Holiday Happenings in Michiana
Below is a list of Holiday festivities in the Michiana area! I also included on-going events at the bottom. So be sure to click the links to see when to attend. Also, subscribe to this free newsletter here to stay up to date on events in the area.
These events are all accurate at the time of posting, but be sure to call ahead or check vendor websites/socials before heading out.
Winter Open 2025. November 28th. 10am- 7:30pm. Howard Park South Bend. You’re invited to celebrate the official opening of the ice skating season with a day full of FREE activities, and everyone is invited! The park will be bustling with holiday excitement, so sip, skate, and sing your way around Howard Park.
Gift of Lights. November 28th. 5pm-9pm. Potawatomi Zoo. Opening Night. Beautiful holiday lights celebration, a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Enjoy twinkling lights, visit Santa, sip hot chocolate, and so much more during The Gift of Lights.
Aurinko Ballet: Nutcracker. November 29th. 3:00pm. Lerner Theater Elkhart. A family friendly performance for all ages. Our version of the Nutcracker does not use the traditional Tchaikovsky score, yet the storylines are similar.
Tree Lighting at the Inn at St. Mary's. December 2nd 6:30pm. Behind the Inn at St. Mary’s. South Bend. Bring your loved ones and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies in a festive, cozy atmosphere, complete with our tree lighting, a magical fireworks show to follow, a Letters to Santa mailbox, and a special visit from Santa himself.
Hometown Holiday. December 5th. 5:00pm-9:00pm. Downtown Goshen. The entire community comes together in Downtown Goshen to celebrate the holiday season. With so many family friendly activities. Free photos with santa, tree lighting at 630, food, drinks and shopping.
Holiday Lights. December 5th. 6pm-9pm. Opening Night. Elkhart County 4H Fair Grounds. Join us this season for a Merry and Bright drive through experience. $10 per car. This event is on-going and has multiple dates.
Winter Fest. December 6th. 5pm-8:30pm. Downtown Mishawaka. Ironworks Plaza. Opening day of the Ironworks Ice Rink! Lighted parade, our tree lighting, ice skating, inflatables, pictures with Santa, a holiday market, food trucks, a trackless train, Zbot Robot, fire performers, an ice carver and A DRONE SHOW!
Winter Fest. December 6th. 6pm-9pm. Downtown Elkhart. Winterfest, presented by Sunny 101.5, returns and will be filled with lights, music, and laughter. The parade, the tree lighting, special open houses, kids' activities, Santa fun…
Southhold Dance: The Nutcracker. December 6th, 2pm & 7pm/December 7th 2pm. Morris Performing Arts Center. South Bend. The Nutcracker featuring music recorded and performed by The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra! Celebrating 44yrs.
Madrigal Dinner. December 6th 7:00pm / December 7th 2:00pm. In proper madrigal dinner form, each course of your meal is announced with fanfare and song as carolers, dancers, and more perform right in front of you. It's an experience that the whole family will enjoy.
Christmas at Copshaho. December 7th & 14th 4:00pm-7:00pm. The History Museum. South Bend. The elegant Oliver Mansion is decorated beautifully for the holidays, and self-guided tours during Christmas at Copshaholm are a wonderful way to enjoy the home’s Yuletide splendor. Christmas trees can be found on all three floors of the historic house. Fireplace mantels and tabletops with Yuletide décor add to the beauty of the home. Live piano music can be heard throughout the mansion, and kids can have fun with an “Elf-on-the-Copsha-Shelf.” In the Carriage House, young ones can decorate ornaments, create their own Christmas card, write a personal letter to Santa, and more!
South Bend Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays. December 13th, 7:30pm/December 14th 2:30pm. Morris Performing Arts Center. South Bend. A spectacular program of cherished Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes that bring joy to all.
Luminary Walk. December 20th. 6pm-8pm. Mishawaka Res. An enchanting evening with trail luminaries, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer. Mishawaka High School Chamber Choir will be singing holiday carols! A local Cellist and Santa will be there as well. Adults $10. 12 and under $5. 3 and under free.
Santas Workshop. December 20th. 8am-3:30pm. Woodland Nature Center. Elkhart. Looking for a little extra time to finish your holiday shopping? We’ve got you covered. Drop the kids off for a fun, festive day while you check a few things off your list. Kids will enjoy games, holiday activities, and plenty of cheerful winter vibes. Pack a lunch if there all day. Cost is $25 and must register.
ON GOING EVENTS
Ice Skating at Nibco. Opens December 7th-March 1st. Weather permitting. Check website for more details.
Ice Skating at Ironworks Plaza. Opens December 6th. Weather permitting. Click the link to register. Home of the ice rink bumper cars!
Ice Skating at Howard Park. Opens November 28th. Weather permitting. Click the link to register.
Holiday Lights. Elkhart County 4H Fair Grounds. Join us this season for a Merry and Bright drive through experience. $10 per car. Click link to check dates and times.
Gift of Lights. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Potawatomi Zoo. Beautiful holiday lights celebration, a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Enjoy twinkling lights, visit Santa, sip hot chocolate, and so much more during The Gift of Lights. Click link to check times and get tickets.
Shipshewanas Lights of Joy. Mon-Sun. This drive-through experience is now home to more than two million LED Christmas lights displayed over an almost 2 mile symphony of colorful light scenes, animatronics, and more for this upcoming holiday season. $30 a vehicle. Click link for times.
Dashers Drive Through. St. Joseph County Fair grounds the weekends in December. Ring your family for a night of fun and beautiful light displays! Admission is FREE! Donations are welcome and appreciated, but not required. Click for times.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights. Wellfield Botanical Garden. Elkhart. 1.8millions lights on almost a mile long walk. Available most nights. Click for times and tickets.
Lights at Fernwood. Fernwood Botanical Gardens. Niles Michigan. Available most Mon-Sun. Concessions on some dates including adult beverages. Click for times and tickets.
Santa Train. Hoosier Valley Rainyard. North Judson. A little out of town, but we did this one year and the kids loved it. Experience the magic of the season with a trip aboard the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum's Santa Train! Trains leave the depot in North Judson, Indiana, and take passengers on a leisurely journey through the rural wintery landscape. Passengers get to visit Santa and take family photos to remember the experience. Plus, every child aboard the train receives a special gift from the jolly old elf himself! Click for times and Tickets. Prices vary.
Snowtubing, Snow Shoeing, Cross County Skiing, St Pats Park. South Bend. Check out times and rentals for tubing, shoeing and CC skiing!
Snowtubing at George Wilson George Wilson Park. Mishawaka. $4 a person. $3 for tube rental. So many hills to pick from. Tickets sold at the park. Mishawaka parks page is the best page to go for updates to know when they are opened. Linked.
Blasko Family Christmas Lights. (This will be on going. Opening night I believe is December 1st but he hasn't posted much info yet. I'll update when I know more.)