One of my mom friends asked on her Facebook a few days ago for new ideas for Christmas things to do with the kiddos and she got lots of comments and new ideas! She said I could share some here.
Parents seem to make a special effort at this time of year to get out and do fun things that make kids happy and feel the joy of the holidays. Or maybe we ourselves need to feel that through our kids! Some people love to just do the same things every year, creating traditions that kids want to do even when they get to be cranky teenagers! And some people like to find new things and pack it all in!
I wanted to do a post on activities on the southside of Indianapolis because I want you to enjoy your community. Christmas is a great time to fall in love…even if it is falling in love with where you live! (Cue the Hallmark movie)
There are only a few “ongoing” activities on the Southside that you can do anytime. Most things are going to be event/date based. But I urge you to get out and visit the ones that are close to your own home!
Here is a list of the “event/date” based ideas:
Christmas on the Southside
Bargersville Santa Train – first Friday evening in December
Franklin Indiana Holiday Lighting & Winter Market – first Saturday in December
Mooresville’s Victorian Christmas Celebration – first Saturday in December
Greenwood’s KiD CiTY Christmas – first Saturday in December
Greenwood’s Breakfast with Santa – mid-December
Whiteland Town Lighting and Santa arrives – multiple Saturdays in December
Southport Christmas in the Park – second Saturday evening in December
Decatur Township Santa at the Log Cabin – second weekend in December
Christmas at the Farm (Whiteland) – second weekend in December
Living Nativity Providence Christian Church (Bargersville) – Saturday evening in mid-December
Live Nativity First Baptist of Greenwood – Friday evening before Christmas
Whiteland Santa Claus Parade – Sunday before Christmas
As for things you can do anytime of the season, I love the Historic Artcraft Theater in Franklin. They run classic Christmas movies all throughout the month of December. But get your tickets early because they sell out!
We do have an indoor skating rink on the Southside at Perry Park. You can do that all winter, but it is just extra fun to do it at Christmas time!
Greenwood is practically famous for the Holiday House. It is someone’s actual home. But it is famous for having over 70 Christmas trees, 30 Nativity scenes, a huge Christmas village and more. Donations are accepted for Riley Children’s Hospital.
Christmas around Indianapolis
Now, all the kids who live on the Southside know that they live in a suburb of Indianapolis, and by the time they are 2.5 years old they know of all the wonderous Christmas things to do in the city! The great thing is that all of these activities are ongoing so you can go when it is most convenient!
- Yuletide
- Candlelight tour at Conner Prairie
- Carriage rides downtown
- Candy Cane pouring at Martinsville Candy Kitchen
- Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg
- The Yule slide at the Children’s Museum
- ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Indiana Repertory Theater
- Christmas at the Zoo
- Winterlights at Newfields
- Lights at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society
- Conservatory Crossing at Garfield Park
- Carmel Christkindlmarkt & Holiday Trolley
- Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum
What is missing?!!! Is there anything I missed on the Southside? Comment below if I missed something, or just tell us what your favorite things to do at Christmas!
So fun!! I miss Indianapolis often especially around Christmastime! Always so many fun things to do!
And I miss you and watching your kids grow up! You are such a great mom!