Bright Idea

WINTERLIGHTS AT NEWFIELDS INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA e visitor experience begins with entry through e Garden. Winterlights winds around and exits through the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the cornerstone building of New elds. Visitors rst pass by a collection of local vendors selling themed snacks and refreshments cre- ated speci cally for the event. roughout the evening, hot chocolate, s’mores and adult beverages are available at warming stations positioned along the outdoor path for an extra dose of holiday cheer.

Winterlights transforms the 152-acre New elds cultural campus in Indianapolis into a holiday destination brimming with twinkling lights and seasonal charm that welcomes visitors from anksgiving through the New Year.

Several months of work go into installing the 1.5 million individual bulbs that make up the various displays, with volunteers wrapping strings of lights around trees and draping them across outdoor structures throughout the grounds to create the stunning results. Discussions on how to make each year’s event bigger and better than the previous one begin soon a er the exhibit shuts down for the season, and so does the tall order of disassembly.

Once across the Snow ake Bridge, visitors gravitate toward the Landscape of Light, a blanket of pulsing bulbs synchronized to music that graces the spacious lawn in front of the historic Lilly House. Step inside the home to admire the Christmas trees and clever decorations made using recycled materials. Pucker up at the Kissing Arbor for a sweet sel e and take a stroll through the blue-lit Ice Storm Walk tunnel. Before heading home, don’t forget to purchase a poinsettia at the New elds greenhouse.

Reservations for timed entry slots are required and tend to book up fast, so plan to reserve your desired time as early as possible. 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, 317/923-1331, discovernew elds.org — Amy Lynch

Enchanting Productions

All the world’s a stage, or at least it appears that way in Toronto, where the city’s entertainment district boasts the third-largest English-speaking theater locale in the world after the West End in London and Broadway in New York City. Visitors revel in its bigname musicals, concerts and productions, but perhaps the city’s best-kept thespian secret is Young People’s Theatre, Canada’s oldest and largest theater geared specifically to children.

Established in 1966, its philosophy was and is that “only the best is good enough for children.” The group’s high-quality, professional productions of both classic and contemporary plays have enchanted and inspired kids of all ages.

As a registered charity, the subsidized costs have remained reasonable, comparable to an outing at the movies, but unlike the silver screen, Young People’s Theatre’s productions engage young audiences. Children are invited to ask questions after the performance to learn more about the show and the art of theater.

The 2023-24 lineup includes “Pop! Pop!”, a colorful underwater adventure featuring live music and puppetry for toddlers and preschoolers; “Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish,” a First Nation’s tale of a cheese-swiping mouse that is recommended for ages 5 through 8; and “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” a heartwarming adaptation of the holiday classic geared to older kids.

Located on downtown’s Front Street, the theater is within walking distance to many of Toronto’s top attractions. Just west lies the historic St. Lawrence Market, where the whole family can grab a bite to eat. Enjoy market goodies at the nearby Berczy Park with its quirky dog fountain or on Toronto Islands, just a short ferry ride away. Also nearby are family-friendly attractions like the Hockey Hall of Fame, the CN Tower and the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. 165 Front St. E., Toronto, Ontario M5A 3Z4, 416/862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.org — Jennifer Merrick

Living History

The Seneca people founded an agricultural community called Ganondagan on a hilltop near the eleven narrow bodies of water that give New York’s Finger Lakes region its name.

Ganondagan blossomed into a community where some 4,000 Seneca dwelled in 150 bark longhouses. In 1687, it was destroyed during the ongoing Beaver Wars that French, English and Native American forces waged to control the lucrative fur trade.

Today, Ganondagan’s former locale is a National Historic Landmark, and its serene landscape is punctuated not only by a reproduction longhouse outfitted with 17th-century items ranging from moccasins and leggings to trade goods, but also by the modern Seneca Art & Culture Center where visitors can listen to Native American interpreters reciting age-old stories and view the fascinating “Iroquois Creation Story” film about the Earth being formed on the back of a great turtle.

The site’s rich storytelling continues outdoors. Follow the Earth Is Our Mother Trail to appreciate the Seneca people’s profound respect for nature or walk the Trail of Peace for lessons in their history and traditions.

For the Seneca people, the arrival of snowflakes each year means outdoor fun, and thanks to the Native American Winter Games held at the Ganondagan State Historic Site every February, winter visitors can experience the same seasonal activities that those of the culture have enjoyed for generations.

Besides snowshoeing, dog sledding and maple-syrup making, the family-friendly event offers a rare opportunity to discover pastimes such as snowsnake, a favorite Seneca sport in which teams compete to see how far they can throw carefully crafted sticks that slither and slide down a slick trough of snow. 7000 County Road 41, Victor, New York 14564, 585/924-5848, ganondagan.org