Indianapolis, IN
Nov. 11, 2024
Make magical memories in WinterFaire as the popular holiday exhibit returns for its second year with the addition of sock skating. The indoor winter wonderland is sure to delight with a festive, carnival-like atmosphere complete with fun games, hands-on activities, adorable animal characters, special visits with Santa and of course the iconic 47-foot-long WinterSlide is back with a delightful twist. The exhibit will be open from Nov. 16, 2024 through Jan. 5, 2025.
Once inside the enchanting winter forest, visitors will be reunited with five adorable animal friends. Ember, the fluffy red fox, will welcome families with a smile. Make magic with the chameleon Indigo. Work with others to touch all six symbols on the "frozen" fountain. Its frozen plumes will change colors—and so will Indigo's body. The harbor seal named Flip will get kids of all ages excited to play a variety of games. The brave and adventurous ice phoenix, Storm, greets visitors at the ice cave where children will discover activities designed around building, jumping, climbing, and balancing. Last, but not least, visit Gerty, a sweet and creative beaver who presides over the Artisans Corner. During select times, programs are offered in Gerty’s Workshop and families can begin a new tradition by working together to design their own lantern. Throughout the exhibit, families can test their skills in fan-favorite carnival games with a winter twist. Play Skee-Ball, race a snowboard down a snowy virtual hill and toss rings around pin-shaped penguins to determine who can land the most.
Zoom down the WinterSlide
The animals of WinterFaire used the frozen fountain’s magical water to turn the beloved slide in the Sunburst Atrium into a 47-foot-long icy WinterSlide! The “snow” on either side will light up as you race toward the bottom. You must be 37” tall to ride WinterSlide alone; however, children may ride on an adult's lap.
Celebrations Around the World
In the Artisan Corner of WinterFaire, explore winter-inspired art from around the world, including four pieces commissioned by The Children's Museum that showcases the artist’s connection to different holidays and celebrations and what those mean to them personally
NEW! Santa’s BIG Snowball Fight (Nov. 29, 2024)
Kick off the holiday season with Indy’s biggest indoor snowball fight on Nov. 29, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Join us for holiday cheer and SNOW much fun as we welcome Santa to The Children's Museum with a family-friendly snowball fight you won’t want to miss in the Sunburst Atrium with thousands of snowballs. Visitors are encouraged to check childrensmuseum.org/visit-Santa to see the select days and times when he will be at the museum. And remember, Santa’s final day at the museum will be Dec. 24, 2024.
Black Friday (Nov. 29, 2024)
Only Santa’s good little shoppers can save big bucks! The Museum Store will offer a
25% discount on all purchases made in the store and online from Black Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 through Cyber Monday on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Check out the most popular toys voted on by children in Kid-Tested, Kid-Approved. Shipping and gift wrapping are available for your purchases. Don’t forget museum memberships also make a great gift. It is a present that adults can enjoy while spending quality time with the children who mean so much to them. Memberships may be purchased at the museum, online at www.childrensmuseum.org/gift or by calling (317) 334-4000.
Doodles & Drawing (Now through July 2025)
Shoppers may want to consider a special pop-up shop inside The Museum Store called Doodles and Drawing. The goal of the Doodles & Drawing pop-up shop is to introduce families to various styles of drawing and illustration including comics, storytelling, anime, superheroes and others. Besides offering products that feature various styles of drawing/illustration, we will also offer tools that families can use to start their own doodling style. Specific products range from drawing self-help books, reading books, games, toys, plush and more that will be appealing to family members of all ages.
Countdown to Noon (Dec. 31, 2024)
Celebrate the final day of 2024 with activities, live music from grammy-nominated Zak Morgan and countdowns at noon and 1 p.m. that will allow families to experience the excitement of a countdown to the new year at a reasonable hour for the youngsters! Receive festive favors for the big moment (while supplies last).
Centennial Celebration (Dec. 31, 2024)
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is turning 100 in 2025! Join us to celebrate a century of creating impactful experiences; sparking memories, wonder and dreams; and igniting powerful futures for children and adults.
Gift Memberships
Give experiences, not more stuff!! Membership to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis lasts for a year. Better yet, the memories will last a lifetime! Who knew a year of fun could fit into a stocking?
FREE Admission on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 2024)
The museum offers free admission to children and families on Dec. 24, 2024. Please note the museum is open from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on that day. There will be plenty of programming during this festive time so that families can always experience something new: See the programs happening the day of your visit on the museum’s online calendar (need to add link). Ticket reservations for this free day are required and will be available Dec. 14.
The Magic Snowman in Lilly Theater (Nov. 29, 2024–Jan. 5, 2025)
A mysterious stranger arrives at a village where everyone is grumpy, gloomy, and just plain glum. The stranger’s arrival marks one of the most magical days of the year—winter’s first snow. But the freshly fallen snow fails to cheer up any of the grumpy villagers until the stranger decides to make a magic snowman. This interactive musical offers an abundance of warmth, spirit, and goodwill that will delight children of all ages. Free with museum admission. Performances are supported by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation. Activities are made possible in part by the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
*Please note: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will be closed on Dec. 25, 2024.
WinterFaire is presented by Riley Children's Health and is supported by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and Delta Dental of Indiana. The WinterSlide is presented by Corteva Agriscience.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP and The Heritage Group.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP, and The Heritage Group.
Nov. 11, 2024
Make magical memories in WinterFaire as the popular holiday exhibit returns for its second year with the addition of sock skating. The indoor winter wonderland is sure to delight with a festive, carnival-like atmosphere complete with fun games, hands-on activities, adorable animal characters, special visits with Santa and of course the iconic 47-foot-long WinterSlide is back with a delightful twist. The exhibit will be open from Nov. 16, 2024 through Jan. 5, 2025.
Once inside the enchanting winter forest, visitors will be reunited with five adorable animal friends. Ember, the fluffy red fox, will welcome families with a smile. Make magic with the chameleon Indigo. Work with others to touch all six symbols on the "frozen" fountain. Its frozen plumes will change colors—and so will Indigo's body. The harbor seal named Flip will get kids of all ages excited to play a variety of games. The brave and adventurous ice phoenix, Storm, greets visitors at the ice cave where children will discover activities designed around building, jumping, climbing, and balancing. Last, but not least, visit Gerty, a sweet and creative beaver who presides over the Artisans Corner. During select times, programs are offered in Gerty’s Workshop and families can begin a new tradition by working together to design their own lantern. Throughout the exhibit, families can test their skills in fan-favorite carnival games with a winter twist. Play Skee-Ball, race a snowboard down a snowy virtual hill and toss rings around pin-shaped penguins to determine who can land the most.
Zoom down the WinterSlide
The animals of WinterFaire used the frozen fountain’s magical water to turn the beloved slide in the Sunburst Atrium into a 47-foot-long icy WinterSlide! The “snow” on either side will light up as you race toward the bottom. You must be 37” tall to ride WinterSlide alone; however, children may ride on an adult's lap.
Celebrations Around the World
In the Artisan Corner of WinterFaire, explore winter-inspired art from around the world, including four pieces commissioned by The Children's Museum that showcases the artist’s connection to different holidays and celebrations and what those mean to them personally
- Diwali—the Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of light over dark
- Hanukkah—the Jewish festival of lights celebrating the rededication of the Temple
- Kwanzaa—a celebration of family, community, and African American culture
- Las Posadas—a Christmas celebration in Latin American countries that commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem
NEW! Santa’s BIG Snowball Fight (Nov. 29, 2024)
Kick off the holiday season with Indy’s biggest indoor snowball fight on Nov. 29, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Join us for holiday cheer and SNOW much fun as we welcome Santa to The Children's Museum with a family-friendly snowball fight you won’t want to miss in the Sunburst Atrium with thousands of snowballs. Visitors are encouraged to check childrensmuseum.org/visit-Santa to see the select days and times when he will be at the museum. And remember, Santa’s final day at the museum will be Dec. 24, 2024.
Black Friday (Nov. 29, 2024)
Only Santa’s good little shoppers can save big bucks! The Museum Store will offer a
25% discount on all purchases made in the store and online from Black Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 through Cyber Monday on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Check out the most popular toys voted on by children in Kid-Tested, Kid-Approved. Shipping and gift wrapping are available for your purchases. Don’t forget museum memberships also make a great gift. It is a present that adults can enjoy while spending quality time with the children who mean so much to them. Memberships may be purchased at the museum, online at www.childrensmuseum.org/gift or by calling (317) 334-4000.
Doodles & Drawing (Now through July 2025)
Shoppers may want to consider a special pop-up shop inside The Museum Store called Doodles and Drawing. The goal of the Doodles & Drawing pop-up shop is to introduce families to various styles of drawing and illustration including comics, storytelling, anime, superheroes and others. Besides offering products that feature various styles of drawing/illustration, we will also offer tools that families can use to start their own doodling style. Specific products range from drawing self-help books, reading books, games, toys, plush and more that will be appealing to family members of all ages.
Countdown to Noon (Dec. 31, 2024)
Celebrate the final day of 2024 with activities, live music from grammy-nominated Zak Morgan and countdowns at noon and 1 p.m. that will allow families to experience the excitement of a countdown to the new year at a reasonable hour for the youngsters! Receive festive favors for the big moment (while supplies last).
Centennial Celebration (Dec. 31, 2024)
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is turning 100 in 2025! Join us to celebrate a century of creating impactful experiences; sparking memories, wonder and dreams; and igniting powerful futures for children and adults.
Gift Memberships
Give experiences, not more stuff!! Membership to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis lasts for a year. Better yet, the memories will last a lifetime! Who knew a year of fun could fit into a stocking?
FREE Admission on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 2024)
The museum offers free admission to children and families on Dec. 24, 2024. Please note the museum is open from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on that day. There will be plenty of programming during this festive time so that families can always experience something new: See the programs happening the day of your visit on the museum’s online calendar (need to add link). Ticket reservations for this free day are required and will be available Dec. 14.
The Magic Snowman in Lilly Theater (Nov. 29, 2024–Jan. 5, 2025)
A mysterious stranger arrives at a village where everyone is grumpy, gloomy, and just plain glum. The stranger’s arrival marks one of the most magical days of the year—winter’s first snow. But the freshly fallen snow fails to cheer up any of the grumpy villagers until the stranger decides to make a magic snowman. This interactive musical offers an abundance of warmth, spirit, and goodwill that will delight children of all ages. Free with museum admission. Performances are supported by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation. Activities are made possible in part by the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
*Please note: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will be closed on Dec. 25, 2024.
WinterFaire is presented by Riley Children's Health and is supported by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and Delta Dental of Indiana. The WinterSlide is presented by Corteva Agriscience.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP and The Heritage Group.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP, and The Heritage Group.
