Circle of Lights

Is it really February?  I'm not sure because I totally still have my Christmas tree up.  Don't judge me. And since I never told you about our trip to the Circle of Lights trip in December, I might as well share them with you now!

The Circle of Lights is a tree of Christmas lights around the Indiana Soliders and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis at Monument Circle. Travelocity stated it was one of the top 5 Christmas trees to see during the holiday season.  The IBEW sets up the lights and they are turned on during a televised event the night after Thanksgiving.  The event includes musical acts, Santa, snow, and brings a crowd of 100,000.  The city offers a coloring contest to select the child that will flip the switch to the tree. The event is totally free and has been taking place for 52 years. 

 

The lights are also surrounded by toy soldiers and candy canes at the base of the monument.  This year Indiana Power & Light lit their building with a Christmas tree that was visible from the circle.

 

The monument is a memorial for Hoosiers that served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Frontier Wars and the Spanish-American War. It offers an observation deck at the top of the monument to view the city.  You can take a virtual tour of the monument here.

It was stupid cold the night we went to view the lights.  Like single digits cold with negative windchills.  But it was Christmas Eve and it was perfect.  The monument is breathtaking with the limestone structures very detailed and HUGE.  Visiting at night gave a great view of the city lights. 

The tree stays lit until mid-January.  I was able to enjoy it every morning on my way to work at 6am as I drove down Meridian Street.  Now you can enjoy a few artisitic pictures that I took. 

If you ever come to Indy to view the Circle of Lights, make sure to let me know you're visiting!

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