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CITY OF CARMEL NEWSLETTER - Nov. 21, 2025 |
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Experience the magic: Carmel’s 2025 holiday season
is here! |
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The City of Carmel is officially launching its 2025 holiday season, inviting residents and visitors to experience a picture-perfect blend of classic charm and festive excitement.
Carmel transforms into a scene right out of a holiday movie with the return of its signature attractions. See below for this weekend's main events.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt: Voted the best in the nation, this authentic German Christmas market is the heart of the holiday spirit.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 24
Visit CarmelChristkindlmarkt.com.
The Ice at Carter Green: Lace up your skates for a memorable ice skating experience in the heart of City Center.
Nov. 22 - Feb. 1, 2026
Visit TheIceatCarterGreen.com for details.
Holidays in Carmel Kick-Off: Meet Santa and friends, enjoy opening day at the Market and the Ice and stay for the tree lighting at 6:45 p.m.
Nov. 22, 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt earns a national win...now let's go for two!
 The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has officially been named The Zoe Report Best U.S. Christmas Market! Congratulations!
✅Voting is still open for the prestigious USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the “Best Holiday Market” category so don't forget to cast your vote daily, through Dec. 1.
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New this year!
New in 2025, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt team introduces an even faster parking experience thanks to a FREE shuttle service.
The shuttle service will be active on Saturdays and Sundays during the Market season, with the goal of a shuttle arriving to drop off patrons to the Market on 3rd Avenue every 15 minutes during Market hours. Those wishing to return to the shuttle lot can then board the bus to be taken back.
The shuttle lot is located at the CNO Financial Group's former campus at 550 College Dr.
The service will have two shuttles operating: One shuttle has a capacity of 29 people, and the other has a capacity of 40 and is ADA accessible/compliant.
Visit this page on the Christkindlmarkt's website for more info including the shuttle map.
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Mayor Finkam talks housing in USA Today article
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The housing market is shifting, and Carmel is working to stay ahead of it. Mayor Finkam shared how the City is planning for a future where people who want to live here, can live here.
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Rental registration process will open Dec. 1
In support of an ordinance approved by the Carmel City Council that establishes a mandatory registration and permitting system for all residential rental dwellings in the City, residents can begin registering their dwellings Dec. 1.
Those interested in registering a property can do so beginning Monday, Dec. 1 in advance of the Dec. 31 deadline. The link to the registration site will be promoted on social media and to leadership of Home Owners Associations (HOA) in Carmel.
In addition, those who submitted their email address to receive updates about the process will receive a reminder with a link to the registration site. To receive a reminder, this link takes you to the submission form.
Read the full news release at this link.
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Carmel passes new ordinance for micromobility and
E-moto devices
The City Council this week passed a new ordinance establishing comprehensive regulations for micromobility devices—examples include electric scooters (E-Scooters) and electric bicycles (E-Bikes)—and prohibiting the use of more powerful E-moto devices (electric motorcycles and electric dirt bikes).
Read the full news release at this link.
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City of Carmel seeks community leaders for City boards, commissions and committees
Applications accepted through Dec. 1
The City of Carmel is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on City boards, commissions and committees. This is a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about their community to play a direct role in shaping its future.
Most seats on Carmel boards and commissions are filled by either the City Council or the Mayor. To encourage as many applicants as possible, Carmel City Council President Adam Aasen initiated the creation of a new online form that allows Carmel residents to easily submit applications to be considered for both council and mayoral appointments. President Aasen asked Councilors Dr. Anita Joshi and Tony Green to take the lead on the creation of this online form, which helps promote inclusivity and community involvement.
Read the full news release at this link.
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3RD AVENUE SW
Beginning Saturday, Nov. 22, during the Christkindlmarkt's hours of operation, 3rd Avenue SW will be open to northbound traffic only. Signage will be in place to indicate the traffic adjustment.
🚌You will also notice that the free Holiday Trolley will begin service that same day and will be available at the dates and times listed below.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 20
Fridays 5 - 9 p.m.
Saturdays 2 - 9 p.m.
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Safety Spotlight
To help keep our community safe and informed, we've added a new section with safety tips from various City departments. Each edition will feature quick, useful tips from the Carmel Police Department, Carmel Fire Department and other City teams, from seasonal advice to everyday best practices.
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From Carmel Utilities
Looking ahead, a few reminders for the Thanksgiving holiday week:
♻️🗑Republic Services Trash & Recycling will be on a one-day delay for Thursday and Friday customers only.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27
- Residential pickup will be delayed by one day due to the holiday.
- Thursday’s service area will be serviced on Friday.
- Friday’s service area will be serviced on Saturday.
Access to the Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will be closed beginning Monday, Nov. 24 (due to an on site paving project), until it reopens on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
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Carmel residents have the opportunity to make this holiday season truly green by recycling holiday lights instead of throwing them away. The community can recycle used and unwanted holiday lights by taking them to White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center at 731 South Range Line Rd starting Monday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
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Here's an opportunity to recycle your used cooking oil! Thank you to TriCo Regional Sewer Utility for serving the West Carmel sewer customers and our community.
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Carmel Fire Department kicks off annual community
assistance program
Since 1967, the Carmel Fire Department (CFD) has delivered food and gifts to families in need in Carmel. Every year, CFD, with support from the Carmel community, has assisted hundreds of needy families during the holiday season.
Holiday giving with Carmel Police Department
This holiday season, the Carmel Police Department (CPD) is working to ensure that children in need right here in our community don't go without. CPD is accepting monetary donations, which will be used directly to purchase gifts, bringing joy to local kids who need it most.
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The Ice at Carter Green opens tomorrow!
Lace Up! 
The Ice at Carter Green opens for the season on Saturday, Nov. 22, bringing the best outdoor ice skating experience back to the heart of Carmel.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or trying it for the first time, grab your tickets now before prime spots sell out. The rink is located right next to the Christkindlmarkt, giving you the full holiday experience.
Purchase your tickets at this link.
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15 Days of Giveaways and Shop Small Shop Carmel
15 Years of the Arts & Design District = 15 Days of Giveaways! 🎉
🎁 Thanks to our generous sponsor, Teresa Chapman State Farm, we are spotlighting a different local business each day leading up to Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 29). Follow along on the Experience Carmel Instagram page for the chance to win prizes from your favorite District destinations.
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Santa Tours start this Sunday!
Mark your calendars as Santa returns to Carmel this holiday season with his friends from the Carmel Fire, Police and Street departments. The tours will begin Sunday, Nov. 23 and include 10 dates with 10 different routes through Sunday, Dec. 14. Each tour time will be from 5-8 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Santa Tours will also incorporate senior living facilities, schools and parks for those who don't live along one of the neighborhood routes.
Read the full news release at this link.
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Soccer on the big screen: Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. FC Tulsa
The USL Championship soccer league finalists will face off on the big screen in Midtown Plaza on Saturday, Nov. 22, at noon. Eric Dick, the Riverhounds' goalkeeper, is a 2013 Carmel High School graduate.
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Tour Carmel's mid-century modern homes on the Holiday Home Tour
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Join Do-Si-Squares Dance Club at Prime Life
Enrichment Center
Enjoy a festive afternoon at Prime Life Enrichment Center.
"An Afternoon with Santa" sponsored by the Do-Si-Squares Dance Club
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2 - 4 p.m.
1078 3rd Avenue SW
Admission: $10 per child (cash only)
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🎼Holiday features
From beloved classics to festive musical celebrations, our local theatres, symphonies and dance companies are ready to share in the holiday spirit.
Below are a few of the fantastic holiday performances coming up. For the most complete list of events, showtimes, ticket information, and venue details, please be sure to check the official websites listed below. Don't miss out as many of these popular shows sell out fast!
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Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre
Winterfest
Dec. 4-7, 11-14
Enjoy this new holiday program that celebrates the global winter holidays of the season – Saint Nicholas Day, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Santa Lucia Day, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah and Christmas.
Purchase tickets to Winterfest.
Indiana Wind Symphony
Sleigh Bells and Snowflakes
Sunday, Dec. 7
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Payne & Mencias Palladium
Purchase tickets here.
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Board of Zoning Appeals - Monday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m.
City of Carmel offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
All public meetings take place in the Council Chambers in City Hall, unless otherwise indicated. Public meetings are broadcast live on Carmel TV and YouTube.
To view archived Government Meetings with Closed Captioning, visit the City's video archives.
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About the City of Carmel, Indiana
A thriving community acclaimed for its distinct amenities, robust business environment and excellent schools, the City of Carmel was named the #2 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. Highly regarded by its residents as a safe community offering an exceptional quality of life, Carmel is home to an award-winning parks system and a wealth of cultural options. Carmel is built for big dreams. Find out more at www.carmel.in.gov.
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