The Bloomington area has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Hometown Heritage Christmas Market in Bloomington on November 7 to Skate with Santa in Bloomington, on December 12. 2 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Indiana, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Bloomington for 2026, in Bloomington
- First: Hometown Heritage Christmas Market, Bloomington, November 7. Runs latest: Skate with Santa, Bloomington, through December 12
- Free: Santa Visit at the Handmade Market and Bloomington Holiday Market
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
What are you looking for?
All 5 events
Nothing matches yet. Try another kind of event, or .
Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 4 more Bloomington events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Bloomington.
- Exclusive access to free events Find the free Christmas events in Bloomington before they fill up.
- Start your magical Christmas season now Every event appears the moment you enter your email.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Waiting inside
- 5 Santa
- 3 Markets
- 1 Shows
- 1 Crafts
- 2 Free
Enter your email and all will appear instantly.
The Christmas magic awaits
Enter your email to get Christmas event notifications all season long and unlock the details on 4 Christmas events in Bloomington.
- New events in Bloomington every week
- Exclusive access to free events
- Your magical Christmas season starts now
- Christmas Eve Express and free advent calendar
- One-tap add to calendar
Christmas events for kids in Bloomington
5 confirmed events for kids in Bloomington, soonest first.
Santa visit
Hometown Heritage Christmas Market
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 am to 3 pm
- Where: Hometown Heritage Christmas Market, Bloomington
- Cost: Price to be announced
Details, tips and host
The Hometown Heritage Christmas Market fills the venue on West Woodyard Road with rows of locally sourced handmade goods and vintage items. It runs on Saturday, November 7, from 10 am to 3 pm, which makes it one of the first holiday outings of the season in Bloomington.
Santa and the Grinch are scheduled to make special appearances during the day, so children have a chance to meet them while grown-ups shop. The listing does not give set appearance times, and admission was still to be determined when Visit Bloomington published its holiday roundup, so it is worth checking before you leave home.
Parent tip: Admission was not yet announced on the listing, and Santa has no set appearance time, so plan to browse for a while.
- Host
- Visit Bloomington (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Hometown Heritage Christmas Market, 5331 W Woodyard Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa visitFree
Santa Visit at the Handmade Market
- When: Sat November 21 and Sun November 22, 2026, 11 am to 3 pm
- Where: Monroe Convention Center, Bloomington
- Cost: Free
Details, tips and host
The Bloomington Handmade Market runs Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Monroe Convention Center. Families can visit with Santa each day between 11 am and 3 pm, and the listing says there are other kid-friendly activities as well.
The visit is free, so it is an easy way to see Santa without a ticket or a reservation. Because the market is indoors, it works well on a chilly late November weekend and pairs naturally with some handmade holiday shopping for the grown-ups.
Parent tip: Santa is only there from 11 am to 3 pm, so plan your arrival inside that window.
- Host
- Bloomington Handmade Market (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Monroe Convention Center, 302 S College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa and Mrs. ClausFree
Bloomington Holiday Market
- When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 10 am to 3 pm
- Where: City Hall and Showers Common, Bloomington
- Cost: Free
Details, tips and host
The Bloomington Holiday Market takes place on Saturday, November 28, from 10 am to 3 pm at City Hall and Showers Common in downtown Bloomington. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there between 11 am and 2 pm, so that is the best window for kids who want to say hello.
Admission is free, and the market is on the Saturday right after Thanksgiving, which makes it a relaxed way to start the season with the family. The listing does not describe other children's activities, so think of it as a market visit with a Santa stop built in.
Parent tip: Santa and Mrs. Claus are present from 11 am to 2 pm only.
- Host
- Visit Bloomington (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- City Hall and Showers Common, 401 N Morton St, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa visit
Sensory-Friendly Photos With Santa
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 11 am to 12:30 pm
- Where: Allison-Jukebox Community Center, Bloomington
- Cost: $15 per family slot
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
This visit with Santa is designed for children with sensory sensitivities. Each family reserves a private time slot, so there are no lines and no loud noises, and the setting stays calm and welcoming. It takes place on Saturday, December 5, from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center.
The cost is $15, and pre-registration is required through the city's online registration. Space is limited. Families with more than one child should reserve just one time slot. The listing says to bring your own camera for photos, and it is open to all ages.
Parent tip: Reserve one slot per family, even with siblings, and bring your own camera.
- Host
- City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Allison-Jukebox Community Center, Bloomington, IN
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa visit
Skate with Santa
- When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 1:30 to 3 pm
- Where: Frank Southern Ice Arena, Bloomington
- Cost: $7 per person, plus $3 skate rental
Details, tips and host
Skate with Santa takes place on Saturday, December 12, from 1:30 to 3 pm at the Frank Southern Ice Arena. Skaters glide around the rink to holiday music, and Santa and his elves are on hand for photos and to hear what is on each child's wish list.
Admission is $7 per person, plus $3 if you need to rent skates, so a family renting for everyone should budget accordingly. The listing does not give an age range or say whether tickets must be booked ahead, so check with the arena if your child is a first-time skater.
Parent tip: Skate rental is an extra $3 per person, so bring your own skates if you have them.
- Host
- Visit Bloomington (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S Henderson St, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Bloomington? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Indiana Christmas train rides page.
Bloomington Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Bloomington
- Season
- November 7 to December 12, 2026
- Free events
- 2
- Kinds of events
- Santa visit and Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Bloomington Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Hometown Heritage Christmas Market in Bloomington on November 7; the last runs to December 12. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Hometown Heritage Christmas MarketBloomington · Nov 7
- Santa Visit at the Handmade MarketBloomington · Nov 21 to Nov 22
- Bloomington Holiday MarketBloomington · Nov 28
- Sensory-Friendly Photos With SantaBloomington · Dec 5
- Skate with SantaBloomington · Dec 12
Looking further afield? Our Indiana Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville and South Bend. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Bloomington
In Bloomington, Indiana, the courthouse square turns into a glowing canopy every holiday season, with strings of lights stretching from the Monroe County Courthouse to the buildings around it. Santa flips the switch, and the whole town counts down.
How Bloomington celebrates
Bloomington's signature tradition is the Canopy of Lights, held on the courthouse square the Friday after Thanksgiving. Lights were first strung there in the 1940s and 1950s, and Downtown Bloomington revived the custom after forming in 1984. The B Square Bulletin calls it an annual tradition since 1985. Santa switches on more than 5,000 bulbs on and around the courthouse. Across town, candles on the Indiana Memorial Union towers have marked the season since 1968, and that event has grown into Light Up the Night.
Christmas last year in Bloomington
The 2025 Canopy of Lights took place on Friday, November 28, with a lighting ceremony from 6:45 to 7:30 pm. Santa turned on the lights while Windfall Dancing Elves, the Bloomington Brass Band, a Kid Kazooey sing-along and a preview of A Christmas Story from Constellation Stage and Screen entertained the crowd. Afterward kids could take photos and leave letters for Santa at Fountain Square Mall. Light Up the Night at the IMU followed on December 4, and the Monroe County Fairgrounds held its holiday lights on weekends.
Fun facts about Christmas in Bloomington
The word canopy describes the lights strung from the courthouse to the surrounding buildings, like a glowing roof over the square. In 2024 the Monroe County Fairgrounds opened its first drive-through light show, with more than 150 displays along a route of about 1.1 miles, including a steamboat, light tunnels and a 12 Days of Christmas scene. It ends at a Santa Village. Kids can also ice skate with Santa at the Frank Southern Ice Arena each December.
Trains and Christmas near Bloomington
Bloomington has no railroad museum on our list, but Indiana has good ones for train fans. The Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick runs a scenic railway through the Hoosier National Forest and the Burton Tunnel, the second longest in Indiana. The Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville rides 12 miles of the old Nickel Plate Road in two-story 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan coaches. The Linden Depot Museum has a replica 1837 steam engine and is open April to October.
- Indiana Railway Museum: The museum behind the French Lick Scenic Railway, where visitors ride through the Hoosier National Forest and the Burton Tunnel.
- Nickel Plate Express: Themed train rides from Forest Park in Noblesville in two-story 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan coaches.
- Linden Depot Museum: A volunteer-run depot museum with a CSX caboose and a full-size replica 1837 steam engine, open April to October.
Traditions today
- Canopy of Lights: Santa switches on more than 5,000 bulbs strung over the Monroe County Courthouse square the Friday after Thanksgiving.
- Light Up the Night at the IMU: Candles on the Indiana Memorial Union towers are lit, with ice skating, live performances and a winter market.
- Photos and letters to Santa: After the Canopy of Lights ceremony, kids can take photos and drop letters to Santa at Fountain Square Mall.
- Skate with Santa: Families skate to holiday music at the Frank Southern Ice Arena and take photos with Santa each December.
- Monroe County Fairgrounds holiday lights: A drive-through light show with more than 150 displays and a Santa Village at the end, started in 2024.
- Monroe County History Center Holiday Open House: The History Center opens its doors on Canopy of Lights evening for a holiday open house.
A fact for kids
In Bloomington, Santa turns on more than 5,000 light bulbs at once, and the lights stretch from the courthouse to nearby buildings like a glowing roof over the square.
Questions about Christmas in Bloomington
What is the Canopy of Lights in Bloomington?
The Canopy of Lights is Bloomington's holiday lighting tradition on the Monroe County Courthouse square. Lights are strung from the courthouse to the buildings around it like a canopy, and Santa switches on more than 5,000 bulbs. It is held the Friday after Thanksgiving, with a ceremony and family activities downtown.
How long has the Canopy of Lights been going?
The B Square Bulletin calls it an annual tradition since 1985, and Indiana Public Media says it has run for about 40 years. Lights were strung on the courthouse in the 1940s and 1950s, the custom stopped, and Downtown Bloomington revived it after forming in 1984.
When was the Canopy of Lights in 2025?
It took place on Friday evening, November 28, 2025, around the Monroe County Courthouse. The lighting ceremony ran from 6:45 to 7:30 pm. Free street and garage parking was available from Friday through Sunday. Our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's schedule.
Who turns on the lights at the Canopy of Lights?
Santa does. In the ceremony, a community carol sing-along welcomes him, and then he switches on more than 5,000 bulbs on and around the courthouse. A Light Up a Life tree for IU Health Hospice is part of the evening too.
What happened at the 2025 Canopy of Lights ceremony?
Santa switched on the lights while Windfall Dancing Elves, the Bloomington Brass Band, a Kid Kazooey sing-along and a preview of A Christmas Story from Constellation Stage and Screen took part. Mayor Kerry Thomson joined, and a community carol sing-along welcomed Santa. Food drive donations went to Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
Can kids meet Santa after the Canopy of Lights?
Yes. After the ceremony in 2025, families could take photos with Santa and drop off letters to him at Fountain Square Mall. Other downtown stops that evening included the Monroe County History Center Holiday Open House and shows by the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
Why is it called a canopy of lights?
The name comes from how the lights are hung. Strings stretch from the Monroe County Courthouse out to the surrounding buildings, forming a glowing roof over the square. For kids, it can help to say that the courthouse square gets a sparkling ceiling every holiday season.
What is the candle lighting at Indiana University?
Each winter, candles on the towers of the Indiana Memorial Union are lit to mark the start of the holiday season. Indiana Public Media's 2025 article says the tradition has been held annually since 1968. Since 2019 it has grown into a bigger celebration called Light Up the Night.
What is Light Up the Night at the IMU?
It is a campus celebration around the Indiana Memorial Union candle lighting, with an outdoor ice rink, live entertainment and a winter market with vendors selling art, jewelry and apparel. In 2025 it took place December 4 from 7 to 9 pm. Our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page lists current dates.
What is the Monroe County Fairgrounds holiday light show?
It is a drive-through light display with more than 150 displays along a route of about 1.1 miles, including a nativity scene, a steamboat, light tunnels and a 12 Days of Christmas scene. It opened in 2024, runs on weekends, and ends at a Santa Village with refreshments and local art vendors.
How much does the fairgrounds light show cost?
In 2024, the first year, admission was $20 per car or $40 per bus, with hours of 6 to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A 2025 roundup also listed $20 per car, from 6 pm in December. Check our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page for current prices.
Can kids skate with Santa in Bloomington?
Yes. Skate with Santa is held each December at the Frank Southern Ice Arena. In 2025 it was on December 13 from 1:30 to 3 pm. Skaters glide to holiday music and can see Santa. Check our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page for this season's date and prices.
Is there a Santa photo option for children with sensory needs?
Yes. In 2025 Bloomington offered sensory-friendly photos with Santa, with a quieter setting for children with sensory sensitivities, preregistration required and a $15 fee. Fountain Square Mall also offered a special needs Santa session on December 12. Our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's options.
What holiday tradition began in the 1940s and 1950s in Bloomington?
Strings of lights over the Monroe County Courthouse square go back to the 1940s and 1950s. That early version eventually ended, and Downtown Bloomington brought it back after the group formed in 1984. That revival is the Canopy of Lights families enjoy today.
How can I explain the Canopy of Lights to young kids?
Tell them the whole courthouse square gets a sparkly roof made of thousands of little lights, and Santa gets to flip the switch. Kids enjoy counting down together, singing carols and spotting the lights that stretch from the courthouse to the surrounding buildings.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Bloomington?
The courthouse square during the Canopy of Lights, the candles at the Indiana Memorial Union and the Monroe County Fairgrounds drive-through show are the main stops. Our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's dates and prices.
Is there a Christmas tree in downtown Bloomington?
The Canopy of Lights ceremony includes a Light Up a Life tree for IU Health Hospice, and the main attraction is the canopy of lights over the courthouse. Our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page lists current holiday events.
Are there trains to see near Bloomington?
Yes, within a day trip. The Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick runs the French Lick Scenic Railway through the Hoosier National Forest and the Burton Tunnel, the second longest railroad tunnel in Indiana. Trains run on scheduled dates, so check its calendar before planning a visit.
Where is the Nickel Plate Express?
The Nickel Plate Express leaves from Forest Park in Noblesville and rides 12 miles of the old Nickel Plate Road in two-story 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan coaches. Family rides start around $20 and are booked online ahead of time. Our Bloomington Christmas events guide on this page lists local holiday events.
Is the Linden Depot Museum open at Christmas?
No, the Linden Depot Museum is open from April to October, on Friday through Sunday afternoons, so it is closed in December. It sits in Linden's historic junction depot, once shared by the Nickel Plate Road and the Monon, and has a CSX caboose and a replica 1837 steam engine.
Sources
- 2025 Canopy of Lights, The B Square Bulletin
- Bloomington's Canopy of Lights holiday festivities to take place Friday, Indiana Public Media
- Annual candle lighting festivities illuminate, Indiana University
- Monroe County Fairgrounds to feature over 150 light displays, Indiana Public Media
- Holiday events happening in December, Indiana Public Media
- Indiana Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Nickel Plate Express, Rally Takes the Train
- Linden Depot Museum, Rally Takes the Train
Bloomington Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Bloomington this year?
We confirmed 5 for the 2026 season, and 2 of them are free. Good places to start: Hometown Heritage Christmas Market (Nov 7), Bloomington Holiday Market (Nov 28) and Santa Visit at the Handmade Market (Nov 21 to Nov 22). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Bloomington?
Yes, 2 of the 5. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Where can kids meet Santa in Bloomington?
5 events here include a visit with Santa. Popular picks are Sensory-Friendly Photos With Santa (Dec 5) and Skate with Santa (Dec 12). Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 3 of the 5 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Bloomington?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Bloomington Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.