For Immediate Release: November 28, 2024
Media Contact: Max Wing | max@downtownindy.org

The Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW 481 shines bright on Monument Circle for 62nd holiday season

Tens of thousands anticipated Downtown on Friday, Nov. 29 for time-honored tradition

The Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW Local 481 – Indy's most time-honored holiday tradition – returns this Friday, Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving. The annual celebration on Monument Circle will feature a festive lighting ceremony and on-site activations in unison with a live show starting at 6 p.m. The winner of the AES Indiana Coloring Contest, Lula Avery (age 8), will help “flip the switch” alongside Santa just after 6:50 p.m., marking the start of the holiday season. Click HERE to see Lula’s winning drawing. Circle of Lights® also features pre-event festivities starting at 5 p.m., an on-stage pre-show at 5:30 p.m., and post-lighting activations from 7-8 p.m.

“Circle of Lights is one of Downtown Indy’s most cherished traditions, bringing together tens of thousands of Central Indiana residents to kick off the holiday season,” said DII President & CEO Taylor Schaffer. “We are incredibly grateful to the skilled electricians of IBEW Local 481, whose expertise makes this dazzling display possible each and every year.”

The entire night is sure to fill Downtown with a vibrant holiday atmosphere, featuring performances from America’s Got Talent Season 19 winner Richard Goodall and musical acts chosen from the Tom Wood Talent Search. Live DJ sets featuring GNO and Hope Flows will take place stage right to bring additional energy to this year’s Holiday Hype Zone, a front row experience with some of Circle of Lights’® biggest superfans. With construction now moving to the south steps of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, the performance stage for this year’s Circle of Lights® will be relocated to the north side of Monument Circle, facing inward toward the crowd.

The electrical workers and volunteers of IBEW Local 481 hold their commitment to care and craftsmanship every holiday season by decorating the Soldiers & Sailors Monument with 52 garland strands and 4,784 multi-colored lights, strung from the top of the Monument to its base. The Monument is also surrounded by 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and sailors and 26 peppermint sticks. “We are thrilled to be the presenting partner of Circle of Lights again,” said IBEW Local 481 Business Manager Jeff Wheeler.

Following Circle of Lights®, SPARK Holidays on the Circle will feature themed musical performances and appearances by Santa Claus within the northwest bollards of Monument Circle every Saturday and Sunday from 4-8 p.m. through Dec. 22. During SPARK festivities, hot coco and coffee will be available for purchase from the Container Café. The Circle will also transform into a vibrant snow globe with lighting exhibits, video projections, and holiday music as part of the Shining A Light arts and culture program. For more information on holiday activations and events, including curated holiday agendas, visit www.indywanderland.com

Alongside this year’s live performances and lighting ceremony, numerous activations will take place on and adjacent to Monument Circle. A custom-wrapped IndyGo bus, the “Holi-Yay Express,” will double as a photo op and warming station at Circle of Lights®, located on the corner of Washington Street and Illinois Street. Food and drink vendors will be positioned around the Circle including Rose + Lois, Tinker Coffee, Sun King Brewery, and Sodexo. Other sponsors beyond those already mentioned include WTHR, Radio One, Hoosier Lottery, Kroger, Indiana529 Indianapolis Colts, Christ Church Cathedral, Sullivan Hardware, and MCL Restaurant & Bakery.

Sightseers will be able to take in this brilliant spectacle throughout the holiday season, lit until Jan. 10. Circle of Lights® is currently a back-to-back nominee for “Best Public Holiday Lights Display” in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Voting is open NOW, runs for four weeks only, and ENDS ON Monday, Dec. 2 at 11:59 a.m. The public can submit one vote each day HERE.

NOTE: The North spoke entrance to the Circle at Ohio and Meridian Streets will be CLOSED (back-stage/credentialed area). All attendees can enter the Circle from East and West Market Streets, as well as the South spoke entrance at Washington and Meridian Streets. Those with physical disabilities can be dropped off on the corner of West Market and Illinois Streets and will be ushered to the ADA-accessible viewing area. Please reference this year’s event map HERE.

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE:

Multiple closures are in place for The Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW 481 on Nov. 29 from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Total closure of all four spokes of Monument Circle.
- Total closure of Meridian Street between Ohio Street and Washington Street
- Total closure of Market Street between Pennsylvania Street and Illinois Street.
- Restricted closure of Meridian Street between Georgia Street and Washington Street

For more information about Circle of Lights®, visit:

https://downtownindy.org/holidays

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About Downtown Indy, Inc.

For more than three decades, Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII) has partnered with businesses, property owners, and Downtown stakeholders to ensure Downtown Indianapolis is the vibrant, welcoming, and fun heart of Indiana’s cultural and economic life. DII serves as Downtown’s primary place-based management organization, collaborating and executing on large-scale events, public space programming, cleanliness and beautification initiatives, and investments in public safety. www.downtownindy.org

About IBEW Local 481

As the title sponsor of Circle of Lights®, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481 represents more than 3,000 electrical workers across Central Indiana. IBEW Local 481 provides the needed expertise, highly trained workforce, safety, and dedication to help build many of Central Indiana’s premiere education, health care, utility, and logistics projects. Visit www.ibew481.org for more information.