Indianapolis Celebrates The Holidays With The 12 FREE Days of Christmas

One of the festive places to discover this season on Friday, Dec. 24 is the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, which offers Free admission between 10am-2pm. Each year we find something new has been added to the amazing museum, which is the world´s largest children´s museum. A family favorite is Jolly Days Winter Wonderland that features the two-story Yule Slide; it doesn't matter how old you are - you must try this! Jingles the Jolly Bear will be there, and there's plenty of fun to enjoy at the Snow Castle and Ice Fishing holes. Warm up your imagination with lots of cookie fun in the kitchen, and help Santa´s reindeer prepare for their flight!

Be sure to stop by and see Santa to get in those last minute holiday wishes. The Children´s Museum of Indianapolis is a hands-on world of discovery which is the largest of its kind in the world featuring a 4-story tall Chihuly blown glass sculpture, which towers above a suspended glass ceiling. Underneath, kids create their own sculpture with pre-formed acrylic orbs. Also at the Children´s Museum of Indianapolis is the Dinosphere exhibit, which features real juvenile and family dinosaur fossils. Join the children and dig for faux fossils in the Dinosaur Dig before heading over to ScienceWorks, and be sure to leave a bit of time to take a ride on a real, working Carousel!

The holiday would not be the same without the annual Winter Solstice celebration and Circle of Lights festivities. The Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is a annual event that kicks off the season in the Circle City. Children will adore the 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and sailors surrounding the Circle, and the 26 peppermint sticks. Santa will join the celebration as Indy prepares to light their Tree that includes 52 garland strands with 4,784 colored lights are strung from the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument to its base.

The 12 FREE Days of Christmas begins on Monday, Dec. 13 at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art from 10am-5pm. One of the highlights of the season will be Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure featuring seven G gauge model trains wind past the great landmarks of Indianapolis taking you out to great places in the West—the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore and Old Faithful. All of these landmarks are incredibly crafted out of natural materials (bark, twigs and nuts) in exquisite detail.

Did You Know? The Eiteljorg is the only museum in the Midwest to offer an extensive collection of Western and Native American art and artifacts. Explore the history and culture of the many indigenous tribes of North America and the diverse cultures of the West, build a totem pole, climb aboard a stagecoach or shop in a Chinese emporium; and this is just the beginning of the amazing exhibits and activities to enjoy at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art!

On Tuesday, Dec. 14 plan your visit to the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home from 10am-3:30pm when you can experience a Victorian Christmas in historic Lockerbie Square with festive Christmas greenery and wreathes. The Hoosier Poet, and author of Little Orphant Annie (Riley), spent the last 23 years of his life in the late Victorian preserved home that was built in 1872. The home itself features simple, elegant decorations and small gifts and party favors that would be typical of the period. The Christmas tree is special because it includes actual Christmas postcards that citizens from across the country sent to Riley after he was recovering from a stroke in 1911.

Also, the Indiana Humanities Council, which encourages Hoosiers to think, read and talk, invite you to tour the house of Indiana author Meredith Nicholson from 10am-3pm on the 14th. The Meredith Nicholson House was built in 1904 and was one of the first Georgian Colonial Revival style homes in Indy. During the day several humanities-inspired programs will take place as well. While you're downtown drop in at the Indianapolis Artsgarden at the Circle for the Mistletoe Music Festival when Indianapolis area high school and grade school choirs will get you in the spirit of the season as they sing a variety of holiday tunes.

Wednesday, Dec. 15th is a day for sampling savory selections from Indy Restaurants and touring the Indy Wine Trail. There are two options available, including one features wineries while the other revolves around restaurants. Free tasting will be offered at each of the seven wineries on Indy´s Wine Trail along with a free wine glass when mentioning the promotion found at their website at www.indywinetrail.com. Or, enjoy a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée at select restaurants. To view the list of participating restaurants visit www.visitindy.com/12free, where you'll learn about all the Free attractions, events, and detail on the Indy Wine Trail.

Join the Winter Solstice on your visit to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) and Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens on Thursday, Dec. 16. The Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the top ten general art museums in the USA and one of the ten oldest. Oldfields, the J. K. Lilly, Jr. residence, will be decorated in the style of the 1930s and 1940s, when Christmas cheer often had to overcome Depression-era budgets or wartime shortages. And of course, it´s all topped off with ice carving, musicians playing seasonal favorites, craft activities, hot beverages and fun during the Winter Solstice celebration.

Step back in time on Friday, Dec. 17 at the authentically-restored 1875 Italianate home of President Benjamin Harrison, which will be shining with Victorian holiday decor. This Free event takes place between from 10am-3pm when you can tour the home of our 23rd President featuring feather trees, Harrison family toys and ornaments, plus a replica of the first decorated White House Christmas tree – a tradition begun in 1889 by Harrison. Children as well as adults will adore the "Model Trains Make Tracks" is a new special holiday exhibit of model trains, which highlights a working HO-scale model train and scenics representing the southwest portion of Benjamin Harrison's notable 10,000-mile cross-country train excursion in 1891. Also, "From Bustles to Ballots". Women´s Suffrage Exhibit will be on display in the reconstructed carriage house located behind the home.

The President Benjamin Harrison Home will also host the "LIVE: Family Christmas at the President´s Home" on December 11 between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This reenactment at the Pres. Benjamin Harrison Home takes place during in house tours with members of the President´s family and household staff in the Victorian holiday-decorated home. And, later in December on the 29 between 5:30-9:30 p.m they will celebrate the season with a the annual pre-New Year´s event called the "A Candlelight Evening on Delaware Street" in the evening with a historic home and dinner. The event is hosted by the Harrison Home in cooperation with The Indianapolis Propylaeum, Yellow Rose Inn, and other vintage mansions on the Old Northside. For ticket prices and to book reservations for these events call 317-631-1888 or visit www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org for more information.

Just down the road is the beautifully restored 1865 Morris-Butler House, which showcases the architecture, history, culture and society of Indianapolis during the 19th century, and will be open from 10am-3pm. View exciting exhibits and discover more about Indiana's history at this unique home that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Some of our favorite and most beloved Christmas traditions became popular in the Victorian era, including the Christmas tree. Another favorite indulgence dates back that far too, which is afternoon tea. Enjoy the elegant trappings of a Victorian Christmas Tea at the Morris-Butler House on December 4, 11 & 18 between 1:00-3:00PM. Tour all three floors of the 1865 landmark, lavishly decorated for the holidays, and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions both familiar and unfamiliar. The tour ends with flavored tea,  scones, finger sandwiches, and cookies . For more information on this and other events coming up at the Morris-Butler House visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

Rev-up the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 18 with a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum between 9am-5pm. Celebrating its centennial in 2011, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, located inside the famed 2.5-mile IMS oval made famous by the Indy 500, features more than 75 automobiles and motorcycles, representing a variety of races.

Also on Saturday, Dec. 18 plan a visit to the Indiana Medical History Museum between 10am-3pm. This is the nation´s oldest surviving pathology laboratory, and the building originally provided physicians in the late 1800s with state-of-the-art facilities to study mental and nervous disorders. Today, the museum uses its more than 15,000 artifacts to educate visitors about the developments which made today´s advanced medical treatments possible.

Santa and his friend will be on hand to ring in the season on Dec. 18 at the Indianapolis International Airport for "Celebrities and Santa", which is part of the season´s Holiday Showcase. The celebration includes a special holiday program, photo ops, visits with Santa, and an abundance of activities. And, you can register to win opportunities for merchandise and trips. Event parking will be free with proper validation. Visit www.indianapolisairport.com for more details on this event and other news on the Indianapolis International Airport.

Along with special discounts for the holiday season, the NCAA Hall of Champions will be offering free admission on Dec. 19 when you can shop like a champion while experiencing the lives of 400,000 student-athletes, 23 sports and 88 championships. Spend $35 or more and get a free NCAA Vintage Final Four poster. There will also be complimentary hot chocolate available. After your holiday lists are complete be sure to explore the 1930´s retro gymnasium, interactive sport simulators, competitive gear used by student-athletes and much more. The NCAA Hall of Champions is located in the White River State Park just north of the Indiana Convention Center. For more current events and news on exhibits visit www.ncaahallofchampions.org.

One of Indy's landmark's is the beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral, which will offer free building tours of the beautiful architectural landmark at 12 noon, followed by a 3pm free concert featuring the Scottish Rite Chorus, Orchestra and Cathedral Organ that is one of the largest theater organs in the city of Indianapolis. Following the concert on Sunday, Dec. 19, free cookies, coffee and milk will be provided. Free parking is available in the lot west of the Cathedral, off North Street. To learn more about the Scottish Rite Cathedral visit www.aasr-indy.org.

On Monday, Dec. 20 at the Indiana State Museum between 9am-5pm you'll enjoy Free Admission and the festive events at Celebration Crossing. This exhibit at the Indiana State Museum is a traditional event that always includes new surprise. During the festivities Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children of all ages, while just outside their house the L.S. Ayres Santa Claus Express train is open for business throughout the exhibit until the end of December. Kids love to ride it and you´ll notice a few adults too. While at the Indiana State Museum you can visit the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition for an additional fee, with advance reservations, which are recommended for this popular exhibit.

The sights and sounds of holidays past will come to life this season at the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park on Tuesday, Dec. 21. There will be family activities inside Conner Prairie´s cozy welcome center and throughout the outdoor 1836 Prairietown. In the welcome center, you can stroll through a wonderland of icing, gumdrops and sprinkles atop remarkable gingerbread creations, visit with the Gingerbread Man and a Victorian era Santa Claus, craft a holiday decoration to take home, enjoy a theatrical presentation, play with 19th century toys and explore Discovery Station. Or, bundle up and stroll through the outdoor 1836 village of Prairietown, where everyone is preparing for the holidays ahead and taking care of winter tasks the 19th century way. While at the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park you can also tour the William Conner´s home.

One of Indy's newest downtown attraction's is Rhythm! Discovery Center, which is a wonderful to experience the magic of rhythm and percussion, especially on Wednesday, Dec. 22 when admission is Free between 10am-8pm. Explore a wide variety of percussion instruments and artifacts from around the world through interactive exhibits and dynamic multi-media experiences. Learn about rhythm, its role in society and connections to daily life. Rhythm! Discovery Center is very hands on and invites visitors to play over 150 percussion instruments, including an 8 foot gong drum!

At the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center on Thursday, Dec. 23 between 10am – 5pm you'll have the chance to exploring scenes recreated from pictures the Indiana Historical Society´s vast collections, complete with costumed interpreters in You Are There. Settings include at a WWII-era store, an automobile repair and fuel station and a violin maker´s shop with You Are There. Take a hi-tech walk through the past with Destination Indiana, which includes 188 time-travel "journeys" at touch-screen stations and several more facilitated journeys at its 22.5-by-7.5-foot cinema screen.

Get a taste of how to take care of your own family treasures with the Fortune History Lab, or enjoy the live music of Hoosier legend Cole Porter. Also on display will be several holiday-related covers of the Saturday Evening Post, and all things leg lamp (a la A Christmas Story) are available in the Basile History Market. Discover the IHS´s state-of-the-art research library, publications, educational programs, special events, gift shop and café, all situated along the historic Central Canal, and learn more by visiting www.indianahistory.org.

Plan Your Holiday Adventure In Indianapolis - As you can see there's plenty to do and experience while in Indianapolis! To learn more about each attraction and to plan your trip visit www.visitindy.com/12free.

It's so easy to do so much with so many attractions and events held throughout the year in Indiana and in the Circle City of Indianapolis. For great discounts and exciting things to do visit http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/tripplanner/tripplanner.aspx for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development or go to the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association at http://www.visitindy.com.