The City of Noblesville, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, Noblesville Main Street and Nickel Plate Arts are finalizing plans for the upcoming holiday activities – and will launch a new marketing campaign to promote holiday festivities in the downtown district, including Federal Hill Commons, the courthouse square and Seminary Park.
“The campaign of ‘Skate – Snap – Shop – Sip – Celebrate the Season in Downtown Noblesville!’ will illustrate the variety of destinations, special features and activities available throughout downtown this holiday season,” Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear said.
More information about events, activities and downtown happenings will be shared on the campaign’s newly created Facebook page, fb.me/DecktheDowntownNoblesville. Residents are encouraged to follow to keep up to date through the holiday season.
The holiday season kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23 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, Noblesville, 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.
On Saturday, Nov. 24, Nickel Plate Arts will open Gifted, an exhibit-turned-gift-market featuring locally made art and crafts that make great holiday gifts. The exhibit will remain until Dec. 29 and available from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the Judge Stone House, 107 S. Eighth St. The city and collaborating organizations also encourage the shop local theme this year on Saturday, Nov. 24, commonly known as Small Business Saturday. As a reminder, patrons that bring a local small business receipt to the Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza will receive the $10 admission rate per person on the same day.
The holiday spirit continues at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25 with the annual Christmas Parade. As always, the holiday parade will mark the debut of Santa Claus to Noblesville for the season. Jack Martin will serve as grand marshal.
Noblesville Parks invites the public to join them on Friday, November 30 at the Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza for its Elf Party & 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 from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 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.
Nov. 30 also is the grand opening of the Christmas Cottage at Federal Hill Commons. Children are invited to visit Santa at the cottage, which is run by the City of Noblesville, to tell him what they’d like for Christmas. Santa will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays (Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14 and 21) and Saturdays (Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22) and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays (Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23).
“The City of Noblesville is excited to incorporate the new Christmas Cottage at Federal Hill Commons and expand the holiday experience at the park,” said Ditslear. “Santa’s House is free to visit and parents are welcome to bring a camera to capture those memories and the atmosphere.”
Noblesville Main Street will host its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. 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.
Nickel Plate Arts will host Santa’s Workshops for ages 5 to 14 on Saturdays in December. Santa’s Workshop will feature hour and a half art sessions guided by local artist and art teacher Darlene Patterson. Each Saturday will feature a new and different holiday-themed project. For more information or to register, visit nickelplatearts.org/signature-events/holiday-events or call (317) 452-3690.
The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday luncheon featuring the North Elementary Hand Chime Choir and choral groups from Noblesville High School is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5 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, contact the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce at (317) 773-0086.
The downtown fun continues with First Friday events on Dec. 7. 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 Hamilton County Artists’ Association will be having an open house at the Birdie Gallery. Residents can also explore the Gifted exhibit, enjoy live music from the Fishers Community Chorus and a showcase by local painter Bobbi K. Samples at Nickel Plate Arts.
Lights Over Seminary presented by Noblesville Preservation Alliance and powered by Duke Energy is a walkable, holiday lights display in Seminary Park that will focus on history. Vintage decorations used by the city in the past are being restored for display along with a collection of new pieces from local artists that convey or relate to our history. The lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 and includes carolers, live musicians and free hot chocolate. Lights Over Seminary will run from 5 to 11 p.m. nightly through December.
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 on social media to provide more details and photos from the various downtown events. Noblesville encourages residents to follow the hashtag and share images.