# Thanksgiving weekend with kids in Indianapolis, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 7 listings with dates; 0 not posted or announced yet
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/thanksgiving/
- Free things to do (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/free/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/llms.txt

## Turkey trots with kids’ races

- **Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash** at Broad Ripple, Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: Race starts 9 a.m. Price: Adults $40, ages 8–12 $35, ages 0–7 $20; prices go up after Nov. 11. 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. Choose the 4.3-mile or 2.6-mile course. Proceeds help Wheeler Mission serve neighbors experiencing homelessness. Official page: https://www.drumstickdash.org/Race/IN/Indianapolis/DrumstickDashIndy (checked 2026-10-18)

## Black Friday weekend with little kids

- **Circle of Lights** at Monument Circle, 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: Evening; 2026 times not posted yet. Price: Free. 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: https://downtownindy.org/events/circle-of-lights (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Celebration Crossing opening day** at Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Santa lands by helicopter at 10:30 a.m. Price: Included with museum admission (includes $4 parking validation). 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). Official page: https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/celebration-crossing-opening-day/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa at Celebration Crossing (photos)** at Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026 (closed Christmas Day). 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. 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. Official page: https://www.indianamuseum.org/santa-schedule/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa's Holiday Breakfast** at Indiana State Museum (Great Hall or L.S. Ayres Tea Room), 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Great Hall: Nov 29, Dec 5, 6, 13, 19; Tea Room: Nov 28, Dec 12, 20, 2026. 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. 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. Official page: https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/santas-holiday-breakfast-in-the-great-hall/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa Photos at Hamilton Town Center** at Hamilton Town Center, 13901 Towne Center Blvd, Noblesville, IN 46060. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks). 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. 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). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1373 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Santa's Sleigh Barn at A Merry Prairie Holiday** at Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038. When: Nov 27–28; Fri–Sun Dec 4–20; Dec 21–22, 2026. Time: 5:30–9:30 p.m. Price: Festival tickets $26 nonmembers, $15 members; selfies with Santa included, professional photo $15 per image. 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. Official page: https://www.connerprairie.org/a-merry-prairie-holiday (checked 2026-10-19)

## Open or closed on Thanksgiving Day

- **The Children's Museum of Indianapolis**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Indiana State Museum**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://www.indianamuseum.org/visit-museum/hours-and-admission/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Carter's Play Place**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://cartersplayplace.com/hours/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Dig Dig for Kids**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://digdigforkids.com/indoor-playground-prices (checked 2026-10-18)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is there a Thanksgiving parade in Indianapolis?
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.

### Are there turkey trots with kids’ races in Indianapolis?
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.

### What’s open on Thanksgiving Day in Indianapolis with kids?
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.

### What can we do with little kids on Black Friday weekend in Indianapolis?
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.

### What’s free on Thanksgiving weekend in Indianapolis?
Circle of Lights is free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on [free things to do in Indy](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/free/).

### How do you check these Thanksgiving listings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).