Kick-off your holiday season this Friday, Nov. 25 and visit Monument Circle for the Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW 481. The festive lighting ceremony celebrates its 60th anniversary and remains Indy’s most time-honored holiday tradition. Gather on the Circle starting at 6:30 p.m. for live music, holiday activations, festive food and beverages, and more while awaiting the arrival of Santa and the “flip of the switch” shortly before 8 p.m. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument will shine bright throughout the holiday season until Jan. 13.
Comprised of 4,784 LED lights and 52 garland strands strung from each side, Circle of Lights® remains one of the top visual presentations in the country. Through five holiday-colored bulbs, Circle of Lights® pays tribute to a different branch of the United States Military: Green is Army, clear is Air Force, blue is Navy, yellow is Coast Guard, and red is Marines. At the Monument’s base are 26 larger than life toy soldiers and sailors and 26 peppermint sticks to add to the holiday ambiance. Among all of the festive decor, Victory stands tall and proud as the “tree” topper.
This monumental undertaking is made possible by IBEW 481, representing over 3,000 electrical workers across Central Indiana. Since the birth of Circle of Lights® in 1962, IBEW 481 has been the “boots on the ground” team responsible for maintenance, install, and teardown, dedicating approximately 1,750 hours to the event each year. To prepare the 284-foot-tall Monument for Circle of Lights®, a structure just 16 feet short of a football field, IBEW 481 union members volunteer their time and work diligently to secure each garland strand from top to bottom. This marks the 19th year for IBEW 481 to be the title sponsor of Circle of Lights®.
Join Downtown Indy, Inc. and IBEW 481 in celebrating the holiday season right in Indy’s urban core. Get ready for a fresh slate of talent including special performances from NBC’s The Voice contestant Morgan Taylor and Kelly Clarkson from her recording studio. Sip a warm beverage, indulge in a treat from Rise’n Roll Bakery and relax as breathtaking colors illuminate Downtown.
To stay in the know on Circle of Lights® and other Downtown happenings, text LIGHTS to 317-237-2222. The ceremony will also air live exclusively on WTHR Channel 13 starting at 7 p.m.