Holidays in Carmel is designed to lift the spirits of the community while also maintaining the safety of physical distancing in outdoor settings.
The new and creative attractions were developed after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the need to adjust the city’s holiday celebrations. Activities include enhanced outdoor lighting displays, Santa tours across the city’s neighborhoods and Santa reading letters live online.
Magnificent Monon
A beautiful outdoor walkway of seasonal lights and decorations from Carter Green to Main Street along the Magnificent Monon Greenway through the heart of the city. As you stroll along the Monon, hop on and off the trail for carry-out at one of your favorite merchants in City Center, Midtown or the Arts & Design District.
Santa Tour 2020
Santa takes a journey around the City of Carmel on Sundays and Wednesdays touring neighborhoods in December until Christmas. Decorate your home along the route to show Santa your holiday spirit Santa will arrive by way of a Carmel fire truck along four routes chosen to cover many of the city’s neighborhoods. Check the Santa Tracker to view the routes and find out when he’s close by your home or neighborhood.
Each of the four routes will tour twice, with one falling on a Sunday and the other on Wednesday: Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20; and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23.
Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Nov 29: Comet’s Course – blue
- Dec 6: Dasher’s Drive – green
- Dec 13: Prancer’s Path – purple
- Dec 20: Rudolph’s Route – red
Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Dec 2: Prancer’s Path – purple
- Dec 9: Rudolph’s Route – red
- Dec 16: Comet’s Course – blue
- Dec 23: Dasher’s Drive – green
Santa Letters
Kids (and kids at heart), write your letter to Santa and drop it in one of four custom made mailboxes placed around Carmel for a direct delivery to Santa at the North Pole. Select letters will be read on the city’s social media pages on Tuesday evenings in December at 7 p.m. The video will be aired on Facebook, YouTube and CarmelTV.
Mailbox locations:
- City Center – next to the Hotel Carmichael (1 Carmichael Square)
- Carter Green – on the lawn of the Palladium
- Midtown Plaza – near the firepit (351 Monon Boulevard)
- Arts & Design District – next to All Things Carmel store (110 W. Main St., #104)
“Given the current state of this pandemic, we recognized the need to create outdoor attractions that people can enjoy while walking, riding their bikes or in some cases, from the safety of their front yard or vehicles,” said Nancy Heck, Director of the Community Relations and Economic Development. “We eagerly long for a return to our large events, but our priority is the safety of our community. The events we have planned for 2020 are intended to be celebrated virtually or outdoors with physical distancing.”
For the latest updates on this year’s holiday activities and attractions, check out the city’s Facebook page, or visit HolidaysInCarmel.com.