For the past 61 years, Hoosiers have gathered downtown to kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Annually, the day after Thanksgiving, the monument is decorated like a Christmas tree.

The event doesn’t only consist of the lights. There is also a live DJ and vendors filling the circle. The event is perfect for families young and old and is a memorable holiday tradition. 

The tradition began back in 1937 with the help of Edward Pierre. Pierre was prone to last minute shopping and on Christmas eve he noted the dark atmosphere as he shopped around the circle. 

Pierre proposed a display to lift holiday spirits, which began the long lasting tradition of the lights on the Soldiers and Sailors monument. 

Thousands of people join together to take part in the tradition, and some even from NC. 

“My family has attended the Circle of Lights every year for as long as I can remember, senior Abby Mills said, “I have always looked forward to the lighting as it puts me and my family in the holiday spirit.”

“The day after Thanksgiving, my family and I go to see the lighting of the monument downtown,” senior Ava Hall said, “I’m always excited to go to the event because it gets me ready for the holidays.”

The Circle of Lights is an Indiana tradition that will continue through many generations. The circle will be lit up all the way though the new year up until January 12.