Every year mid-December-ish, do you find yourself saying “it doesn’t feel like the holidays yet”?
(We see heads nodding.)
If so, there’s nothing like a visit to French Lick Resort to get you fully immersed in the holiday spirit. We go big for the holiday season, and in the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas, enjoy these 12 ways to celebrate the season during our upcoming 50 Days of Lights.
Tree Lighting at French Lick Springs Hotel
Mark your calendars for November 18 to see our winter wonderland light up at French Lick Springs Hotel.
The West Baden Spring Hotel tree lighting (for guests only on November 11) is already sold out, but French Lick’s tree lighting the following weekend is open to resort guests as well as the public. (Pro tip: if you’re coming for the weekend, book now because rooms at both hotels are nearly sold out on the 18th.)
Come early for a live reindeer meet-and-greet, activities tent and children’s holiday choir. The big moment arrives around 6:30 with the lighting of our 45-foot-tall tree and a fireworks ceremony. And stick around afterward to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, see the animated holiday light show and hear live music.
Home Free for the Holidays Concert
Are you part of Home Free’s huge YouTube following? If not, check them out and then get tickets to their special holiday show Friday, December 15 at our Exhibition Hall. This all-vocal group puts on a stellar show with their catchy harmonies and quick-witted humor. It’s an all-ages show guaranteed to be a holiday highlight.
Just Stroll & Admire
Really, you can make a trip out of admiring all dazzling holiday decorations and lights resort-wide. From the holiday village and famous gingerbread house, to the dozen Christmas trees and half-million holiday lights resort-wide, this winter wonderland is loaded with great photo ops and Instagram-worthy views.
Aside from West Baden Springs Hotel’s November 11 tree lighting ceremony which is open to guests only, both hotels are open to the public throughout the holiday season.
Speaking of Gingerbread…
New this year is a Gingerbread House competition to add a bit of spice to the mix. Bring the family, craft your gingerbread house and make some memories. You might even leave with the grand prize if your design is judged the sweetest. (December 9 & 16; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Holiday Light Show
When it gets dark, head outside to view the spectacular animated light show projected onto the façade of French Lick Springs Hotel. You’ll oooh and ahhh at the wintry scenes coming to life on the exterior of the hotel every evening at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 during the 50 Days of Lights.
See Santa
You can find St. Nick in a new location this year, at Spring No. 8 restaurant just off the French Lick Springs Hotel lobby.
• Santa Claus Meet & Greet: Fridays and Saturdays, November 24 to December 16 (5:30-7:30 p.m.; bring a phone or camera to snap your photo)
• Santa & Mrs. Claus Meet & Greet: December 20, 21 & 22 – last chances to see Santa before the big day!
Write Santa
Find letter templates and holiday mailboxes at French Lick Springs Hotel (upper level of Event Center near the gingerbread house), West Baden Springs Hotel or the Activites Center. Drop it back in the mailbox, and have a reply sent from Santa himself to your house in time for Christmas.
Snuggle Up
Is there a cozier way to spend a winter evening? Whether you’re snuggled up with the whole family, or just that special someone, there’s nothing like a carriage ride by moonlight while seeing all the Christmas lights on the grounds. Carriage rides are offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays through December 23, and will also be available for Christmas Eve on Sunday the 24th.
More for the Kids to Enjoy
They can make a stuffed buddy at Santa’s toymaker workshop, have breakfast with Rudolph at The Grand Colonnade Restaurant, or try story time and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. And if you’ve got kids with that pent-up Christmas energy, they can burn some of it at the Winter Break Bounce Bash (daily from December 18-30) with bounce houses, games and more.
Weekends at West Baden Springs Hotel
The hotel atrium is nothing short of magical during the holidays. Admire the 45-foot tree in the center of the atrium, feel like royalty at Afternoon Tea on the first three Sundays December, or catch a performance by the Dickens Carolers on December 2, 9, 16 or 23.
New Year’s Eve
Got plans yet? It’s party time (times two) with a pair of New Year’s Eve celebrations at the resort — each offering something a little different.
At French Lick Springs Hotel’s “Bourbon & Bubbles” themed party, enjoy a buffet with bourbon-inspired starters, entrees and desserts, then rock into 2024 with a band and a Champagne toast to usher in 2024. Or, enjoy the serenity of New Year’s Eve under the dome at West Baden Springs Hotel, with live entertainment, a mini dessert buffet, and a special toast at midnight.
Keep the Holiday Cheer Going
Once you’re done with the usual hustle and bustle of the holidays, take a few days and decompress. Call it Christmas 2.0 — a gift to yourself.
Sleep in and order room service. Hit the casino. Plan a spa day. As long as the weather isn’t too cold, you can even get outdoors for a horseback ride, archery shoot, or sporting clays experience.
Oh, and by the way, we believe in hanging on to the holiday magic around here. So our holiday lights, trees and decorations stay up into the first week of January for you to enjoy the holiday glow as long as possible.
