8 p.m.
This is truly a community event. Celebrate the season with Santa and Mrs. Claus, roaming Christmas characters, a trackless train, and photos in front of a giant snow globe. Decorate cookies with help from members of the Danville Christian Church. Watch a Live Nativity presented by the Danville Methodist Church. Enjoy caroling by the Treblemakers, chili from the Danville Fire Department, and hot chocolate thanks to the Danville Kiwanis.
Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights presented by IBEW 481
Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis
6-8 p.m.
If you only attend one tree lighting ceremony, this is the one. Join 100,000 of your closest friends to see this annual spectacle. Travelocity has named the Circle of Lights “one of the top five Christmas trees in the nation.”
Saturday, November 30
Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Zionsville
4-7 p.m.
The parade begins at 5 p.m. at Eagle Elementary School and ends about 5:30 at Old National Bank. Featuring a “Jingle Bells” theme, the parade will include the Zionsville High School marching band and characters Elsa and Anna of Frozen fame. Following the parade, Santa will light the tree at the corner of Pine and Main. Stay downtown to shop, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, make s’mores, and enjoy some entertainment.
Wednesday, December 4
McCordsville Christmas Tree Lighting
6280 W 800 N, McCordsville
5:30-7 p.m.
See local students perform, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and welcome Santa Claus.
Friday, December 6
Downtown Mooresville Victorian Christmas
Bicentennial Park, 2 E Main St, Mooresville
5-9 p.m.
The event will include appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, choirs and living encampments. They will be joined by food trucks and restaurant vendors. Don’t miss the tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 7
Discover Downtown Holiday Lighting
5 E Jefferson St, Franklin (and other venues throughout the day)
all day
Franklin goes all-out for their holiday celebration. The day begins with breakfast with Santa at 8 a.m. at Compass Park and ends with the tree lighting on the north steps of the courthouse at 7 p.m. Find more information about all of the events at https://www.discoverdowntownfranklin.com/holidaylighting.
Westfield in Lights
City Hall (130 Penn Street, Westfield) and Christ United Methodist Church (318 N. Union Street, Westfield).
3-7 p.m.
More than just a tree lighting, this event includes pictures with Santa and Frosty the Snowman, train rides, carnival games, live reindeer, and pony rides, as well as food and retail vendors.
