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CITY OF CARMEL NEWSLETTER - Dec. 5, 2025 |
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Rental registration is now open; deadline to register extended to Feb. 1, 2026
Rental registration for all residential rental dwellings, as mandated by a City ordinance, is now open.
This registration is the first step in establishing a mandatory permitting system for all residential rental properties in Carmel.
Properties existing prior to the Feb. 1, 2026 enforcement date (legacy dwellings) must be registered by Jan. 31, 2026. Registering by this date ensures a permit is issued, even if the dwelling is in a subdivision with more than the new 10% rental limit.
You may access the Rental Registration page at this link.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page at this link.
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Thanks to everyone for supporting local businesses at Shop Small Shop Carmel
A huge thank you to all the wonderful local businesses that participated in the recent Shop Small Shop Carmel event. Your participation helped make the day a success and highlighted the unique character of our community.
Supporting our local businesses isn't limited to a single Saturday. Every time you choose to shop, dine or utilize a service right here in Carmel, you are making a direct investment in our neighbors and the vitality of our city.
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3RD AVENUE SW
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.
🚌The free Holiday Trolley is now running!
Nov. 28 - Dec. 20
Fridays 5 - 9 p.m.
Saturdays 2 - 9 p.m.
STREET DEPARTMENT PROJECTS
The Carmel Street Department is committed to maintaining and improving our community’s infrastructure. Here is a list of small-scale projects scheduled for local streets and neighborhoods over the coming weeks.
2nd Street NW: Dec. 4 - 10, Sidewalk installation.
116th Street, Gray Road: Dec. 5 - 9, Crosswalk installation.
Read the full Traffic Alert at this link.
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Be a good neighbor
The City of Carmel would like to remind all residents, property owners and business owners that it’s important to keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Carmel is a city that embraces a spirit of walkability – whether that is for a walk to school, the grocery store or just to get out and exercise during these frigid winter months.
Help us continue this tradition of keeping our community walkable, no matter what the weather holds. Please shovel your sidewalks or arrange for others to help, so that your friends and neighbors can continue to make their way – safely – around the city.
The 'No-Bus Zones' created in 2021 has increased the number of students walking to school, even on snowy days. Residents, businesses and property owners within that roughly one-mile radius of schools should keep this in mind as they are maintaining sidewalks.
❄️Many residents may not realize that the City is responsible for plowing the streets and our many trails and pathways, but it is the responsibility of residential property owners to clear their own sidewalks of all snow and ice within 72 hours of a major snowfall. If you own a business, the timeline is by noon the day after the snow event.
❄️Paved paths that are located along City roadways are cleared by the Carmel Street Department as soon as possible after City streets are cleared. In most cases, they are cleared along with the adjacent section of roadway.
It should be noted that the Street Department does not clear trails outside of normal business hours and depending on the depth of snow, it may take up to 2-3 days to clear the paths. Additionally, in some areas, trails are not cleared on both sides of the roadway.
❄️Trails and greenways are cleared by the Carmel Clay Parks Department, which begins clearing operations shortly after the end of the snowfall. Trails in Carmel are cleared but are not salted. No salt is used due to the threat of killing vegetation along the trails, causing injury to the paws of our pets and the potential damage to the asphalt.
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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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🍂Please note that the regular route driver may not pick up the landscape waste bags and may call in a secondary truck and the bags will be collected in the next day or two.
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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 now through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
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Carmel Fire Department 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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Have you written your letter to Santa?
The magic of the holidays has officially arrived in Carmel and to help families prepare for the season, the City has installed four custom-made mailboxes around town, offering a direct, express delivery service straight to Santa and his elves at the North Pole. Now through Sunday, Dec. 14, children are encouraged to write their letters, include a name and return address and drop them into one of these special mailboxes to guarantee Santa receives their message before Christmas.
Mailbox Locations
- Arts & Design District - next to the The Carmel Arts Council Children's Art Gallery (40 W. Main St.)
- Midtown Plaza - outside of Sun King (351 Monon Blvd.)
- City Center - North of the Veterans Way/Hanover Place stop sign
- Indiana Design Center - at Santa's House (200 S. Range Line Rd.)
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Festive Palladiscope returns
The Nutcrackers have returned to the facade of The Payne & Mencias Palladium  
Enjoy the festive display nightly Wednesday - Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. and playing every half hour until 11 p.m.
Santa Saturdays begin Dec. 6
Visit with Santa and friends at Santa's House located at, 200 S. Range Line Rd. in the Indiana Design Center parking lot.
Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2 - 5 p.m.
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Where is Santa this week?
Now through Sunday, Dec. 14 from 5 - 8 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Santa and his friends from the Carmel Fire, Police and Street departments will be touring neighborhoods.
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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Christkindlmarkt
Now through Dec. 24
Wednesday, Thursday, 4 - 9 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, noon - 9 p.m.
Sunday, noon - 8 p.m.
Special Hours
Monday, Dec. 15 and Tuesday, Dec. 16: 4 - 9 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23: noon - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec 24: noon - 4 pm
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The Ice at Carter Green
Now though Feb. 1, 2026
Wednesday, Thursday, 4-9 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed most Mondays and Tuesdays for private rentals.
Closed on Christmas Day.
Limited hours Dec. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sensory Skate Days: Dec. 11, Jan. 14
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Light the World Giving Machine returns to Carmel
✨The Light the World Giving Machine is back in Carmel for its third year, and this time there are two locations, making it easier than ever for residents to give back.
The machine located between the Payne & Mencias Palladium and Hotel Carmichael, along the Monon Greenway, is now open through Dec. 24. A second machine will return to Clay Terrace on Dec. 12. Since 2023, nearly 23,000 Hoosiers have donated more than $400,000 worth of items and services through these bright red vending machines—100% of which goes directly to local and global charities. Stop by, press a button and turn your holiday outing into something that matters for a neighbor in need.
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Tour Carmel's mid-century modern homes on the Holiday Home Tour
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Enjoy 2nd SaturDate at Indiana Artisan Gifts & Gallery
🎨Glass artist Liz Perr-McColm will fill her sleigh with fused glass pieces to create a special ornament or magnet at the next 2nd SaturDate event at Indiana Artisan Gifts & Gallery.
Saturday, Dec. 13, 1 - 5 p.m.
22 N. Range Line Rd.
This event is free and open to the public.
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Carmel Planetarium hosts Season of Light
🪐The Carmel Planetarium will host a multimedia presentation that celebrates the world’s most endearing holiday customs including candy canes, candles, Yule logs, holly wreaths, gift giving and merry-making. Learn about the changing seasons, winter constellations, star phenomenon and much, much more! Season of Light is suitable for audiences of all ages, so bring the entire family to this multicultural holiday planetarium event.
Saturday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m.
Carmel Planetarium
520 E. Main St.
Purchase tickets to the Carmel Planetarium
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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. 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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There are no public meetings the week of Dec. 8, 2025.
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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