The Annual Festival of Holiday Lights begins on the first Saturday in December 5th 2026 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm (parade starts at 5pm) at Michigan City Library (Where Santa Will Be) Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana and the Snowflake parade (Parade starts at 5pm but early arrival is suggested) after the Tree Lighting. Santa will be present to meet and greet children as vehicles safely drive through at a safe distance.
Official Lighting of the Festival of Lights after the parade.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony for turning on the lights at 4th and Franklin Street will be held after the parade. Join Michigan City for the count down as all of the holiday light displays in Washington Park are turned on at once! You will not soon forget this breath-taking moment!
Nearly 30 acres of decorations, 40 displays, 2 miles of extension cords, and millions of bulbs are on display! Lights are on every evening from December 6th, 2025 through January 5th 2026, from 3-8pm. Park entrance is FREE during this time, however, donations are welcome.
See 27 Photos of the Lights on the
PanoramaNOW Facebook Page, click here!
Thank you for supporting the Festival of Lights. The continued success of the Festival would not be possible without the generosity of many people. Some donate their time and talents, while others sponsor the various events with a monetary donation. Contact the Mayors office of Special Events at 219-873-4012 or 219-873-1400 ext. 2003.
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NwIndiana Christmas Tree Farms
(All On ONE PAGE!)
Christmas in Northwest Indiana:
Where to Go For Christmas Lights – 2025
Winter Lights Drive Thru – Valparaiso Nov 23rd thru Dec 31st , 2025
Christmas At Barker Mansion – Michigan City
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS DRIVE THRU – Michigan City Dec 6th thru Jan 5th 2026
5 Holiday Traditions – Thru Dec 31st – 5 Things to do For the Holidays Your Family Will LOVE!
What’s on Theatre Stage this year Click here!
Holly Days in Valparaiso – Friday, Dec 6th 2025
A Christmas Story Comes Home – Hammond Indiana Nov 16th – Dec 30, 2025
The Nutcracker – 5 shows
Shipshewana On The Road, Dec. 13th and 14th, 2025
Candlelight Tour in Laporte Dec 6 & 7, 2025
NwIndiana Christmas Tree Farms
Orak Shrine Circus, Hammond Civic Center;Christmas the Park – Spencer Park, Demotte; • East Chicago Celebration of Lights, City Hall;• First Friday Art Walk – Downtown Michigan City, Santa Procession &Tree Lighting at Pruzin Park, Merrillville; City Tree Lighting, Festival Park, Hobart; Carol Fest at VU, Valparaiso University; Chesterton H.S. Madrigal Dinner, Chesterton H. S.; Community Tree Lighting & First Friday, St. Mary of the Lake, Miller; Illuminated Parade, Whitlng City Hall; Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; “Plaid Tidings” Towle Theatre, Hammond; Snowflake Parade, Michigan City; Breakfast with Santa – Valparaiso YMCA; •A Christmas Story Comes Home, Indiana Welcome Center, Hammond; Christmas Open House, Family Express, Kouts; • Breakfast w/Santa (Dyer); • Breakfast with Santa, Wilbur Wright School, Munster; • Breakfast w/Santa, Schererville ; Christmas Craft Show – Portage; • The Nutcracker by Indiana Ballet Theatre at Valparaiso, Gary and Crown Point • Annual Cookie Walk, Westminister Presbyterian Church, Munster; Ethnic Cookie Sale, Whiting; St. Mary of the Lake Annual Christmas Bazaar Miller; Folk Art Holiday Open House, Fawn Run Farm, Rolling Priaire; Hammond Holiday Parade, Hammond; •Winter Jam Craft & Vendor Fair, Lake County Fair Grounds, Crown Point; • Christmas on the Farm – Countryside Park, Portage; • Candy Cane Express, Hesston Steam Museum, Laporte; •Santa in the Courthouse, Crown Point; • Portage Christmas Festival, Founder’s Square, Portage; • Pioneerland Christmas, LaPorte County Fairgrounds, LaPorte; • Santa at the Kaske House – Heritage Park, Munster; • 5-11:30pm, , Madrigal Dinner, United Methodist Church, Michigan City; • 8- 9:45pm, Babes & Boys Christmas Show, Beatniks On Conkey, Hammond; • Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; • Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular! Majestic Star Casino, Hammond • Shake It Up Musical Show, Living Hope Church, Merrillville; • Babes & Boys Christmas Show, Beatniks On Conkey, Hammond; • Folk Art Holiday Open House, Fawn Run Farm, Rolling Priaire; • Christmas on the Farm – Countryside Park, Portage; • Candy Cane Hunt – Dyer, Plum Creek Center, Dyer; • Santa in the Courthouse, Crown Point Courthouse; Three Little Birds Market, Valparaiso, Brunch with Santa at Lansing Country Club, Breakfast with Santa AT White Rhino, Dyer. Christmas at the mill.
Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest, Oh Fudge Relay Race
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
