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.