We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Indianapolis with posted details yet. In all we found seven Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Indianapolis: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and six Black Friday weekend picks, and one is free. We also list four places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.
Thursday to Sunday
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Thursday morning
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
We check the organizers every week. The 7 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.
Run it off
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page.
Broad Ripple · Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN
For kids: Lil' Gobbler's Run: a 40-yard dash for kids 12 and under, in heats from 10:15 to 11 a.m. on Broad Ripple Ave., with a medal for every runner
With littles: Choose the 4.3-mile or 2.6-mile course. Proceeds help Wheeler Mission serve neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Thanksgiving Day
Holiday hours from each place’s own page. Worth a quick check that morning.
Friday to Sunday
Tree lightings, light-display openings, farm days and other easy outings Friday through Sunday.
Monument Circle · 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204
With littles: The lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, with Santa, food trucks and live music. Go early with a stroller; the Circle gets packed.
Indiana State Museum · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
With littles: Santa and Mrs. Claus, a kids' red-carpet fashion show, live music and the Snowfall Express train. Celebration Crossing then runs daily through Jan. 3, 2027 (closed Dec. 25).
Indiana State Museum · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. 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.
Indiana State Museum (Great Hall or L.S. Ayres Tea Room) · 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Buffet breakfast with Santa, then visit Santa's house, Reindeer Barn and Snowfall Express. Register 24 hours ahead; cancel 72 hours ahead for refund. Also Supper with Santa Dec 3 and Snowflake Pajama Party Dec 8.
Hamilton Town Center · 13901 Towne Center Blvd, Noblesville, IN 46060
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. 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).
Conner Prairie · 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Check in with an elf to see if you're on the nice list, then find Santa working on his sleigh. The festival also has an indoor sock-skating rink, carousel and lights. Mostly outdoors; the Sleigh Barn closes from Dec 23 (the festival keeps going). Free parking.
Keep planning
Good questions
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Indianapolis yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Lil' Gobbler's Run: a 40-yard dash for kids 12 and under, in heats from 10:15 to 11 a.m. on Broad Ripple Ave., with a medal for every runner.
Closed on Thanksgiving: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana State Museum, Carter's Play Place and Dig Dig for Kids. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
Circle of Lights, Celebration Crossing opening day, Santa at Celebration Crossing (photos), Santa's Holiday Breakfast and Santa Photos at Hamilton Town Center and 1 more. Dates and times are on each card.
Circle of Lights is free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Indy.
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 18, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
Littles Weekly
One short email every Friday morning: the best things to do with little kids in Indy that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
Free things to do in Indy
Indoor play in Indy
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