The Christmas holidays are filled with joy and togetherness in Elkhart County. The festive magic bursts into music through holiday concerts and sparkles with unforgettable light displays. Gather your family and friends and make memories for a lifetime.
Goshen First Fridays: Hometown Holiday Celebration
Kick off the holidays with Goshen First Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 1. Downtown Goshen is transformed into a winter wonderland. Join in some traditional Christmas carols at the Goshen Theater, discover one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by local artisans, and indulge in sweet and savory treats at downtown restaurants.
Immerse yourself in creativity and holiday cheer at Coppes Christmas 2023. The friendly community of makers and creatives that call Coppes Commons home will open up from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. December 1-2 for a dazzling display of handmade crafts, unique décor and gifts from vendors in its event center.
Colorful strands of lights and playful decorations make the Christmas holiday bright around Elkhart County. Make your family’s plans to see these incredible light displays:
- Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart: Bigger and brighter than ever, the signature light event in Elkhart opens November 24 for 18 nights ending December 27. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a festive stroll on Wellfield’s Promenade Path. The last admission each night is 8:09 p.m.
- Holiday Lights at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds opens at 6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from November 30 to December 30. This drive-thru experience will be an experience to remember for the whole family.
- Shipshewana Lights of Joy is a remarkable way to experience holiday lights. Load up your car and head to the Shipshewana Flea Market, 345 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, for a 1 ½-mile route packed with festive displays. Open through December 31.
- Find more holiday light displays here
It’s holiday fun for the entire family at Christmas on Main in downtown Elkhart from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 2. Enjoy a variety of holiday open houses at downtown merchants, and the kids will love the craft stations and other activities.
See what happens when Santa Claus mixes it up with the Joker at Christmas with the Heroes at the Hall of Heroes Comic and Superhero Museum, 1915 Cassopolis St., Elkhart, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 2.
Middlebury Christmas Tree Lighting
Bundle up the family for the can’t-miss tradition in Middlebury of lighting the community Christmas tree. Gather around the tree in Memorial Park, 105 N. Main St., Middlebury at 6 p.m. December 2. But don’t leave without enjoying the music, hot cocoa and holiday treats, and other merry-making.
Feel the Christmas spirit through the stunning performances in the Gaither Homecoming Christmas at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 7 at The Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.
Your favorite Christmas songs are sure to be part of the Essenhaus Heart of Christmas Concert from 7 to 9 p.m. December 8 at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, 240 U.S. 20, Middlebury.
Shipshewana Majestic presents Noel
Noel is a Christmas dinner theater tradition that combines live music, horsemanship, aerial acts, humor, and home-cooked food into a holiday extravaganza. Performances continue through December 16 at the Michiana Event Center, 455 E. Farver St., Shipshewana.
This epic Christmas spectacular is a great way to embrace the holidays. A Lerner Christmas will be December 15-17 at The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Premier Arts' high energy and heartwarming performance will have you singing in your seat to your Christmas favorites.
Lace up your hiking boots for an enchanting journey at Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131, Bristol. Parks staff will mark a trail for the Illuminated Trail Hike from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. December 19. Warm up at the charming Baldwin One-Room Schoolhouse with hot chocolate and cookies made from flour milled at the historic mill.
Discover more events in the Elkhart County region