Indianapolis, IN
Circle of Lights 2024: What to know about the Indianapolis tradition, road closures
Circle of Lights will return the day after Thanksgiving to celebrate its 62nd anniversary. The beloved Indianapolis tradition, presented by IBEW Local 481, turns Monument Circle into a giant Christmas tree.
Each year, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 481 assemble the lights and decorations. Look for more than 50 strands of lights that include more than 4,000 LED-colored lights. The tradition dates back to 1962, though the monument was decorated for Christmas annually for more than a decade before that.
Here’s what to know about this year’s performers, street closures, times and festivities.
Who will perform in 2024
Still fresh off his win on Season 19 of America’s Got Talent, Richard Goodall, a school janitor from Terre Haute, will sing at the celebration. The performances also will include local performers and musical acts chosen from the Tom Wood Talent Search.
This year, the performance stage will be on the north side of the Circle because of construction on the south steps of Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
After Circle of Lights, Spark Holidays on the Circle will hold additional free activities within the northwest bollards of Monument Circle. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, look for musical performances, appearances from Santa Claus and hot cocoa and coffee for purchase.
When is Circle of Lights?
The festivities begin at 6 p.m., and the winner of the AES Coloring Contest will help Santa turn on the lights just after 6:50 p.m. The event will air on WTHR Ch. 13.
What streets will be closed for Circle of Lights?
Between 6 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Friday, Monument Circle and all of its spokes will be closed to vehicles, according to Downtown Indy’s weekly traffic alert. Closures on Friday include:
- Meridian Street between Ohio and Washington Streets,
- Market Street between Pennsylvania and Illinois Streets,
- a partial closure of Meridian’s northbound land between Maryland and Pearl Streets from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
People can enter and exit Circle of Lights from Market Street on the east and west sides as well as on the Circle’s south side off Washington Street. The ADA drop-off area will be on Market Street, and those who need accessibility will be directed to a dedicated viewing area.
The stage, on the north side of the Circle this year, will face the monument. No one will be able to access the event from the north side of the Circle.
How long will Circle of Lights be up?
The public can see the lights each night for free through Jan. 10.
From 5 a.m. Jan. 11 to 11:59 p.m. Jan. 17, the inner curb lane of Monument Circle will be partially closed to remove the lights.
Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them
Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
Indianapolis, IN
Greenfield native carries UConn to Final Four with game-winning three-pointer
INDIANAPOLIS — UConn Huskies Basketball player Braylon Mullins is making his hometown of Greenfield, Indiana, proud.
WATCH FULL STORY BELOW
Greenfield native carries UConn to Final Four with game-winning three-pointer
Mullins’ three-point shot gave UConn the upset over Duke during Sunday night’s Elite Eight matchup in Washington, D.C., landing UConn a spot in the Final Four.
Mullins graduated from Greenfield Central High School in 2025 and became the school’s first-ever and only Indiana Mr. Basketball.
“It’s big play Bray. Like you knew that once he got the ball in that moment, he wasn’t going to shy away. He wasn’t going to be afraid from that moment,” Luke Meredith said.
WRTV
Meredith coached Mullins for six years. He says Braylon taking UConn to the final four is no surprise. He averaged 32 points per game in high school and was a hometown legend before Sunday.
“He’s Greenfield’s own. I mean, that’s what makes him so special is we talk a lot about just a kid from Greenfield, a normal, regular kid that went to a public school and didn’t go the prep route and stayed here and committed here, so there’s a real sense of pride here at Greenfield,” Meredith said.
Greenfield Central High School
Meredith says Braylon has made the shot a million times in his driveway at home. He is so proud that the world got to watch this time.
“It’s just a sense of pride. I met him here every single day for four years at 7:15 in the morning, so an hour before school, and that’s the foundation of success occurs when no one else is watching, so no one saw him putting that time,” said Meredith.
Braylon’s brother Cole is a senior at Greenfield Central. He says his brother has undoubtedly made his family proud.
“I think it’s crazy just to see. Like, it’s his first year as a freshman, so being able to go to the Final Four in your first year is special,” Cole said.
WRTV
Meredith says that regardless of what happens next, this wave of pride through his hometown will be remembered for years to come.
“It’s pretty incredible, life-changing for him, and you know, to put Greenfield Central on the map,” said Meredith.
UConn plays Illinois in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, at 6:09 p.m. in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis, IN
HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder
College Access • Culture • Community Impact • Championship Energy
The 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience will bring a high-impact lineup of events to Indianapolis, connecting students, families, and the community to HBCU opportunities, while celebrating Black excellence during college basketball’s biggest weekend. Scheduled events are as follows:
TOP MEDIA MOMENT (FRIDAY):
WHAT: Kickoff Press Conference & Official Game Ball Presentation
WHO: Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves and members of the Indianapolis community.
WHEN: Friday, April 3 | 2:00 PM
WHERE: Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
KEY EVENTS FOR COVERAGE:
HBCU Awards Ceremony & Reception
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center
🗓 Thursday, April 2 | 7:30–9:00 PM
➡ Honors local community leaders and top HBCU student-athletes, coaches & leaders
College Admissions & Scholarship Fair (VISUAL + COMMUNITY IMPACT)
📍 Corteva Coliseum
🗓 Friday, April 3 (9 AM–1 PM, FREE)
🗓 Sunday, April 5 (12–4 PM, ticket required)
➡ Students meet HBCUs, explore scholarships and attend panels
➡ Friday includes Pro Day Viewing + Meet & Greet
Friday Fun Day (Community Outreach) (STRONG VISUALS)
📍 Sankofa School of Success + Windsor Village Park
🗓 Friday, April 3 | 4:00–6:30 PM
➡ Student-athletes mentoring youth + food distribution
Social Justice & Civil Rights Panel
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center
🗓 Saturday, April 4 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
➡ Panelists include Sean Johnson & Dr. Heather Savage
Black Business Vendor Showcase (VISUAL + ECONOMIC IMPACT)
📍 Corteva Coliseum
🗓 Sunday, April 5 | 12:00–5:00 PM
➡ Black-owned businesses + community marketplace
🏀 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME (MAIN EVENT)
📍 Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
🗓 Sunday, April 5, 2026
Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Doors Open: 12:00 PM EST
Location: 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Parking: $10 per vehicle at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
➡ Featuring top HBCU senior student-athletes from across the country
➡ High-energy, nationally recognized showcase of men’s basketball’s biggest weekend.
➡ Includes fan experiences, vendor activations, and community engagement
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Expands college access for local students
Showcases HBCU excellence nationwide
Drives economic impact + Black entrepreneurship
Combines sports, education, culture, and community
SOUND BITE:
“This is a can’t-miss moment for Indianapolis and for our future leaders. We’re bringing together the full power of HBCU excellence—education, opportunity, culture, and community—under one roof.”
— Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars
🎤 MEDIA CREDENTIALS & ACCESS
MEDIA CREDENTIALS REQUIRED for access to:
HBCU All-Star Game
Courtside coverage of events at Corteva Coliseum
Press conference and select VIP programming
Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the 2026 HBCU Experience. For more information about the HBCU All-Star Game and Experience, visit www.hbcuallstargame.com or follow @HBCUAllStars on Facebook and Instagram.
For more HBCU All-Star coverage, visit Indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
Indianapolis, IN
Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side
INDIANAPOLIS — A young man has died following a shooting on the northeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday night.
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Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on northeast side
IMPD said it happened near the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais, which is an apartment complex off Binford Boulevard and 56th Street.
WRTV was in the surrounding neighborhood speaking with residents on Sunday, many of whom told us they were left saddened and worried following the incident.
“It just brings tears to my eyes,” Sheri Harley shared.
Harley has lived on Circle Boulevard, which is one street over from the complex, for more than 20 years.
“We’re a very close-knit neighborhood,” Harley said. “I know everybody that lives here.”
That’s how she learned about what happened just down the road from her home on Saturday night.
“When I saw that there was police activity at the apartment complex, I contacted one of my neighbors, who lives across the fence,” Harley explained. “They didn’t really hear anything, but there were two young gentlemen who walked through their yard [that they got on camera].”
According to police, IMPD North District officers were dispatched to the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais around 7:19 p.m. Saturday on the report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they located a juvenile male near a playground suffering from injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.
The victim was taken to Riley Hospital in critical condition. IMPD confirmed the victim was pronounced deceased in the hospital.
“There is no known danger to the public at this time,” IMPD Night Watch Captain Richard Ray said during a media briefing. “It appears by the basic, limited information that we have at this time that this was a targeted incident.”
It’s the latest incident involving juveniles to concern Indianapolis residents.
“I was raised where you respect one another,” Harley said. “You don’t always have to get along, but now they’re just pulling guns on one another and shooting.”
For neighbors like Harley, they just hope it doesn’t continue.
“Parents, please take care of your kids. Watch them… It’s very disheartening,” she stated.
While we were out on Sunday, IMPD officers were going around asking neighbors to share any information they had about the incident.
“We’re asking any individual that might have been filming, that might have any doorbell cameras or anything like that to come forward and provide as much information as possible,” Ray said.
They have not yet identified any suspects in the case.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The MCCO will release the decedent’s name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made.
An investigation into this incident is underway. Anyone with information or doorbell footage is asked to reach out to IMPD Detective Christopher Williams at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Christopher.Williams4@indy.gov. Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.
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Casey Zanowic is the In Your Community reporter for North Side Indy. She joined WRTV in July of 2025. Casey has a passion for storytelling and is ready to showcase impactful stories that make a difference in her community. Share your story ideas and important issues with Casey by emailing her at casey.zanowic@wrtv.com.
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