This season, French Lick West Baden and the neighboring towns of Paoli and Orleans invite visitors to experience traditional holiday fun in a charming Southern Indiana setting. From dazzling winter light displays and Christmas dinner musicals to cozy carriage rides and family-friendly celebrations, the region offers holiday experiences for all ages. With festive activities all season long and even special appearances from Santa himself, it’s the ideal destination for a holiday getaway.
Below are a few of the upcoming celebrations and events taking place this holiday season. For a complete listing of events, visit, www.VisitFrenchLickWestBaden.com.
AROUND TOWN
The Budweiser Clydesdales Arrive in French Lick West Baden
French Lick Resort and Nearby Spots Around Town
Tuesday, November 12 through Sunday, November 17
Kick off the holiday season with a family getaway to French Lick West Baden and meet the iconic Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Clydesdales at the French Lick Resort and select locations around town. This special event offers a unique opportunity to see these world-famous horses up close. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a horse lover, or simply looking to capture an unforgettable moment, the chance to meet these beloved Clydesdales is an experience not to be missed this holiday season.
Christmas on the Square
Orleans Square
Saturday, December 14, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Orleans invites families to celebrate the season with a festive evening on the square, filled with fun for all ages. Enjoy a beautiful live nativity scene, meet Santa, and take a delightful children’s train ride around the square. The free event also features an annual Santa Hat Run, horse and carriage rides, and live entertainment throughout the night.
FRENCH LICK RESORT HAPPENINGS
50 Days of Lights at French Lick Resort
French Lick Resort
November 16 through January 6
This holiday season French Lick Resort is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with a half-million holiday lights, beautiful decorations, and festive activities for all ages. The season kicks off with two grand tree-lighting ceremonies: West Baden Springs Hotel on November 16 at 7 pm, and French Lick Springs Hotel on November 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Both events feature holiday music, caroling, and visits from Santa Claus, making them the perfect start to the holiday season.
Throughout the season, visitors can also enjoy a variety of festive activities. Capture family memories with mini photo sessions, drop letters to Santa in designated mailboxes, or join Mrs. Claus for story time every Saturday. Delight in the nightly Holiday Projections at French Lick Springs Hotel and stop by the Santa’s Toymaker Workshop on Sundays to create a stuffed buddy. There’s even a Christmas Drive-In with holiday movies, Bingo nights, performances by the Dickens Carolers and more. With activities running daily and weekly, the French Lick Resort invites families to hold on to the magic of the season well into January. For details and schedules, visit French Lick Resort .
WILSTEM WILDLIFE WINTER LIGHT SHOW
Winter Light Show & Twilight Safari Drive-Thru
Wilstem Wildlife Park
November 29 through January 4 (select nights)
Families looking for a memorable holiday experience can enjoy a magical evening at Wilstem Wildlife Park’s Winter Light Show. Visitors can drive through and marvel at dazzling Christmas and winter-themed displays featuring traditional holiday favorites, a safari set, reindeer, dinosaurs, and Santa. The light show starts at dusk, around 6:30 pm, and closes at 9:00 pm. For a $25 fee per vehicle, guests can experience the light show only, while those who choose the Twilight Drive-Thru Safari & Light Show can also enjoy encounters with safari animals, including those in the Roos & Crew barn. The safari portion remains open until the last car enters at 5:30 pm, and the Roo Barn closes at 7:00 pm. Twilight Drive-Thru ticket prices are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors (65+), $24 for children (ages 3–12), and free for ages 2 and under. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Wilstem Winter Light Show.
ABBEYDELL HALL CHRISTMAS DINNER THEATRE SHOW
Christmas Treasures Dinner Show
Abbeydell Hall at the Legend of French Lick
December 6 through December 20 (select dates)
Celebrate the season at Abbeydell’s Christmas Treasures, a festive dinner theater experience running on select dates from December 6 through December 20. Blending the charm of an Andy Williams Christmas special with the excitement of a Branson, MO stage show, this family-friendly performance brings holiday classics to life through song and dance. Enjoy timeless tunes by Bing Crosby, the Carpenters, Andy Williams, Faith Hill, Alabama, and more, with favorites like “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Mary Did You Know.” The show culminates with a touching reflection on the true meaning of Christmas: Christ’s miraculous birth.
Held at Abbeydell Hall in French Lick, IN, you can choose a dinner and show experience or attend the show only. Known for world-class, Branson-style entertainment, Abbeydell Hall offers a variety of shows year-round featuring music from the 1950s to the 1980s, country, gospel, and Broadway. For schedules and tickets, visit Abbeydell Hall or call (812) 936-5300.
VISIT FLWB HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Christmas "Made in Indiana" Shopping Specials
Brick Exchange Retail Store
Visitor Center in West Baden
Travelers interested in taking a piece of French Lick West Baden home with them can find a variety of goodies at the Brick Exchange. Located in the Visitor Center in West Baden, the retail store features a diverse array of Indiana-focused products, celebrating local business and minority-owned ventures. From handcrafted candles to regional inspired clothing, coffee mugs, and cutting boards shoppers can delight in unique finds that capture the essence of French Lick West Baden. Special discounts are offered during the holiday season and every purchase enters you for a chance to win a Visit French Lick West Baden swag bag, packed with a cooler, mug, battery-powered lantern and an umbrella.
About French Lick, West Baden
As the official Visitor’s Center for Orange County, Indiana, Visit French Lick West Baden proudly serves the towns of West Baden, French Lick, Orleans, and Paoli. Located in the heart of Southern Indiana, this charming resort community has been welcoming guests for over a century, offering unforgettable getaways filled with history, luxury, and relaxation. At the center of this destination is the renowned French Lick Resort, featuring two iconic historic hotels: the West Baden Springs Hotel (built in1902) and the French Lick Springs Hotel (established in 1901). Recently recognized as the "Best Historic Resort" by Historic Hotels of America, the French Lick Resort offers a blend of gracious hospitality, ultimate luxury, and a wide array of experiences to create the perfect indulgent vacation.
.For additional vacation ideas or more information on French Lick West Baden, please visit visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com or follow @visitfrenchlickwestbaden on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events.
