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CITY OF CARMEL NEWSLETTER - Dec. 19, 2025 |
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Carmel Christkindlmarkt on the Today Show!
Carmel was in the national spotlight this morning! With the #1 Holiday Market in the nation right in our backyard, the Today Show stopped by to capture the magic at the "Merriest Main Street." Mayor Sue Finkam and acting Christkindlmarkt CEO Julia Davis joined a spirited crowd of locals to film a special segment with WTHR’s Matt Standridge.
Watch Carmel on the Today Show at this link.
Matt Standridge with Julia Davis and Mayor Sue Finkam.
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City’s new technology offering supports resident safety on the roads
Carmel is the first city in the state to offer a notification system designed to keep those on the road safe in the event of hazardous traffic matters.
Nearly 90% of Carmel Police Department (CPD) patrol vehicles are now equipped with Pursuit Alert, a cutting-edge notification system designed to enhance safety and efficiency for various agencies, including law enforcement, fire and roadway management.
By providing real-time alerts about the nearby presence of police vehicles responding to emergencies, the technology ensures that citizen motorists are informed of an emergency vehicle presence.
Here’s how it works: When an officer is responding in a vehicle in emergency status, Pursuit Alert automatically transmits to technology-enabled cars in a 1.5-mile radius, allowing drivers vital time to respond to the presence of emergency vehicles. The alert can also be manually activated by the officer. This alert provides notice to motorists nearby of the approaching emergency vehicle, reminding drivers to slow down and be aware of the emergency response.
Here’s how to use the technology: Simply download the WAZE app to your smart phone. Information related to the responding emergency vehicle will then appear on your phone or linked infotainment system. Some vehicle infotainment systems are already loaded with the technology that enables the Pursuit Alert notifications.
Watch WRTV's story on the Pursuit Alert system with Mayor Sue Finkam and Carmel Police Chief Drake Sterling.
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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 will run through Dec. 20.
Friday 5 - 9 p.m.
Saturday 2 - 9 p.m.
STREET DEPARTMENT UPDATES
The Carmel Street Department is committed to maintaining and improving our community’s infrastructure. You can find updates on Street Department projects in this newsletter but for the most up-to-date information, follow the Carmel Street Department on their Facebook page 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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What's the 311?
This new service reflects the City of Carmel’s commitment to transparency and responsiveness for the community.
Access the service here, or download the mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.
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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
🎄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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Holiday Schedule
♻️🗑️Please note Republic Services Trash & Recycling will be on a one-day delay for Thursday and Friday customers.
Christmas Day – Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025
New Years Day – Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
Residential pickup will be delayed by one day due to these holidays.
Thursday’s service area will be serviced on Friday.
Friday’s service area will be serviced on Saturday.
Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 until it reopens on Tuesday, Dec. 30. It will also be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
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This month's focus is Preventing Food Waste.
Now that you know more about preventing food waste, why not take the Food Waste Quiz for a chance to win a prize?
The Climate Action Advisory Committee makes recommendations for implementing the Carmel Climate Action Plan (CAP). This newsletter item helps achieve the public education strategy in the CAP.
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Say hello to Santa tomorrow!
Visit with Santa and friends at Santa's House located at, 200 S. Range Line Rd. in the Indiana Design Center parking lot.
Dec. 20, 2 - 5 p.m.
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Have you strolled the Magnificent Monon?
The Monon through Carmel received a holiday glow-up! If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to walk from Main Street to City Center and snag a festive photo under the lights.
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There is still time to enjoy the market until it closes. Hours are as follows:
Regular Hours
Friday, Dec. 19, noon - 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20, noon - 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21, noon - 8 p.m.
Special Hours
Monday, Dec. 22, noon - 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23, noon - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, noon - 4 p.m.
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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 Day: Jan. 14
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration
Monday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.
Tarkington Theater
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Festival of Ice
Jan. 16 and 17
Arts & Design District, Ice at Carter Green
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Carmel Winter Games
Saturday, Jan. 24
Ice at Carter Green
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Carmel Green Initiative Earth Day Art Contest
🌏🎨Celebrate our Earth through art! Carmel Green Initiative invites youth in grades kindergarten through 8th grade to enter the 2026 Earth Day Art Contest.
This community education program has been a great success with more than 5,400 youth from 29 schools and scout troops participating since the contest first launched in 2010.
Submission packets available: Jan. 5 - Feb. 6
Submission deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 5 p.m.
Exhibit dates: Mar. 27 - Apr. 1
Award ceremony: Sunday, Apr. 19, Carmel Clay Public Library
Contest information is available at this link.
Pictured below are the 2025 Earth Day Art Contest winners. You can view these and more past winners at this link.
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Carmel City Center welcomes The Proper Stitch
🪡Carmel City Center this week announced the opening of its newest store, The Proper Stitch, located on the plaza at 800 S. Range Line Rd., Suite 285. This mother-daughter owned store is the first of its kind in Indiana dedicated entirely to needlepoint.
Read Carmel City Center's news release at this link.
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The Sensory Shoppe open on Carmel Drive
🌟A new shop at 99 E. Carmel Drive is now open and its mission is to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for neurodivergent children and adults. The Sensory Shoppe celebrated its grand opening Dec. 1 and, in addition to selling sensory-friendly products, hosts events and classes.
Learn more about The Sensory Shoppe at this link.
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Carmel Clay Schools Support Staff Hiring Event
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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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City of Carmel offices will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday.
There are no public meetings the week of Dec. 22.
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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We wish everyone in the community who celebrates Christmas, a very happy holiday! |
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Left to right: Shannon Minnaar, Ryan Locke, Teresa Ayers, Matt Snyder, Adam Aasen, Rich Taylor, Jeff Worrell, Dr. Anita Joshi, Tony Green.
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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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