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• Event guide: 12 holiday joys

Two Indianapolis Children's Choir ensembles at the Winter Solstice celebration at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. (Submitted photo)

A mother and daughter bake together at the Holidays in the Heartland at the Indiana History Center. (Submitted photo)

The Indianapolis Children's Museum's Jolly Days exhibit. (Adriane Jaeckle for The Star)

Indianapolis museums are filled with lots of holiday cheer. From the ever-popular Yule Slide and Jingles the Jolly Bear to traditional Santa tales and strings of twinkling lights, there's plenty for families to enjoy together.

Winter Solstice

This annual celebration of the winter solstice happens outdoors on the luminaria-lit grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Visitors can enjoy live music and observe an ice carver at work. The event also provides an opportunity to visit Lilly House, which is decked out in holiday splendor, or to shop for gifts at the nearby greenhouse.

When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20.
Where: Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road.
Tickets: Free. For more information, call (317) 923-1331, or visit www.imamuseum.org.

Jolly Days Winter Wonderland

The Children's Museum gets into the holiday spirit in a big way with its Yule Slide, Jingles the Jolly Bear and visits from Santa. Visitors can also check out "Star Tales, Season of Light," a holiday-themed show in the planetarium, and "Babes in Toyland," a play in the Lilly Theater.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; starts Friday, runs through Jan. 6.
Where: The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St.
Tickets: $12.50 for adults, $11.50 for seniors and $7.50 for children 2-17. For more information, call (317) 334-3322, or visit www.childensmuseum.org.

Holidays in the Heartland

This series of displays throughout the History Center offers vignettes about Indiana Santas, traditional Hoosier holiday food, tree decorations and Indiana people from the past enjoying the winter season. Visitors can also enjoy stepping into a re-created set from the movie "A Christmas Story."

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, through Dec. 30.
Where: Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St.
Tickets: Free. For more information, call (317) 232-1882, or visit www.indianahistory.org.