Your New Family Tradition

Christmas truly is the most magical time of the year! Christmas is a time for making new family traditions as well as celebrating the traditions of old. We'd like to help your family make new traditions that will bring your family closer to each other and give your family meaningful holiday memories. Below the quick links, you'll find ideas and activities right here in South Bend and Michiana, as well as learn about a couple events that will give your life impactful traditions that honor the meaning behind the season.
Quick Links

Christmas in Downtown South Bend
We love Christmas, families, and making memories! Over the last many years, South Bend has created some amazing ways to celebrate this season with your family, including:
  • Free pictures with Santa
  • Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 6)
  • Visit the Gingerbread Village at the Museum of Art
  • Hang out with Rudolph and the Grinch at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe
  • Organized snow ball fights for boys and girls at the old College Football Hall of Fame

To view these events and many more events, click the button below to be redirected to the Downtown South Bend website. There, you can enjoy Christmas in South Bend.

Christmas around Michiana

Outside of Downtown South Bend, there are so many other ways to make memories with your family. Below are many ideas that you can add to your family's Christmas traditions right here throughout the Michiana area:

Mishawaka

Holiday Fun Night at Battell Community Center
Winterfest at Merrifield Park
Winding Brook Christmas Lights
  • Through December
  • The Winding Brook Park Neighborhood Association decorates the entire neighborhood in the greatest Christmas light show in the area
  • The cost is free but they take donations in order to raise money for local charities
  • Link: http://windingbrookpark.com/gttc

Penn High School Annual Christmas Show
  • December 4-6
  • The Penn Fine Arts department puts on one of the greatest Christmas Shows in the area. All proceeds from ticket sales goes towards the Fine Arts Department
  • Link for tickets: https://www.ticketracker.com/store/events/1529

Elkhart

Where's Santa Scavenger Hunt at Wellfield Botanical Gardens

Winterfest in Downtown Elkhart
  • Saturday, December 7 • 8:00am - 10:00pm
  • Breakfast with Santa, pictures with Santa, festival of Christmas trees, open skate, figuring skating exhibition, 5K Ugly Sweater run, and much more!
  • Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/519592092225519/

Meet Me in St. Louis Performance at the Lerner's Theatre

South Bend

The Gift of Lights at Potawatomi Zoo

Niles

Holiday Evening Open House at Chapin Mansion
  • Saturday, December 14 • 4:00 - 7:00pm
  • The mansion will be decorated for the holidays to delight your whole family. All are welcome. The Chapin Mansion is now open to all as a new wheelchair accessible ramp has been added.  Come see the mansion decorated for Christmas and view all the beautiful holiday lights.

December Third Thursdays in Downtown Niles
  • Thursday, December 19
  • Special Events throughout the downtown strip to celebrate the Christmas season

Christmas at South Side Baptist Church

To help you connect your heart with the true meaning of Christmas, our church has created multiple experiences for you to connect your heart to what your heart is longing for – Jesus. To learn about the various Christmas experiences, scroll down below:

Sunday Christmas Breakfast on December 22

Sunday, December 22 at 9:00 am.

​We will be serving Panera bagels, Martin's muffins, and Starbucks coffee before the worship service. You do not need to bring anything, and there is no cost for you and your family to join. We just want to provide breakfast this for our South Bend neighbors. We'd love to meet you and your family during this fun time.

Sunday Worship on December 22

Sunday, December 22 at 10:30 am.

On the final Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we light candle 4 of the advent wreath in preparation for Jesus' arrival as a baby. This service is one of our favorites because it's full of modern Christmas songs, Christmas joy, and a Christmas message.

We have our Connect Groups at 9:30am, and there are groups for all ages and all kids. During the 10:30am worship service, we have childcare for babies – 3 years of age during the entirety of the service; children's church for 4 years old – kindergarten will take place after the worship in song portion, and before the message. One of our pastors will dismiss the children at the appropriate time. To see how this system and all of our kids ministry operate, click the link below:

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Tuesday, December 24 at 7:00 pm.

This worship service is one that is designed for you to experience—various styles of music and a relaxed atmosphere. We'll also be partaking in the Lord's Supper and finishing the service with a candle lighting—all with a focus on family. There is no childcare for this service because we desire your family to be together on this special night. In fact, Children are encouraged to participate.