Christmas / Lights / Indianapolis

The best Christmas lights in Indianapolis

7 displays · 3 free · Indiana

Indianapolis lights its season from the very center: the Circle of Lights transforms Monument Circle into what locals happily call the world's largest Christmas tree, with garlands of lights cascading from the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. From there the glow spreads outward, to the zoo, the art museum's gardens, and a drive-through at the State Fairgrounds.

The season starts early here, with the fairgrounds drive-through open by early November and the Circle lit the day after Thanksgiving. Most everything runs through New Year's, and the mix skews family-friendly and affordable, with two of the city's best displays completely free.

1.Circle of Lights

Monument Circle, Downtown

Walk-throughFree

Strands of lights cascade from the top of the 284-foot Soldiers and Sailors Monument to the ground, ringed by giant toy soldier displays around the circle. The lighting ceremony after Thanksgiving draws huge crowds, and nightly light presentations run through the season. It has been the heart of an Indy Christmas for decades.

Season: Late November through early January

2.Christmas at the Zoo

Indianapolis Zoo, White River State Park

Ticketed eventAround $20-30 per person

The Indianapolis Zoo claims one of the country's oldest zoo light traditions, with themed light displays along the paths, Santa visits, and animal houses open into the evening. The dolphin dome and orangutan center give you warm indoor breaks between light zones. Evening-only tickets keep the price reasonable.

Season: Late November through late December

3.Winterlights at Newfields

Newfields, Midtown

Ticketed eventAround $25-35 per person

The art museum's 100-acre gardens glow with well over a million lights, including the signature Landscape of Light lawn where thousands of bulbs twinkle to holiday music. It is the most elegant lights night in Indiana, equal parts art installation and Christmas display. Timed tickets sell out on December weekends.

Season: Late November through early January

4.Christmas Nights of Lights

Indiana State Fairgrounds

Drive-throughAround $30 per car

A drive-through course through the fairgrounds with hundreds of animated displays synchronized to music on your car radio. It opens earlier than almost any display in the region, making it the traditional first lights night of the Indy season. One reservation covers the whole car, so pile everyone in.

Season: Early November through late December

5.Reynolds Farm Equipment Lights

Fishers

Drive-throughFree

For more than 25 years this John Deere dealership on 96th Street has covered its grounds and equipment in whimsical light displays, tractors included. Families drive through slowly or park and hop out for photos, and it costs nothing. It is the rare free display that feels like a full production.

Season: Late November through early January

6.Carmel Christkindlmarkt and Monon Lights

Carmel City Center

Walk-throughFree entry

One of the best German-style Christmas markets in the country, ringed by twinkling lights, an outdoor ice rink, and a lit walkway along the Monon Greenway from Carter Green toward Main Street. Entry is free, though the gluhwein and bratwurst will happily take your money. Weeknights are dramatically less crowded.

Season: Late November through late December

7.Greenwood Lighted Trail

Greenwood Amphitheater, Greenwood

Walk-throughFree

A free lighted walking trail south of the city with dozens of decorated trees, a candy cane tunnel, a glowing bridge, and playful forest displays. It runs evenings throughout December and gives southside families a no-cost alternative to the ticketed shows. Wear boots, since the trail is a real outdoor walk.

Season: December

Local tip

Newfields' Winterlights and Christmas at the Zoo both use timed entry, so book the earliest slot, then finish your night downtown at Monument Circle, which is free, uncrowded after 9pm, and stunning with the toy soldiers lit against the monument.

Displays and prices are researched from recent seasons and stated approximately; hours, routes, and admission change year to year, so check an event's official page before you drive out.

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Common questions

When do Christmas lights go up in Indianapolis?
Christmas Nights of Lights at the State Fairgrounds is the early bird, opening in the first week of November. The Circle of Lights ceremony on Monument Circle happens the day after Thanksgiving, and Winterlights at Newfields and Christmas at the Zoo both open around the same week. Most displays run through New Year's.
What are the best free Christmas lights in Indianapolis?
The Circle of Lights at Monument Circle is the icon, with lights cascading down the monument above giant toy soldiers. Add the Reynolds Farm Equipment display in Fishers, where even the tractors are lit, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt with its free-entry market glow, and the Greenwood Lighted Trail on the southside.
Is Winterlights at Newfields worth the ticket?
If you only buy one lights ticket in Indy, this is the one. The gardens hold well over a million lights, and the Landscape of Light field twinkling to music is genuinely special. Book a timed ticket ahead for December weekends, and go on a weeknight if you want the paths mostly to yourself.
Is there a drive-through Christmas lights display in Indianapolis?
Yes, Christmas Nights of Lights at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where animated displays sync to music on your car radio and one reservation covers the whole vehicle. The old Lights at the Brickyard drive-through at the Motor Speedway ended after 2020, so the fairgrounds show is now the city's main drive-through.
How long does the Circle of Lights stay up?
The monument stays lit from the ceremony after Thanksgiving through early January, with nightly light presentations during the season. Evenings after 8:30pm are the calm window, when the dinner crowds thin out and you can get a clean photo of the full cascade from the south side of the circle.

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