Things to Do during the Holidays

Festival Fun

The Lighting of Shipshewana

Where: Downtown Shipshewana
When: November 11, 2023

Kick off the holiday season by attending the Lighting of Shipshewana on November 11, 2023.  The magical Light Parade starts at 7pm, and is followed by the official lighting of the town, and the amazing tree by the Blue Gate.  There’s plenty to do all day in Shipshewana before the evening festivities.

Santa’s Candy Cane Express

Where: Hesston Steam Museum, Hesston
When: First two Saturdays and Sundays in December (Dec 2-3, 9-10) 2023

Christmas magic reigns as the Candy Cane Express chugs out of the station at the Hesston Steam Museum in the LaPorte County community of Hesston. The annual event features train rides and a visit with Santa.

Bremen Holy Walk

Where: Bremen
When: December 1-2, 2023

The story of the first Christmas comes to life at the Bremen Holy Walk as visitors trace the journey of Mary and Joseph from the community of Bremen to a farm outside of town in a unique live dramatization of the birth of Jesus. On the way to the manger, walkers visit a Biblical-era village.

Shipshewana Ice Festival and Chili Cook-off

Where: Shipshewana
When: January 19-20, 2024

Works of art emerge from huge blocks of ice as professional ice carvers create amazing sculptures. Roam the streets of downtown Shipshewana to watch the artists in action.Then taste masterpieces of a different kind at the chili cook-off.  Shipshewana Ice Festival

Holiday Lights

Christmas Tyme Lights

Where: Harvest Tyme Family Farm, Lowell
When: November 24 - December 30, 2023

Hundreds of thousands twinkling lights in a drive-thru over a mile long at the Harvest Tyme Family Farm.  The Christmas Tyme Lights feature unique creations and the seasonal characters you’ve come to love.  Be sure to buy your tickets online before going.

Forest of Lights at Fair Oaks Farms

Where: Fair Oaks
When: November 17 to December 31, 2023 (weather permitting)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Fair Oaks Farms invites you to walk their magical trail in the Forest of Lights!  There are interactive color displays and changing scenes of color, that are bigger and better than ever.

Michigan City Festival of Lights

Where: Washington Park
When: December 2, 2023 - January 01, 2024

The annual Washington Park Festival of Lights features a variety of holiday and traditional displays that are truly a sight to behold.  It kicks off with the Festival of Lights Celebration and Parade on December 2.

The Gift of Lights at the Potawatomi Zoo

Where: South Bend
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, November 24-December 23, 2023

The Potawatomi Zoo is proud to present The Gift of Lights, a holiday lights experience. The Gift of Lights will run Friday through Sunday, November 24 to December 23, 5 to 9 pm (last admission at 8:30).  More than a million lights will be wrapped around trees and in free-standing displays.

Shipshewana Lights of Joy

Where: Shipshewana
When: November 17-19 (Friday-Sunday) Nov 24 – Dec 31 (seven days/week) (Closed 12/25, & 12/26) 2023

Visitors love Shipshewana at holiday time, and now there’s even more reason to visit: the fantastic drive-through light display, Shipshewana Lights of Joy.  More than 2 million LED lights illuminate both whimsical and religious scenes along the nearly 1.5 mile-long route.

Sunset Hill Farm County Park – Lights Drive

Where: Valparaiso
When: November 18, 2023 to January 1, 2024

Dazzling light displays in this Valparaiso park get visitors in the holiday mood as they drive past an array of scenes, many custom-made by Sunset Hill’s maintenance staff. You’ll see unique lighted, moving scenes such as a 20-foot-tall roller coaster, Santa and his reindeer, and an Indiana farm.

Winter Wonderland at Wellfield Botanic Gardens

Where: Elkhart
When: November 24-25-26 December 1-2-3, 8-9-10, 15-16-17, 20-21-22-23 December 26 & 27

Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights, presented by Welch Packaging, will transport you to a magical setting with lights, sound and beauty, perfect for families to enjoy during the holiday season. Enjoy this special opportunity to see Wellfield after hours in a wintry paradise! Featuring professional light displays accentuating the natural beauty of Wellfield, the ½-mile Promenade Pathway is aglow with color and texture, framing our Garden spaces as you’ve never seen them before! Experience this great event with family and friends while enjoying the sounds of the season around the Promenade.

Outdoor Escapes

South Bend – Skating, Tubing and Skiing

Grab your hat and mittens and embrace winter in South Bend!  The new ice trail  and pond at Howard Park is the new premier winter destination.  The Merrifield Park Ice Rink offers skating and skate rentals several days a week. Squeals of delight fill the air on the innertube runs at Ferrettie/Baugo and St. Patrick’s County Parks. St. Patrick’s also offers cross-country skiing.

Elkhart – Skating and Snowy Adventures

Skaters love the NIBCO Water & Ice Park, complete with an ice rink and path, skate rentals, and a warming facility with concessions. Cross-country skiers head for the groomed trails at Ox Bow County Park  and Bonneyville Mill Park a few miles away. Both parks offer sledding and snowshoeing too.

Valparaiso Ice Skating

At Valparaiso’s open-air William E. Urschel Pavilion, you’ll hardly notice you’re outdoors. A roof protects you from any wintry elements, and lights, music, and a well-maintained rink make ice skating a dream. Part of downtown’s Central Park Plaza development, the pavilion includes an indoor area for skate rentals and hot drinks during the winter months.

Indoor Fun and Games

Kube Sports Complex

Where: Hammond

The Kube Sports Complex in Hammond offering ice hockey, figure skating and trampoline activities. They have regular open skates, rat hockey and stick n’ puck.

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa

Where: Michigan City

Here’s an ultimate winter escape for a few hours or a few days! At the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, the beat goes on 24/7 year-round with 65,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,700 slot machines and 40 table games. Add in musical entertainment, fabulous food, luxurious lodgings and a pampering spa to complete the fun.

Super Museums

• Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, Elkhart – Holy Museum, Batman! Even Robin would be amazed at this super fun museum filled with comics, toys, displays and even Captain America’s shield and a replica of the Bat Cave.
• Kidsfirst Children’s Museum (and more!), South Bend – Youngsters will love finding out what it was like to learn in a one-room schoolhouse and live in a cabin through hands-on exhibits. It’s part of The History Museum complex where you can tour a Victorian mansion and 1930s worker’s cottage.
• LaPorte County Historical Society Museum, LaPorte – Exhibits about fancy cars, women who made history, pioneer life, and a murderous legend, plus a huge collection of rare guns fill this fascinating museum
• Mascot Hall of Fame, Whiting – An interactive children’s museum that has educational displays and activities that will incorporate S.T.E.A.M. education along with the fun of the sports mascots.

Up Your Alley

A boutique bowling experience in Schererville where an upscale restaurant and bar collide with an entertainment facility. Enjoy 50,000 sq. ft. filled with 20 bowling lanes, axe throwing, laser tag, Cybersport and 60 arcade games.

Shows and Sports

South Bend – Performing Arts

The historic Morris Performing Arts Center provides an outstanding venue for Broadway shows, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, plus other entertainment. Also in town, Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center features concerts, theater performances and film.

Shipshewana – Blue Gate Theatre and Shipshewana Event Center

This state-of-the-art complex includes the intimate Blue Gate Theatre, and the Event Center, featuring shows and musicals.

Elkhart – The Lerner Theatre

Built in 1923 as a movie house, this historic theater has been completely renovated. It features concerts, theater and films. During the holiday season, various holiday productions are scheduled.

Notre Dame – Hockey and Hoops

Experience thrilling action as the Fighting Irish compete in men’s basketball and hockey and women’s basketball at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.

Shopping

For gift shopping or post-holiday bargains, here are some ideas:

• Amish Treasures and More – You can’t beat the shops in Shipshewana or the Antique & Miscellaneous Auction held each Wednesday for Amish goods and myriad finds. In Nappanee, Coppes Commons spotlights Amish works and other unique goods, and Neighbors Mercantile offers unique and nostalgic goods.
• Bargains – Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City features daily bargains in 100 name-brand stores.
• Outdoor Paraphernalia – Bass Pro Shops in Portage and Cabelas in Hammond have everything imaginable for outdoor sports, adventure, and fun, in addition to all those museum quality displays.  You could spend an entire day in either store!