2015 Guide to Holiday & Christmas Events in the Wabash Valley from HauteHappenings.com

Copyright © 2015 Rachael Brown, All Rights Reserved. 

I absolutely love putting together these guides! They remind me how proud I am of Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley. In fact, there is SO much planned this season that I had to divide this guide into different categories and pages. Click on the links below to find out more about the local Christmas events planned for this year! And don’t forget to get notifications from the Haute Happenings facebook page where we’ll be sharing updates all season long!

1) Santa Claus is Coming to Town: 2015 Santa Sightings & Photo Ops

2) Meet the Famous Reindeer

3) Milk and Cookies: How to Have a Meal with Santa

4) All Aboard: Catch a Ride on a Holiday Train

5) Merry and Bright: Christmas Bazaars and Craft Markets

6) 24 Ways to Volunteer with Kids

7) Buy Local: The 2015 Shop Local Gift Guide from Haute Happenings 

8) Local Christmas Tree Farms: Where to Find the Perfect Christmas Tree

Christmas events in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley

Thank you to the ISU bookstore, Crossroads Photography, Clabber Girl , and the Vigo County Public Library for opting to upgrade to a featured event. Their financial support of Haute Happenings keeps this site free to you, our dear readers. Please help us thank these sponsors by attending their events and supporting their businesses!

As always, click on the links for more information. While we do update these guides often, events can and do change. Please confirm details before making your plans.

Haute Happenings needs YOU to make this post a success. Please share this guide with friends, groups, and family members! Your support means so much to us! 

December 11-12. Holiday Laser Show at the Allen Memorial Planetarium. $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12.

December 11-13. Live Nativity at Union Christian Church. Friday and Saturday shows at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m. Sunday at 6:30 and 7:30. Free.

December 11-13. It’s a Wonderful Life holiday show at the Community Theatre of Terre Haute.

FEATURED EVENT:

December 12. The date starts off with Breakfast with Santa (SOLD OUT) at 8:30 A.M. where guests enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by Clabber Girl. Each guest will get quality time with Santa and leave with a personalized gift from him.

Country Christmas is open to the public and begins at 10AM. Guests can enjoy various crafts, games, and other activities, as well as pictures with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus and much more! Admission is FREE. Activity tickets are available for $1 each.

You can read more about Clabber Girl Country Christmas in THIS POST.

Clabber Girl Country Christmas and Breakfast with Santa

December 12. 8-10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast at the Vigo Co. YMCA. Breakfast, Christmas crafts, games, and treat bag and the Christmas Story from Santa. FREE.

December 12. It’s a Wonderful Life at the Indiana Theater. 7 p.m. $5.

December 12. Christmas Fun at the Woods. Cookie decorating, sleigh rides, sing-a-longs, fun with alpacas, and more! $5 per person.

December 12. Junior Jazzercise Holiday Party. 1:00-3:30 p.m.Dance, play games, have a snack, do a craft.

December 12. Sensory friendly showing of the movie The Good Dinosaur. 10:00 a.m. Terre Haute Showplace 12.

December 12. Daddy-Daughter Dance at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. 6:00-9:00 p.m. Food, entertainment, fun.

December 12. Parade of Lights. 6 p.m. CST. 29 miles from Terre Haute in Martinsville, IL.

December 13. Bethlehem Market and Live Nativity. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Crafts for kids, hot chocolate and cookies, chance to talk with innkeepers and shopkeepers, visit live Nativity. FREE.

December 13. Sensory-friendly holiday concert at Central Presbyterian Church. Sing, dance, clap, shout, or sit back and take in the sounds of the season. FREE. 1:30-2:15.

December 13. Meet Santa, make reindeer food, decorate a cookie, hear a story from Mrs. Claus. 15 miles from Terre Haute in Clinton, IN.

December 14-15. The Polar Express at the Historic Ritz Theater. FREE admission, hot chocolate, cookies. 26 miles from Terre Haute in Rockville, IN.

December 14. Dinner with Olaf. 5 p.m. 15 miles from Terre Haute in Clinton, IN. 

December 15.  Art Start preschool program at the Swope Art Museum. FREE. Theme: “The Pencil”

December 15. 6-8 p.m. Craft your own “12 Days of Giving” chain that will have you caring and sharing throughout the season. Chick Fil A. FREE.

December 17. Reindeer Games at the Vermillion County Public Library. Games, stories, and decorating.

December 18. Winter Festival. Roast chestnuts and marshmallows, go on a luminary walk, meet Santa’s reindeer. 72 miles from Terre Haute in Mattoon, IL.

December 19. Polar Express Pajama Party at Barnes and Noble. Drink hot chocolate, make crafts, listen to Christmas stories, and decorate cookies. 2:00-4:00 p.m. FREE.

December 19. One Bethlehem Night musical at Union Christian Church.

December 20. Story Time and Caroling with Belle at Club Tabby. Refreshments provided. $20.

December 21, 22, 23. Winter break camp at Bricks for Kidz. Frozen Bricks and Star Wars/Space Adventures.

December 21. Christmas cooking class for kids at Clabber Girl. Includes supplies, food, recipes, tin, and $5 gift coin to bake shop. Ages 5-12.

December 21-23. Fun holiday stories and special holiday science activities involving winter animals, our senses, and snow! Terre Haute Children’s Museum. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free with admission.

December 22. Art Start preschool program at the Swope Art Museum. FREE. Theme: “The Line”

December 22. Ornament Decorating with Santa’s Elves at the Torner Center in Deming Park. Join Santa’s elves as they make and decorate new ornaments for your tree! The elves will provide drink and snacks for the kids. 10:00 a.m. $5. Ages 4-15.

December 22 at 7 p.m. and December 26 at 10:00 a.m. Sensory friendly showings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

December 27. Wabash Valley Reptile Show at the fairgrounds. $5 for adults. Kids 10 and under are free.

December 27. Make Snowflakes with Elsa at Club Tabby. 1:00-2:00 p.m. $20. Refreshments provided.

December 28-January 1. Winter Break Camps at Bricks for Kidz.

December 30. Free showing of Inside Out at the Vigo County Public Library. 3:00-5:00 p.m.

December 31. New Year’s Noon at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Party by making sparkly crowns and festive noisemakers. Countdown, “ball drop,” parade, and dance under the snowflake canopy! Free with museum admission.

December 31. 4:00-6:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve party at Club Tabby. $30. Dinner provided.

January 1. New Year’s Hike. Hawthorn Park Labyrinth. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. FREE. All ages.

January 9 and January 12.  Sensory friendly showings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

https://www.instagram.com/p/wPkTBqJLH2/

See a typo? Catch an error? Email us or leave a message on the Haute Happenings facebook page. Believe it or not, we sometimes make mistakes. 🙂

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If you know of a missing holiday event, please add the info here!

The fun has ended for these great events:

November 19. Toddler Turkey Time. 42.5 miles from Terre Haute at the Putnam County Public Library. $3 per child.

November 20. Game Night where KIDS EAT FREE at Tater and Joe’s.

FEATURED EVENT:

Your family can enjoy milk, cookies, and a special story time with Santa at the Crossroads Photography indoor studio. Professional photographers will capture your private session and print an 8 x 10 of your favorite image and 30 Christmas/holiday greeting cards to share with friends and family. Want to print more pictures later? You can download all of the digital images from your session at home for FREE! Call right away because appointments are booking quickly.

Professional Pictures with Santa in Terre Haute 2015

November 21. 2-4 p.m. Star Wars Party at Barnes and Noble. Games, crafts, stories, snacks, &more! FREE. RSVP here. 

November 21. Cooking class for kids. Turkey Day Celebration at Clabber Girl. Ages 7-12. Hands-on learning and cooking demonstration.

November 21. Paint Party by Robyn Michelle for kids ages 4-12. Step-by-step instructions as you create your masterpiece. Leave with a new found talent. Held at Grand Traverse Pie Company.

November 21. Vigo County 4-H Holiday Bazaar. Admission $1. 9:00 a.m.-2 p.m.

November 22. Middle School Night: Superhero Party. Terre Haute Children’s Museum. 6:00-9:00 p.m. $10 if purchased in advance.

November 23, 24, 25. Thanksgiving camps at Terre Haute Bricks 4 Kidz. Super Hero Academy and Mining & Crafting.

November 24. Create a Thankful Tree during this month’s Kids’ Club at Chick fil A. 6-8 p.m.

November 25. Read a story about a great turkey escape and make turkey callers at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Free with admission. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

November 27. Parents’ Day Out at Club Tabby. 6:00-2:00 p.m. Drop the kids off so you can shop! $20 per 2 hour time slot.

November 27. Christmas on the Square.  67 miles away in Danville, IN. Live nativity scene, trackless train, food vendors, carolers, lighting of the tree and Courthouse, and the highlight this year, will be gingerbread men that have been decorated by local groups.

November 27. Circle of Lights at Monument Circle in Indianapolis. Performers, visit from Santa, illumination of the holiday display, fireworks finale.

FEATURED EVENT:

November 28. “Elf on the Shelf” adoption event at Barnes and Noble. 2-3 p.m. Join us for our 2nd Annual Elf on the Shelf Adoption Day! Families can take a short quiz to match their family with the perfect elf which they can take home. Enjoy elf crafts, a visit with santa, and cookies with hot chocolate! Adoption fees vary from $19.99 – $26.99.

To be sure the coordinators have enough supplies and treats for everyone, please RSVP HERE. 

Elf on the Shelf Adoption Event in Terre Haute, Indiana

November 28. FREE movie showing of Elf at the Paris Theatre in Paris, Illinois.

November 28. Lighted Christmas parade as part of “Christmas in Paris” in Paris, IL.

November 28. Sensory friendly showing of the movie The Good Dinosaur. 10:00 a.m. Terre Haute Showplace 12.

November 29. Real, Live, Reindeer Party at the Red Raccoon in Rockville, IN. Balloon animals, face painting, visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elsa.

November 30. Kenny Rogers. “Once Again It’s Christmas” at Hulman Center. 7:30 p.m.

December 1. Mooseltoe, a Fresh Holiday Moosical. 7:30 p.m. Tilson Auditorium.

December 1. Christmas in the Park kick off at 6:00 p.m. in Deming Park. Santa will also be in the Holiday House from 6:00-9:00 pm

December 1. Candy Cane Hunt at Deming Park Playground.  The hunt will begin at 5:30 pm and is open to all children ages 2-12.

December 1. Art Start preschool program at the Swope Art Museum. FREE. Theme: “Lines that Wiggle”

December 3. Artic Animal Express at the Clinton Public Library. Experience unique animals and more at this FREE event.

December 3-5. The Christmas Pageant (dinner theatre) at The Lark Theatre in Brazil, IN.

FEATURED EVENTS

December 4. Don’t miss the special events planned at the Vigo County Public Library! Due to the overwhelming popularity of their reindeer meet and greet sessions, the library has decided to offer TWO chances to get your picture taken with Santa’s famous reindeer this year! Both of these occasions are FREE and open to the public.

Book lovers, you’ll want to check out the library’s Holiday Sale! You’ll find great prices on like-new books, audio books, decorations, puzzles, and more!

Reindeer at the Vigo County Public Library

December 4-5. Miracle on 7th Street. Christmas bazaar, tree decorating contest, ice skating rink. Read more about the ice rink HERE.

December 4-5. Friday, 5PM to 9PM. You and your family are invited to make Christmas cards based on Indiana’s screenprinted works at the Swope. Saturday, 1PM and 3PM. Make fun ornaments! All materials for these events will be provided. FREE. K-12.

December 4-5. Holiday Laser Show at the Allen Memorial Planetarium. $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12.

December 4-6. It’s a Wonderful Life holiday show at the Community Theatre of Terre Haute.

December 4. Miracle on 34th Street at the Indiana Theater. 7 p.m. $5.

December 4. The World Famous Glen Miller Orchestra Christmas Show. 7:30 p.m. Hatfield Hall.

December 4. Clay County Christmas in the Park parade in Brazil. 7 p.m. Free cookies & hot chocolate starting at 5:00 p.m. Santa in the Santa House from 6-8 p.m. (RESCHEDULED FROM NOVEMBER 27 DUE TO RAIN)

December 5. Family Time Fun with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Meet the artist, hear a story, participate in an activity. 1:00 p.m.

December 5. Christmas Walk at Fowler Park. 4:00-9:00 p.m. Step back in time and prepare for the Christmas season. Sweet treats, hot drinks, and Christmas crafts.

December 5. Covington’s Magical Christmas Parade. 11:00 a.m. 51 miles from Terre Haute in Covington, IN.

December 5. Holly Days. Cookie walk, Christmas parade (5 p.m. CST), tree lighting, festival of lights. 16 miles from Terre Haute in Marshall, IL.

December 5. Christmas with the Wright Brothers and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Tilson Auditorium. 7:30 p.m.

December 5. Cookies and canvas at Club Tabby. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. $30.

December 5. Make Chick-fil-A Gingerbread Houses together with your Family. Enjoy a free Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake when you finish your Gingerbread House! 3:00-5:00 p.m. FREE.

December 5. Breakfast with Santa (8-11 a.m.) and Santa Shop (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) All-you-can-eat breakfast with Santa at the Dana Firehouse. Then head across the street to the bank and let the kids go Christmas shopping.

December 5-6. House of Mrs. Mouse. Washington High School at Terre Haute South. $2 per person.

December 6. Santa Train in Sullivan, Indiana. 4:00 p.m. FREE.

December 8. Art Start preschool program at the Swope Art Museum. FREE. Theme: “When a Line Ends a Shape Begins”

December 9. Terre Haute Children’s Choir Winter Concert. 6:00 p.m. FREE.

December 9. Nature Tales at the Vigo County Public Library WEST Branch. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m.

December 10. Christmas Activities for preschoolers and parents and a special treat for each child from Santa Cow! Read more about Kid Cow HERE.

December 11. Parents’ Night Out at Club Tabby. 6:00-8:00 p.m. Kids can make Mom and Dad a Christmas gift. $20. Dinner provided.