Lighting of Shipshewana Festival
Visitors celebrate the start of the holiday season with the Light Parade featuring decorated floats, vehicles, and characters moving through town. Festival activities include live gospel and traditional Christmas music, food truck fare, face painting, and local shopping at holiday and vintage markets. Families can also meet friendly animals, enjoy an outdoor movie showing, and explore interactive activity stations.
What to Expect
Holiday festival featuring a lighted parade, seasonal markets, and family entertainment.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Shipshewana
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Visit Shipshewana
Food & Drink
Food trucks offer a variety of meals, family-friendly options, and sweet treats throughout the festival.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive and family-focused
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: $5 per ornament.
- Hours: Parade starts at 6:00 P.M.
Tips & Advice
- Come early and grab a spot along the parade route, then stay for the lights as the floats and decorated vehicles roll through town.
- Bundle up for the Light Parade, since you'll be standing outside along the route after dark.
- Make a weekend of it by arriving Friday for food trucks, holiday activities and Elf on Morton Street before Saturday's parade.
- Stop by Cornucopia early to get the reindeer scavenger hunt sheet so the kids have time to find every reindeer on Harrison Street.
- Visit the Visitor's Center on Van Buren Street for local tips, free coupon books and visitor guides before heading out to the festival.
Special Events & Promotions
- Friday Fun on Morton Street: food trucks, hands-on holiday activities and an outdoor showing of Elf.
- Paint your own Christmas ornament at Riverwood Pottery on Friday and Saturday of the festival, for a per-ornament fee.
- Gingerbread Village unveiling at E&S Sales on Friday, November 6. You can see it through December 5 during store hours.
- New this year: Barnyard Christmas, with animals to meet on Morton Street.
- New this year: the Jingle Junction Kids Adventure, with Amish Country-inspired games, crafts, treats and stories.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's new at the festival this year?
New for 2026: Friday Fun with food trucks and a showing of Elf, Barnyard Christmas with friendly animals, the Jingle Junction Kids Adventure, live Christmas music from Clinton Frame Church, and paint-your-own Christmas ornaments at Riverwood Pottery.
What is there for kids?
Jingle Junction has stations with games, crafts, sweet treats and stories. Kids can also get Christmas face painting, meet the Barnyard Christmas animals on Morton Street and do the Reindeer Scavenger Hunt on Harrison Street.
Where do I pick up the reindeer scavenger hunt sheet?
At Cornucopia. Santa's missing reindeer are hidden along Harrison Street.
Is there food?
Yes. Food trucks serve throughout the festival, with sweet and savory options for the whole family.
Can I be in the Light Parade?
Yes. Floats, decorated vehicles and holiday characters can sign up through the parade sign-up form.
More Christmas Events Near Shipshewana
More Christmas Events near Goshen
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.