The holidays are the season of giving. Twelve Indianapolis-area attractions and a collection of local restaurants are in the spirit of the season. That’s why they’ve come together to give you the gift of something FREE during the 12 days leading up to Christmas. So, take advantage of this unique and FREE (there’s that word again) opportunity for you and your family to share in the joy of the season.
Sunday, Dec. 13
On the first FREE day of Christmas in Indy, Downtown gives to you …
Music & lights in Indy with the Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 and several free concerts
•Scottish Rite Cathedral will offer free building tours of this architectural landmark at noon, followed by a 3 p.m. free concert featuring the Scottish Rite Chorus, Orchestra and Cathedral Organ. Following the concert, free cookies, coffee and milk will be provided. Free parking is available in the lot west of the Cathedral, off North Street. www.aasr-indy.org
•A holiday concert by Logansport Children's Choir will take place at the Indianapolis Artsgarden at 2:30 p.m.
•The New World Youth Orchestra will perform at the Indianapolis Artsgarden at 7 p.m.
•Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481. The decorations on the Soldiers & Sailors Monument will boast 52 garland strands with 4,784 colored lights, strung from the top of the monument to its base. The larger-than-life toy soldiers and candy canes will again be on display around Monument Circle. The scene is complete with 90,000 twinkle lights in trees that shimmer along the area’s walkways.
Monday, Dec. 14
On the second FREE day of Christmas in Indy, Rhythm! Discovery Center gives to you …
From 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Indianapolis’ newest Downtown attraction invites you to discover the role of rhythm and percussion in music and culture through dynamic educational experiences, participatory opportunities and interactive exhibits. Put what you learn to the test in the hands-on area that features a variety of instruments. www.RhythmDiscoveryCenter.org
Tuesday, Dec. 15
On the third FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indy Wine Trail & Downtown restaurants give to you ...
Free tastings at each of the wineries on Indy’s Wine Trail and a free desert with the purchase of an entrée at select restaurants. www.indywinetrail.com
Wednesday, Dec. 16
On the fourth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Morris Butler House and James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home give to you …
Enjoy free admission to the Morris-Butler House (10 a.m. -3 p.m.) This beautifully restored 1865 home showcases the architecture, history, culture and society of Indianapolis during the 19th century. A museum property of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and accredited by the American Association of Museums, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. www.historiclandmarks.org
James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Experience a Victorian Christmas in historic Lockerbie Square with festive Christmas greenery and wreathes. Riley spent the last 23 years of his life in the late Victorian preserved home that was built in 1872. The home itself features simple, elegant decorations and small gifts and party favors that would be typical of the period. The Christmas tree is special because it includes actual Christmas postcards that citizens from across the country sent to Riley after he was recovering from a stroke in 1911. http://www.rileykids.org/about/riley_museum/
Thursday, Dec. 17
On the fifth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the historic Lilly House give to you …
Enjoy art, the Lilly home and wonderful winter festivities from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. The IMA is the 7th largest general art museum in the USA. At JK Lilly Jr.’s home, see how yuletide evergreens, fruiting plants and lights were incorporated into 1930s and ‘40s home décor to minimize the feel of Depression frugality and wartime shortages. And of course, it’s all topped off with ice carving, food and fun during the Winter Solstice celebration. www.imamuseum.org
Friday, Dec. 18
On the sixth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, NCAA Hall of Champions gives to you …
From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., get your hands on 23 sports and experience the heart and dedication it takes to be an NCAA student-athlete at the newly renovated NCAA Hall of Champions. There are several new things to see and do such as the kick-off theater video featuring prospective, current and former student-athletes. You can learn about all 23 of the NCAA sports through kiosks that give you up to the minute rankings, sport-specific trivia, past champions and much more. The popular 1930s-style gymnasium still remains, allowing visitors to shoot free throws. This college sports attraction offers something for everyone. www.ncaahallofchampions.org
Saturday, Dec. 19
On the seventh FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indiana Medical History Museum gives to you …
The nation’s oldest surviving pathology laboratory, the building originally provided physicians in the late 1800s - early 1900s with state-of-the-art facilities to study mental and nervous disorders. Today, the museum uses its more than 15,000 artifacts to educate visitors about the developments which made today’s advanced medical treatments possible, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. www.imhm.org
Sunday, Dec. 20
On the eighth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the President Benjamin Harrison Home gives to you …
From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., enjoy the holiday season at the authentically-restored 1875 Italianate home of President Benjamin Harrison, our 23rd President, featuring Victorian holiday adornment. The decor includes feather trees, Harrison family toys and ornaments, plus a replica of the first decorated White House Christmas tree – a tradition begun in 1889 by Harrison. www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org
Monday, Dec. 21
On the ninth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indiana State Museum gives to you …
Nostalgia reigns supreme at holiday time and Celebration Crossing, the museum’s holiday exhibit, delivers on all fronts from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The annual exhibit opens on November 27 with all of the much-loved traditional events, plus some new activities sure to please visitors of all ages. Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome visits from children of all ages while just outside their house the Santa Claus Express train is open for business throughout the exhibit from Nov. 27 – Dec. 31. Details and reservations at www.indianamuseum.org
Tuesday, Dec. 22
On the 10th FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art gives to you …
The museum contains one of the best Native American and Western art collections in the world, including traditional and contemporary work by artists such as T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Kay Walkingstick. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. www.eiteljorg.org
Wednesday, Dec. 23
On the 11th FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum gives to you …
More than 75 automobiles and motorcycles, representing the Indianapolis 500, stock car racing, sports car racing, and vintage luxury passenger models, are on display at the Hall of Fame Museum at all times from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. A fascinating collection of motorcycles is on display at the Museum, along with numerous examples of motor racing trophies, art and other attractions. www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
Thursday, Dec. 24
On the 12th FREE day of Christmas in Indy, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis gives to you …
The unforgettable experience of Jolly Days. Enjoy traditional holiday favorites such as the Yule Slide, Jingles the Jolly Bear and visits with Santa (and since this is Christmas Eve, it’s a chance to have Santa fill those last-minute orders). The Snow Castle provides a toddler-size version of the Yule Slide. Try your ice-fishing skills or visit the Cookie Café to warm up your imagination with lots of cookie fun! 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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