The Thanksgiving holiday approaches, and Christmas and wintertime fun follows soon after. Find fun activities, festivals and things to do with your family and friends that are also kid-friendly!
Goshen First Friday: Holiday Light Parade
Downtown Goshen will be lit on First Fridays with the Holiday Light Parade featuring a procession of lighted floats on Main Street. From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, November 1 . Downtown will glow in the light as you cozy up to comfort food specials and merchants who will help you get ready for a holiday season of entertaining and gift-giving.
46th Elkhart Juried Regional
Talented artists from across northern Indiana have their best on display at the Midwest Museum of Art, 429 S. Main St., Elkhart. The 46th annual Elkhart Juried Regional draws talent in every visual art medium, from paintings to drawings and sculpture and photography. The Elkhart Juried Regional exhibit will be on display through December 22, 2024.
Finding Nemo Jr.
Gather the kids to embrace the magic of Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” at The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Premier Arts brings this kid favorite extravaganza to the stage November 1-2, 2024.
Holiday at the Mill
From Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to live reindeer to Christmas cookies, Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131, Bristol, will get everyone ready for the holidays. Get a spot for a horse-drawn carriage ride and follow it up with family-friendly activities at Holiday at the Mill from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024.
Trace Adkins: Somewhere in America Tour
Country music star Trace Adkins will bring his Somewhere in America Tour to the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 760 S. Van Buren S.t, Shipshewana, at 8 p.m. Friday, November 8. Over his 25-year career, Adkins has sold millions of albums and garnered critical acclaim in the form of multiple Grammy nominations.
The Lighting of Shipshewana
While the Light Parade is the centerpiece of The Lighting of Shipshewana at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024, a day of family fun awaits starting at 10 a.m. with shopping opportunities, activities and more in downtown Shipshewana.
Shipshewana Lights of Joy
Enjoy an incomparable 2-mile-long holiday light spectacular featuring 2 million LED Christmas lights. The drive-through experience starts on November 15, 2024, at the Shipshewana Flea Market, 345 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, and continues on select dates through December 31, 2024.
Elkhart County Symphony: Slavic Masterworks
Surround yourself in culture in the beautifully renovated Lerner Theatre as the Elkhart County Symphony will have its first indoor concert of the season, Slavic Masterworks. The concert features pianist Minju Choi Witte as a guest soloist and starts at 4 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Anastasia: The Musical
Transport yourself on an enchanting adventure in “Anastasia: The Musical,” opening November 21, 2024, at the Round Barn Theatre, 1600 Market St., Nappanee, at The Barns at Nappanee. Performances continue through December 31, 2024.
Goshen Nights of Lights
See Goshen’s Shanklin Park all decked out for Christmas at Goshen Nights of Lights from 5 to 10 p.m. November 23, 2024, through January 1, 2025. This spectacular light show will be the highlight of your holidays.
The Navigator
Come see the show that started it all at The Lerner Theatre. From 3 to 6 p.m. November 24, 2024, grab a seat and some popcorn for a screening of “The Navigator” starring Buster Keaton in celebration of the Lerner’s 100th anniversary. This silent film was shown on the theater’s opening night back in 2024. There will be plenty of sound to go with the movie, as organist Clark Wilson will perform on the Lerner’s gloriously restored Kimball organ.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights
Elkhart’s holiday tradition begins Friday, November 29, 2024, with the opening of Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart. Bigger and better than ever, the gardens are magical lit up in various Christmas and holiday themes. Join the holiday fun from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 28, 2024.
Click here for more holiday light displays in Elkhart County and nearby.