What to do with kids in Indianapolis over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day and one on New Year’s Day. Plus 15 dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis · 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208
Good to know: All five floors, WinterSlide and a visit with Santa.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
Good to know: Santa's tent inside WinterFaire. Santa's BIG Snowball Fight Nov 21 at 9:30 a.m. (included with admission). Christmas Eve is free admission with free advance tickets (available Dec 14); the museum closes at 2 p.m. that day.
Indiana State Museum · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Good to know: No reservations; first come, first served. Schedule lists which Santa is on duty (Lafayette Santa with Mrs. Claus, Heart-2-Heart Santa, Santa Josiah, The Indy Santa). Snowfall Express train ride and Reindeer Barn in Celebration Crossing.
Indianapolis Zoo · Indianapolis, IN
Good to know: Photos with Santa in the cottage. Santa dates beyond Christmas not stated.
The Fashion Mall at Keystone · 8702 Keystone Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot).
Greenwood Park Mall · 1251 US 31 North, Greenwood, IN 46142
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 1 evening (Dec 6).
Castleton Square · 6020 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot).
Hamilton Town Center · 13901 Towne Center Blvd, Noblesville, IN 46060
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 3 evenings (Dec 3, Dec 10, Dec 17).
Carter Green, next to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt · 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032
Good to know: Pairs well with the Christkindlmarkt’s holiday market.
Indiana State Fairgrounds (Gate 3) · 1698 E 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN
Good to know: Online reservations required; no refunds; music via car radio. Rain, shine or snow.
The Garden at Newfields · 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Good to know: About 90 minutes to walk; nearly 2 million lights. Tickets on sale to public Oct 20.
Indianapolis Zoo · Indianapolis, IN
Good to know: Lights plus red pandas, penguins, walrus; Santa's Magic Cottage.
Conner Prairie · 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038
Good to know: Thousands of lights, the Reynolds LED lights display in The Junction, and a 3D projection show of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on the William Conner House. Admission also covers sock skating, the carousel, a tubing hill and Santa's Sleigh Barn, which closes Dec 23. Paths are gravel and uneven.
Morris Bicentennial Plaza, next to Gainbridge Fieldhouse · 125 S Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Good to know: Free skating on MLK Day, Jan 18, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (reservation required). Santa and reindeer visits Dec 21–23. Tickets sold from Oct 26.
Holliday Park Nature Center · 6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Good to know: Outdoor rink in the park, run by the Holliday Park Foundation.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis · 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208
Good to know: Live music from Zak Morgan and free party favors while they last. Two countdowns, so you can pick the one that fits nap time.
Indiana State Museum · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Good to know: An alcohol-free party with a live DJ, face painting and hands-on activities in Celebration Crossing.
Hamilton East Public Library – Noblesville · One Library Plaza, Noblesville, IN 46060
Good to know: A family program in the library’s Nov 2026–Jan 2027 Discover guide, held at the Noblesville branch.
Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, Zionsville Branch (Lora Hussey Room) · 250 N. 5th St., Zionsville, IN 46077
Good to know: A family program on the library's event calendar. Check the listing for any registration before you go.
The Garden at Newfields · 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Good to know: About 90 minutes to walk; nearly 2 million lights. Tickets on sale to public Oct 20.
Open on New Year’s Day: Indiana State Museum.
If it snows
Every hill here depends on snow, so check the park’s status page the morning you go. Tubing hills set height minimums, listed on each card.
Brookside, Christian, Garfield, Paul Ruster, Rhodius, Southeastway and Ellenberger parks
Indy Parks says Christian Park’s smaller hills suit younger kids and first-time sledders.
Official page ↗
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in IndyEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in IndyEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in IndyFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in IndyFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in IndyIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in IndyBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in IndyHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in IndyParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in IndyKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in IndyParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in IndyPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in IndyBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in IndyChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Playgrounds in IndyParks with a playground, restrooms and shelters
Splash pads in IndySpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in IndyStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Summer camps in IndyCamps for ages 3–6 and when registration opens
This week in IndyDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Of the four places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Dig Dig for Kids, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana State Museum and Traders Point Creamery are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.
Open with posted hours: Dig Dig for Kids (9 a.m.–2 p.m.), The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (10 a.m.–2 p.m.). On the calendar: Christmas Eve free admission at The Children's Museum, Visit with Santa at WinterFaire, Santa at Celebration Crossing (photos) and Santa's Magic Cottage at Christmas at the Zoo.
Indiana State Museum.
On the calendar for Jan 1: Winterlights (10th anniversary). Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Indy Parks sledding hills. All of them need snow, so check the park’s status page first.
Christmas Nights of Lights, Winterlights (10th anniversary), Christmas at the Zoo, A Merry Prairie Holiday and Elevance Health Rink at Morris Bicentennial Plaza. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Indy, through the holidays.
