Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Kick off the holiday season with Santa’s big arrival! See the jolly old elf himself make his grand entrance by helicopter at 11 a.m. Bring the whole family and make cherished memories as Santa visits with children, spreading joy and cheer. Hop aboard our Snowfall Express for an enchanting train ride and explore Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn. There will be plenty of entertainment, games and activities to keep everyone smiling throughout the day.

Check our Santa schedule to see which Santa will be here when you visit.

Share your holiday wish list and visit with Santa inside Santa’s House, and have your photo taken. Visits with Santa are included with museum admission.

Journey through the forest populated by animals celebrating the coming winter and first snowfall on our ADA-accessible 18-passenger train allowing everyone in your group to enjoy the nearly five-minute trip together. Late autumn and winter scenes come alive with charming, whimsical characters, movement and music. You’ll encounter critters putting on their warm winter clothes, baking cozy meals and enjoying winter sports. You might even get snowed on!

Get on board the Snowfall Express for a trip to the North Pole and holiday fun in Santa’s Front Yard! Don’t miss the Reindeer Barn where you can learn all about Rudolph and his famous friends as they get ready to take flight on Christmas Eve. Your little ones can even groom a stuffed reindeer!

Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27* & Jan. 3* 

9-10 a.m. 

Create magical memories as you and your family visit with Santa, ride the Snowfall Express, gather for story times with North Pole elves, explore Santa’s Front Yard and encounter (stuffed) reindeers in the Reindeer Barn. Click here to see which Santa will be at each program.

*Santa will be back at the North Pole on these dates, but families can still enjoy story times and playing in Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn.

Included with museum admission. Recommended for children ages 5 and younger. 

Dec. 4-6, 10, 12, 18 & 19
10-10:30 a.m., 10:45-11:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.  

Enjoy the sounds of the season as community choirs, bands, ensembles and soloists perform holiday music in the Governor Frank & Judy O’Bannon Great Hall. 

Mark your calendars for Dec. 8 from 3-4 p.m. when the Indianapolis Symphonic Band will perform holiday tunes!

Included in museum admission. 

Dec. 1, 7, 8, 15 & 21, 9-9:45 a.m. – SOLD OUT!

Take in the splendor of the Great Hall all decked out for the holidays while you enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast and holiday music with your family and friends! After breakfast, you’ll visit Santa at his house, explore Santa’s Front Yard and the Reindeer Barn, take a ride on the Snowfall Express and receive a special gift from Santa’s helpers. 

$35/adult (ages 13+); $25/youth (ages 3-12) 25% discount for members; FREE for children ages 2 and younger

Click date to purchase tickets or call 317.232.1637: Dec. 1, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 21

Registration required 24 hours prior to date of breakfast.

View Santa’s schedule to see which Santa will be at your breakfast.

Dec. 7, 7-11 p.m. 

Join us at our newest adults-only FUN-raiser and indulge your inner child at our Celebration Crossing experience while enjoying festive food, drinks, DJ entertainment, a 360-degree photo booth, games, activities, dancing and holiday shopping with multiple vendors. Make it a date night, girls’ night out or a fun excuse to check off some holiday shopping.

VIP attendees will enjoy a private lounge with additional food and a private bar.

$50/member, $75/non-member; $125/VIP  

Registration required by Nov. 30.

View Santa’s schedule to see which Santa will be at this event.

Dec. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Join the Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and the Indiana State Museum for the inaugural Kwanzaa Community Festival entitled “Harambee! A Cultural Celebration of Faith, Family and a Vision for the Future.” Harambee is a Swahili word that means “let’s pull together.” At this day-long immersive cultural experience you can participate in family activities, enjoy African music and dances, meet cultural vendors, visit the galleries, take part in a community worship service and more.

Included with museum admission.

Nov. 30 & Dec. 22 – SOLD OUT!

Experience the nostalgia of the holidays in the L.S. Ayres Tea Room™ with a delicious buffet breakfast with Santa’s helpers, live holiday music and gifts for the little ones from the toy chest. After breakfast, you’ll get to visit Santa in his house for a photo and special gift, explore Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn and take a ride on the Snowfall Express.    

$40/adult (ages 13+), $30/child (ages 3-12); 25% discount for members; FREE for children ages 2 and younger 

Click time to purchase tickets or call 317.232.1637: Nov. 30: 8am, 8:30am, 9am, 9:30am Dec. 22: 8am, 8:30am, 9am, 9:30am

Registration required 24 hours prior to date of breakfast.

View Santa’s schedule to see which Santa will be at your breakfast.

Dec. 12 & 14, 11 a.m.-noon

Celebrate winter festivities with this hands-on STEAM-inspired workshop and build your own cardboard gingerbread house. Recommended for children ages 4-6. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

$14/child, 25% discount for members, museum admission not included

Dec. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends during this festive and family friendly holiday buffet. Visit with Santa and receive a keepsake photo with Santa. Members can also play in Santa’s Front Yard, make a holiday ornament and take a snowy ride on the Snowfall Express to enjoy the sights and sounds of a winter wonderland! Registration required by Dec. 2.

Not a member? Click here to become a member.

$38/members (ages 13+), $20/youth (ages 3-12); free for children younger than age 3; price includes one photo with Santa  

View Santa’s schedule to see which Santa will be at this event.

Dec. 15, 3-5 p.m. 

Visit Celebration Crossing in a sensory-friendly way! Enjoy the magic of the holidays with lower lights and fewer distractions for a more comfortable environment for visitors with sensory processing differences. Take a ride on the Snowfall Express, visit with Santa and explore festive fun all around the museum! 

Social narratives and sensory bags will be available at the ticket counter, and sensory activities will be located throughout the museum. 

*This event is in partnership with the Autism Society of Indiana. Representatives will be present to assist families as needed. 

Included with museum admission. 

Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m.

Explore Celebration Crossing during an evening filled with magic and wonder just for the little ones! Take a ride on the Snowfall Express to see woodland animals preparing for wintertime and see real live animals during a special animal show with Hedgehog Hannah. Visit the first-floor galleries, take part in hands-on holiday activities, and have a special photo moment with Santa. Click here to see the Santa schedule.

$13/child, $13/adult, 25% discount for members, *$5/Access Pass members, free for children younger than age 2; One photo with Santa included in price

Register

*Access Pass members need to purchase tickets in person to receive discounted prices.

Open daily *Nov. 29-Jan. 5
Seating at 11 and 11:15 a.m., 12:30 and 12:45 p.m. 

Treat friends and family to a decadent and nostalgic lunch buffet in the beloved L.S. Ayres Tea Room at the Indiana State Museum, where you can indulge in favorites including chicken velvet soup, tea-time sandwiches, miniature desserts and more.

$33/adult, $18/youth (ages 4-12), free for children 3 and younger

*Closed Christmas Day

Dec. 31, 6-8:30 p.m.

Ring in the New Year with a DJ and dance party, face painting, glitter tattoos, a photo op and fun activities across the whole museum at our Family New Year’s Eve party! End the night with a balloon drop and countdown celebration at 8:30 p.m. This is an alcohol-free event. 

$18/person; *$8/Access Pass members, free for children ages 2 and younger; 25% discount for members  

*Access Pass members need to purchase tickets in person to receive discounted prices.

During Family New Year’s Eve, our popular Snowfall Express train ride will require tickets, first come first served. Be sure to visit any other day of the week to be guaranteed a train ride. Celebration Crossing is open every day of the week through Jan. 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

An Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites membership provides free admission to all 12 locations within our museum system, and many more perks. From Oct. 14-Dec. 31, receive $10 off the purchase of a gift membership. Options include Family Plus, Family and Individual memberships. Gift memberships can be purchased at the museum, over the phone, or online by using code GIFT2024 at checkout.

Learn how to gift a digital membership.