Happy Tuesday, Hamilton County. In today’s edition: Noblesville school board updates, Westfield in Lights, Holiday in Lights Parade, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Key meeting updates and plans: Noblesville’s school board approved a work-based learning course to meet Indiana diploma requirements and playground enhancements at Noble Crossing and Promise Road, and appointed a member to the HEPL board — get all the details.

Chiefs share progress reports: As winter arrives, Westfield fire and police outline busy months ahead, citing higher call volumes, fewer care-facility runs, new stations, a 22-month HQ build, and officer swearing-in Dec. 8 — see what’s planned and when.

A year of local art: The Westfield Library Foundation has named its 2026 Art Wall artists for the gallery wall at Westfield Washington Public Library. The lineup spans photography, painting, and mixed media — check out the full lineup.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Holiday in Lights parade sparkles through Noblesville
• Support Katie with dogs, music, auctions
• Explore gifts at the holiday market event
• Dance to fund clean water
• Celebrate the holidays at Westfield in Lights
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

A bright holiday spotlight: Now through Dec 27, share a photo of your Central Indiana home’s holiday lights. If your pic airs in a weather forecast, you’ll snag a ticket to Christmas Nights of Lights at the State Fairgrounds, Indy’s largest drive-thru show, running nightly through Dec 31. Must be 18+ and an Indiana resident. See how to enter.

Worshipful holiday voices unite: Behold the Lamb Ministries’ Soli Deo Gloria Community Concert Choir presents its free Christmas program, Glory Touching Earth. See the 55-voice choir, directed by Lisa Jennings and known from the Hamilton County Passion Play, at Hope Bible Fellowship in Noblesville on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. No tickets needed. Local soloists featured. Get venue, time, and lineup.

Serious burrito energy: When a plain tortilla won’t cut it, Samano’s Mexican Food rolls deep, with a California Burrito packed with fries, a bacon-wrapped burrito, and Mexico City taquería vibes. Weeknights deserve a tasty upgrade.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🎹 An Intimate Evening with David Foster & Katharine McPhee @ The Center for the Performing Arts | Tuesday (12/2) at 6:30pm – Put on your sweater and settle in for David Foster and Katharine McPhee serving an intimate, holiday-tinged hit parade. Think Chicago, Whitney, Celine, Groban, Bublé, plus McPhee favorites from Idol, Smash, and Waitress. Feinstein handpicked it for his Top 15, the bar is high.

🍼 Babytime @ Meeting Rooms- East/Center | Thursday (12/04) at 8:30am – Ease into the morning with sweet songs, gentle rhymes, and simple stories designed just for littles. It’s a quick, cozy bonding session that helps tiny learners explore language while parents soak up a calm half hour. Perfect for babies, wiggles, and first library memories.

🌿 Green Gift Shop @ Main Library Community Room | Thursday (12/4) at 12:30pm – Green Gift Shop is popping up with organic, natural, and cleverly repurposed finds from local vendors. Ideal for the person who says they want nothing, but actually wants something ethical, pretty, and not destined for the junk drawer.

🏙️ Deck the Downtown- First @ Noblesville Main Street | Friday (12/5) at 3:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to feel festive without wrestling your attic lights, First Friday downtown has you. Peek the window-decorating showdown, sip a DORA drink, trolley the Square for Stuff Your Stocking, catch Lights Over Seminary, then glide at Federal Hill Commons.

🎨 Handmade for the Holidays: Print + Sip Workshop @ Peace Water Winery | Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – Skip the mall meltdown and join a print and sip workshop where you’ll craft handmade holiday gifts and drink something better than cocoa. Friendly guidance, inky fingers, and the smug satisfaction of saying I made that. Bring your ideas, leave with presents.

This weekend

🛍️ HVM Christmas Market 2025 @ 2003 Pleasant St, IN 46060-3627 | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – Think your gift list is under control? Skip the mall and wander the Main Expo building for a cozy Christmas market with 70 local makers, unique finds, $5 at the door, and free parking. Treat yourself to stress-free shopping, then call it cardio.

🎄 Westfield in Lights @ Grand Junction Plaza | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Take a break from the shopping list and stroll over to Westfield in Lights, a free hometown holiday fest with local performers, Santa pics, and plenty of treats. Expect Frosty, carnival games, actual llamas on walkabout, and the big tree lighting, of course.

💧 WaterIsLife Charity Ball, Hosted by the Fishers Rotary @ Fishers Art Center | Saturday (12/6) at 5:00pm – Nothing beats getting fancy for a night that actually moves the needle. Fishers Rotary’s WaterIsLife Charity Ball brings a 14-piece big band, a three-course dinner, a welcome cocktail, Antlers & Tails, and a new raffle, while every ticket sold, and every toast, fund wells.

✨ 2025 Holiday in Lights Parade Presented by Gaylor Electric @ Downtown Noblesville | Saturday (12/6) at 5:30pm – An illuminated holiday parade rolls through downtown Noblesville, with floats vying for bragging rights, a sensory-friendly zone on Harrison between 10th and 12th, and Santa bringing up the rear. Grab a thermos, park smart along the route, and enjoy small-town sparkle with big community vibes.

🍪 Cookies with Santa @ Urban Vines Winery & Brewery | Sunday (12/7) at 12:00pm – Skip the mall chaos and let Santa come to you at Urban Vines, cookies included, dignity intact. It’s free, all ages, and Wrangler the miniature horse will be prancing in full reindeer cosplay while you consider a flight, a photo, and your holiday spirit.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 David Foster and Katharine McPhee @ The Center for the Performing Arts – 6:30 pm
• 12/4 4 Xmas @ The Mud Creek Barn Theater – 6:30 pm
• 12/6 Circle City Ringers @ Meeting Rooms – 12 pm
• 12/6 Windbag Brothers @ Sun King Fishers – 5:30 pm
• 12/6 Radio Junkies and more @ The Piper – 7:30 pm
• 12/10 German Sing-Along + Ornament Exchange @ Carmel Christkindlmarkt – 6:30 pm
• 12/10 Samantha Fish and more @ The Center for the Performing Arts – 6:30 pm
• 12/11 Now That’s Funny @ Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael – 6:30 pm
• 12/14 Holiday Pops: Spirit of the Season @ Carmel Symphony Orchestra – 1 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: James Robinson (eXp Realty, LLC)

This 2-bed, 2.5-bath former model at Magnolia, Old Town Design Group’s downtown showpiece, mixes polish and play. Custom cabinetry, quartz counters, gourmet appliances, and luxury vinyl plank keep it crisp. The plan flows across about 1,900 square feet with generous entertaining zones and a sly pocket office. A fully screened private balcony frames Carmel City Center, restaurants, shopping, and people watching.

Secured entry and an elevator keep life easy, private secondary storage stashes the extras. A two car garage with a bump out fits the toys. With only five homes per building, boutique vibes meet walkable convenience.

Take a peek inside →