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All times are local to the venue · America/Indiana/Indianapolis
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Indianapolis marks 64 years of the holiday lighting tradition on November 27, 2026, with music, vendors and a coloring-contest participant at the switch.
All times are local to the venue · America/Indiana/Indianapolis
A child selected through the AES Indiana Coloring Contest will take the stage to illuminate the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at this year’s Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW Local 481. The free celebration returns to Monument Circle on Friday, November 27.
The contest gives children from around Indianapolis an opportunity to take part in the ceremony. Families and teachers can download the coloring page and drop off entries from November 1 through noon on November 16. The selected child is scheduled to turn on the monument lights before 7 p.m.
For visitors, the switch-on is the central moment in an evening that also includes live music, vendors and holiday activities around the circle. The organizer mentions Santa and food trucks, but has not named a performer or vendor lineup.
Further reading: Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗ · Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
Circle of Lights is part of a broader downtown holiday season. Downtown Indy Alliance’s Winter Wanderland guide covers activities from mid-November 2026 into early January 2027. Separately, SPARK Holidays on the Circle is planned for Saturdays and Sundays in December, with hot cocoa, performances and a chance to see Santa.
The alliance is also fundraising through Keeping Spirits Bright to replace aging lights and garland and support wider improvements to Monument Circle’s holiday decorations. That campaign is separate from admission to the free lighting celebration.
Further reading: Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗ · Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
The lighting is scheduled before 7 p.m.; the ceremony is also available to television viewers.
The detailed event page says festivities run from 5 to 8 p.m.; the general listing gives event hours of 5 to 9 p.m. It does not explain the difference.
Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗ · Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
WTHR Channel 13 is scheduled to broadcast the lighting ceremony from 6 to 7 p.m.
Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
The celebration is at Monument Circle, 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN. Use the map links to calculate directions from your starting point; transit and parking details have not been confirmed here.
Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗ · Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
No. The organizer describes the celebration as free.
Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
The switch-on is scheduled before 7 p.m., and festivities begin at 5 p.m. An exact switch-on time has not been announced.
Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
The organizer invites children from around Indianapolis to enter. The coloring page can be downloaded, with entries dropped off November 1 through noon November 16.
Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
Yes. WTHR Channel 13 is scheduled to broadcast the lighting ceremony from 6 to 7 p.m.
Circle of Lights® | Signature Events | Events | Downtown Indianapolis ↗
1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-10-29 against the linked sources.