A few years ago, we started a new family tradition. If you’ve been reading the blog for any time, you know I love Newfields and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Several years ago, Winterlights was added as a holiday must-do. And, we have loved going with the entire family for most of those years. This year, I missed booking our tickets for the preview which is before Thanksgiving. It worked out well because I was able to accomplish that feat easily on Thanksgiving as everyone was here with their schedules. All eleven of us met up there this past Sunday evening.
When to go…
Winterlights opened on November 18th and will remain open until January 7th. The hours of operation are 5pm-9pm. I think the event was cancelled once or twice in the years since it first opened due to extreme cold. If it’s raining, sleeting, or snowing, that’s just bonus sparkle! The night we went was one of the coldest so far. But, you know what? We didn’t really notice because it’s so enchanting. Either that, or it was all the extra layers I was wearing! I guess this all means anytime is a good time to go!
What it is…
Winterlights is a walk through the gardens of Newfields with a stop at the Lilly House. Almost two million lights twinkle from trees, buildings, and other creations! There are opportunities to buy food and drink as well as light up necklaces and other fun things. It’s also become a tradition to munch on giant chocolate chip cookies and sip hot cider as we make our way through the wonders of Winterlights! For those of you who are too far, I’m taking you along on our meandering path through the gardens.
Greetings…
The path begins right at the doors to the garden. As we cross the bridge heading to the Lily House, the trees are ablaze with lights. There are also magical lights strewn across the pathway. I’m sure there’s a technical reason for them, but I prefer to think of it as magic.
The lawn…
This is one of my favorite places! It’s the front lawn of the Lilly House. In the daytime, you can see the wires and forms covering the lawn. But, at night, the different shapes appear to dance to the music. They change colors and are on and off to create this wonderful illusion.
The Lilly House…
The Lilly House is a wonderful example of 20th century country estates. It was built in 1907 by the Landon family. The Lilly family (family of Eli Lilly…ring a bell) bought it in 1932. The first floor is open to the public, but you can visit the second floor with a special ticket (we didn’t have those). You enter the parlor, though I think it probably has a different name. Almost all of the decorations in the Lilly House are handmade by volunteers and staff. I’ve included a close up of one of the nutcrackers so you can see the paint lines. There were many more nutcrackers than those that are in my photos.
The game room and library…
Next up is the game room. This is a cozy little room at all times. There are large scale games (chess and checkers) as well as a dreidel and the hidden staircase. Note the Slinkies coming down the stairs! My youngest always points those out. One year, he got one for Christmas. His older brother promptly ruined it…a core memory for the youngest, for sure! The library is amazing. One of the Lilly men collected books, among them many first editions. In the late 60s, the Lilly family donated the house and grounds to the Art Association of Indianapolis. Around that time, several thousand books were donated to the library at Indiana University-Bloomington.
The music room and dining room…
For some reason I don’t ever take many photos of the music room. It’s a lovely room with silk walls. I think it’s because the dining room is one of my favorites. I’m including an old photo from a few years ago when paper chains were used extensively throughout the house. These were the inspiration behind the decorations on one of my Christmas trees. Some paper chains (I wonder if they’re the old ones) appear in various places. I really like this on the fireplace. But, check out that ribbon chandelier! It was truly glorious. Fringed garlands festooned the corners.
Butler’s pantry, kitchen, and back hallway…
As with most estate homes, there is a distinct demarcation between the living spaces and those used by the help. The large sink in the butler’s pantry was filled with origami birds, paper lanterns and these fascinating paper chains. Next up is the kitchen. I am always amazed at how small it is. Don’t those cakes look good enough to eat? No sugar in those, I’m betting! Those really interesting paper doohickeys are in the back hallway as well as the butler’s pantry. Inside that “chandelier” is some mistletoe!
The front staircase…
We have only been to the second floor once. There was a silver exhibit there. This year, for an upgraded ticket, you could go up there. As I said before, we didn’t do that. But, look at how beautiful this staircase is. And, those stairs are steep! An interesting side note…the Lilly family didn’t like where the front door was so they had it moved. This staircase is not where the front door is.
Something new…
This year, a new area was opened. It was another winding pathway with trees and ornaments lining it. There was also the kissing arbor! We spent a bit of time there, but I’m only sharing the photo of Nigel and me. One of the most beautiful spots was the walk in “ornament.” We took quite a few photos here, but I’m afraid they don’t do it justice.
Nearing the end…
I didn’t catch any photos of a large portion of the path at this point. There’s a very long and winding tunnel complete with Arctic sounds. I don’t know if they blow wind through there, or if it’s just a figment of my imagination, but that tunnel is always cold! The first photo is of a tree with these really cool long lights just swaying in the wind. The last thing is this beautiful tree. If you stand and watch it changes colors from a cool ice blue to a deeper ocean blue and back again. I love seeing it, but I’m also sad because it means we’re at the end.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit to Winterlights! Would you believe they start stringing the lights in the trees in August? We have been there and seen the people up in the trees wrapping and wrapping! I am always intrigued by the technology behind this, but I prefer to think it’s magic that accomplishes most of it! So, can we talk? Have you been to Winterlights? Or, is there something similar close to where you live? Which area did you like best? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible.
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Looks like you and yours had an amazing time in such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Hope! We did have a wonderful time, but I could definitely go a second time if someone wanted to go with me…hint, hint!
Gosh, Marsha, Winterlights is absolutely beautiful! I freaking LOVE things like this. As far as I know, there’s nothing remotely like this anywhere near me sadly. I guess we’d have to visit somewhere like Germany, perhaps?
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Well, I really think you should plan on the holidays in the states next year!!! Then, we could go together! But, you will be busy decorating your new place, I hope!
Thanks, Suzy!
That is beautiful! We do have a botanical gardens near us that does something similar but when I looked at going a few years ago ticket prices were something crazy like $50 a person and I could not justify the expense… though I just checked their website and it looks like they are a much more reasonable $25 a person now so I might try to talk the family into going one night.
Wow!!! The prices here are steep when you consider how many I buy, but it’s well worth it to have everyone together. I wonder if your place realized that not many would pay that price. I hope you get to go!
Thanks, Joanne!
Thank you for the tour! This looks like the perfect family outing and one that really celebrates the season so beautifully. We have a garden here that does a light display but it’s not nearly as grand as this one!
Nice to see your handsome grandson, I bet he just adores you!
xo,
Kellyann
We have really enjoyed Winterlights over the years. It’s fun to see new things and to see how they’ve recycled others. He is so tall and skinny! He’s a swimmer and works hard at it. I hope he adores me because I certainly love him to pieces!
Thanks, Kellyann!
This looks amazing, I would love to go but I’m never in Indianapolis during this time of the year. I tried to visit the gardens last time I was in the area, but they were closed. Someday I will get there!
It is so lovely! I hope your son and his family visit sometime. Just remember, they are closed on Mondays…probably because they’re open the other six days!
Thanks, Amy!
This is the best kind of activity for the holidays. It really gets you in the spirit, doesn’t it??
Thanks for sharing, and we may have to do something like this when my stepmom comes out.
OXOX
Jodie
It really is a fabulous tradition for all of us. Everyone mingles and separates and mingles again, talking, laughing, oohing and aahing!
Thanks, Jodie!
This is truly amazing. Everything about Winterlights is stunningly gorgeous!
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/11/7-christmas-party-dresses-for-2023-festive-season.html
Thanks, Melody! It is actually so much better than the photos!
That would be a lovely walk with all those gorgeous lights! And you’ve got some fabulous decorations!
Thanks, Nancy! I would love to have these decorations at my home! Have a fabulous weekend!
This appears to be an incredible activity.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/11/7-christmas-party-dresses-for-2023-festive-season.html
Thank you, Melody! It is one of the best!
How gorgeous! Your grandson is so cute!
Thanks, Amy! He thinks it’s hilarious that he’s so much taller than I am…well, everyone does, actually!
This is so gorgeous!! What an amazing home! I love touring old historic homes, and to see one all decked out for Christmas…sigh. We have done the Zoo Lights with Wyatt here a few times and he loved it. It wasn’t as glamorous as this, or end in such a beautiful home!
It is a beautiful house. Unfortunately, they haven’t renovated the upstairs except to have big open rooms for exhibits. I think one of the docents told us they didn’t have any photos of the bedrooms so they didn’t want to do it wrong. One of these years, I’m going to make it to the Biltmore in NC for Christmas. That would be amazing! We did the zoo lights the first year we lived down here. We also used to go to the Christmas lights at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.
Thanks, Erin!
Beautiful photos! Thanks for taking us along. I enjoy lights that dance to music.
The Missouri Botanical Garden does a big light show each year.
You are so welcome, Joy! In years past, the music has been from The Nutcracker. This year, they had special music done for it. I think I liked The Nutcracker better!
Thanks, Joy! I hope you get to see the lights at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
I love going to outdoor light displays at Christmas time, and this one looks spectacular. The photos are great, but I know that they never do justice to experience the real thing!
You are so right, Sally! As hard as I tried, I just couldn’t capture the way these lights shine! I thought about trying a video, but I didn’t want my family to have to wait on me.
Thanks, Sally!
The lights are amazing! And so is the decor in the Lilly House. We like to go to the Arboretum but we need to look at calendars. It’s a busy month! Glad you were able to go with your family!
Thanks, Laura! The Lilly House is always fun because you never know what you’re going to find inside! Some of the things are there each year…like the cakes in the kitchen. But, it’s a wonderful time for all of us! I do hope you’ll be able to go to the Arboretum.
It is really pretty: I would like to go to the zoo lights here. We had planned to go tonight but I was tired. We do have a whole month to make it happen.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! They only allow a certain number of people in to Winterlights at a time so tickets go quickly. Many of the nights I looked at were already sold out. I hope you feel better soon.
We do have something like this in our area. You can drive through it and it is called The Festival of the Lights. They set it up on a huge golf course. We’ve gone a couple of years but this year we are going to try a smaller display – smaller and free. Ha!
I hope to blog about it when we go this upcoming weekend.
That would be fun…a golf course makes such good sense! There used to be a large display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (where the Indy 500 is) that you would drive through. My son and his family went a couple of times. The wait times to even get in were so long. They don’t do it any more for some reason.
Thanks, Lisa!
How beautiful!! I can’t even decide which part of your virtual tour I liked the best, but the Lilly House looks so interesting, from the whimsy of those nutcrackers and the game room to the elegant chandeliers and staircase. I love these kinds of large scale Christmas light displays at gardens – we’re still planning our trip to the Dawes Arboretum and Franklin Park for this year’s light displays!
Thanks, Kym! It really is a magical place at Christmas. I honestly couldn’t decide which room I liked best, either! I’m hoping to get to the Franklin Conservatory before the end of the year.
The lights are magnificent. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you, Deb! I love going every year and hope to go for many more years!