• Thank you to the Irvington elves who decorated the lampposts along East Washington St.! The Stanleys, Dave & Ann Skirvin, Betty & Maddie McGrath, Allie Barnes, Elaine Lewis, Terry Lockward, Kathleen Porter, David Durban, and Sylvia Zimmerman did a great job. George Thomas florists, Irvington Community Schools, Jockamo’s Pizza, and Lincoln Square Pancake House generously donated to the cause.
• 201 Studios, at 201 S. Rural, will hold a Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 4-9 p.m. Locally made arts and crafts will be available for purchase, and Tiaolli will be on-site serving up tacos from 5-7 p.m.
• Dance Kaleidoscope Studios will have a free Open House for an afternoon of dance, entertainment, and a holiday craft for kids on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 2-4 p.m. at their headquarters in the Circle City Industrial Complex 1125 E. Brookside Ave. Try a mini-class and see their ensemble students perform. Everyone is welcome.Masks are required.
• A New exhibit entitled “A Sleigh Full of Toys and St. Nicholas Too” just opened at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center at 5350 E. University Avenue. They are displaying toys from the 1870s to the 1970s as well as collections of Santas. The Santa that welcomed International Harvester employees to the Brookville Rd. plant anchors the more modern era toys and St. Nicholas’ cloak as well as Krampus’s switches and a basket of coal will be with the earlier toys. Many of the toys come from local collections and Indy Cycle has lent two bikes. The exhibit runs now through January 30, 2022. Open Saturdays and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m.
• 10 East Arts Hub will hold a Women-Owned Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 11 from noon-7 p.m. at 3127 E. 10th St. Vendors include women-owned businesses, there will be free gift wrapping with purchase.
• Not everyone celebrates Christmas, or has family and friends close by. Once again, Neidhammer Coffee at 2104 E. Washington St. will be open Christmas Day, Dec. 25 from noon-3 p.m. for the Coffee, Donuts, and LOVE event. Everyone is welcome to be part of their family as they give away free coffee, donuts and love to all who want company. Masks are encouraged inside.
• Get your Irvington Luminaria supplies in order by purchasing from Hampton Design Studio, Ace Central Hardware, Deering Cleaners, Bonna Shop Gifts, Bazaar Oh Gifts, or the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. Buy 4 kits for $2, 8 for $4, and so on. Proceeds go to support the Luminaria for next year. This is its 45th year!
• Fort Harrison State Park hosts a Battle of the Bulge display from Dec. 10-19 from noon-4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The exhibit is in Building 701 across from the Visitor Center at the Camp Glenn National Historic District. Experts will be on hand to talk about the crucial battle, and there will be a 1 p.m. slideshow lecture on Saturdays. Free with park admission of $7 per vehicle.
• Garfield Park Arts Center will host Holidays Around the World on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The program is a holiday-themed arts and crafts event with live music, performances and more, designed to help kids understand and appreciate holiday traditions from around the world. Arts With a Purpose performers Adam Riviere and Ronne Stone will play from 10-11 a.m. and again from noon-1 p.m. Admission is free. No reservations are needed. Visit gpacarts.org for more information.