31. Indy Jazz Fest
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 966-7854
Description: For more than a decade, the Indy Jazz Fest has been heating up Sept. Big names always make their way to the Indy Jazz Fest, where music lovers might hear a Grammy winner one day and discover a new bossa nova artist the next. Look for shows at venues around the city before the weekend’s headlining acts take to the White River State Park’s amphitheatre.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 100 N. West St.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 601 W. New York St.
34. Fiesta Indianapolis
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 890-3292
Description: Taking place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, Fiesta is the premier Latino cultural celebration in Indiana. Since 1980, Fiesta has celebrated, educated, and shared the Latino culture through art, music, dance, food, and cultural activities. It’s a huge outdoor party where the Americas come together.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 500 S. Capitol St.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 3000 N. Meridian St.
37. Christmas Gift and Hobby Show
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 215-1700
Address: 1202 E. 38th St.
Description: For more than 60 years, shoppers have flocked to the Christmas Gift and Hobby Show with shopping lists in hand. Nearly five acres of wild, wacky, and wonderful holiday gifts are featured, all under one roof and thousands under $20. Entertainment and celebrities also add to the merriment. More than 350 exhibitors display an incredible array of gifts—running a gamut of home decor, sports memorabilia, books, jewelry, dolls, apparel, designer-inspired accessories, collectibles, and much more. The largest of its kind in the Midwest, the show boasts that it has something for everyone, including an array of holiday foods and locally produced wine. Of course, the merry man in red makes an appearance. The fee is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are admitted free.
38. Circle of Lights
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: For almost 50 years, thousands of Hoosiers have braved the cold on the Friday night after Thanksgiving to enjoy a beloved holiday tradition—the lighting of almost 5,000 colored lights strung from the 284-foot-tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Another 60,000 twinkling lights in trees add shimmer to the scene. Each year a local child is picked from a coloring contest to help “flip the switch.” Live entertainment adds to the festivities. Arrive early to get a good spot for all the celebration. The tree lighting takes place shortly after 7:30 p.m., but entertainment with top-notch performers starts at 6 p.m. Circle of Lights is presented free by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481.
39. Conservatory Crossing
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 327-7183
Address: 2450 S. Shelby St.
Description: Enjoy the Conservatory decked out in its holiday best with a brilliant display of poinsettias and model trains. A train village and thousands of twinkling lights create a fairyland. Garfield Park Conservatory houses 10,000 square feet of plants from the world’s tropics. Even if it’s snowing outside, the conservatory is always in full bloom. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children, or $5 for a family.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1300 Allisonville Rd.
41. Indianapolis Auto Show
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 100 S. Capitol Ave.
Description: Held the weekend after Christmas, the Auto Show gives car lovers a head start on next year’s Christmas wish list. Presented by the Indianapolis Auto Dealers Association, the show features about 400 vehicles from almost 40 manufacturers. Concept cars, the latest technology, daily giveaways (culminating in a drawing for a new vehicle), and celebrities add to reasons to attend. If nothing else, it’s a good place to dream, stretch your legs, and walk off some of the holiday goodies. Admission is $7 for adults; children under 12 enter free with an adult. All active-duty military, police officers, and firefighters are admitted free with identification.