Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Evansville at A Downtown Christmas Presented by Engelbrecht Enterprises on Saturday, December 6 from 11 AM – 3 PM. The Downtown Evansville Improvement District (DEID) hosts the 10th annual event on Main Street (between 2nd and 6th Streets) and 5th Street (between Main and Locust). The 200, 300, 400, and 500 blocks of Main Street and 5th Street from Main to Locust will be closed to vehicular traffic for the event.
Guests will enjoy a variety of free, family-oriented activities beginning at 11 AM. Activities will include free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, visits with reindeer, pony rides, trackless train rides, a giant ‘walk-in snow globe,’ costume characters, inflatable photo points, dinosaur encounters, hot cocoa, cookies, a petting zoo, and more. Santa’s Workshop Presented by F.C. Tucker Emge will include a roasted nut vendor with free samples, two face painters, a craft station, and a letter writing to Santa station. A community mascot meet-and-greet event will take place from noon – 1 PM and feature mascots from several local community organizations.
New activities for 2025 include hair tinsel, a snow machine, and a poinsettia tree sponsored by Orion Renewable Energy Group for guests to capture holiday memories. Title sponsor, Indiana Donor Network, will be offering a raffle and a special tree to recognize donor heroes. Activities are free thanks to support from sponsors, led by Engelbrecht Enterprises. The event media partner is 104.1 FM WIKY.
During the event, guests will be able to mail letters to Santa in Santa’s Mailbox Presented by Edward Jones-Financial Advisors: Jessica Engel, Steve Harding, Janet Schultheis, and Jenni Vaughn at the corner of 3rd & Main. Letters must be placed in the box by December 15 with a name and return address to receive a response from Santa Claus before Christmas.
“We’re transforming Downtown Evansville into a winter wonderland, and we invite the community to be a part of the magic! Whether you’re shopping and dining at our businesses, enjoying the free festive activities, or taking photos with our holiday décor, we encourage everyone to join us in making lasting holiday memories Downtown” said Adam Trinkel, executive director, DEID.
Free parking will be available in the city parking garage at 3rd & Locust for event guests. Shops and restaurants throughout Downtown will be open for business. The DEID will have a tent at 318 Main Street to sell Downtown Evansville merchandise, including beanies, long sleeve shirts, and hats.
Visitors can take photos with the DEID holiday décor, including the Tunnel of Light featuring more than 13,000 lights (One Main St.), the Spool of Light (100 Block of Main), the Chandelier Tree (100 Block of Main), the lighted archway and 12’ nutcrackers (2nd & Main), a 10’ lighted tree (200 block of Main), the Heart of DTEVV (400 block of Main), and a 12′ Snowflake with more than 3,000 lights (500 block of Main).
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