Three great holiday traditions return this Saturday to Center Green as the City of Carmel celebrates the opening of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, The Ice at Center Green and the ever-popular Holiday at Center Green.
The trio of ceremonies, which are free and open to the public, begins at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome from Mayor Jim Brainard and entertainment by the Alphorns. A variety of entertainment will continue throughout the day, including Santa’s arrival at 3:30 p.m. and the official holiday tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The festivities will end at 9 p.m.
This is the second year for the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, a traditional European holiday market that celebrates the heritage and culture of Germany and Germanic countries. Last year more than 150,000 visited the market. This year, additional vendor huts have been added along with a hanging grill hut and what is believed to be the tallest Glühwein Pyramid in the United States. More than 45 huts will line the market with gifts and treats from Germany, with this year boasting a wider range of items and price points.
The Ice at Center Green – Carmel’s only outdoor skating rink – will open with the market and remain open through March 10. The frozen surface of the rink allows for festive days and beautiful nights of skating at the Palladium and Carmel City Center. New this year is an online ticketing portal that guarantees a place on the ice when purchased in advance.
Both the Christkindlmarkt and Ice at Center Green will be open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays until Dec. 23 (closed on Thanksgiving Day). The Ice at Center Green will continue to remain open on Dec. 26, running daily day through Jan. 6 and then Thursdays through Sundays from Jan. 10 until March 10. Hours of operation, skate session times and skate admission prices can be found at CarmelChristkindlmarkt.com and TheIceAtCenterGreen.com.
Holiday at Center Green, Carmel’s annual holiday lighting ceremony (which formerly was held at Carmel Civic Square and the Gazebo) will be punctuated with jugglers, carolers, balloon artists, face painters and a visit from Santa and his reindeer, along with other North Pole animals from Silly Safari. Entertainment will include Blair Clark, Alphorns, the Jay Fox Band Trio “Jammin Germans,” The Actors Theatre of Indiana Trio – Don Farrell, Judy Fitzgerald and Cynthia Collins, Indiana Ballet Conservatory, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the Carmel Middle School Choir and Polka Bob. All children visiting with Santa will receive free goodie bags filled with surprises donated by event sponsors.
Nearby free covered parking is available at the Veterans Way Garage. Handicap parking is available at the Tarkington Garage.
For more information on these and other holiday events in Carmel, go to HolidaysInCarmel.com.