The Noblesville Parks and Recreation Department has announced that “Holidays at the Hill” will return for its second season at Federal Hill Commons from Nov. 20 through Jan. 9, 2022. The holiday tradition in Noblesville includes an ice skating rink, walking light tour, carriage rides and holiday market.
“Holidays at the Hill is a one-stop location with activities for all ages – children through adults – to enjoy time together and create lasting memories,” said Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen. “Our residents are always looking for ways to celebrate the holidays with friends and families and Holidays at the Hill adds to the offerings we have in Downtown Noblesville.”
Families can reserve a unique, private carriage ride through downtown Noblesville for $75. Rides lasting approximately 15 minutes can seat up to six adults and three to five children on adults’ laps. Carriage rides will be offered on five days in December.
Leading up to Christmas Eve, private rides with Santa will be available for $125 beginning on Dec. 20. In addition to Santa, rides will seat up to five adults and three to five children on adults’ laps. Sponsored by Bailey & Wood Financial Group Noblesville, each ride includes only one group and must be reserved in advance online at bit.ly/fhccarriagerides. Carriage ride registration is open now.
Additionally, the city has created a special mailbox at the Christmas Cottage to accept letters to Santa. That jolly old elf himself will be checking it to read all of the letters dropped off by children with their holiday wishes. Santa can be seen as the featured guest as part of the city’s “Home for the Holidays Tour,” which will travel through neighborhoods the first two weekends in December. More details and routes will be announced shortly.
The temporary ice rink, with real ice, will open at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 and will close for the season on Jan. 9, 2022. The 56-by-100-foot ice rink will be located at the Market Plaza at Federal Hill Commons.
From Nov. 20 through Dec. 22, Ice Plaza hours are 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Starting on Dec. 23, hours will be extended from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday for enjoyment during Noblesville Schools’ winter break. The rink will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday. The rink will have special holiday hours on Nov. 26 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and on Dec. 24 and 31 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The Ice Plaza will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
All ages are welcome to participate and rental ice skates range from kid to adult sizes. Admission rates are $13 for those ages 13 and older and $11 for those ages 12 and younger. A 10-skate pass is available for $110 and a five-skate pass is $60. Guests may bring their own skates if they prefer, but skate rental is included in the admission fee. Skating aids will be available for $3.
“2021 will be the fifth year of the city hosting the Ice Plaza and each year we’ve looked at ways to improve the experience for our residents and guests,” Parks Director Brandon Bennett said. “The Ice Plaza had 8,000 skaters during the 2020 season and we can’t wait to see even more guests this year.”
Federal Hill Commons’ event lawn will be transformed into a walkable lights display with picturesque views and a warming shelter and food/drink trucks on select days. The Holiday Market, presented by Moonshot Games, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 and will include local restaurants and holiday artisan vendors for shoppers.
To inspire people to explore the numerous shops, restaurants and arts venues that downtown Noblesville has to offer, use of The Levinson parking garage is free during the holiday season. The garage entrance is located on Maple Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets.
Holidays at the Hill would not be possible without the support of the following businesses and organizations: Bailey and Wood Financial Group, Bastian Solutions, Burtner Electric, CarDon Senior Living, Church, Church, Hittle + Antrim, Ceres Co-Op, Cityscape Residential/NEXUS, Context Design, CSI Signs, Gaylor Electric, Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, Horizon Bank, Indiana American Water, IU Health Saxony Hospital, Logan Street Signs & Banners, McGavic Outdoor Power, Midwest Paving, Moonshot Games, Myers Construction Management, Inc., Noble Auto Service, Noblesville Magazine, Old Town Companies, Pediatric Dentistry of Noblesville, Peterson Architecture, Realign-4-Life Chiropractic, Reggie’s Motorworks, Urban Air, and Wings Etc.
For additional information about Holidays at the Hill, visit cityofnoblesville.org/holidays.
About Noblesville Parks & Recreation
The Noblesville Parks and Recreation Department manages over 876 acres of parkland in the City of Noblesville, including seven developed parks, 109 acres of undeveloped properties and 127 miles of trails, connector sidewalks and greenways throughout the community, in addition to two golf courses and the Noblesville Soccer Fields. For more information, visit noblesvilleparks.org.