From Thanksgiving weekend and past New Year’s Day, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate, is the place to be for holiday fun. From amazing gingerbread creations and visits with Santa to outdoor adventures and adults-only entertainment, Conner Prairie offers an assortment of activities to get you into the holiday spirit and ward off the post-holiday blues.
Holiday activities at Conner Prairie include:
Gingerbread Village
Nov. 29-Jan. 5
Thursdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Included with paid admission, free for members
Entice your taste buds with the smell of gingerbread, peppermints, frosting and more as you stroll through our indoor neighborhood of gingerbread creations. Constructed by professionals, novices, adults and youth alike, marvel at all the creations and participate in the seek-and-find adventure. If this makes you hungry, stop by the Overlook and enjoy delicious lunch options available for purchase between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
NEW! Holiday Cheers
Dec. 12
6 p.m.-10 p.m.
$35; ages 21+ only
Presented by the Conner Prairie Horizon Council, this new, adults-only event offers an evening of hors d’oeuvres, wine and craft beer. Savor food from Bistro 226, wines from Douglas Hills, craft beer from Sun King and Union Brewing Company, and sausage from Smoking Goose Meatery. After enjoying food and drinks, guests will be invited to take an evening candlelit stroll through 1836 Prairietown to experience how the holidays were celebrated 175 years ago. Visitors can participate in historical sausage-making demonstrations, live it up during the party at the Campbell home, and discover all the different cultures and traditions of holiday cheer from the 19th century. Purchase tickets online at http://holiday-cheers.eventbrite.com/.
Holiday Adventure
Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 14, and 21
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
$12/adults, $9/youth (ages 2-12), free for members
Head outside for a daytime winter adventure through 1836 Prairietown. Meet a variety of characters in their homes as they prepare for the holidays. Explore what treats, games and gifts were offered – and even what pranks were played – more than 175 years ago.
Conner Prairie by Candlelight
Dec. 6-7, 13-14 & 20-21
6 p.m.-9 p.m.
$15 adult/ $13 for members; $13 youth/ $11 for youth members (ages 2-12)
This family-friendly, 90-minute guided tour takes you back to 1836 where it’s the night before Christmas. Meet a variety of characters in their homes and help them with holiday preparation. Greet the Ullmans, who are celebrating Hanukkah, discover who Belznichol is, visit with the Curtis family to hear about Santa Claus and who he might visit on Christmas Eve, and much more. Following the guided tour, get rowdy with Prairietown partiers around the bonfire. Program recommended for ages 7+. Reservations required by calling 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836.
Dinner with Santa
Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21
5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. dinner seating
$20.95+tax/adult ($18.95+tax/adult member)
$10.95+tax/youth ages 2-12 ($9.95+tax/youth member)
Indulge in a holiday dinner, visit with Santa, decorate cookies, enjoy treats and more. View the dinner menu online at connerprairie.org. Reservations required by calling 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836.
Members-Only Breakfast with Santa
Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14 and 21
9 a.m.-11 a.m.
$16.95+tax/adult member
$8.95+tax/youth member (ages 2-12)
Start the day off right with a delicious breakfast and a visit with Santa at this holiday event just for Conner Prairie members. Decorate a cookie to take home, too. After breakfast, head outside and experience Holiday Adventure (free for members). View the breakfast menu online at connerprairie.org. Reservations required by calling 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836.
Winter Fun Days
Dec. 27-Jan. 5; closed Jan. 1
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$12/adult; $9/youth (ages 2-12), free for members
Bundle up and enjoy the outdoors with an array of activities during Winter Fun Days. Play modern and historical games then step onto the “Anything Can Happen” stage, where you can participate in a show! Roll up your sleeves and explore the science of baking with Conner Prairie cooks to find out what makes bread, pancakes and other baked goods rise. Figure out what chemistry and living organisms are involved. Put your winter survival skills to the test. Learn what skills were needed on the frontier, such as tracking, choosing the right supplies and more.
Indoor Fun
Come in from the cold and explore Create.Connect. Experiment with wind power, motion and electricity and explore the inside of a 1930s rural home in Indiana. Head over to Discovery Station and let the little ones’ imaginations run wild or visit Craft Corner to make historical take-home crafts. Don’t forget to stop by the Conner Prairie Store to pick up unique gift items for everyone on your list.
Holidays on the Prairie Video
Want to see what it’s like at Conner Prairie for the holidays? Check out our new holiday video here <http://vimeo.com/75045862> .
More Information
Conner Prairie is open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit connerprairie.org <http://www.connerprairie.org/> , call (317) 776-6006, like Conner Prairie on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/connerprairie> or follow us on Twitter @ConnerPrairie <http://www.twitter.com/connerprairie> with the hashtag #HolidaysCP.
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park inspires curiosity and fosters learning by immersing visitors in Indiana’s past. The state’s only Smithsonian Affiliate, Conner Prairie allows visitors to explore Indiana’s natural and cultural heritage by visiting communities and moments from the past and learning about events, discoveries and forces that shaped the American Midwest. Encouraging discovery about the environment, innovation and invention, bio-sciences, technology, the arts and culture, Conner Prairie inspires lifelong interests and prepares the next generation to be competitive in a global marketplace. Conner Prairie and its five outdoor experiences, indoor interactive exhibits and acres of natural exploration areas not only welcome more than 330,000 visitors annually – including more than 60,000 students – but also attract peers from across the nation seeking to learn from its innovations and success. Visit connerprairie.org <http://www.connerprairie.org/> or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 for admission dates, hours, ticket prices and opportunities to donate. Connect with Conner Prairie on Facebook at facebook.com/connerprairie <http://www.facebook.com/connerprairie> , Flickr at flickr.com/people/connerprairie <http://www.flickr.com/people/connerprairie> , YouTube at youtube.com/user/ConnerPrairie <http://www.youtube.com/user/ConnerPrairie> and Twitter at twitter.com/connerprairie <http://www.twitter.com/connerprairie> .
