Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

Celebrate the joy of the holidays starting with Santa’s arrival by helicopter on the museum’s front lawn at 11 a.m.! Join in the cheering as he lights the 92 County Tree and kicks off this season’s Celebration Crossing. Ride the NEW! Snowfall Express train, visit Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn, and share your wish list with the man in red inside Santa’s house.

Select days through Dec. 24

Share your holiday wish list and visit with Santa inside Santa’s House, and have your photo taken. Click below to view the Santa Schedule and photo package details.

Head up to the Level Three to hop on the Snowfall Express! Journey through the forest populated by animals celebrating the coming winter and first snowfall. 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. Our new, ADA-accessible train will allow everyone in the family to enjoy the nearly five-minute trip together.

All aboard 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!

Friday mornings: 9 – 10 a.m. on Dec. 3, 10, 17 and *31

During this early opening hour for families with young children, you can visit Santa, engage in two different interactive story times (9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.), and experience our new toddler area and holiday fun in Santa’s Front Yard. This space includes an interactive Reindeer Barn where families can learn more about these amazing wintery animals. In addition to the Front Yard fun, make sure you ride the Snowfall Express! View our Santa Schedule to see which Santa will be attending these events here.

Magical Mornings feature fewer light shows, limited sounds and small crowd sizes to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for the littlest museum visitor and children with autism spectrum disorder. Recommended for children ages 6 and younger.

*Santa will be back at the North Pole and not present on 12/31. 

10 to 10:30 a.m., 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Dec. 1-5, 8-9 and 15

Listen and watch as school and community choirs, bands, ensembles and soloists perform holiday music in the museum’s Great Hall each day. Enjoy the sounds of the season in a spectacular holiday atmosphere.

9 to 9:45 a.m., Nov. 28, Dec. 4, 5, 12 and 18
$35/adult (ages 13+), $25/youth (ages 3-13), 25% discount for members; free for children younger than age 3

These events are sold out. To be added to our waitlist please call 317.232.1637.

Enjoy a delicious and festive buffet breakfast with Santa amidst the holiday splendor of Celebration Crossing featuring holiday music, decorations and Santa’s helpers in the Great Hall. After breakfast, visit Santa in his house, explore Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn and take a ride on the NEW! Snowfall Express! Registration required 24 hours prior to each event. View our Santa Schedule to see which Santa will be attending each breakfast here.

8:30 to 9:15 a.m., 9 to 9:45 a.m., 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., Dec. 11 and 19
$40/adult (ages 13+), $30/youth (ages 3-13), 25% discount for members; free for children younger than age 3

These events are sold out. To be added to our waitlist please call 317.232.1637.

Experience the nostalgia of the holidays in the L.S. Ayres Tea Room with a delicious buffet breakfast. Enjoy live holiday music, decorations, a surprise from the toy chest, and Santa’s helpers. Guests will enjoy a touch-free beverage and buffet service. After your holiday breakfast, visit Santa in his house for a photo, explore Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn and take a ride on the NEW! Snowfall Express train. Registration required 24 hours prior to each event. View our Santa Schedule to see which Santa will be attending each breakfast here.

11 a.m. to noon, Dec. 4 and Dec. 9
$14/youth, 25% discount for members; museum admission not included

These events are sold out.

Celebrate winter festivities with this hands-on, STEAM-inspired workshop for your 4 to 6 year-olds! Step into a winter wonderland as kids design and engineer their own inedible cardboard gingerbread homes. Recommended for children ages 4 to 6.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 5
$22.50 – $30.50/person

Enjoy a festive dessert buffet including mini pecan ice cream balls, lemon berry mascarpone cake and miniature pastries, plus add a Clown Cone or Snow Princess option, from the L.S. Ayres Tea Room™ as museum staff share items from the collection that are associated with the Tea Room. Relax, enjoy tea (and other beverages), and learn about stories and holiday traditions as you experience (and taste!) the history of the Tea Room. Registration required by 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2. This event is for ages 15+.

5:30 – 8 p.m., Dec. 9
$30/members, $16/youth; free for children younger than age 3

Join Santa and friends at this family-friendly buffet with live music from the Rusty Musket. Visit with Santa, play in Santa’s Front Yard, and enjoy a ride on the NEW! Snowfall Express train to see and hear the sights and sounds of a winter wonderland. The first 100 families to register receive a free keepsake photo with Santa. Space is limited.  Registration required by Dec. 6. View our Santa Schedule to see which Santa will be attending this event here.

3 – 5 p.m., Dec. 12
Included with museum admission, $2/Access Pass members

Experience the magic of the holidays in a sensory friendly environment for families with children and adults with autism, or individuals with other sensory or developmental needs. During this time, Celebration Crossing will be made more welcoming by reducing overhead music, dimming lights, and providing sensory fidget toys throughout the experience. The Autism Society of Indiana will be present to assist families as needed. Before you visit, download our visitor guide here.

The Snowfall Express train is ADA-accessible and has individual cars that hold two to four people. The trip is four and a half minutes long and while you wait, you can build an animal habitat or play with the train table. The experience features moving lights, movement, sound effects including train whistles and bells, smells of pine and chocolate and overhead music. If your child is sensitive to sounds it is recommended you bring headphones.

6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 14
$10/person, $5/Access Pass members, 25% discount for members, free for children younger than age 2

Explore our multi-level holiday experience Celebration Crossing, ride out NEW! Snowfall Express train, visit with Hedgehog Hannah and even get a special photo moment with Santa – all while wearing your PJs during this night filled with wonder. We’ll also have plenty of hands-on activities for the holidays. View our Santa Schedule to see which Santa will be attending this event here.

Open Wed. thru Sun. Nov. 26 – Jan. 2, 2022, plus Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28

Treat friends and family to a nostalgic lunch buffet in the beloved L.S. Ayres Tea Room™! Throughout the holiday season, you can indulge in favorites like chicken velvet soup, tea-time sandwiches, miniature desserts and more. The Tea Room seatings are at 11 and 11:15 a.m., 12:30 and 12:45 p.m., and 2 and 2:15 p.m.

6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 31
$16/person, $8 Access Pass members, 25% discount for members, free for children younger than age 3

These events are sold out.

Kick off the 2022 festivities with glittering tattoos, music, a dance party, and more. Strike a pose at one of the photo ops, visit activity stations in the galleries, experience a science show, and make sure to ride the brand-new Snowfall Express train. End the night with a balloon drop and confetti celebration at 8 p.m. Capacity is limited, reserve your tickets today! This is an alcohol-free event.

We’ve got you covered, with our online experience for families looking for some festive fun this holiday season. Check out the Jingle Hangout — your online headquarters for holiday activities, games, trivia and yummy recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

Want to give the gift of membership to your loved ones this year? Give them a gift that lasts all year long and can be used all across the state of Indiana and beyond. Your friends and family will enjoy more experiences than you can wrap!

NEW DEAL! Receive $10 off the purchase of a new gift membership between Nov. 3 and Jan. 2, 2022. Discount available in-person, over the phone or online by using code GIFT2021 at checkout.