The City of Elkhart kicks off the holiday season with the annual Winterfest on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in downtown Elkhart.
Highlights of the event include Breakfast with Santa at Central Fire Station, The Ugly Sweater Run and Stroll, free photos with Santa at the Elkhart Public Library, downtown merchants’ open houses, and ice skating at NIBCO Water and Ice Park. This year, kids 12 and under skate for free all day, thanks to the generous sponsorship of NIBCO, INC. Throughout the day, live ice carving demonstrations will dazzle visitors with intricate sculptures created right before their eyes.
Here’s the festive lineup:
🥞 Breakfast with Santa: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Central Fire Station
❄️ Premier Arts Holiday Windows Tours @ The Lerner Theatre
🎅 FREE Pictures with Santa: 12:00 PM–3:00 PM @ Elkhart Public Library
⛸️ Ice Skating @ NIBCO Water and Ice Park:
Open skate: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Ralph Hartnagel Memorial Skate: 7:30 PM–10:00 PM
Kids 12 & under skate FREE all day, thanks to NIBCO, INC!
👕 Ugly Sweater Fun Run & Stroll hosted by Elkhart Education Foundation:
Check-in @ 7:00 AM | Run @ 8:30 AM | Stroll @ 8:45 AM
Register here: https://elkhartedfoundation.org/ugly-sweater-run/
🛒 Winterfest Market: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM @ Elkhart Health & Aquatics
🚂 All Aboard with Santa: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM @ National New York Central Railroad Museum
🎄 Winterfest Parade & Tree Lighting:
Parade: 6:00 PM @ Main St (Harrison to Lexington)
Tree lighting immediately after @ Civic Plaza
💌 Letters to Santa: Drop your letters in Santa’s mailboxes around downtown before December 16 to get a reply!
❄️ Downtown Merchant Open Houses: Discounts, crafts, and holiday shopping all day!
🧊 Live Ice Carving throughout the day!
The day will conclude with the annual Winterfest Parade. The lighted parade will start at 6:00 p.m. and travel down Main Street from Harrison Street to Lexington Avenue.
Following the parade, Mayor Roberson will present awards for the parade and light the city Christmas tree at Central Green, marking the official start of the holiday season in Elkhart.
Winterfest is proudly presented by American Electric Power, with additional support from community partners who make this event possible.
For those interested in more information, please contact Elkhart Parks and Recreation at 574-295-7275 or by email at city.parks@coei.org or check out //ElkhartIndiana.org/parks
About Elkhart Parks and Recreation: Elkhart Parks and Recreation strives to bring quality recreational opportunities and programs to the residents of Elkhart. With roughly 500 acres of green space, the City provides many opportunities for the public to enjoy natural areas and recreation within an urban environment.
