Friday is the nation's busiest shopping day, but it's also a day available for spending time with family and friends you don't see very often.
For Hoosiers not into crowded malls, here are some things to do on Black Friday that don't involve shopping:
Opt Outside
Each year Indiana State Parks participates in the national 'Opt Outside' effort to get people into nature on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Get free admission to any state park or reservoir on Nov. 24 if you show a coupon available on the state parks Facebook page. You can also get 20 percent off a meal at any Indiana State Park Inn with a coupon available on the same Facebook page.
And the famous toboggan run at Pokagon State Park is offering a discount on toboggan rentals only on Friday.
If you spend time at a state park on Friday, complete the #OptOutside scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Christmas Celebrations
Canopy of Lights in Bloomington: The 32nd annual lighting ceremony on the courthouse square kicks off at 6 p.m. with live music and photos with Santa. The lights turn on at 7 p.m.
Holly Days - a Bloomington Symphony Orchestra concert at the Buskirk-Chumley theater: The early show at 5:30 p.m. is geared toward families with children and runs about 45 minutes. The later show at 8 p.m. runs about 60 minutes. The performances are stacked around the Canopy of Lights ceremony.
Santa's Big Arrival at the Indianapolis Children's Museum: a family sing-along, rides on a yule slide and free hot chocolate all to celebrate the arrival of of Santa at 9:15 a.m. Admission to the museum is required.
Christmas at the Zoo kicks off Wednesday and is open through Dec. 30. The annual holiday celebration at the Indianapolis Zoo includes reindeer at Santa's Village, cookie-decorating and twinkling lights hung throughout the zoo.
Tree lighting at Monument Circle: More than 100,000 people are expected to gather on the circle in downtown Indianapolis. The celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. with the lighting ceremony starting around 7:50 p.m.
The Land of Lights in Santa Claus, Indiana opens Thanksgiving night and runs nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 30 (with closures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) It's called "the largest campground holiday light show in North America." Admission is $15 per vehicle.
Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights in Evansville: the 23rd annual drive-through light show with more than 60 displays opens on Thanksgiving and is open nightly. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available. Admission is $7 per person up to six people, $10 per vehicle for seven to 14 people or $35 for vehicles with 15 or more people.
Fantasy of Lights in Fort Wayne: this drive-through light show has more than 100 displays along a two-mile route. The annual event runs through Dec. 31. Admission is $10 per car, $20 per commercial van or $40 for a bus or trolley.
Lights at the Brickyard is open Nov. 17 through Dec. 30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The drive-through holiday display includes more than 2.5 million lights along a two-mile route through the IMS infield and along the front stretch of the historic oval, crossing the Yard of Bricks start-finish line.
Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society: the historical organization will display 80 different themed trees plus a 30-foot tree in Eli Lilly Hall.
Festival of Gingerbread in Fort Wayne: more than 100 gingerbread creations on display made by Hoosiers ranging in age from preschoolers to adults. The event runs through Dec. 10, but Friday offers a hand print reindeer puppet craft activity.
Sports
- The Indianapolis Pacers face off against the Toronto Raptors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 8 p.m.
- The Indiana University men's basketball team will play the Eastern Michigan Eagles at home at 4:30 p.m.
- The IU women's volleyball team faces Michigan State at home at 6 p.m.
- The Indiana High School Athletic Association football state tournament finals take place Friday and Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Other Activities
The Indiana Chinese Lantern Festival is a six-week long celebration of Chinese arts and culture. It's presented in Indiana by Tianyu Arts and Culture Inc. The festival kicks off Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Celebration Park and runs daily through Jan. 7.
Furry Friday: Sled Dog Adventures at the Wonderlab in Bloomington. This afternoon event offers time with real Alaskan dog sledding gear and two dogs: 8-year-old SootFa and 5-year-old Joli.
