December 2026Indianapolis · The Circle City

December in Indianapolis with little kids.

36 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Indianapolis in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

36 listings · 12 free

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

10 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

Dec5Sat

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

Newfields, Conner Prairie and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum · Indianapolis and Fishers

Free dayFree
When
Dec 5 and 6
Price
Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec5Sat

Christmas Under the Stars

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

Parade or tree lightingFree
When
Saturday, Dec 5
Time
4–8 p.m.; parade 6 p.m., tree lighting 7:15 p.m.
Price
Free to watch
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec5Sat

Santa at the Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory · 2505 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Santa
When
Saturday, Dec 5
Time
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Price
Conservatory Crossing admission $6 per person or $14 per family (2 adults max), at the door; past Santa mornings have been free, so check the official page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec5Sat

Westfield in Lights

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

Parade or tree lightingFree
When
Saturday, Dec 5
Time
Tree lighting 6 p.m.
Price
Free to attend; Santa photo sessions $15 (registration from Nov 5); Ice Ribbon skate sessions extra
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

2 listings

Dec 7 to Dec 13

1 listing

Dec 21 to Dec 27

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

4 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Dec31Thu

Countdown to Noon

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis · 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208

Noon Year’s Eve
When
Thursday, Dec 31
Time
Countdowns at noon and 1 p.m.
Price
Included with museum admission; under 2 free
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec31Thu

Family New Year's Eve

Indiana State Museum · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Noon Year’s Eve
When
Thursday, Dec 31
Time
6–8:30 p.m.; countdown and balloon drop at 8:30 p.m.
Price
$18 per person; ages 2 and under free; Snowfall Express train $2 (buy online ahead); includes $4 parking validation
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

20 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 31

Christmas Nights of Lights

Indiana State Fairgrounds (Gate 3) · 1698 E 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN

Holiday lights
When
Nov 6 to Dec 31
Time
Timed reservations (see ticket calendar)
Price
Per vehicle; price shown at checkout
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at Greenwood Park Mall

Greenwood Park Mall · 1251 US 31 North, Greenwood, IN 46142

Santa
When
Nov 6 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at The Fashion Mall at Keystone

The Fashion Mall at Keystone · 8702 Keystone Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Santa
When
Nov 13 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at Castleton Square

Castleton Square · 6020 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250

Santa
When
Nov 20 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Winterlights (10th anniversary)

The Garden at Newfields · 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Jan 3
Time
Evening timed tickets; closes 90 minutes after last ticket time
Price
From $25 public adults (dynamic pricing); kids 5 and under free; $10 promo days Nov 23 & Nov 30; $2 fee per ticket; priority parking $20 or free at Michigan Rd entrance
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Carter Green · 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032

Holiday lightsFree
When
Nov 21 to Dec 24
Time
Wed–Thu 4–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat noon–9 p.m.; Sun noon–8 p.m.; closed Mon–Tue. Also open noon–9 p.m. Wed Nov 25 and Mon–Wed Dec 21–23; Dec 24 noon–4 p.m.
Price
Free admission; ice skating extra
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Visit with Santa at WinterFaire

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN

Santa
When
Nov 21 to Dec 24
Time
Generally 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (free admission, advance tickets)
Price
Included with museum admission; optional photo packages $30–$70 (credit card only); one free family photo on your own camera
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa at Celebration Crossing (photos)

Indiana State Museum · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Santa
When
Nov 27 to Dec 24
Time
10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Santa lunch 1–2 p.m.
Price
Visit included with museum admission; photo packages nonmembers $11 / $16 / $21 (members $9 / $14 / $19); email photo +$5
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santa Photos at Hamilton Town Center

Hamilton Town Center · 13901 Towne Center Blvd, Noblesville, IN 46060

Santa
When
Nov 27 to Dec 24
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 20

Santa's Holiday Breakfast

Indiana State Museum (Great Hall or L.S. Ayres Tea Room) · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Santa
When
Nov 28 to Dec 20
Time
Great Hall 9–10 a.m.
Price
Separate ticket (price on ticket page); members up to 25% off; under 3 free but must register; includes $4 parking validation
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Indy

Santa visits in IndyBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in IndyDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in IndyAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Indy

November: things to do in IndyEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in IndyFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree 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 pricesLibrary storytimes in IndyBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in IndyHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in IndyParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in IndyKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas 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 flaggedChristmas markets in IndyChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in IndyWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Playgrounds in IndyParks with a playground, restrooms and sheltersSplash pads in IndySpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in IndyStarting prices, ages and what’s includedSummer camps in IndyCamps for ages 3–6 and when registration opensThis week in IndyDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Indy: the FAQ

36 dated listings so far, including Newfields First Thursday (Dec 3), Shelbyville Mistletoe Market & Holiday Parade (Dec 4), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6) and Christmas Under the Stars (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Shelbyville Mistletoe Market & Holiday Parade (Dec 4), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6), Christmas Under the Stars (Dec 5), Noblesville Holiday in Lights Parade (Dec 5) and Santa Soiree at Clay Terrace (Dec 5), plus 7 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Indy.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

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 Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

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

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