The fun at Conner Prairie doesn’t stop after Christmas. Read below for a list of many family-friendly events for the months of January and February.
Hours
- 26 to Jan. 7
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Closed Jan. 1
- 11 to Feb. 28
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Indoor play spaces and exhibits are open. Outdoor grounds are closed.
Admission
Adults and seniors ages 65 and older: $8
Youth ages 2 to 12: $8
Members and youth under age 2: Free
Group tours (groups of 15 or more should make a reservation by calling Guest Services at (317) 776-6000)
Adults and youth ages 2 to 12: $7
Access Pass
Conner Prairie is proud to partner with other local museums to make family fun available to more Indiana families. Families that participate in any of the state assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps or Hoosier Healthwise Insurance, can visit for just $2 per family member per visit. Aides enjoy complimentary admission with employee ID or proof of employment.
Military Admission Relief
Conner Prairie offers admission relief to the military by providing free daytime general admission to active-duty, retired and veteran military members and 50 percent off the general admission price for up to five immediate family members. Military ID is required. This discount is valid only for daytime general admission.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
- Gingerbread Village
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 2 to 7
See a variety of gingerbread masterpieces created by both amateurs and professionals. Viewing the village is free for members and with paid general admission to Conner Prairie.
- Foraging, Furs and Fun: An Indoor Winter Experience
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 2 to 7
The outdoor grounds may be closed but Conner Prairie will bring the outside into the Welcome Center. Come get an inside look at how settlers survived through winters of the past. Hear a fur trader from 1816 tell stories about hunting and learn how to start a fire. Help out with pickling, drying and preserving foods like residents did back in 1836. Forage with a Civil War soldier. Find out if you have what it takes to survive a 19th-century winter. Lunch options are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Welcome Center. This activity is free for members and with paid general admission to Conner Prairie.
- Hearthside Suppers
6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 11 to 14; Tuesdays through Sundays, Jan. 16 to March 11
$65 non-member adult, $60 member adult
$60 non-member youth, $55 member youth
Hearthside Suppers invites guests to take part in an entertaining evening with costumed interpreters. Hosted in historic William Conner House, you’ll arrive just in time for a light appetizer then lend a hand with the final preparations of the meal. You’ll churn butter, grind coffee, prepare vegetables and more. Through work, conversation and play, you’ll learn about 19th-century food and cooking techniques. Then, after instruction in proper etiquette, you’ll settle in and enjoy a delicious supper by candlelight followed by 19th-century parlor games and dessert. This program is for ages 10 and older. Visit our website for dates. Reservations are required and can be made online at connerprairie.org or by calling (317) 776-6000.
- FREE ADMISSION DAY: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 15
Join us for the day to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of what can be achieved through non-violent protests. In collaboration with Asante Children’s Theatre, there will be special performances of short plays highlighting African-American stories in Indiana’s history. See connerprairie.org in January for the day’s program schedule. Lunch options are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Welcome Center.
- American Heritage Chocolate Making
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 9, Feb. 14
$55 non-member, $50 member
Enjoy time with their loved one with some traditional chocolate treats and drinks. Guests will learn about the history of chocolate and take part in its preparation from bean to cup. Grind on a traditional metate, grate brick chocolate and spices. Warm yourself by the fire as you help to prepare delicacies such as chocolate puffs and cracknels. This class is for guests 18 and older.
- FREE ADMISSION DAY: President’s Day
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 19
It’s George Washington’s birthday and his fellow presidents and first ladies are gathering to throw him a surprise party. All day long history’s greatest presidents and first ladies will give presentations and mingle with partygoers. Visitors can play games, sing songs and hear stories that celebrate the presidency.
PROGRAMS AND CLASSES
Prairie Tykes
$12 non-member, $11 member
Connect one on one with your little ones ages 3 to 6 while you make crafts, dance, sing and take part in the special activity of the day. Younger siblings are welcome; siblings ages 2 and older require a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult at no charge. Reservations are required and can be made online at connerprairie.org or by calling (317) 776-6000.
- Let it Snow
9:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 11 to 12
Celebrate the snow with this Prairie Tykes class, featuring a snow craft, songs, play in fake snow and more.
- Gracious Groundhogs
9:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 25 to 26
During this class, children learn all about what animals do in the winter. They’ll play games with their shadows, make a groundhog craft and enjoy a special snack.
Prairie Tots
$6 non-member, $5 member
A 45-minute program for 2-year-old children filled with silly fun, including crafts, singing and activities perfect for toddlers. Children must be accompanied by an adult at no charge. Reservations are required and can be made online at connerprairie.org or by calling (317) 776-6000.
- Let it Snow
9:30 to 10:15 a.m., 11 to 11:45 a.m. Jan. 19
Celebrate the snow with tons of fun activities, including a snow craft, songs, a chance to play in fake snow and more.
Prairie Pursuits
Prairie Pursuits offers how-to classes and workshops geared toward adults and teens on a variety of topics, and the classes are ideal for anyone wanting to discover new talents or perfect their current skill set. Reservations are required and can be made online at connerprairie.org or by calling (317) 776-6000.
- Basic Pottery
6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27
$165 non–member, $155 member
Learn all aspects of making beautiful wheel thrown pottery including glazing techniques. You’ll have access to your own wheel and equipment while receiving individual instruction from our master potters. It’s a perfect class for beginners and more advanced students. All clay and other materials are included in the class fee. You’ll want to bring an apron and towel for clean-up. For ages 14 and older.
- Primitive Knifemaking
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 13
$95 non-member; $90 member
Make your own knife during this class. You’ll hand forge a simple, one-piece knife using recycled spring steel. After forging the blade, it will be filed and then hardened and tempered to create a sturdy and practical blade. You will need to bring an 8- or 10-inch half-round or flat file with a handle, which will be used to finish the blade.
- Coffee and Doughnuts: 19th-Century Style
9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 20
$45 non-member, $40 member
The smell of coffee and freshly baked bread by a warm fire is a perfect way to beat the winter blues. Help roast green coffee beans at the hearth and process your own fresh java. Then, bake the perfect complement of breads and doughnuts like they did in the 19th century. Ages 18 and older.
- Baking Bread: Hearth Style
1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 27
$60 non-member, $55 member
Blend traditional with contemporary as you explore the basics of baking bread. Learn about various types of corn bread, yeast bread and quick bread, and make your own artisan bread using both hearth-baking and modern-baking techniques. Ages 14 and older.
- Basic Blacksmithing
6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5
$225 non-member, $215 member
Learn the basics of hand-blacksmithing and bench-work techniques, including tending a fire, drawing out, upsetting, welding, file work and finishing work. With those skills, you’ll complete a series of simple projects, including hooks, chain links, cooking utensils and blacksmith tongs. All materials are provided. Ages 16 and older.
- Knifemaking: Making a Hand-forged Knife
6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8
$175 non-member, $160 member
Crafting your own knife is a satisfying challenge. During this course series, you’ll upcycle used steel into hand-forged and finished knives. Learn about proper forging, heat treating and handle construction. Some basic tools and materials are required. Ages 16 and older.
- Fun in the Forge
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 3
$95 non-member, $90 member
Be a blacksmith for a day. Learn to heat metal in a coal forge and shape it on an anvil. Complete several simple projects, such as barbeque skewers, a flint and steel fire starter with instructions on how to use it and a dinner bell. All tools and materials will be provided. Ages 14 and older.
- Fun at the Potter’s Wheel
9:30 to Noon Feb. 17
$55 non-member, $50 member
This is a fun class designed to introduce you to wheel thrown pottery. No experience is necessary. All materials and supplies will be provided. You’ll want to bring an apron and towel for cleaning up. Your pottery pieces will be fired, glazed and ready for pick-up about one month after the class. Ages 14 and older.