The Best Christmas Light Displays in and Around Indianapolis, Indiana

When a Christmas light show, namely Circle of Lights® in downtown Indianapolis, is presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 48, you can bet it will be a good one.

The annual lighting of the "World's Largest Christmas Tree," took place on November 24, 2006 on Monument Circle in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The display will dazzle vistors to Monument Cirlce throughout the holiday season. As in the past, this year's activities center on Christmas performers from around the state. Santa himself will flip the switch on the 4,784 lights and 52 garland strands used to create the 242-foot display.

Many holiday events are open free to the public and include a Special Needs Area near the front of the stage.

Once again, if you missed the opening ceremony, you will nevertheless be able to enjoy the spectacular Christmas decorations throughout the season.

For quaint holiday charm reminiscent of old fashioned colonial Christmas, Zionsville, Indiana is the place to be. Located just northwest of Indianapolis, merchants and residents come together Saturday, November 25, to light two trees in town. One tree will be at Boone Village and the other on Main Street in downtown Zionsville.

A Christmas to Remember, a gift to the city and surrounding communities from The Zionsville Merchants Association, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Boone Village Shopping Center where Akard True Value will present family Christmas stories for the whole family.

The celebration will continue with carolers, town criers and the lighting of the Boone Village Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. Next, join the revelers and follow the antique firetruck to Main Street for the traditional a tree lighting at 7 p.m.

Sullivan Munce Cultural Center will also feature costumed characters in full dress who will entertain visitors with true tales of the area around 1800. Stories can be heard at the Brick Street Inn during the Christmas season.

To further underscore the spirit of giving, collections for non-perishable food goods will be held by the merchants' association.

You may choose to enjoy the season with a carriage ride down a cobblestone street. Additionally, Mrs. Santa Clause often will be on hand at Santa's House on Main Street to accept letters from the children.

Zionsville's charming Christmas shops, decorated with the garlands, lights and ribbons, will remain open until 8 p.m. most evenings.

For more information please phone (317) 873-3836 or visit the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce.

If you are a true fan of light shows and extravaganzas and you can't afford a trip to Walt Disney World, the next best thing Indianapolis has to offer is the broad ranging, immense drive through Christmas light display put on by Reynolds Farm Implements.

Beginning November 23 and running through Jan. 1, 2007, the free light show can be found at Reynolds Farm Equipment, Indiana 37 and 126th Street, Fishers. Designed to thrill all ages, the massive undertaking is a long-standing tradition of the Reynolds folks and has thrilled thousands of visitors. 2006 is the15th anniversary of the Reynolds family show which dazzles visitors and motorists with brightly colored Gingerbread houses, sleighs, sparkling reindeer.

Questions? Please call (317) 849-0810.

Once again, all the above events are free to the public, which makes for a festive holiday indeed!