Christmas Walk

The Christmas Walk in Downtown New Castle, Hamilton County, Indiana, is a festive holiday event held annually in early December. For 2025, it is scheduled for Thursday, December 4, typically from 5:00 or 5:30 PM to about 8:00 or 8:30 PM. It features the sights and sounds of Christmas to create a vibrant community celebration.

The event takes place in the heart of Downtown New Castle, which is beautifully decorated with lights, luminaries, and holiday decorations, enhancing the festive atmosphere. It is wheelchair accessible.

The vibe of the event is family-friendly and community-centered, with a warm, joyful holiday spirit. It is a popular, anticipated occasion for locals and visitors alike to kick off the Christmas season with a mix of entertainment, shopping, and festive activities.

Activities and Highlights:

• Santa Claus appearance where children can meet and take photos with Santa.
• Carriage rides or horse-drawn trolley rides around downtown.
• Local vendor booths and shopping: Downtown businesses and local artisans offer unique gifts, holiday decorations, and specials.
• Kids’ activities including games, storytelling, and visits from holiday characters such as the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and princesses.
• Caroling and live entertainment to add to the festive mood.
• Food vendors offering seasonal treats.
• General holiday ambiance with twinkling lights, decorations, and live music.

Rough Event Schedule (approximate, based on past years):

• 5:00 / 5:30 PM – Event opens; vendors begin welcoming guests.
• Evening – Santa arrives for photos; ongoing carriage rides.
• Throughout event – Caroling and live holiday performances.
• 8:00 / 8:30 PM – Event concludes, leaving attendees with holiday cheer.

History and Founding:

The Christmas Walk has been an annual tradition in New Castle for several years, organized by the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and supported by local sponsors such as Citizens State Bank. The event aims to showcase downtown businesses, promote community spirit, and create joyful holiday experiences for families and visitors alike.

The event is well-loved locally, with traditions such as lighting displays, visiting Santa, and community gathering dating back at least several years, evolving to include more activities and local vendor involvement each year.

Surrounding Area:

Downtown New Castle is a charming small-town hub with historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. During December, the area embraces the Christmas theme fully, engaging shoppers and families to experience its festive transformation.

In summary, the Christmas Walk is a festive, multi-activity, outdoor holiday event in downtown New Castle featuring lights, shopping, Santa, carriage rides, kids’ entertainment, food, and live music, fostering community holiday spirit in a welcoming environment.