Home for the Holidays: Downtown is Your Holiday Destination this Year

We’re falling in love with Downtown all over again. The past few years have seen new life entering downtown, with more to come in 2026. Nostalgia melds with civic pride at the familiar streets gaining renewed interest. 

This year, it seems there’s no shortage of seasonal buzz around the circle and beyond. We’ve rounded up a few of the can’t miss downtown attractions that will have you staying close to home this holiday season.

Circle of Lights: The Tradition Lighting Downtown

The Downtown Indy Alliance has officially lit Monument Circle for its 63rd season. This Christmas, InterContinental is the official hotel of the Circle of Lights. Visitors to the Astrea Rooftop Bar will get an exclusive never before seen view of the display of over 4,000 colorful bulbs.

SPARK Holidays on the Circle will continue the celebration through December 22nd with appearances from Chris Kringle himself and a container cafe serving hot cocoa and coffee on Saturdays and Sundays.

Downtown Sights and Sounds

History melds with seasonal displays with Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum. A model train display among wreaths and colorful lights wraps through a model landscape turned interactive exhibit of past and present landmarks of the American West. 

Many make a tradition of Christmas at the Zoo, exploring holiday light displays and animal habitats. The kid-friendly environment consistently delivers on entertainment for all ages, with Santa visits, reindeer experiences, themed treats, and a bit of a seasonal nip for the parents from partners Metazoa Brewing and Hotel Tango. 

Ashley Brown and Curtis Bannister host a masterful holiday celebration with the AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Over 20 performers across music and dance take the stage, set to the sound of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The show runs December 5th through 23rd. Just a short walk away, Serliana offers a Pre-Yuletide menu for attendees to pair with their holiday special on Piper-Heidsieck Champagne before the show.

A few blocks away, the Indianapolis Repertory Theatre revives the classic Charles Dickens tale with their production of a Christmas Carol. This performance runs now through December 24th.

A Toast to the Season

Restaurants around the city are turning their bars into pop-up holiday experiences, but Astrea Rooftop Bar is bringing something truly special to downtown. Santa DJs will be performing sets throughout the season, the bar is hosting weekly holiday luggage giveaways, and guests can order from a selection of world-class seasonal signature cocktails. Enjoy warming sips with friends through the week or dance the night away on this rooftop bar. 

A stroll along Mass Ave will take you through some of the best shopping in the area. There’s also no shortage of nightlife in this downtown corridor, with jazz flowing out of the Chatterbox Lounge, the Oakmont and the Livery offering elevated dining and drinks at either end, and familiar favorites like Burnside Inn’s tucked away second story balcony, Ball and Biscuit’s curated cocktail menu, or Bottleworks District’s game-and-drink concept, Pins Mechanical Co.

Afternoon Tea at Serliana

The holiday tradition of afternoon tea in Indianapolis has roots all the way back to L.S. Ayers, and Serliana is bringing this offering back to downtown with a veritable Palais des Thés. Their tea selections pull from all corners of the palate, and their spread of finger sandwiches, scones, and holiday-themed sweets offer a flight of elevated American classics, all from locally sourced ingredients. 

Home for the Holidays at InterContinental Indianapolis 

Red door tags are lining the halls of InterContinental Indianapolis this season as guests settle in at their home away from home from home for the holidays. 

Rooms are still available but filling up fast for those looking for a staycation in December. The Monumental Holidays Package includes a $25 credit to Serliana and complimentary valet parking for one car per night. 

February 2025 saw the opening of Intercontinental Indianapolis by IHG, becoming the latest in the crown of stunning buildings on Monument Circle to surround Lady Victory. The hotel invested over $120 Million in the restoration of the Illinois Building, which originally opened its doors in 1926. InterContinental welcomed two world-class restaurants to the city as well: Astrea Rooftop Bar and Serliana.

The luxurious environment of InterContinental Indianapolis cannot be understated, with stunning views through every window and gorgeous holiday decorations glittering through all eleven stories of the stunningly-designed property. This is the first luxury hotel to open downtown in the last two decades, and if it’s any indication of downtown’s future, things are looking merry and bright for Indianapolis.