Winter is knocking on our door. The months that end in ber will bring us jingles and reindeers and so many merry theater shows your butt will hurt from sitting so much. And some decide which restaurant or bar along Mass Ave. has the best merry cocktail.
On First Friday, Dec. 4, see over 500 artworks that measure up 6 by 6 by 6 inches or smaller by central Indiana artists. Most cost less than $100, (so if you’ve been slacking on your holiday shopping this is worth stopping by.)
Jam out to music artists from the past at Hanukkah Rocks at White Rabbit Cabaret Dec. 7. Families can meet and take pictures with Kwanzaa Claus Dec. 11.
Use this list to stay busy and cheerful all month long.
Charles Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
📅 Through Dec. 26
📍 Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St.
🎟️ $27-$131
“A Christmas Carol.” Credit: Photo courtesy of IRT and Zach Rosing
Banish your bah humbugs and step into the timeless magic of Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday tale. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on a Christmas Eve journey filled with ghostly visitors, unexpected revelations, and the reminder that kindness can change everything. Let the story, music, and theatrical magic warm your heart and inspire a little extra generosity this season.
Merry Mile Cocktail Competition
📅 Nov. 20
📍 Various locations
🎟️ Free
Who makes the best Merry Mile Cocktail? Test participating restaurants and bars along Mass Ave on Nov. 20 and use the provided QR-code coasters to vote for your favorite. Winners will be announced Dec. 12.
Late Night Shopper
📅 Nov. 20
📍 Mass Ave Cultural Arts District
🎟️ Free
Mass Ave’s longest-running holiday tradition kicks off the season with late-night shopping, dining and festivities until 10 p.m.
‘The Nutcracker Story’
📅 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
📍 Castleton United Methodist Church, 7101 Shadeland Ave.
🎟️ $15-$20
See “The Nutcracker Story” through the eyes of The Performing Arts Conservatory and its teenage performers. This interpretation features jazz arrangements by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure
📅 Nov. 21-Jan. 18, 2027
📍 Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.
🎟️ $5-$20 (free for members and Native tribes)
Discover this year’s model train wonderland. See scaled-down versions of iconic landmarks in Indianapolis and out west. The eight G-Scale model trains ramble over 1,200 feet of track, through landscapes made entirely out of all-natural materials like twigs, nuts and bark.
‘Twas the Night Before…’
🗓️ Nov. 25-29
📍 Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
🎟️ Tickets start at $57
It’s a thrilling interpretation of the classic Clement-Clarke Moore poem, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” This is Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever holiday production.
‘Holiday Inn’
📅 Nov. 25-Jan. 3, 2027
📍 Beef and Boards, 9301 Michigan Road
🎟️ $59.50 – $87.50
This musical features Irving Berlin songs including “Be Careful, it’s My Heart,” “Cheek to Cheek” and “White Christmas.”
Black Friday: Take Care Records
📅 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27
📍 Take Care Records, 6215 Allisonville Road
🎟️ Free
This is a Black Friday party and show. There will be a Santa DJ, special deals, sales and extended hours.
‘The Princess and the Frog’
🗓️ Noon Friday, Nov. 27
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
🎟️ $7.16-12.50
After stuffing your belly the night before, watch a Disney classic about more food, love and dreams. The screening is in partnership with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and its “Tiana’s Joyful Celebration” exhibit.
‘A Christmas Carol: Unscripted’
🗓️ 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27
📍 The Wit Theater, 3808 Shelby St.
🎟️ $20
Watch skilled improvisers take Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption and turn it on its ear. ComedySportz has been doing this tradition for over 20 years.
Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop
🗓️ 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
📍 Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ $50 (children), $60 (adults)
Create a holiday keepsake inspired by the artistry of First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison. You will learn the basics of china painting and paint your own porcelain Christmas ornament. There will be coffee, tea, hot chocolate and seasonal charcuterie.
Small Business Saturday: It’s All Good Indy Market
🗓️ 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
📍 Fountain Square Brewing Co., 1301 Barth Ave.
🎟️ Free admission
Buy body products, herbal goods, tie dye, plants, crystals, upcycled clothing and a simmer pot bar. Blue Boots Coffee will bring a coffee bar truck and serve coffee & hot cocoa.
Cheap Holiday Workshops
🗓️ 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
📍 Cain’s Creative Chaos, 1221 Indy Way
🎟️ $5
Make your own magnet, wood-sliced ornament, pinecone Christmas trees or holiday card.
Small Business Saturday: Cultural Districts
🗓️ Nov. 28
📍 Various locations
🎟️ Free admission
Check out the small businesses in Mass Ave, Broad Ripple and Irvington.
‘A Very Phoenix Xmas XVIII: A Miracle on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.’
📅 Nov. 28-Dec. 20
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ $15-$50
Who says holiday traditions have to follow the script? Watch three plays by playwright and director Jamaal McCray. Come ready to laugh, reflect and maybe even witness a holiday rap battle.
Polka Santa Parade
📅 11 a.m.-noon Sunday, Nov. 29
📍 Mass Ave Cultural Arts District
🎟️ Free
This is a new Mass Ave tradition, in partnership with the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt, featuring Polka Santa and friends. Follow a short community procession starting at the Cultural Trail Plaza and ending at the Athenaeum.
Handmade Swap
📅 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2
📍 Lille Bønne Community Living Room, 701 E. McCarty St.
🎟️ $15
Make five gifts and leave with five gifts made by your peers. Think beaded jewelry, crochet, cards, prints and keychains.
Butler Visiting Writers Series: Elizabeth Acevedo and Claire Jimenez
📅 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2
📍 Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W. 42nd St.
🎟️ Free
Elizabeth Acevedo, a poet and author, has published “She The Poet X,” “With the Fire on High” and “Clap When You Land.” Claire Jiménez is a Puerto Rican writer and the author of the short story collection, “Staten Island Stories” and the novel “What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez.” The authors will read and discuss their work.
This Could Be Everything
📅 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
📍 White Rabbit Cabaret, 1116 Prospect St.
🎟️ $10, pay-what-you-can
This is a one-night art and poetry night with over 14 artists performing or showing artwork.
TINY XV
📅 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
📍 Gallery 924, 924 Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ Free
Here’s a holiday shopping secret worth sharing: original art makes a pretty great gift, especially when it comes in a tiny package. The show features over 500 works by central Indiana artists. Every piece measures 6 by 6 by 6 inches or smaller, and most cost $100 or less.
Snow Day Shabbat
📅 6:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
📍 Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Wear festive Hanukkah clothing or a cozy sweater and enjoy activities, games, singing and treats.
Spare Time
📅 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
📍 Re:Public, 2301 E. 10th St.
🎟️ Free
You’ll find paintings and prints created by Lily Groot.
Winter Artisan Market
📅 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
Walk around the City Gallery to view paintings by artist Tashema Davis. Her exhibit, “Skyscapes,” explores the process of healing through light, color and clouds.
Head to the Winter Artisan Market in the gymnasium and Underground Gallery to snag statement jewelry, vintage western wear, natural bath and body goods, hand-printed poster art and puppets made by more than 40 local vendors.
AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration
📅 Dec. 4-23
📍 Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle
🎟️ $46.28-$162.92
One of central Indiana’s most cherished seasonal traditions returns with Broadway-worthy vocals, a full orchestra, cirque artists, energetic choreography and the tap dancing Santas audiences know and love.
Big Gay Holiday Market
📅 Dec. 5-6
📍 The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ Free
The Big Gay Holiday market brings together more than 100 LGBTQ+ artists, makers and community partners for two days of festive shopping. The market also offers a welcoming space for queer shoppers, allies and families to celebrate the season together.
Fam-Fam at the Kan-Kan: ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’
📅 Dec. 5-6
📍 Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar, 1258 Windsor St.
🎟️ $7-$13
Put a little Muppet mischief into your holiday season. Gather your favorite people for a big screen viewing of “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” where Kermit, Miss Piggy and friends give Dickens’ timeless tale their own silly spin.
Winter Art Sale
📅 Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 5;12
📍 Indy Art Center, 820 E 67th St.
🎟️ Free
The Winter Market at the Indy Art Center brings together local artists, artisans and students for two festive afternoons of art, refreshments and cheer.
Holly Dolly Glitzmas
📅 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
📍 The Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave.
🎟️ $23.18-$44.52
Sip on hot cocoa, eat a complimentary Dolly-inspired cupcake and spend the afternoon connecting with fellow creatives and holiday maximalists. Also 10% of ticket sales will go toward Parton’s Imagination Library of Indiana.
Hanukkah Rocks
📅 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7
📍 White Rabbit Cabaret, 1116 Prospect St.
🎟️ $17.85
Celebrate the music of: Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Steely Dan and Janis Ian with local band Benjamin Cartel & The Mavens.
Bar Exams: Holiday Edition
📅 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8
📍 The Box Media Space, 1413 E. Riverside Drive
🎟️ Free, but must register
Debate and act out some of your favorite rap songs. You will be examining the lyrics and bars with playwright Austin Dean Ashford.
Clothing Swap
📅 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10
📍West Perry library branch, 701 E. McCarty St.
🎟️ $15
Come swap your old clothes for something new to you. All types of clothes are accepted, however make sure they’re wearable and clean. Please bring no more than 10 items.
Winter with Kwanzaa Claus
📅📅 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free, or pay-what-you-can
Enjoy a potluck dinner, festive fun, photos with Kwanzaa Claus and free gifts for the whole family.
A Classical Christmas
📅 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
📍 Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave.
🎟️ $45
For the first time in a decade, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra brings all three parts of Handel’s “Messiah” to the stage. The performance invites you to pause amid the holiday bustle and experience one of classical music’s most moving celebrations of hope and joy.
‘Nickel Boys’
📅 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
📍 Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar, 1258 Windsor St.
🎟️ $13
Adapted from Colson’s Whitehead’s 2019 book “The Nickel Boys,” the 2024 film follows the friendship of two Black teenagers navigating a segregated juvenile reform academy in 1960s Florida. This screening is in partnership with Tomorrow Bookstore. Join the book and film club and stay for a discussion after the film.
‘The Holiday Show’
📅 Dec. 18-20
📍 Warren Performing Arts Center, 9500 E. 16th St.
🎟️ $15-$55
Get ready for a holiday celebration with a little extra sparkle and a whole lot of heart. The Indianapolis Men’s Chorus returns with its annual Holiday Show, bringing festive favorites, harmonies, unexpected twists, and the joyful spirit of community to the stage.
Voices of Christmas
📅 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20
📍 Indianapolis Opera, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ $45 (for adults) $25 (for children)
This concert features the Indianapolis Opera Chorus, guest artists and a special appearance from the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra string quintet. Listen to a mix of choral arrangements of holiday favorites, a classic carol sing-a-long and highlights from “The Messiah’s Amahl and the Night Visitors” section.
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
📅 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23
📍 Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave.
🎟️ $50.70-$126.30
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.” It relocates the story from Victorian London to the 1930s in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The stage musical uses music and lyrics by Dolly Parton (book adapted by David H. Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan.)
Kwanzaa Community Festival
📅 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27
📍 Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St.
🎟️ $17-$23 (included with admission)
Celebrate the beauty of culture, creativity and community at a festive gathering honoring Kwanzaa. Enjoy African drumming and dance, explore local and international vendors, listen to stories and take part in arts, crafts and activities for children.
Free Qigong and Zen Meditation
📅 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Sunday Dec. 27
📍 Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave. (South Campus near Shelton Auditorium.)
🎟️ Free, but must register.
A quiet morning practice of light movement, walking meditation, snacks and tea. The event is in room 136. Park along 42nd Street.
‘Mean Girls’
📅 Jan. 15-31
📍 Hedback Community Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.
🎟️ $27
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home — suburban Illinois. In the Broadway musical, watch Heron take on The Plastics, a trio of frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations. Sign up for our free newsletters.
Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
Chelsea Reynowsky is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor and digital marketing coordinator at the Indy Arts Council. You can reach them at creynowsky@indyarts.org.
Check out Indy Art Council’s 2026 Holiday arts & culture guide.
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