During the holiday season, one of my family's favorite activities is to drive around Hendricks County, Indiana, to look at Christmas lights. Over the years, we've figured out where some of the best holiday light displays are located throughout the area, beginning in mid- to late November.
For the sake of this post, I will start in Danville, Indiana.
1. Winterland Holiday Light Show
Danville's Winterland Holiday Light Show opens Nov. 21 at Ellis Park and runs daily (except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) through Dec. 28.
If you're not familiar, the Winterland Holiday Light Show is a magnificent, drive-through experience featuring more than a million lights. Pay at the gate and then make as many laps around Ellis Park as you'd like to soak in all the holiday spirit.
2. Historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square
Kindle your holiday spirit at the 19th annual Christmas On The Square from 4 to 7 p.m., Nov. 28! Join Santa Claus on the historic Courthouse Square in Danville for a winter wonderland with all the trimmings, including beautifully decorated shop windows, activities for kids, a live nativity scene and caroling.
This free, family-friendly evening, filled with holiday cheer, is the perfect way to usher in the Christmas season. However, if you're unable to attend the event in Danville, you can still enjoy the lights nightly throughout the holiday season.
3. Avon Town Hall Park
On Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Avon Town Hall Park, the annual Avon Tree Lighting will provide families with a free and fun way to get into the holiday spirit.
Visit with Santa, listen to a story from the Avon-Washington Township Public Library, see the model trains, take a ride on the trackless train, visit the outdoor activities, see live reindeer, listen to live music and more!
4. Lights on Lancaster
Lights on Lancaster, a private residence in Avon, features a huge, computer-controlled animated holiday light show, and the really fun part of this display is that you can get on their website and vote for what song is played next.
You don't have to wade through songs that you don't like -- simply upvote your favorite tune to see it coordinated with lights. The homeowners have also been known to wander out to vehicles and offer candy canes to families enjoying the show.
5. Trees of Plainfield
Visit the Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex in Plainfield on Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening for free family fun during the Trees of Plainfield event!
Explore a dazzling trail of sparkling Christmas trees, indulge in tasty treats from local food vendors and enjoy a variety of festive activities that are sure to create lasting holiday memories for the whole family! Be sure to check out the holiday schedule and plan your visit accordingly, as each night offers something special for everyone.
6. The Shops at Perry Crossing
Make sure to head out to The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield to experience their winter wonderland of lights! The outdoor mall will display a 54-foot-tall tree lit up in the Town Square area beginning at their Tree Lighting & Parade on Nov. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m.
They also have Reindeer Days from 1-3 p.m. every Saturday through Christmas and offer Photos with Santa throughout the holiday season.
7. Town of Brownsburg
There are a couple of good places to look for holiday lights that are put up by the Town of Brownsburg, and they're located relatively close to each other, so I'll combine them into one entry on my list. Brownsburg Town Hall is where the Town will hold its Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 6, right after the Christmas Under the Stars parade.
And then they synchronize the lights to music throughout the holiday season. Right up the street, Arbuckle Acres Park in Brownsburg is another spot to find some nice Christmas lights.
8. Poulton Family Home
The Poulton family in Brownsburg boasts a massive holiday light display featuring more than 50,000 bulbs! On select nights, Santa Claus and the Grinch will be there, and the Poultons offer homemade cookies and hot chocolate to visitors.
Jennifer Poulton's Facebook page is a good source of up-to-date information on their display.
9. Christmas of Lights
This private residence will feature a whole slew of computer-controlled, synchronized Christmas lights that are synced to holiday music.
As with Lights on Lancaster, visitors to Christmas of Lights can get on their website and control which Christmas song and light show plays next. Be sure to follow their Facebook page for updated information.
