Your weekend plans: Christmas Nights of Lights, Colts vs. Cowboys, Cinderella and more
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You may think it's still a little too early to put up the Christmas lights, but the Indiana State Fairgrounds disagrees.
Driving the news: The annual Christmas Nights of Lights celebration returns Friday, giving Indy families a way to kick off the holiday season from the comfort of a warm car.
- Billed as Indy's largest drive-thru light show, it takes visitors along roughly 2.1 miles of illuminated displays with lights synchronized to holiday music.
- Previous years have included larger-than-life Christmas trees, dancing candy canes, glowing tunnels, a life-size Nativity and a giant American flag.
- This year's new feature is the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand being lit with 300 colorful gumdrops.
Zoom in: The event also supports local charities through community partnerships and fundraising efforts.
- During the first two weeks of the 2026 run, 14 participating organizations, including Gleaners Food Bank and Riley Children's Foundation, will offer unique promo codes to be used when buying tickets.
- Attendees get discounted admission and a portion of the proceeds from qualifying purchases will benefit the organization associated with the code.
If you go: 6-10pm daily through Dec. 31.
- Tickets are $40 for cars with up to eight people, $60 for 9-15 people and $85 for 16-35 people.
- Enter through Gate 3.
More weekend picks:
🎤 Catch "Saturday Night Live" veteran Tim Meadows in action when he brings his stand-up act to Helium Comedy Club.
- 7 and 9:15pm Friday and 7 and 9:30pm Saturday.
- Tickets start at $32.
🩰 See the Indianapolis Ballet and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra bring a classic fairy tale to life during their presentation of "Cinderella" at Clowes Memorial Hall.
- 7:30pm Friday, 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Tickets start at $24.
🥁 Hear 42 of the best Indiana high school marching bands when the ISSMA State Marching Band Finals take over Lucas Oil Stadium, 9:30am Saturday.
- Tickets start at $39 for adults and $34 for kids 3-18.
📖 Listen to personal stories from Hoosiers and participate in guided reflection activities during "Spirit & Place: Come Sit With Me" at Peace Learning Center in Eagle Creek Park, 9:30am-4:30pm Saturday.
- Free with registration.
🐕 Meet working police dogs, watch demonstrations and chow down via food trucks during the free K9 Fundapalooza at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, 10am-5pm Saturday.
🛍️ Buy vintage clothing, jewelry, art and handmade goods from more than 20 vendors during the free Well Made Vintage Market at The Stutz, noon-7pm Saturday.
🌍 Celebrate Danish, Swedish and Norwegian traditions during the free Scandinavian Fest at Lille Bønne Community Living Room, noon-5pm Saturday
🦇 Browse an unusual marketplace of macabre art, taxidermy, insects, jewelry and other curiosities during the World Oddities Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 11am-7pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Tickets start at $20.
🏐 Cheer on Indiana's top high school volleyball teams as they compete for titles at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the IHSAA Girls Volleyball State Finals, noon Saturday.
- Tickets start at $25..
🎵 Sing the Grammy-winning K-Pop hit "Golden" with fellow "K-Pop Demon Hunters" fans of all ages during a community sing event at The Atrium of Carmel. 11am-2pm Saturday.
- RSVP for free.
🏈 Watch two NFL teams that really need a win battle when the Colts and Cowboys clash inside Lucas Oil Stadium, 1pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $106.
🎵 Get your groove on with some R&B legends when Jodeci celebrates the 35th anniversary of its landmark album "Forever My Lady" at Old National Centre, 7:30pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $76.