WinterFaire Comes to Children’s Museum Indianapolis

The time has come for family travelers to get in the holiday spirit, and what better way to do that than with a winter wonderland like the one Children’s Museum Indianapolis hosts each year? WinterFaire, the annual holiday celebration at this beloved Indiana museum, is back with a new name, a new mascot and plenty of fun for the little ones.

© Children’s Museum Indianapolis

Renamed WinterFaire as part of the organization’s DEAI focus, the season-long event replaces the holiday event formerly known as Jolly Days. This year’s event is specifically designed to be inclusive of all cultures and religions, letting visitors experience the world through the eyes of children from around the world.

WinterFaire, launched Nov. 18 and running until Feb. 11, 2024, transports visitors to a winter forest where they can take part in carnival games, gingerbread houses and an indoor winter-themed slide perfect for the little ones to ride with mom or dad.

Children have the opportunity to learn about different cultures, religions and celebrations through the Sacred Places displays, which teaches them about different types of festivals and celebrations like Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Easter Island’s Rapanui Festival. They also learn about religions like Sikh and Judaism, all through the eyes of children from different parts of the world.

© Children’s Museum Indianapolis

At the center of it all is the WinterFaire mascot for 2023, a giant chameleon whose pronouns are they/them. Sitting atop a magical fountain of color-changing orbs, the display is not only fun but also brings the year’s theme of inclusivity full-circle.

If your visit is planned for the end of the year, consider making Children’s Museum Indianapolis part of your New Year’s Eve plans. On Dec. 31, the museum hosts its Countdown to Noon celebration so your little ones don’t have to stay up way past their bedtime to partake in the New Year’s fun. The event features live music, kid-friendly activities and North America’s largest water clock, so kids get to celebrate the new year while they learn a little a bit about science. Participants get noise makers and hats to get them in the party mood, and a shower of confetti marks the moment when the clock strikes noon.