Your weekend plans: Festival of Trees, Grand Nationals, Colts and more
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An Indianapolis holiday tradition returns as the Indiana Historical Society transforms its downtown history center into a winter wonderland for this year's Festival of Trees.
Driving the news: This year's exhibit features more than 75 elaborately decorated trees, each with its own theme and representing Indiana individuals, families, businesses and community organizations.
- A 30-foot centerpiece tree celebrating America's 250th anniversary is among the highlights.
Zoom in: The tradition began in 2014 and has grown into a major seasonal attraction, drawing more than 20,000 visitors in recent years.
- Beyond the trees, guests can enjoy holiday activities, scavenger hunts, special programming and seasonal treats.
- New and returning offerings include December's Twilight Nights, a Holiday Author Fair featuring more than 60 authors and family-friendly cookie decorating.
- Admission also includes access to "Freedom's Framework," an exhibit exploring the people and events that shaped the nation.
If you go: The festival runs Friday through Jan. 2 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.
- 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $20 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-17.
- Kids under 5 and Indiana Historical Society members get in free.
More weekend picks:
🎺 See more than 100 of the best high school marching bands from across the country descend on Lucas Oil Stadium for the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
- Prelims start at 7:15am Friday, semi-finals start at 6:30am Saturday and finals start at 7pm Saturday.
- Finals tickets start at $34.
🎁 Get some shopping done when the Christmas Gift & Hobby Show returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds with hundreds of vendors, holiday décor, handmade gifts and seasonal entertainment.
- 10am-8pm Friday and Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $14.
🦉 Look and listen for owls during an evening Owl Prowl at Carpenter Nature Preserve in Zionsville, 5:30pm Friday.
- Registration starts at $5 for county residents and $7 for nonresidents.
🎭 Take in a family drama exploring love, loss and memory across three generations when Butler Theatre presents The Long Christmas Ride Home at the Schrott Center for the Arts.
- 7:30pm Friday and Saturday and 2pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $25.
🥕 Stock up when the Indy Winter Farmers Market kicks off its season at The AMP at 16 Tech, featuring local farmers, food vendors and makers.
- 9am-12:30pm Saturday.
🛍️ Shop more than 100 artisans selling jewelry, pottery, art and holiday gifts at St. Luke's Holiday Bazaar. 9am-3pm Saturday.
- Admission is free.
🏀 Watch professional dunkers show off their skills during a free Dunkman Exhibition at IU Indianapolis' Jungle Arena, 5pm Saturday.
🎶 Mosey over to the Egyptian Room as country group Little Big Town brings its For the Art of It Tour to the Old National Centre, 7:30pm Saturday.
- Tickets start at $30.
🦌 Meet live reindeer and other cold-weather animals during Peanut Butter & Jam's Silly Safaris at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, 10:30am and 12:30pm Saturday.
- Tickets start at $10.
🧸 Hunt for vintage toys, collectibles and pop-culture treasures at the Circle City Toy Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 10am-4pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $7 in advance and $10 at the door.
🏈 See if the Colts can get back on track when they welcome the Miami Dolphins to Lucas Oil Stadium, 1pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $31.
🏒 Help the Indy Fuel close out the weekend with a matchup against the Toledo Walleye at Fishers Event Center, 4pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $25.