20 things to do this holiday season in Downtown Wabash, Indiana

There’s a little bit of holiday magic for everyone to discover in Downtown Wabash! To help you experience the most you can, we’ve compiled a top-twenty list of must-dos this season. Explore Christmas lights, excursions & events, holiday shopping and more.

P.S.: We suggest turning on some Christmas music while you read!

1. Kick off the holiday season at Jingle Jubilee

Kick off the hometown holiday season with the whole family and all your friends! Jingle Jubilee returns to Downtown Wabash in 2023 as the district’s decades-old tradition of officially kicking off the holiday season on November 17 from 4-9 p.m.

Jingle Jubilee is FREE and open to the public complete with the competitive Jingle Jubilee Stamping Map, the traditional lighting of the Wabash County Courthouse, a holiday kid zone on Miami Street provided by Bachelor Creek Church, lots of hot cocoa, holiday shopping specials, live reindeer, Santa, The Grinch, twinkling lights galore and so much more!

2. Compete in ‘Shop local to Win’

Shopping locally pays off in Downtown Wabash. For every purchase you make at a participating business, scan the ‘Shop Local to Win’ QR code at each register to enter for a chance to win sweet prizes during the holiday season.

3. Stroll through a winter wonderland at ‘Lights at Paradise’ 

There’s nothing better than gazing at Christmas lights! Starting on November 17, explore more than 24 light displays at Paradise Spring Park. Lighted photo-ops are available throughout the park. 

4. Shop for Christmas gifts locally

Check off every item on your holiday shopping list with more than 100 small businesses in Downtown! We encourage you to #ShopSmall every day, but especially during this season. You won’t want to miss out on spreading holiday cheer by supporting local business owners and taking advantage of great holiday deals. 

Black Friday: November 24, 2023 
Small Business Saturday: Our favorite holiday: the Saturday after Thanksgiving, meant for supporting small, local businesses for holiday shopping and more on November 25, 2023!
Artist Sunday: November 26, 2023 
Cyber Monday: November 27, 2023 

5. Give back to your community 

Spread joy through giving back and supporting your community this holiday season! Consider donating to local charities and nonprofit organizations or volunteering your time. Participate in Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving on November 28.

6. Take a s(elf)ie with Santa 

Grab your crew and head to Veterans Plaza to take a photo with the Holiday Greetings Santa Mural!

7. Make a homemade gift at Make It Your Own Art Studio

Paint a pottery piece, create a canvas painting and more to add a personal touch to someone on your list’s gift this year. Let your creativity flow at Make it Your Own! 

Pro Tip: If painting a pottery piece, make sure to visit Make it Your Own early in the holiday season to have your masterpiece back before Christmas. The pieces have to be fired in the kiln! 

8. Create your own holiday scent at JoJo’s Olfactory & Co. 

Embrace the holidays through every sense, including smell! Visit JoJo’s Olfactory & Co. and make a holiday-scented candle, reed diffuser, car freshener, wax cubes, etc. to freshen up every space you own with the season’s tidings. 

9. Schedule your Christmas card portraits 

Book a seasonal session with Nicole A. Howard Photography or Kaleigh M Photography to get an updated photo of the fam to send as your Christmas card this year! Be sure to bring your jolliest smile, and leave the resting grinch face at home. 

Contact: Nicole A. Howard Photography 

Contact: Kaleigh M. Photography

10. Spend a night in ‘Wabash Winterland’ with Holiday Shopping & a Cookie Walk on December’s First Friday 

Returning for the third year in a row, the Downtown Wabash Cookie Walk will feature delicious holiday treats to sample from various businesses while you cross off your holiday shopping to-do list. Hop from business to business in Downtown Wabash for a tasty holiday treat and a chance to win a holiday gift basket with local goodies!

11. Aboard Trolley No. 85 for a Holiday Trolley Tour around Wabash County

Explore holiday activities and festivities in Downtown Wabash and Beyond on Visit Wabash County’s Jolly Trolley Tour on Saturday, December 9. Festivities include a hot cocoa bar, Holiday Puppet Show, Storytime and Christmas Caroling with Mrs. Claus, Christmas crafts and photos with santa! Purchase tickets for the family for this fan-favorite holiday excursion. 

12. Find a good book to read at Reading Room Books 

Winter is the perfect time to cozy up by the fireplace with a good book. Make a trip to Reading Room Books to explore hundreds of titles. Your options are endless (it’s the largest book store in Indiana!)

13. Drink hot cocoa with friends at Modoc’s Market

Need we say more? Sip and savor quality time over a warm cup of coffee, hot cocoa, eggnog or your favorite holiday drink with your dearest friends and family. 

14. Check out the holiday window displays & lights 

Craving more Christmas light attractions after a night at Lights at Paradise? The rest of downtown is sparkling with holiday displays, too! Stroll through the district and admire storefront decorations, lights in the alley walkway, trees at the Honeywell Center & the skyline of lights hanging above Market Street! 

15. Celebrate the holidays with your favorite throwback movies. 

Spend an evening at Eagles Theatre watching your favorite holiday classics! There’s a movie title for everyone, with selections of movies from the nice list (rated G & PG) and the naughty list (rated PG-13 & R). Check out the full holiday movie schedule and buy your tickets in advance here.

16. Enjoy a winter weekend with the family at the Wabash County Museum  

The Wabash County Museum is filled with family activities during the holiday season! Check out what’s happening at the Museum on Facebook. Aside from extra holiday activities, the museum is a perfect place to explore while on Christmas break! 

17. Catch a live holiday show at The Honeywell Center

Gift an experience this year with live shows at the Honeywell Center! From Cirque Dreams Holidaze to A Bing Crosby Christmas with Jared Bradshaw, there’s a show for everyone. See a full list of live shows here.

18. Cozy up by the fire with a holiday cocktail at 4 Partners in Crime 

Experience homemade tapas, sweet treats and festive cocktails & mocktails in the warmth of the vibrant, charming space that is 4 Partners in Crime. Call for reservations or simply walk-in during business hours, Wednesdays-Saturdays from 5-10 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

19. Dress up for a holiday dinner date at more than 7 restaurants 

Dress your best for a night on the town! Explore dining options in the downtown district and plan a date night with your special someone or a group of friends! 

20. Have a snowball fight at Paradise Spring Park 

Kids from one to ninety-two are encouraged to have fun and enjoy all holiday traditions. Have a (friendly) snowball fight, make a snow angel or build a snowman when fresh powder hits the ground at Paradise Spring Park.