Things to Do during the Holidays

Festival Fun

Santa’s Candy Cane Express

Where: Hesston Steam Museum, Hesston
When: First two Saturdays and Sundays in December (Dec 4-12) 2021

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 3 & 4, 2021

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 21 & 22, 2022

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

Magic of Lights

Where: LaPorte County Fairgrounds
When: November 19, 2021 - January 2, 2022

Magic of Lights is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience.  The winding, sparkling extravaganza not only features such festive scenes as 12 Days of Christmas, Tropical Holidays, Santa’s Mountain and the Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, but also a Jolly Holiday Village where guests can pull off to enjoy a visit with Santa and a firepit s’mores package.

The Gift of Lights at the Potawatomi Zoo

Where: South Bend
When: Friday through Sunday, November 26 to December 19, 2021

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 26 to December 19, 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 19, 20, Nov 26 – Dec 31 | Tuesday – Sunday (Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day) 2021

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 mile-long route.

Sunset Hill Farm County Park – Lights Drive

Where: Valparaiso
When: Every night, November 20, 2021 to January 1, 2022

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: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 26 to December 19, 2021, and December 20-23, and 26, 2021

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 has just opened at Howard Park and 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 in town and Bonneyville Mill Park a few miles away. Both parks offer sledding and snowshoeing too.

Indiana Dunes – Special Winter Hikes

Winter turns the Indiana Dunes into a quiet wonderland perfect for hiking along snowy woodland trails and among sandy dunes. Head out yourself anytime or join naturalists at the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton who lead special hikes during the holidays–one on Christmas Eve morning for a stroll through the dune forests and another New Year’s Day for a more rugged trek through the high dunes.

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

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

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, featuring for the holiday season a heartwarming  inspiration tale, The Christmas Tree Ship.

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.  During the 2021-2022 season sporting events are free, except for football, basketball and hockey.

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.
• Bargains – Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City features daily bargains in 100 name-brand stores.
• Outdoor Paraphernalia – Bass Pro Shops in Portage has everything imaginable for outdoor sports, adventure, and fun.