I went to Winterlights recently and wasn't disappointed! It was beautiful! I did take a star away because I feel it's overpriced. I was able to go to the IndyHub night which was $16/person and included a Sun King beer. I feel that price was worth it for what we got. The lights were gorgeous, I liked that there was the initial area to get food and/or drinks. They have a decent selection though we didn't eat. I would love to see more drink+ticket options next year and/or for the price to be reduced. Even a discount night would be good. The price now makes it so only certain people can go and I don't think that's right. Everyone should get to enjoy Winterlights! read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

It has become a family tradition to attend the Winterlights event at Newfields. I liked the addition of the snacks and beverages available for purchase at the entrance and exit this year - especially the Smoking Goose option! The Lily House was absolutely breathtaking and my favorite part of this year's event. The touch of decorations was perfect and filtered into every nook and cranny. Very excited to see what 2019 will look like! read more

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Great holiday activity that makes quite an impression. If you love looking at Christmas lights then you won't want to miss this fabulous attraction. Over 1.5 million lights show off the unique museum setting. Don't skip the Lilly House... the paper chain decorations were some of my fav things. The musical light show in the front was amazing and had several songs times to lights. My only issues with the event are the prices. Admission is steep if you are a family. The s'more charges were also quite high. However parking is free! Consider at least buying a solo membership to get the discount. It is almost paid for by the time you take the discount. I suggest attending at dusk. You can stay as long as you want and it was nice to not have the huge crowds as we walked through. Don't forget your letter to Santa! He is on hand to add to the experience. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Beautiful display of lights! Worth every penny, plan to go back every year and it will definitely be the highlight of the season. Very busy on a Friday Saturday night, anticipate crowds and it's fine. Some indoor attractions but dress appropriately for the weather as the majority of displays are outside. read more

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This time of year, families are looking for holiday-themed activities that work for all ages. Winterlights at Newfields is one such attraction, and is quickly becoming an Indy holiday tradition. Having never been, I suggested the event to my family as a post-Thanksgiving meal activity. We booked the tickets and looked forward to the event. Overall, not enough praise could be said for the artists that put Winterlights together. The lights themselves are gorgeous and make for some brilliant photo opportunities. The weather we had Thanksgiving Day was perfect, chilly with no wind. It was thrilling to see all of the lights strung up in creative ways. The lights are dazzling, but after that my praise ends. Upon arrival, parking was sparse and poorly directed. We entered the museum to find a 40-minute security line we had to wait through. Once we entered Winterlights itself, one couldn't help feeling like they were being pressured to spend more and more money at every turn. Drinks and desserts were over $5 and merchandise was rampant. By the time we reached the free s-mores near the end of the trail, there were only 7 left, certainly not enough for my 20-person family. This experience was not necessarily a bad one, there were simply little things that made it underwhelming. Had the beautiful lights been paired with reasonable prices and quality service, I feel my opinion would have been different. It's certainly a neat holiday tradition, however, my husband and I prefer Christmas at the Zoo which features more to do and see. This was neat to do once. read more

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This was our third year at Winterlights and is our new tradition. Despite blustery cold on Christmas Eve, the walk and lights were just lovely as always. The staff are always friendly & helpful. No crazy lines or overwhelming crowds even non-covid times, due to advance tickets. Newfields could def pack it in and oversell, but I love that they don't, really makes it nice! Normally we sip drinks & eat local food (think spiked cocoa- yay! And grilled cheese/local soup) but this year we just strolled due to covid. Checkin is a breeze, contactless. Lots of signs for social distancing and everyone was masked. To me, it is the best holiday event in Indy! And you get to support our local art museum! read more

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It really is like walking in a winter wonderland complete with fire pits, s'mores & spiked cider. Newfields really put together a magical experience that I can see becoming a family tradition for years to come. Tips: -Don't miss the tree sculpture made from kiddie pools and childrens toys -Come back after the crowds and enjoy time at the snowflake bridge -Don't miss the mistletoe kissing booth. Fun photo opportunity. Bonus: they have a volunteer on hand to snap a picture. -Make s'mores over the fire -Watch the full synchronized light show on the Lilly House lawn at least three times. It will definitely fill you with holiday cheer. -Get your tickets early because it will sell out. -Bundle up! Don't forget your hat, gloves, scarves, and thermal tights to be worn under your pants, skirt, etc. Note: We went to the 5PM Saturday session and it was packed. Not only did it take a while for us to get into the gardens but the line to get into the Lilly House took a considerable amount of time as well. Maybe letting people come at their leisure between 5pm-9pm would help with the lines? This was a wonderful event. I left full of warm fuzzies and couldn't stop singing "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go....take a look in the five and ten glistening once again, with candy canes and silver lanes aglow!!" read more

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My first Winterlights event! Such a great time! We became members this year so we could take advantage of all the perks! Be sure to bring your hat and gloves, get the whipped cream on the spiked hot chocolate, bring your mask and try to go when there is some fresh snow on the ground. I loved their blue tunnel and the soundscapes!!! Great job! This event often sells out so get tickets early! read more

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When I saw the adverts for this beautiful outdoor light exhibit at the IMA, I was so stoked. There is nothing I love more around Christmas time then viewing beautiful Christmas light displays in a snowy setting. Not sure that it lived up to my expectations though. We had purchased our tickets online before hand in the hopes of beating the rush (we learned this the hard way when we attempted to go to the IMA Mini Golf course and it was sold out), but it would seem that pre-- purchased tickets didn't make much of a difference. When we arrived (early mind you) for the opening of this exhibit, there was already a throng of people queuing up for it. Despite this unexpected set back, we didn't wait in the line super long and the docents were very quick to check us in with their tickets scanners. I was disappointed after we were corralled through the museum basement and out into the gardens when I was able to see that the exhibit was not as large and spread out as I had hoped. I understand how tricky it must be to not only set of lights, but also create varying displays. But, they had quite a bit of unused space in the open garden areas that would have benefited from more displays. Nevertheless I still enjoyed what light displays they put up. My favorite was the beautiful round spheres set in front of the Lilly house, which blinked in time to the Nutcracker Suite! It was quite a gorgeous site and soundtrack to feast your eyes on. They also had a very unique Christmas tree display over by the Michigan entrance made out of children's outdoor plastic toys. I like that they inc. something crafty and artsy like this. Very unique display. They had several hand-warming stations With wood-burning stove's, and 3/10 where you could purchase hot drinks, cookies, and s'more making kits. Of course the drinks were a little overpriced, and the folks behind the bar were a little agitated when I asked for my membership discount. I was not overly impressed with my hot bourbon cider to be honest -- Very weak shot pour. The peppermint schnapps hot cocoa was better terms of taste, but still light on the booze. I think this exhibit would have been more magical and mesmerizing had I been a child again. I saw a lot of families who seemed to be enjoying themselves. Perhaps next year the museum will consider putting in a few more installations to round out the entire exhibit. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I have been to winter lights the last 3 years and I think this is the best display they've ever had. Everything is very covid complaint. Traffic is directed in one direction and you make your way through the gardens and through the different display areas. I really liked that it started off going through a spot to buy a warm drink. I went for the spiked apple cider and it was delicious. A really neat feature of the display was that there were additional songs besides the nutcracker that were featured in the Lilly house lawn lights. There was also a new photo op called the "kissing arbor" that was super pretty and photogenic. I recommend this event to a coworker today and will continue to do so! read more

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When I was younger, I saw the classic animated Disney feature "Fantasia" and was amazed at the synchronization between the images and the music. Watching the dancing lights on the lawn of Oldfields (The Lilly House) at Newfields brought back all those wonderful memories. The lawn, the trees, the shrubs, just about everything has lights that are synched and really are enjoyable. Not only is the light show great, there is a snowflake bridge and a kissing arch (it's a little off the beaten path!). There are places to get warm beverages and s'mores, and a self-guided tour of the Lilly House which is bedecked with poinsettias and Christmas lights/villages inside. Parking was easy and free during the week. Tickets sell out in advance for weekends, so it's best to save money by buying online at the Newfield's website and not taking any chances. There are two blocks of times: 5 pm and 7 pm. Certain dates even have a costumed fella in a red suit show up! Very nice addition to the IMA and Indy's winter celebrations. Review #468 read more

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There certainly are a lot of lights and the trees in particular look amazing. But $20 ($25 non-member) amazing? For perspective, the world class art museum this is attached to costs $18 per visitor. The artists and workers who design and install Winterlights are no doubt talented but they aren't Picasso, Van Gogh, or Rembrandt -- all of which have paintings in the art museum for said $18. Winterlights is good but it isn't world class. So for me the value of looking at some very pretty lights just isn't there. read more

I have attended Winterlights all 3 times they have had it. I really enjoy it and wish there would be some snow just once!!! All of the lights are so magical and the Lily House is of course decorated so beautifully. The only bummer is that there isn't much that changes each year. It'd be neat to see some new lights! read more

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Took my adult children, whom were in town visiting - the first time in many years that we have all been together, for a "fun" family night, only to be berated and humiliated in front of my children by an officer at the entrance while trying to pull into the parking lot. There was a long line of stop and go cars while trying to navigate a narrow lane and trying to concentrate on the car in front of me, while suddenly an officer beating on my window was literally screaming at me because "i obviously didn't know how to watch him direct traffic". After which, i was so shaken up, I couldn't even stay to enjoy the night. Unfortunately, due to the distress I probably will never go back there. read more

Absolutely worth the trip!! Christmas lights are just beautiful. Will be making this an annual event. read more

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Winterlights at Newfields is ok. It's very short, especially in 2020 when you cannot go inside any of the buildings. I appreciated the one way walking path. They should keep this into the future. However, while there are some very nice displays, for the cost, hassle of it always being sold out, and how small it is, it's not worth it. read more

I've wanted to do the Winterlights for a couple of years now but never planned enough in advance to get tickets! (They sell out fast! Don't be like me--order them now!) I thought $20 seemed a bit high for a relatively short walk thru lights before we arrived but I assure you, it's worth every last dollar. It was so so beautiful! The weather wasn't great when we were there and it rained off and on throughout the night (that's the major disadvantage of pre-ordering tickets a week in advance). Beforehand, I was worried that might make the night miserable but it was fine! So no matter what the weather, be sure to go! My favorite exhibit was the lawn. So so so cool! The tree of fire was incredible as well. If you go with you partner, be sure to stop at the kissing arbor and ask the people behind you to take your photo. Just be sure to return the favor. Not sure you could take a bad picture here! They served hot cocoa with the option of spiking it with peppermint vodka. They also had hot cider with the option of spiking it with bourbon (which I did!). These areas were stationed conveniently around the grounds. There is also food available in the winter market area when you first get to the grounds. We spent about an hour and 15 minutes there and probably could have spent even longer had we not purchased the 8:00 ticket (grounds close at 9:00). If you're thinking about going, do it! It's an impressive showing of lights and is definitely going to get you into the holiday mood. read more

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We have enjoyed this experience. The 3D glasses are fun for the kids and adults, but they are not necessary. Keep in mind that there is a lot of walking (especially if you have younger or older family members coming with you). Also, there are blinking lights (beautiful and synced to music), so if you have light sensitivity be aware. Enjoyed the drinks available. While it is wheelchair accessible, there were a few spots that were difficult to maneuver. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Lovely event that I'm glad Newfields brought back this year. Loved the addition of the marketplace before heading out. My favorite this year is at the end but I don't want to ruin the surprise. Check it out. Get the glasses to see some special effects. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Great outdoor activity to do with friends/ family during the holidays. I went last year when there was snow, but even without snow this year, it was still magical. Be sure to bundle up and grab some warm drinks to stroll around trees set to music and twinkle beautifully. Get your tickets in advance, Winterlights always sell out quick!! read more

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This experience is worth every penny. I would go again if they weren't sold out. The only thing that would make this better is a fresh coating of snow. The lights are a wonder. There's several stops for treats and beverages along the way. There's wood burning warm up stations sprinkled throughout the walk. It's a family friendly affair and a wheelchair accessible experience, so don't let the fact that it's a "walking" event deter you. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Lily House with a full moon. - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I look forward to this every year. The museum puts a lot of work into creating a memorable holiday experience. The light displays are amazing and the Lilly house is also decorated for the season. Strolling around with a hot drink (maybe with a shot of bourbon or peppermint schnapps for the adults) gets you into the holiday mood. A local Girl Scout troop sells s'mores kits for you to enjoy while warming up around the fire. Proceeds benefit the girls! Get your ticket early if you want to go on a weekend; it does sell out. Note: furbabies are not permitted. read more

I am impressed! I wasn't expecting it to try out to be pretty awesome! The garden, pathways and Lilly House are decorated with lights. You'd walk, ans the music is always playing the holiday season music. Also, there are tree booths, serves hot chocolate and apple cider (can be spiked with spirits) and s'mores! The center piece of the garden is lit with dancing lights, plays with the music. There is plenty of parking. I highly recommend parking in the garage (for free). Do purchase the tickets online ($20), at the gate you'll lay $5 extra. Plus, more you do mot have to wait in line. There are two times to pick from 5pm or 7pm. The whole walk takes from an 1 hr to 1.5 hours. read more

Winterlights was pretty neat. Lights everywhere and the lights to Music display was pretty cool. The Lilly House was like walking into a dollhouse - no detail was spared! The beverages were not cheap. $19 for two small spiked ciders seemed a little excessive after paying $20 each to get in. And I know that holidays are fun for kids but they were everywhere. Maybe an adults only night in the future? read more

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My first year going to Winterlights and I can say it was such a fun experience. It took about 90 minutes to walk and it was freezing out, but On a less cold day, it would definitely be worth it. I warmed up with a nice cider, and I heard they will add some bourbon in there if you would like. I might go one more time before it is over this year, but if you are considering it, it is definitely worth the money. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Toy tree! - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I just attended Newfield's Winter Lights for the first time ever this past week. It was beautiful. Parking as a little hectic, but I thought the staff did a great job at leading people on where to park and how to get to the main entrance. From there, we entered the museum and went through security. I have been to Newfield's many times but have never had to go through the security process. It took my friends and I almost 15 min. to simply go through the metal detector, something that can be improved on, so just be aware if you only have limited time. From there though, everything was great. There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, along with treats and crafts. Outside you feel like you are stepping into a Christmas movie. There are lights everywhere, ones that change to music, trees with every branch covered, etc. There were even warming stations and an opportunity to make some s'mores! It was a great thing to do on a Thursday night and took us about 2 hours to get all the way through, but we also really took our time! read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Ok, we went here with a group of friends, and it was fun! The lights are amazing, and it took us a good 30-45 minutes to walk around and look at everything. The one thing that definitely took forever was getting into the museum to park. There was so much traffic we waited for atleast 30 minutes! The drinks are expensive inside and nothing amazing but definitely worth seeing this once read more

I've been before and would have rated it 5 stars. This year, it is down to 1. Go ahead and blame Covid if you like, but it went from a high-end date night where you could meander through a beautiful park of magical lights to a rushed event where I felt like cattle being herded through a line. This is not a vibe worth $25/ticket. It took less than 30 minutes to walk through and we were done. The mask police were thick, everywhere you turned. I was wearing a very thick, heavy scarf, wrapped three times around my head because it was cold, and I got yelled at while in line, "Ma'am, are you wearing a mask under that scarf! Ma'am! Ma'am!" Very loudly and rudely. They were persistent and ear-piercing. I was not, in fact, wearing a mask under the scarf because the scarf covered most of my face. With my hat, you could barely see my eyes. They proceeded to give me a piece of paper that they felt would keep me "safer" than the layers and layers I already had on my face. They weren't yelling at the customers who were wearing a thin piece of a gator on their face or wearing their masks under their noses. No, they chose to call me out in front of a crowd and yell at me. Unacceptable, and I will not be back. My husband was also yelled at while lowing his mask to order cocoa from the women behind the plastic walls. The ridiculousness of it all was that as soon as we had our $5 cocoa in hand, we could walk around mask and scarf free without being harassed. I do not appreciate being yelled at twice while at an event that is supposed to be upscale. So with that and the fact that it felt more like an amusement park line, we won't be back. read more

I love Winterlights. It's such a fun and interesting experience at Newfields! This past year was even better because they had way more displays and lights and snacks and drinks! Honestly it's beautiful. They could have a designated photo person in some spots though, as one woman was flustered because a line formed and she didn't know how to use smart phones. Not her fault, but it'd be a good addition. Hoping for more additions in the future! read more

Really fun holiday experience. The lights were stunning as well as choreographed music plying along with some of the lights. Great family event and also a nice break/change from Christmas as the Zoo. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I can't believe it's taken me this long to come visit but I'm so glad we finally did. We bought our tickets online almost 2 weeks ago. Be sure to try and buy your tickets way ahead of time if you're able to because they go fast. Parking was free in their parking lot. The place is very clean and the staff is so friendly. After getting your ticket scanned they have an area where you can purchase food, drinks, and souvenirs. Throughout the display outside they have little warming stations which was great. They even have a s'mores station. If you purchase the glasses they come with a free drink ticket. They only accept credit cards for purchases, no cash. I highly recommend this if you're looking for something fun to do!! read more

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This was a great time to spend a Winter evening! Went with Friends & Family and will be back next year! read more

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I truly enjoyed my experience at Winterlights! This was my first year attending and I will definitely be back. Firstly, the event is very organized. It was crowded, but parking was well managed. The ticket process was painless, as well. I loved that they offer a variety of beverages and snacks. The apple cider was delicious! There are plenty of options for all. All of the lights are incredible. It is truly a winter wonderland. The trees are completely covered in beautiful lights. I also enjoyed the Lily House decorations. Overall, Winterlights is well worth the cost! I will definitely return next year. read more

I love coming here to walk through the pathways seeing all the lights. It is amazing to see the trees wrapped from bottom to top. In addition the musical lights in front of the Lilly house are fun to watch to get into the holiday spirit. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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It definitely feels like a new peaceful world. I can't believe I waited this long to see them.

The lights are real pretty. I wish there were more but I'm not disappointed by the amount. The winter market is real cool and you can get soup in a cup! I bought the $9 wine in a can and it is not worth it. Wine should not be canned. read more

This is one of the most fun and unique experiences our family has ever attended. The entire event was put together really well, with helpful staff and clear signage on where to go and what to do. There were fun drinks for both kids and adults, snacks along the way, and neat things you could buy at the gift shop or various merchandise shops. But most importantly, the lights were absolutely incredible. I think the family and I will attend this every year from now on. Highly recommended! read more

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Great night out for families or couples! A few tips - If you have the 5pm time slots wait until 5:30 or 6pm when the majority of people have already walked through (plus it's darker outside!) - If there is a long line at the Lilly House skip it and come back! We saved the Lilly house to the end of our trip as a chance to warm up (plus bathrooms inside!) You just have to finish your hot chocolate or cider before going in. - Don't miss the missing booth with Mistletoe on the north side of the Lily house-It makes a great photo opp! Overall it was a great experience! We did a complete walk through in 30 minutes then double backed to the Lilly House and warming stations to kill sometime before dinner reservations. Ticket prices are a little steep for admission only- it's really easy to spend way more than that between the smores, roasted almonds, warm drinks etc. But overall a beautiful light display where you have ample opportunities to keep warm. read more

Winterlights at Newfields - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The IMA,as it was previously called is always a celebration! Beautiful grounds. Friendly staff. Clean,perfect. Great space for meetings,weddings etc;.... read more

I might be biased, but the Bae proposed at Winterlights, so five stars it is. Pro tip: don't go when it's 2 degrees like it was on New Year's Eve. The crowds will be down, but DANG is it cold. Making a pit stop into the Lilly House was a great excuse to warm up. The synchronized light show in front of the house was so cool! I could've watched it all night. I can't imagine the time and coordination it took to set it up (though maybe it's actually easier than it looks?). Can we talk about the detail that went into putting lights on every little branch of the trees? Holy smokes. The attention to detail is fantastic. There were signs and emails out saying that Winterlights would be closed the first week of January, likely because of the frigid cold. So stay on top of the communication that is sent out to avoid confusion with admission. We went at the 5 p.m. entry, when it wasn't quite dark yet. We killed 20 minutes inside getting hot chocolate at the cafe. Overall, this is a fantastic activity for all ages during the holiday season. read more