Imagine an afternoon filled with the sounds of your favorite holiday classics, a chance to capture a special moment with Santa, and time to browse unique gifts from local artisans before heading home for the holidays. That’s what awaits at this year’s Festival of Carols!

In celebration of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s 90th season, we’re making this beloved holiday tradition even more memorable with new experiences for the whole family, alongside the music that brings us together year after year.

For 36 of the 90 seasons, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s Festival of Carols has brought that feeling to audiences across Central Indiana. This December, the tradition returns with performances at Pike Performing Arts Center and the Payne & Mencias Palladium, bringing beloved holiday favorites, exciting new music, and special guests to the stage. And at the Pike Performing Arts Center performance, there’s another reason to arrive ready to celebrate: a brand-new Indiana artisan market.

Whether Festival of Carols is part of your holiday routine or you’re discovering it for the first time, this year’s performances offer plenty of reasons to make it a seasonal tradition.

Beloved Holiday Favorites Meet New Musical Discoveries

There’s something nostalgic about hearing your favorite holiday music performed live–it takes you back to a certain place frozen in time. At Festival of Carols, those familiar moments share the stage with new discoveries that make each season even more memorable than the last. Audiences can look forward to the return of classics like The Dream Isaiah Saw and David Duncan’s signature holiday piano improvisation, alongside the world premiere of We, At Last, a newly commissioned work by composer Dominick DiOrio in honor of Dr. Eric Stark’s 25th anniversary. 

The program also welcomes acclaimed soprano crossover artist Kim Kenny, whose performances span familiar carols, gospel music, and favorite Broadway tunes. With the ISC Festival Orchestra, high school Spotlight Choirs, and the possibility of a special visit from Santa or the Grinch, Festival of Carols brings together the music, personalities, and surprises that make holiday performances so much fun.

Meet the Indiana Artisans

Planning to attend Festival of Carols on December 6? Make time for the Indiana Artisan Market, available exclusively at the Pike Performing Arts Center performance. It’s one more reason to make this year’s holiday outing special. 

From time-honored traditions to contemporary interpretations, these artisans represent the creativity and craftsmanship thriving across Indiana. The market offers an opportunity to support independent makers while finding thoughtful gifts with a story behind them.

Kevin Harvey | Ladoga, Indiana

Kevin creates one-of-a-kind, hand-carved wooden bowls using traditional techniques and hand tools. His work celebrates Indiana hardwoods and functional art designed to last for generations.

Jan Boettcher | Thorntown, Indiana

Jan specializes in rosemaling, a traditional Norwegian folk art known for its decorative floral designs. Drawing on her Norwegian heritage, she brings centuries-old techniques to beautifully painted wooden pieces.

Marsha Quarles | Avon, Indiana

Marsha brings Hoosier hospitality to the kitchen with small-batch baked goods and sweet treats. Her specialties include cream cheese pound cake and sock-it-to-me pound cake, made with care and a focus on quality ingredients.

Matt Rees | Greencastle, Indiana

Through his print shop, Wildwood Press, Matt creates intricate woodblock prints inspired largely by birds and the natural world. His centuries-old printing process and passion for conservation come together in artwork that celebrates Indiana’s wildlife.

Neelu Jain | Carmel, Indiana

Neelu creates temari balls, an intricate Japanese fiber art traditionally associated with good wishes and happiness. By combining traditional techniques with original patterns, she breathes new life into this detailed, distinctive craft.

Jim Brune | Decatur, Indiana

Jim paints detailed watercolor scenes directly onto hardwood, using each piece’s natural character to make every artwork unique. Many of his paintings feature birds in their natural habitats.

Gail Grasee | Indianapolis, Indiana

Gail transforms leather into functional and decorative art, including bags, wallets, journal covers, and sculptural pieces. Inspired by nature, animals, fantasy, and science fiction, her work combines traditional leather-carving techniques with a distinctive personal style.

Tracy Burns | Connersville, Indiana

Tracy creates hand-hooked rugs, mats, and wall hangings that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs. Using wool, much of it recycled from garments, she explores color, texture, geometric patterns, and abstract forms.

Maria Patterson | Indianapolis, Indiana

Maria uses traditional hand tools to carve expressive wooden figures, ornaments, and whimsical wood spirits. Her work highlights the natural beauty of wood grain, with each piece shaped by the material’s unique character.

Sylvia Gray | Westfield, Indiana

Sylvia creates distinctive surface-design art, including silk scarves featuring printed patterns. Inspired by color, texture, and Indiana’s visual character, her process combines artistic exploration with techniques such as silk screening and Japanese-inspired shibori.

A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family

Whether you’re planning a family outing, meeting friends for a holiday celebration, or looking for a new way to embrace the season, Festival of Carols invites concertgoers to step away from the holiday rush and share in something meaningful. Celebrate the Season with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir.

This December, join the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir for a celebration that brings it all together. Experience beloved holiday music, discover a newly commissioned work, and, at the December 6 performance, explore the Indiana Artisan Market and support local makers. Each season brings familiar traditions back to the stage while making room for new music, new experiences, and new memories.

Make Festival of Carols part of your holiday tradition. Explore this year’s performance dates, choose your seats, and reserve your tickets today at IndyChoir.org