'Tis the season to celebrate the holidays in Indianapolis, and there are events galore. See what's happening in December and find plenty of things to do in this month's calendar of events.
A Very Phoenix Xmas: Our Stockings Are Stuffed at The Phoenix Theatre, Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis 46202, phone 317-635-7529. Thu, 7 p.m. (no performance Thanksgiving Day); Fri-Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m.
Admission: Thu & Sun, $15; Fri-Sat, ages 25 and over, $20, ages 24 and under, $15. A Phoenix Theatre holiday tradition featuring music, dance, and original sketches in a mix of theatrical vaudeville and TV variety show styles with all the reverence of Monty Python.
Jolly Days at The Children’s Museum, Nov. 27, 2009-Jan. 10, 2010. Slide down the Yule Slide, engage in an indoor snowball fight, skate around an indoor pond, go ice fishing, feed Santa’s reindeer, and have your photo taken with Santa himself. Note: Santa is scheduled to arrive at 9:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27.
Disney on Ice: Celebrations, Dec. 2-6, Conseco Fieldhouse, Wed, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.; Thurs, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Fri, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.; Sat, Dec. 5, 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Sun, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis 46204, phone 317-917-2727 or 800-745-3000. Tickets available online or at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office.
The Nutcracker, performed by the Butler Ballet, Dec. 3-6 at Clowes Memorial Hall, Thurs, Dec.
3 at 7:30 p.m.; Fri, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.; Sat, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis 46208, phone 317-940-6444. Tickets: adults, $21.50 and 28.50; children, students and seniors, $17 and $23. Spectacular scenery, costumes, and dancing, including the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score is performed by the Butler Ballet Orchestra and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, under the direction of Richard Auldon Clark.
Christmas at the Zoo Dec. 4-30, The Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis 46222; phone 317-630-2001. Opens daily at noon, Christmas activities from 5-9 p.m. Admission: Ages 13-61, $8.50; ages 62 and over and ages 2-12, $6.50; ages 1 and under, free; parking, $5.
Experience the tranquility and wonder of the zoo at nightfall illuminated by Christmas lights. Visit indoor and outdoor exhibits, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Village, sing along with carolers and local school choirs, take a ride on the Holiday Train, and see the Holiday Dolphin Show. New this year is “The Polar Express 4D Experience,” a 20-minute film featuring special 3D and 4D effects. Requires 3 ride tickets in addition to general admission (single ride ticket $2.25, 7-ticket package $12, 12-ticket package $20).
While you’re there, don’t miss White River Gardens’ Woodland Wonderland, featuring fanciful animal critters, evergreens, holiday plants, snowflakes, lots of lights, and on selected evenings, real reindeer from the forest. Admission to the Gardens is included with zoo admission.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration, Hilbert Circle Theatre, Dec. 4-23, 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis 46204; phone 317-639-4300 or 800-366-8457. See ISO calendar for dates and times. Adult tickets range from $32-$64, depending on date and seat selection.
Featuring Jack Everly, conductor; Maureen McGovern, host; Martin Preston as Liberace; and Tony Hoard and Rockin’ Rory (his disc-catching canine), semifinalists from America’s Got Talent.
Holiday Author Fair, Dec. 5, from noon-4 p.m. in the History Center at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis; admission is free. Some 85 Indiana authors, photographers, and illustrators will be on hand for book-signings. Various speakers will be featured, along with kids' activities, refreshments, and free gift-wrapping.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis 46208; phone 317-940-6444. Admission: Adults, $19-$54; ages 12 and under, $10-$27.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2009, Conseco Fieldhouse, Dec. 23, performances at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets available online.
A Very Phoenix Xmas: Our Stockings Are Stuffed at The Phoenix Theatre, Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis 46202, phone 317-635-7529. Thu, 7 p.m. (no performance Thanksgiving Day); Fri-Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m.
Admission: Thu & Sun, $15; Fri-Sat, ages 25 and over, $20, ages 24 and under, $15. A Phoenix Theatre holiday tradition featuring music, dance, and original sketches in a mix of theatrical vaudeville and TV variety show styles with all the reverence of Monty Python.
Jolly Days at The Children’s Museum, Nov. 27, 2009-Jan. 10, 2010. Slide down the Yule Slide, engage in an indoor snowball fight, skate around an indoor pond, go ice fishing, feed Santa’s reindeer, and have your photo taken with Santa himself. Note: Santa is scheduled to arrive at 9:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27.
Disney on Ice: Celebrations, Dec. 2-6, Conseco Fieldhouse, Wed, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.; Thurs, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Fri, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.; Sat, Dec. 5, 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Sun, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis 46204, phone 317-917-2727 or 800-745-3000. Tickets available online or at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office.
The Nutcracker, performed by the Butler Ballet, Dec. 3-6 at Clowes Memorial Hall, Thurs, Dec.
3 at 7:30 p.m.; Fri, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.; Sat, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis 46208, phone 317-940-6444. Tickets: adults, $21.50 and 28.50; children, students and seniors, $17 and $23. Spectacular scenery, costumes, and dancing, including the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score is performed by the Butler Ballet Orchestra and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, under the direction of Richard Auldon Clark.
Christmas at the Zoo Dec. 4-30, The Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis 46222; phone 317-630-2001. Opens daily at noon, Christmas activities from 5-9 p.m. Admission: Ages 13-61, $8.50; ages 62 and over and ages 2-12, $6.50; ages 1 and under, free; parking, $5.
Experience the tranquility and wonder of the zoo at nightfall illuminated by Christmas lights. Visit indoor and outdoor exhibits, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Village, sing along with carolers and local school choirs, take a ride on the Holiday Train, and see the Holiday Dolphin Show. New this year is “The Polar Express 4D Experience,” a 20-minute film featuring special 3D and 4D effects. Requires 3 ride tickets in addition to general admission (single ride ticket $2.25, 7-ticket package $12, 12-ticket package $20).
While you’re there, don’t miss White River Gardens’ Woodland Wonderland, featuring fanciful animal critters, evergreens, holiday plants, snowflakes, lots of lights, and on selected evenings, real reindeer from the forest. Admission to the Gardens is included with zoo admission.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration, Hilbert Circle Theatre, Dec. 4-23, 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis 46204; phone 317-639-4300 or 800-366-8457. See ISO calendar for dates and times. Adult tickets range from $32-$64, depending on date and seat selection.
Featuring Jack Everly, conductor; Maureen McGovern, host; Martin Preston as Liberace; and Tony Hoard and Rockin’ Rory (his disc-catching canine), semifinalists from America’s Got Talent.
Holiday Author Fair, Dec. 5, from noon-4 p.m. in the History Center at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis; admission is free. Some 85 Indiana authors, photographers, and illustrators will be on hand for book-signings. Various speakers will be featured, along with kids' activities, refreshments, and free gift-wrapping.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis 46208; phone 317-940-6444. Admission: Adults, $19-$54; ages 12 and under, $10-$27.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2009, Conseco Fieldhouse, Dec. 23, performances at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets available online.