9 minute read
Local Events
Note:
Don’t forget to apply for the Access Pass! The Access Pass program allows qualifying families to visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and participating locations for $5 per family member, per visit, for up to two adults and all dependent youths in the household. Eligible families must receive one of the following:
Hoosier Healthwise Insurance (Indiana’s health care program for low-income families, pregnant women and children)
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Apply at: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/hours/access-pass
Museums
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
First Thursday Night- First Thursday every monthNov. 6, 4:00 pm
On the first Thursday of every month, we open our doors from 4–8 p.m. for just $6 admission per person! Why should you visit?
Admission is just $6 per person for the entire museum. That’s a savings of more than 75% per ticket!
It’s the ONLY time the museum is open to the public in the evening, so it’s a perfect after-hours night for your family.
It’s not as crowded as you might think! We have limited capacity on First Thursday Nights.
Parking is always free!
Our Food Court is open, so you can grab a quick and easy dinner for the whole family. Low cost. Low crowds. Late night play! https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/calendar/event/273
Santa's Big Snowball Fight
Nov.15, 9:30 am
Kick off the winter holiday season at Indy's biggest indoor snowball fight! Join us for some holiday cheer and snow much fun as we welcome Santa with a family-friendly snowball fight you won't want to miss!
Museum My Way An adaptive museum experience
Dec. 9
This special event is an opportunity for visitors with disabilities and/or sensory sensitivities to experience the museum in a new way. Families and groups of all abilities are welcome to play and learn together!
Limited capacity. Quiet area with sensory items. Some music is turned down or off. Edited lighting effects in some areas.Tickets go on sale 6 weeks before events. https://www.childrensmuseum.org/museum-my-way
Various Events scheduled through the month Opens at 10 AM
3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, 317-334-4000
https://www.childrensmuseum.org
Conner Prairie — Indiana’s Living History Museum
Sensory-Friendly Hours
Nov. 9, 10:00 am to Noon
The second Sunday of every month, from 10 AM to noon, are sensory-friendly hours at Conner Prairie! Enjoy a calm environment. Check-in with Guest Relations, stating that you are here for sensory-friendly hours. You will get free admission and may stay as long as you wish.
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Nov 28 through Dec. 23, 5:30 pm- 10:00 pm
Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and celebrate the holidays in Prairietown with Historic Holidays. Capture picture-perfect moments all around as you celebrate the season.
Various Events scheduled through the month
10:00 am- 10:00 pm
13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038. Phone: 317-776-6000 or 800-966-1836 https://www.connerprairie.org/calendar
Indiana State Museum
Sensory Friendly Afternoon
Nov. 16, 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm
650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Experience the Indiana State Museum in a sensory-friendly way. Each month, the museum lowers the lights and reduces distractions to create a welcoming environment for children and adults with sensory processing differences.
Guests can enjoy interactive learning in a comfortable, accepting setting. Social narratives are available at the ticket counter, and sensory-based activities are spaced throughout the museum. Sensory Bags are also available to enhance your visit.
https://9529a.blackbaudhosting.com/9529a/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=ec16dc0b-45af-4c86-987b-2150481851de
Check the calendar for upcoming December fun and various events through the month: https://www.indianamuseum.org/calendar/
Family Fun
Sensory Sensitive Saturdays at Smiley Indoor Play
Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, 9 am-11:00 am
5729 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250
Smiley Indoor Playground in Indianapolis offers Sensory Sensitive Saturdays, a special playtime for children with sensory sensitivities, autism, or other special needs. Held on the first and third Saturday of each month.
During Sensory Sensitive Saturdays, several adjustments are made to create a more soothing experience:Reduced Sensory Stimuli – Music, certain lights, and air compressor guns will be disabled or set to minimal levels.Play Areas Open – All play areas inside the facility will be available, except for the arcade.
https://www.smileyindianapolis.com/.
Sensory Friendly Play at Urban Air Noblesville
Nov 2, 9:00 am- 11:00 am
14450 Mundy Dr, Noblesville, IN 46060
Urban Air’s Sensory Friendly Play day is typically held on the first Sunday of the month. Check the Noblesville calendar for the latest info. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=hi8j9brk94jgnc71kmslc13js8@group.calendar.google.com
Sky Zone South Sensory Play
Nov. 3, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm Every first Monday of the month
Sensory Fun Fridays runs every Friday from 9:00 am-10:00 am.
4150 Kildeer Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46237
Jump and socialize in a comfortable, friendly environment. Enjoy the freedom of jumping. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs.
https://www.skyzone.com/programs/sensory-hours/
Christmas Nights of Lights
Nov. 7 through Dec. 31, Open nightly rain, shine or snow
Enter Christmas Nights of Lights at: Indiana State Fairgrounds 1698 E 42nd St. (Gate 3).
The Indiana State Fairgrounds once again hosts Christmas Nights of Lights, Indy’s largest drive thru light show synchronized to music broadcasting through your car radio!ONLINE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!
No cash or credit will be accepted at the ticket booth. With our new reservation system in place, wait times should be under an hour. However, since there are limited tickets each night, there are NO REFUNDS. Exchanges for a different night or time slot based on availability and must be made no later than 10pm on the day the ticket is valid.
Tickets purchased using a discount code can only be exchanged for show times between 11/7/2025 - 11/22/2025.
Carload Passes and Group Passes apply to SINGLE VEHICLES only. We are not able to admit multiple vehicles under the same Carload Pass or Group Pass. The height restriction of the entrance tunnel is 11 ft. WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE FULL SIZE BUSES OR LARGE RVS! For tickets visit https://www.christmasnightsoflights.com/tickets
Tangram Social Clubs
5155 Pennwood Drive,Indianapolis, IN 46205
Tangram offers a variety of social clubs for everyone to enjoy! Whether you're into games, books, or advocacy, there's something for everyone and it’s all free!
Bingo - 1st & 3rd Mondays at 6 PM: Play a classic game of bingo and connect with friends!
Self Advocates - 3rd Thursday at 6 PM-7 PM: Discuss self-advocacy topics and empower yourself with like-minded peers.
Game Night - 3rd Tuesday at 6 PM: Card games, board games, and more! Feel free to bring your favorites too!
Book Club - 2nd & 4th Mondays at 6 PM: Read and discuss books with a fresh pick each quarter!
Check out the schedule below and join us for some fun, learning, and great conversations. We can’t wait to see you there! For more information about Tangram's clubs, please email jrice@thetangramway.org.
#TangramClubs #CommunityConnection #InclusiveFun #JoinUs #TheTangramWay
Indianapolis Zoo
Christmas at the Zoo
Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026 | 5-9pm Sun-Thu & 5-10pm Fri-Sat | Closed Nov. 28, Dec. 24 & 25, Dec. 31 & Jan. 1
1200 West Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46222
Experience Our Beloved Holiday Tradition!
A light sprinkling of snow and the glow of twinkling lights will fill the sky, creating a magical nighttime experience that has become one of Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo presented by Indiana Members Credit Union continues to grow. For our 57th year, we’re adding beautiful new decor and experiences, to enhance your next holiday trip to the Zoo. And the best part is it’s all included with regular admission! Don't forget to visit Santa's Village!
Various events scheduled daily through the month
https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/
AMC Theatres
Check website for location, date and times.
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.
Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly. https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
The Arts
The ARC of Hancock County Adaptive Dance ( Adaptive Ballet Coming Soon)
Nov. 6, 5:00 pm
Hancock Wellness Center, 8505 N Clearview Dr, McCordsville, IN 46055
Join us for an adaptive dance class every 1st Thursday of the month at Hancock Wellness Center, McCordsville! This program is designed for individuals with disabilities of ALL ages. Siblings are welcome to join. To Register: https://thearcofhancockcounty.com/adaptive-dance. Parents/Guardians must stay for the duration of the class.
Jubilate Choir
Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133
Thursdays, 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
The Jubilate Choir is for singers with special needs in grades 3-9. Singers with varying abilities meet each week to grow musically. This tuition-free choir focuses on proper singing techniques, music theory and sight-reading, part-singing, and social skills involved in being a member of a musical ensemble.
Though Jubilate has, at its core, the same goals as other choirs in the Indianapolis Children's Choir (ICC), singers in Jubilate engage in additional activities like visual and tactile experiences that are catered specifically to the current members of the choir.
Director: Lauren Southard
For more information, contact Lauren Southard at
317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir.org. https://icchoir.org/special-needs/
Gigi’s Playhouse
Various classes during the week.
5909 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-288-8235
indy@gigisplayhouse.org https://gigisplayhouse.org/indianapolis/sfcalendar/
Events
Disability Nights at Science Central
Nov., 21, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
1950 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Disability Nights is our program for people with developmental, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. Sessions are free to attend for those individuals, along with their caregivers. Sessions are available at both Science Central and the Star*Quest Observatory. Events are rain or shine - register now!
Sessions are free to attend for those individuals, along with their caregivers.
Sessions feature these modifications:
Lower ambient sound levels
Increased light in areas that are usually dark
Access to listening devices
Less-crowded environment (Tuesday sessions)
Extra staff on hand
Access to a sensory room
Access to a private changing table
Additional demonstrations with extra tactile stimulation
https://tickets.sciencecentral.org/Selection.aspx?sch=372562
Ask The Arc Webinars Series
Nov. 13, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Our Ask The Arc webinar series will provide information and discussion on timely topics relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their support systems.
Webinars take place on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. EST. Past webinars will be recorded and posted to view on your own schedule in The Arc of Indiana Academy and on our YouTube channel.
Registration is for the complete webinar series. You can pick and choose which ones you want to attend without having to register each time. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hTnwxka_S--MknIpiQoNrA#/registration
Under the Stars Dance Hosted by Turnstone/FWACO/Camp Red Cedar/ Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Nov. 14, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
3900 Hursh Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46845
Join us for an evening filled with dancing, karaoke, wagon rides, games, pizza, and snacks.
This special evening is designed to bring people of all abilities together for a time of connection, creativity, and fun in a welcoming setting. Caregivers are welcome at no extra cost.
https://forms.monday.com/forms/d0f83374336beb95d1c64ec493b2d8f5?r=use1
