Christmas parades 2026Indianapolis · The Circle City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Indianapolis, 2026.

We found nine Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Indianapolis with 2026 dates: six parades and three tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Christmas in Pendleton Parade: Nov 14 · Evening. Plus 5 more.6 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Holidays in Carmel Kick-off and Tree Lighting: Nov 21 · Evening. Plus 2 more.3 lightingsIs it free?Every one listed here is free to watch.9 freeDaytime or after dark?1 daytime, 8 in the evening. Each card is marked.8 evening

Last checked · 9 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

14NovSatChristmas in Pendleton ParadeParade · Evening21NovSatHolidays in Carmel Kick-off and Tree LightingTree lighting · Evening27NovFriCircle of LightsTree lighting · Evening28NovSatChristmas in the Village Parade & Tree LightingParade · 5–6:30 p.m.4DecFriShelbyville Mistletoe Market & Holiday ParadeParade · 5–8 p.m.5DecSatChristmas Under the StarsParade · 4–8 p.m.5DecSatWestfield in LightsTree lighting · Tree lighting 6 p.m.5DecSatNoblesville Holiday in Lights ParadeParade · 6:30pm6DecSunBroad Ripple Lights Up Festival & Twilight ParadeParade · 3–6:30 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Indy

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Dec5Sat

Christmas Under the Stars

Downtown Brownsburg and Town Hall Green · 61 N. Green St., Brownsburg, IN

ParadeFreeEvening
Time
4–8 p.m.; parade 6 p.m., tree lighting 7:15 p.m.
Price
Free to watch

Good to know: The parade starts on Main St. at Eastern Ave., heads west to Green St., then north to Enderly Ave. Santa’s Workshop crafts with the library run 4–8 p.m. in Eaton Hall, and Santa photos are 5:30–6:30 and 7:15–8 p.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec6Sun

Broad Ripple Lights Up Festival & Twilight Parade

Broad Ripple Village · Broad Ripple

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
3–6:30 p.m.; parade 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 6 p.m.
Price
Free to watch

For kids: The organizer says there are plenty of viewing spots along the route.

Good to know: The festival’s Wonderland Village has holiday activities for children and visits with Santa from 3 to 6 p.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Indy

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov27Fri

Circle of Lights

Monument Circle · 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
Evening; 2026 times not posted yet
Price
Free

Good to know: The lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, with Santa, food trucks and live music. Go early with a stroller; the Circle gets packed.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec5Sat

Westfield in Lights

Grand Junction Plaza · 225 S. Union St., Westfield, IN

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
Tree lighting 6 p.m.
Price
Free to attend; Santa photo sessions $15 (registration from Nov 5); Ice Ribbon skate sessions extra

Good to know: Holiday performers on the main stage, a Build-A-Buddy activity and vendors.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s added

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Indy

Christmas in Pendleton ParadeNext: Nov 14, 2026Circle of LightsNext: Nov 27, 2026Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree LightingNext: Nov 28, 2026Shelbyville Mistletoe Market & Holiday ParadeNext: Dec 4, 2026Christmas Under the StarsNext: Dec 5, 2026Westfield in LightsNext: Dec 5, 2026Broad Ripple Lights Up Festival & Twilight ParadeNext: Dec 6, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Indy

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Good questions

Christmas parades in Indianapolis: the FAQ

Christmas in Pendleton Parade: Sat, Nov 14, 2026, Evening; 2026 start time not posted yet (Pendleton). Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5–6:30 p.m.; parade steps off at 5 p.m. (Zionsville). Shelbyville Mistletoe Market & Holiday Parade: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5–8 p.m.; parade 7 p.m. (Shelbyville). Christmas Under the Stars: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4–8 p.m.; parade 6 p.m., tree lighting 7:15 p.m. Plus two more on this page.

Holidays in Carmel Kick-off and Tree Lighting at Carter Green and City Center, Carmel: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, Evening; see event page. Circle of Lights at Monument Circle: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, Evening; 2026 times not posted yet. Westfield in Lights at Grand Junction Plaza: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Tree lighting 6 p.m.

All of the ones we list are free to watch: Christmas in Pendleton Parade, Holidays in Carmel Kick-off and Tree Lighting, Circle of Lights and Christmas in the Village Parade & Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Broad Ripple Lights Up Festival & Twilight Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Indy that weekend, parades included.

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