By Keshia McEntire
It’s easy to forget what makes the winter holidays magical when you are bogged down by long shopping lists and extremely busy schedules. One surefire way to experience the magic of the Holiday season as strongly as a child is by breaking away from your ordinary holiday traditions and trying something new. Local holiday markets, hip-hop infused retellings of classic tales and a performance by a ten-time Grammy award winning artist are all part of Christmas in Indianapolis this year. Take a look at our top five can’t-miss holiday events below.
Square Cat Christmas Market
Be mindful about where you spend your money this holiday season by supporting small businesses. At 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, more than twenty local vendors will set up shop in the alley behind Square Cat Vinyl, allowing shoppers to purchase jewelry, pottery, skin care items and more. If you get a little chilly while shopping, hop inside Square Cat Vinyl. Several live bands will be playing Christmas music inside of Square Cat, food vendors will be on site and drinks will be provided by Flat12 Bierwerks and West Fork Whiskey Co. Learn more at squarecatvinyl.com/eventsshows.
Hip-Hop Nutcracker
If you are finding it difficult to get in the holiday spirit this year, consider attending Hip-Hop Nutcracker. It’s hard to remain a scrooge while enjoying festive and energetic music and dance numbers. Set in ‘80s Brooklyn, this contemporary re-imagining of the Nutcracker offers a fresh and modern spin on Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic. The show comes to the Murat Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7 and tickets start at $45 dollars. Learn more and purchase tickets at oldnationalcentre.com.
John Legend’s Christmas Tour
If you are a fan of Christmas music, or simply a fan of charming crooners, you might want to check out this event. At 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, ten-time Grammy award winning artist John Legend will bring his smooth vocals to Old National Center in Indianapolis. His tour is in promotion of his first ever Christmas album titled A Legendary Christmas which was released late Oct. Tickets start at $79 and can be purchased at oldnationalcentre.com.
The SHE Event
While not “technically” a holiday event, The SHE (She Has Everything) Event offers a unique opportunity to learn about and shop from over 70 black-owned businesses this holiday season. This event, taking place at noon on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Indianapolis World Sports Park, considers itself both a marketplace and networking opportunity for entrepreneurs. More information can be found on Eventbrite.
Hanukkah and the Politics of Food
Sometimes the discussions that take place during holiday dinners get a little political, but in this case that’s not a bad thing. Jewish Voice for Peace and Muslim Youth Collective are hosting a Hanukkah celebration with traditional food and music. A discussion will be held regarding the role food plays into the identities of various cultures and ethnic groups. This event takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at The Church Within. Learn more at facebook.com/JVPIndiana.
Heartbeat Indy 