Christmas events 2023: 20+ holiday shows, movies, lights and traditions around Indianapolis

All things merry and warm and fuzzy are descending upon Central Indiana — a place that never takes a back seat when it comes to celebrating Christmas. Traditions and a few new twists are planned across the season this year, including Yuletide, the Festival of Trees and Jingle Rails.

Plenty of elves, winter creatures, Santas, musicians and more are waiting to bring you comfort, joy and laughs. Organizations often require tickets in advance, so check in before you make plans.

Big events

Festival of Trees

Nov. 10-Jan. 6. Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St. $5-$13 in advance. Free for members and kids under 5. indianahistory.org/events/festival-of-trees

Wander among the 75 trees that are decorated to represent people and companies from Indiana, vote for your favorite and search for the pickle ornaments. Be sure to take a look through the interactive display of the movie "A Christmas Story," too.

Christmas at the Zoo

Nov. 18-Dec. 30. Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St. Included with admission. indianapoliszoo.com/events/christmas-at-the-zoo

Meet the royal Ice Princess and prankster Jack Frost, who will make you feel welcome. A snow-globe-feeling village, Snowflakery Mirror Maze and hot cocoa are among the wintery attractions.

Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure

Nov. 18-Jan. 15. Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St. Included with admission. eiteljorg.org/exhibitions/jingle-rails

More than 1,200 feet of track means you can watch G-scale trains snake through plenty of lovely scenes of Monument Circle, Union Station, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and more. Artists, botanical architects and landscape designers built the attraction using tree bark, twigs, pine cones and more natural materials.

A Merry Prairie Holiday

Nov. 24-Dec. 17 and Dec. 21-22. Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. $24 nonmembers, $12 members. tinyurl.com/r9humh65

A 3D projection-mapping show on the William Conner House, sock-skating, LED Reynolds light displays and a look into Christmas Eve traditions of the 1800s are among the fun events at Conner Prairie.

WinterFaire

Nov. 18-Feb. 11. The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St. Included with admission. childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/winterfaire

Warm up inside the museum's new carnival-like festival that includes a slide with light-up snow through Jan. 7, an ice cave, a fun house, the opportunity to help an artisan shopkeeper and live performances.

Celebration Crossing

Nov. 24-Dec. 31. Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. Included with admission. indianamuseum.org/experiences/celebration-crossing

You'll feel cozy pretty quickly with the Jolly Old Elf who invites you into his artistic home, the 18-passenger Snowfall Express' trek through a critter-filled forest and activities in Santa's Front Yard. Take a look at the traditional 92-County Tree, which will display 37 new ornaments by Indiana artisans.

'Tis the Season

Dec. 15-17. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. $14.95-$17.95. bhpsite.org/events/tis-the-season

Listen to the tunes of carolers and figures from folklore in a theater experience by James Trofatter throughout the rooms of President Benjamin Harrison's home.

Holiday light displays

• Christmas Nights of Lights: Nov. 10-Dec. 31. Indiana State Fairgrounds, Gate 12, 1698 E. 42nd St. Cost is $30-$75 per carload, depending on the number of people. Advanced tickets required. christmasnightsoflights.com
• Winterlights: Nov. 19-Jan. 7. Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road. $24-$34 for adults, with discounts for seniors and ages 6-17. Free for kids ages 5 and under. Buy tickets in advance. discovernewfields.org/winterlights
• Holidays at the Hill: Nov. 18-Jan. 8. Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St. in Noblesville. Paid admission required for some activities. noblesvilleparks.org
• Indianapolis Christmas Carnival: Dec. 1-24. 7010 E. Raymond St. on Waterman's Family Farm. $19.99. $59.99 family four-pack. indychristmascarnival.com
• The Lighted Trail: Starts Dec. 3. Greenwood Amphitheater, 300 S. Washington St. in Greenwood. Free. greenwood.in.gov

See the full list:Looking for the best holiday light displays around Indy? Check out our map

Concerts, plays and movies

'A Christmas Carol'

Nov. 18-Dec. 24. Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. $25-$96. irtlive.com

Rob Johansen returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in this long-running Indianapolis tradition, which revisits beloved characters in a classic tale about redemption, kindness and hope.

5 times the play went wrong:Mishaps and laughs over 50 years at Indiana Repertory Theatre

'White Christmas'

Nov. 24-Dec. 31. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Road. $52.50-$79.50. $99 for Dec. 31 performance, which includes dancing, a champagne toast and breakfast buffet. beefandboards.com

In a musical based on the famous film, two veterans meet and fall for a pair of sisters who help them put together a fundraising show to boost attendance an a former army commander's failing Vermont inn. The iconic Irving Berlin hits include "Count Your Blessings" and, of course, "White Christmas."

'A Very Phoenix Xmas Returns'

Nov. 25-Dec. 23. Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St. $30-$40. phoenixtheatre.org

The city-wide favorite sketch show and musical pokes fun at Indianapolis holiday traditions, including Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Claire Wilcher and friends have written the comedy, which includes original songs by her and Ben Asaykwee.

Yuletide

Dec. 1-23. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. $33-$152. Prices are subject to change. indianapolissymphony.org/event/yuletide24

Broadway's Ben Crawford — of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" fame — will return to host this year's celebration, complete with a cirque act and Madison Hilligoss' expert tap-dancing. Listen to the glorious voices of the Moipei triplets, Maestro Jack Everly's new compositions and, of course, the traditional favorites.

Holiday on the Ave Soul Revue

Dec. 2. Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave. $15. madamwalkerlegacycenter.com

The Downstroke Band, Rodney Stepp, Men in the Fire and Act a Foo Improv Crew are among the artists who will perform. Expect a tribute to the Spinners — inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of fame as part of the 2023 class.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas

Dec. 9. The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. Starting at $35. thecenterpresents.org

The Carmel venue is a stop on the beloved group's 60th anniversary tour so Hoosiers can add a New Orleans flair to their celebration of the season.

Merry Movie Nights

Dec. 7-10. Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave. $7. events.heartlandfilm.org/schedule

Cozy up while your favorites — including "The Holiday," "Die Hard" and "Home Alone" — play on the big screen.

More movies:Best Christmas movies on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu? Guide to over 70 streaming holiday films

Festival of Carols

Dec. 13 at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. Dec. 16-17 at the Palladium atThe Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Carter Green in Carmel. $36-$58. indychoir.org/foc

Anthony Nunziata, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Ben Davis High School Purple Aires will join the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir for beloved hits that include "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "The Prayer" as well as new compositions.

Versions of 'The Nutcracker'

• "The Nutcracker": Nov. 30-Dec. 3. Butler Ballet. Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. $25 and up. butlerartscenter.org
• "The Nutcracker": Dec. 1-10. Student production from Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. The Florence at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, 329 Gradle Drive in Carmel. $15-$25. gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org
• "Nutcracker Sweets": Dec. 21-23 and 27-30. Indianapolis Ballet. The Toby at Newfields. $25-$35. indyballet.org
• "The Nutcracker": Dec. 15-17. Indianapolis Ballet. The Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. $24.50 and up. indyballet.org
• "Nutcracker with a Twist": Dec. 15-17. Ballet INitiative. Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. $35. balletinitiative.org

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Dec. 26 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. $49.75+. gainbridgefieldhouse.com

Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Indianapolis for two Boxing Day shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.