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This weekend, you’re invited to downtown Indy for the fun and festive Holiday Arts Market on the Circle.

It’s a great place to find some locally made gifts and to have a little fun while you’re shopping.

This is all part of the Indy Keeps Creating series.

Allie Moffett from Downtown Indy, Inc. and Anneliese and Ali, a local singing duo, joined us today to share what people can expect from the event.

Anneliese and Ali will also be performing at the event.

The Holiday Arts Market on the Circle is happening on Saturday, December 11 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

While this Christmas season it sure to be a little different for most of us, Bob Schultz, senior vice-president of marketing and events for Downtown Indy joined us to insure us that there is still much to do in Downtown Indy.

Holiday Market on the Circle

Bring your family to a free Downtown Holiday Market on the Circle Saturday, Dec. 12 from 3 – 7 p.m. Local artists and vendors will be selling unique gifts to complete your holiday list. Enjoy a Beer/Wine Garden thanks to Indy Brew Bus on Tap. Check out the McDonald’s truck with giveaways for menu items. Listen to festive music and take in the Shining A Light Holiday presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art

All aboard! One of Indianapolis’ most popular family holiday traditions returns. Experience the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art’s magical holiday model-train exhibit Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure.Take a journey through a locomotive wonderland as trains wind past icons of Indianapolis and the American West Nov. 21 through Jan. 18. Enjoy all of your favorite miniature recreations including Monument Circle, Lucas Oil Stadium as well as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, Las Vegas and more. Two local backdrops return: The Indiana State Fair and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These amazing structures are uniquely built out of all-natural materials and decorated with holiday lighting. Jingle Rails tickets are timed with limited capacity and visitors must reserve them online.

Indianapolis Zoo

Surround yourself with the beauty of the holiday season as the Indianapolis Zoo returns with the 51st year of Christmas at the Zoo presented by Donatos and Teachers Credit Union. This year’s celebration continues daily Nov. 21 through Dec. 30, closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day. Stop by Santa’s Village under the Bicentennial Pavilion, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, visit with Santa in his study and get up close and personal with penguins. Check out Santa’s sleigh and a few of his reindeer. Then stay late to watch as the Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland covered in lights. For more details, visit IndianapolisZoo.com or call 317.630.2001.

Indiana Historical Society

If you’re seeking a way to brighten your mood this season, look no further than Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees Nov. 13 through Jan. 4 featuring 50 elaboratively-decorated trees. Select Friday evenings will offer extended hours to see the trees by night. Take part in scavenger hunts for The Elf on the Shelf or the 10 pickle ornaments hidden in trees. Stop in the Cole Porter Room for a holiday singalong and enjoy virtual story time with Santa. All exhibits will be open, including You Are There 1920: Celebrate Indianapolis! For those who would rather view from home, a free new virtual experience will allow you to enjoy the festivities on any mobile device. Check out FestivalofTreesIndy.org or call 317.232.1882.

 For more information go to downtownindy.org/backdowntown.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN INDY.

Let’s take a look at some of the fun events and activities you can find in Downtown Indy. We have just four of the many events that will have you heading back downtown and enjoying the best of fall in the city.

Brew HaHa Halloween 5K at Military Park — Saturday, Oct. 31

Treat yourself to the ultimate Halloween 5K Run/Walk. Enjoy the beautiful 5K course along the canal and finish in style with one of the biggest and most unique finisher medals. Race begins at 9 a.m. with a post-race party included.

Now through Nov. 2 — Dia de Muertos Virtual Celebration with the Eiteljorg Museum

While nothing can replace the experience of watching colorful twirling folklorico dancers, taking selfies with immaculately dressed and made-up Catrinas and Catrins and indulging in a loaf of pan de muerto, this year’s completely virtual Día de Muertos Celebration will be offering exciting new opportunities – all from the comfort of your own sofa. To learn more and view the full schedule of events click here.

Free Adult Fitness Class with Naptown Fitness & Indy Cultural Trail — Saturday, Oct. 31 at 9 a.m.

Come for a fun, engaging, free adult fitness class. Meet at the North end of the Canal, for a FREE 45-minute workout led by the coaches at Naptown Fitness.

Now through Nov. 3 — Live at Lugar Plaza

Lugar Plaza, located on the south side of the City County Building and bordered by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is where citizens are waiting in line for early voting.  A wide variety of local, professional musicians have been hired to perform throughout early voting hours daily 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be LIVE music in the plaza through Nov. 3. Stop by and enjoy the free entertainment.

Get creative with your family this holiday season. Children ages 3 — 12 are invited to participate in the IPL Coloring Contest — Now through Nov. 16 (noon)

Five finalists will be selected and the grand prize winner will “flip the switch” for the Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights presented by IBEW 481. Each of the five finalists will receive $529 deposited into a College Choice 529 Direct Savings Plan. Good luck & click here to enter today!

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN INDY.

MONSTER MASKARADE READY TO THRILL ALL 

Check out the all-new Monster MASKarade at The Children’s Museum Fridays and Saturdays in October. Held outdoors in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, enjoy spooky, silly and socially-distanced fun. Friday evening events are 6 – 8 p.m. and include a boxed dinner. Saturday morning events are 8 – 10 a.m. and include a boxed breakfast.

EXPLORE HARVEST NIGHTS AT NEWFIELDS
Harvest Nights is a new event featuring thousands of glowing pumpkins along a never-before-seen path at Newfields. Explore twists and turns on the spooky (not scary) outdoor walking experience of the enchanted forest, an eerie ghost train and Mischief Manor at the Lilly House mansion. Advance tickets are required; runs through Oct. 25.

ZOOBOO OFFERS HALLOWEEN FUN

ZooBoo is always a fun family experience for little ghouls and goblins, as well as the bigger kids. Visit active animals, engaging activities, spooktacular costumes and trick-or-treating and you’ve got an unforgettable family tradition. Activities run Wednesday – Sunday, Oct. 7 – Nov. 1.

HEARTLAND FILM FEST HAS FULL FILM SPECTRUM

The Heartland International Film Festival will feature 76 films, 23 premieres, live virtual filmmaker Q&As and special events Oct. 8 – 18. The theme is The Full Spectrum of Film to celebrate the diverse film genres, stories and perspectives showcased throughout the festival. Whether you’re looking for an investigative documentary, a quirky comedy or a frightening horror, you can be sure to find the perfect film. (Most films are available virtually to watch at home.)

Visit #BackDowntownIndy before and after the race to patronize your favorite restaurants and shops. 

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN INDY, INC.

ENJOY POP-UP PERFORMANCES ON THE CANAL

Get outside and enjoy beautiful fall days with a walk on the Canal. The Indy Cultural Trail is spicing up the ambiance with music from Indy Jazz Fest artists.  Check it out today, Thursday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. on the Downtown Canal. You’ll see Native Sun performing on the North Canal Basin.

BREWFARI AT THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO

Adults 21+ will enjoy exclusive after-hours access with sampling from 22 top craft breweries for Brewfari at the Indianapolis Zoo Saturday, Oct. 3. Halloween-themed activities, animal chats, psychic readings and DJ Lockstar will make for a unique experience. 

ATTEND GERMAN-STYLE MARKET SATURDAY

The 12th Annual GermanFest will be a German-style farmers market in front of the Athenaeum, Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy live polka music and watch virtual weiner dog races.  If you’re not able to attend, check out the GermanFest @ Home party pack. Pre-order your package, featuring Kincaid’s Signature GermanFest Sausages and a 6-pack of Sun King Brewery’s Oktoberfest, and pick up at the Athenaeum through Oct. 2.

INDYCAR HARVEST GP READY FOR FANS AT IMS

For the first time in 2020, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome fans for the INDYCAR Harvest GP presented by GMR weekend. Up to 10,000 spectators can be in the grandstands each day of racing action Oct. 1-4. Check out the NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader, with races Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3. Also, the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli and the GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. The Indianapolis 8 Hour event is Sunday, Oct. 4.

Visit #BackDowntownIndy before and after the race to patronize your favorite restaurants and shops. 

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN INDY, INC.

Today we launch our relationship with Downtown Indy Inc. and their #BackDowntownIndy campaign. Bob Schultz, Sr. VP of Marketing/Events at Downtown Indy Inc. joined us to today with more about this weekend’s event.

Groovin’ Back Downtown will feature local bands, Nauti Yachtys and Toy Factory in the new Amphitheater at White River State Park. Attendees will also enjoy entertainment by DJ GNO, food trucks, beer and wine, and the beginning of milder fall weather in a safe, socially distanced environment. See a video here.

It’s happening Saturday, Sept. 26 from 2:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Event Schedule:

This is a ticketed event and all tickets will be sold at the Park. No pre-event ticket sales will be available. Ticket prices range from $5 (lawn) to $15 (pit seating).

All seats will be distanced to observe social distancing guidelines. In adherence with the guidelines set forth by the Indiana State Department of Health, this event will be limited to the first 1,800 attendees. Masks are required.

To view a seating map, click here.

Parking is available at White River State Park: $10 in the Garage; $20 in the Surface Lot

Special thanks to our sponsors for supporting Groovin’ Back Downtown: Indianapolis Colts and Pacers Sports & Entertainment

For more information visit the Downtown Indy website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

$7.6M project to shine light on Monument Circle

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The nonprofit Downtown Indy Inc. and the Indiana War Memorials Commission shared details Tuesday about Shining a Light, a $7.6 million project funded by the Lilly Endowment.

Bob Schultz is senior vice president of marketing with Downtown Indy, which promotes Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work, and play. He said the project will tell the story of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument on Monument Circle.

“We have the beautiful monument behind us and we have this incredible Circle that is well under-lit during the evening hours and we wanted to infuse arts and culture and more experiences of that on this most iconic landmark,” Schultz said.

The 5-minute program will feature the monument in red, white and blue. LED lights are being placed on top of surrounding buildings and around the Circle.

“The old Anthem Building has video-projection pods that will illuminate and project 4D digital video onto these buildings that will tell the story of freedom,” Schultz said.

The program starting daily after dusk is expected to bring a new experience to the downtown Circle. Music from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will be heard as well.

Chris Gahl is senior vice president of Visit Indy, which promotes city tourism. He said, “It will give us another opportunity to invite our visitors to see Indianapolis in a very meaningful way, a very patriotic way, a very visually stimulating and tech-savvy way.”

Many people told News 8 that they’re looking forward to it all coming together starting Nov. 9.

“I think it sounds exciting honestly. I mean the Circle is like the stable of Indianapolis and something to live it up here would be cool, especially if it was every day,” said local resident Clayton Regnier.

Another person, Molly Tompkins, said, “It has a good cause with it, too. (I’m) military so we get it — veteran — it’s a good cause. It’s a good thing to remember everyone in the state.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Visitors can mark Presidents Day with a uniquely authentic celebration at an Indianapolis landmark steeped in American history: the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

The downtown home of the 23rd president has been preserved as a museum and memorial for Harrison, and will host a series of guided Presidents Day tours featuring historical impersonators.

The live enactors will be in character as Benjamin Harrison, First Lady Caroline Harrison and various members of their staff, guiding visitors through the home as if it were 1891.

“Some people are born to be athletes,” said Charles Braun, a present-day Indianapolis attorney dressed up as his nineteenth century counterpart. “I was born to do this.”

He called his role as Harrison in the Presidents Day reenactment something he is “most proud of” and urged Indianapolis residents to also take pride in preserving history.

“The Harrison family had intimate contact with Indiana in its developmental stage and after statehood,” Braun explained. “This is a very important part of Hoosier history that must be preserved for the students who visit here throughout the year and other individuals who come here from throughout the world.”

Volunteer opportunities at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site include positions as Welcome Center ambassadors, tour guides, educational program assistants, research assistants, special event assistants, gardeners and enactors. Inquiries and resumes can be emailed to volunteer@bhpsite.org.

Presidents Day tours will run Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online. Admission is free for members.