Leaving Jolly Days and heading to the (Winter)Faire
For more than 25 years, Jolly Days at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has delighted visitors, young and old, in its enchanted wonderland. Our families have created memories, built traditions, and watched our children grow up exploring the wintertime fun. Now, in the final season, is your last chance to experience one of our city’s most iconic holiday traditions.
Jolly Days has been an Indy tradition for over 25 years.
That’s right - we will say goodbye to Jolly Days when the exhibit closes after New Year’s Day. We know, mama, our hearts skipped a beat when we heard, but the Children’s Museum has big plans for next year, and we are excited to share a glimpse here!
But first…
…here’s why you should run-not-walk to catch this fantastic experience one last time (even if it’s for the first time!). Jolly Days has been at the top of our list of favorite holiday family fun in Indianapolis for years. Unlike other area activities, the exhibit’s central theme is (faux) snowy day fun instead of a single holiday.
CityMom Emily and her daughter Emerson
Aside from a larger-than-life snow globe (that you can activate with the push of a button), the 47-foot slide in the museum atrium is hard to miss. Kids of all ages are welcome to slide, and parents can join them!
What is your favorite Jolly Days tradition? Share photos with us on Instagram!
Inside the Jolly Days space, little ones can try sock skating and ice fishing before exploring an ice castle with a slide their size! They’ll use their imaginations in the giant kitchen or one of the daily craft classes, then tend to the reindeer barn before meeting Santa for photos.
Don’t miss your last chance to experience Jolly Days!
One of the reasons we love The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is its ability to deliver innovative ways for families to learn and explore. When they decided to make this year the last for Jolly Days, the museum’s creative team went to work to design a brand-new, immersive winter experience in 2023: WinterFaire.
Plans are still top secret…
…but we were able to get a few details to look forward to! The new WinterFaire experience will transport families to the enchanted forest home of a whimsical cast of animal characters (we love it already!). The exhibit will welcome visitors with countless magical surprises, including games, an ice cave, and winter celebrations from our community and worldwide. Plus, the giant slide and Santa are not going anywhere. Our friends at the museum promise they will continue to be a part of the WinterFaire experience!
A concept preview of the games at WinterFaire from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Holiday experiences may come and go, but creating lasting memories together will never change. We can’t wait to start a new family tradition next year at WinterFaire at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis!
