The City of Noblesville, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, Noblesville Main Street and Nickel Plate Arts have numerous events for the upcoming holiday activities in the downtown district, including Federal Hill Commons, the Courthouse Square and Seminary Park.
“The City of Noblesville is a wonderful place to be during the holidays and these groups create festive ways to expand the experiences for our residents and guests,” Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear said.
The holiday season kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 with the annual Noblesville Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce. This event, held at the Hamilton County Judicial Center, 1 Hamilton County Square, is always a hit with families and includes holiday music and sing-alongs, special guests, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Mayor John Ditslear, and of course, the lighting of the beautiful downtown lights and Christmas tree. The ceremony will take place inside with the tree lighting on the courthouse square.
To celebrate Small Business Saturday, make sure you stop by the Nickel Plate Arts Gifted exhibit and the other downtown merchants on Saturday, Nov. 30. Gifted, an exhibit-turned-gift-market featuring locally made art and crafts that make great holiday gifts, will remain until Dec. 28 and will be available from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the Judge Stone House, 107 S. Eighth St.
The holiday spirit continues at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 with the annual Christmas Parade. As always, the holiday parade will mark the debut of Santa Claus to Noblesville for the season. This parade is rain or shine or will makes its way from 16th Street and Harrison Street to Logan Street; west on Logan to 9th Street; north on 9th to Monument Street; and east on Monument to 16th Street where it will end.
The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday luncheon featuring the Noblesville High School Singers and a dance performance from En Pointe is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Purgatory Golf Club, 12160 E. 216th St. Cost is $24 for chamber members and $27 for non-members. For information about the tree lighting ceremony or luncheon, call the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce at (317) 773-0086.
The downtown fun continues with First Friday events on Dec. 6. Noblesville Youth Assistance Program will be selling stockings for your little ones to take around to participating stores who will fill them up with all kinds of goodies. Numerous downtown merchants will stay open until midnight. Enjoy free hot chocolate compliments of Noblesville Main Street on the square and Nickel Plate Arts will be hosting the Celebrate Art Holiday Show.
The Noblesville Preservation Alliance will once again present Lights Over Seminary powered by Duke Energy. The walkable, holiday lights display in Seminary Park includes vintage decorations used by the city in the past on display along with a collection of new pieces and themed trees. The opening event will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 with the lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. and includes carolers, live musicians and free hot chocolate. Lights Over Seminary will run 5 to 11 p.m. nightly through December.
Noblesville Parks invites the public to join on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza for its Toy Drive. Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Noblesville Fire Department’s Annual Toy Drive and receive the $10 admission rate, including skate rental. The 56-foot by 96-foot ice rink is open 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Starting on Dec. 22, hours will be extended to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except on Christmas Day, for enjoyment during Noblesville School’s winter break. For more information on the Ice Plaza, visit federalhillcommons.com.
Noblesville Main Street will host its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St. Admission is $3. Vendors of original art, quality crafts, holiday decorations, vintage collectibles, homemade food favorites and gift items galore will all be under one roof. For more information, call Noblesville Main Street at (317) 776-0205.
Dec. 7 is the grand opening of the Christmas Cottage at Federal Hill Commons, next to the Ice Plaza. Children are invited to visit Santa at the cottage, which is ran by the City of Noblesville, to tell him what they’d like for Christmas. Santa will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays (Dec. 13 and 20) and Saturdays (Dec. 7, 14 and 21) and 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays (Dec. 8, 15 and 22). Kris Kringle also will be at the Christmas Cottage from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, 17 and 23. Visits with Santa are free and parents are welcome to bring a camera to capture those memories and the atmosphere.
Throughout the month, the partnership of the City of Noblesville, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, Noblesville Main Street and Nickel Plate Arts will use the hashtag #HolidaysInNoblesville to provide more details and photos from the various downtown events. Event organizers encourage residents to follow the hashtag and share images.