THE LIGHTING OF
SHIPSHEWANA

Light Parade & Ceremony
Nov 8th, 2025
scroll for more info

Events Schedule

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the 2025 Lighting Activites!
See MORE Shipshewana Christmas Events Below:

Downtown Shopping

All Day Throughout Town (Most stores open at 10am)

Food Vendors

All Day Throughout Town - Over 30 Restaurants & Food Trucks

Davis Mercantile: Aunt Millies, Jo Jo’s Pretzels, Kitchen Cupboard Coffee Shop

Harrison Street: Jbonz, Otto's Elephant Ears, Hilty's, Kings BBQ, El Burro, Lonestar Hoosier Drinks, Kevin Mast, Wagyu Shack, Hershy's Eats & Treats, Shawna Rae's

Middlebury Street: Fire in the Hole, Guilt Free Donuts, Lupitas, Dripping Disel Coffee, JR's Vealburgers

Morton Street: Papa's Fippin Donuts, Who Gives a Crepe, Hot Diggity, Ojitos Lindos

Country Lane Parking Lot: Randy's Famous Popcorn, Secret Recipe, Fire Kissed Pizza, Mom's Kitchenette, Nelson's

Van Buren St: Blue Gate Restaurant, Vanilla Bean Creamery, Shipshewana Popcorn Co., Wana-Cup Restaurant, East of Chicago Pizza.

Harrison Street

10:00am-9:00pm

A visit to this street will nudge you into the holiday season, stroll and shop and enjoy a Country Christmas. Join a fun reindeer scavenger hunt! Pose in photo opportunities staged along Harrison Street to create that perfect Christmas card. Warm yourself with hot chocolate, donuts and other delicious foods served up by local food vendors in the afternoon and into the evening as you wait to watch the magical Shipshewana Light Parade!

Morton Street

10:00am-9:00pm - Individual vendors hours may vary.

The Morton Street Holiday Market will kick off this year at 11am. Come and shop locally made, handmade, and unique Christmas ornaments, jewelry, wreaths, art, carpentry, leather goods, and more! Located across the street from the Morton St Food Truck lot.

Christmas Vintage & Craft Bazaar

Nov 7th: 9:00am-6:00pm
Nov 8th: 8:00am-2:00pm
Located at the Michiana Events Center - Admission $5
A Variety of vendors will be set up, ranging from hand-made artisan crafts to specialty items made just for you. Shoppers are also welcome to participate in the Chupp’s Annual Furniture Auction at 9am on Saturday. more info ->

Live Christmas Music

1:00pm-5:30pm
Performed by Williamson Branch, a family band performing bluegrass, country, gospel and dance.
Located on the Main Stage on Middlebury St.
Learn more about the peformers: About Williamson Branch

Photo Opportunities

1:00pm - 5:00pm
Middlebury Street - by Blue Gate Restaurant:

Santa Claus & Mrs Claus
- provided by Blue Gate Restaurant

Meet the Reindeer (and Rudolph)
- provided by Animal-Grams from North Manchester

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who
- provided by The Shipshewana Craft Barn

Frosty the Snowman
- provided by the Blue Gate Bakery

All Day Around Town

There are dozens of great photo spots this Christmas Season, stroll around our beautiful little town and see what you can find! Many are set up especially for the season, but we think you'll find some that may be special just for you too!

Character Meet & Greets, Live Music, Food Trucks, Shows, and more...

Begin at 11:00am (times vary)

Light Parade

Begins at 6:00 pm (from Flea market Grounds)
See Parade Route Map

Lighting Ceremony

6:45 (approx.) Immediately after parade at the Main Stage on Middlebury Street

Blue Gate Shops, Harrison St., Davis Mercantile & other town shops are open until 9pm!

Parade Route

See the parade route,
over a mile of viewing locations!
Feel Free to arrive early, claim a spot and then enjoy beautiful downtown Shipshewana! Bringing your own chairs and blankets is allowed and encouraged.
(Printable Event Map)

Lighting Ceremony Location

The Lighting Ceremony is located on Middlebury St between SR5 and Harrison St. The Ceremony lasts for 15-20 minutes and everyone is encouraged to stand and join everyone on the street.

Parking Map

The downtown area parking will fill up,
so we've added extra parking at the town park and
ball fields with Shuttle Service to downtown!
State Route 5 will be closed starting at 4:30pm from North Village Drive to Farver St on the South Side of Town, a quick detour with signage will be clearly marked to help you find the available parking and shuttle to a spot within walking distance of the parade route. If parking downtown you may be unable to leave immediately following the parade due to street closures and traffic, so stay and enjoy our Shipshewana hospitality!
(Printable Parking Map)

Click for Directions


Exit Map

When the event is over, traffic can be heavy for up to 30min. So we've provided this handy guide for the quickest way out of the downtown areas. If parked downtown you may be unable to leave immediately following the parade due to street closures and traffic, please plan to stay and enjoy our Shipshewana hospitality!
(Printable Exit Map)