• Theatre

Music Festival of Traditional American Music

Friday and Saturday, January 24 & 25, 2025

A family friendly music festival for all ages will be at the Salem First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, located at 200 E. Walnut St, Salem, IN.  The Corydon Dulcimer Society, a homegrown 35-year-old non-profit music organization, will host the event for the third year.

Free concerts on Friday and Saturday nights will begin at 6:30pm Friday night and 7:00 p.m Saturday night with jamming afterwards. 

Friday Evening Bands include:  Corydon Dulcimer Society and Jim Smoak and Brian Allen

Saturday Evening Bands include:  Timeline, Wildflowers and Weeds and Off the Rails

Have you wanted to learn a musical instrument?  A variety of workshops will begin at 9:00am on Saturday.  Folks of any age or experience can sign up for workshops at a cost of $20 for one or ALL.  Classes include mountain dulcimer, ukelele, guitar, banjo, pennywhistle, hammered dulcimer, noise makers, mandolin and a contra dance class.

There will be an open stage on Saturday from 2:45pm to 3:45 pm.  Bands and individuals can sign up and perform two songs for the audience to enjoy. 

Folks can join the jamming (share music) during the day and after the concerts.  Jam leaders will be on board to help beginners.

The Salem First Baptist Church has graciously helped this event succeed from the beginning by letting CDS use their beautiful Fellowship Hall.

The festival is sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Washington County Community Foundation.  A registration form can be obtained by contacting Susan White at 502-645-1191.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Salem Public Library will be presenting the film "Christopher The Christmas Tree" this Thursday, Dec. 5, beginning at 5 p.m.

The film is especially dear to area residents since the story, coloring book and eventually the film were all the creation of the late George Bowers.  Bowers was actually born at the Bowers Tree Farm in 1938. 

Bowers wrote and performed songs about Christopher to area children and at regional venues for decades. The story was eventually made into a movie, which premiered 30 years ago on the Fox Family Network in 1994.

Everyone is invited to join Christopher The Christmas Tree, Whooty the Owl and all of their animal friends in the Valley of Hidden Hollow in the showing of this favorite holiday movie. The movie is approximately 30 minutes long and is free to the public.

Seating is very limited. Please call the Salem Public Library at 812-883-5600 to reserve a space.

The library is located at 212 N. Main St., Salem.

A Christmas Concert With Lick Creek Band

Tuesday December 3 at 7 pm

Salem United Methodist Church

202 East Market Street, Salem, IN

A free will offering will be taken to support the Washington County Food Bank

 Every holiday season, Madison transforms into "Merry Madison," not only as a delightful holiday destination but as the very feeling of the season, where the warmth and joy of the holidays fill every street and shop. Nestled on the banks of the Ohio River, Madison invites visitors to explore vibrant streets, charming shops, historic sites, and an enchanting atmosphere that make this National Historic Landmark District a perfect seasonal escape.

Holiday Highlights:

• Nights before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes

Witness history come alive with a unique candlelight tour through beautifully preserved private homes and historic sites. Back-to-back weekends from November 29 to December 7, Madison opens doors to six stunning homes and 6 historic sites decorated with holiday splendor. Stroll through Madison's heritage while enjoying seasonal music and festivities.

• Holly Jolly Trolley  

Hop on for a delightful trolley ride through Madison's festive downtown! Guests can relax and enjoy the charm of the season. This hop-on-hop-off experience is perfect for taking in decorated storefronts, glowing lights, a cheerful holiday atmosphere, and holiday shopping - happening on the same days as the Nights before Christmas home tour.

• A Very Merry Madison Christmas Parade & Celebration

On December 7, downtown Madison bursts into holiday cheer as the annual Christmas parade brings Santa, giant balloons, and spirited floats through town, starting at 11AM. Afterward, Broadway Fountain & Street comes alive with local vendors, kids’ crafts, hot chocolate, and a special appearance by Santa and his reindeer.

• A Christmas Carol Reading & Seasonal Performances

Storyteller Bob Hartsaw brings Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” to life in a reading fit for kids ages 3 to 103 at Gallery 115. For music lovers, the Louisville Brass returns with a free holiday concert at Trinity United Methodist Church on December 5, while the Madison Community Band delivers festive tunes on December 14 at Clifty Inn.

• Lights, Shopping, and Unique Festivities

Throughout the season, Madison’s streets twinkle with holiday lights from Bicentennial Park’s enchanting displays to Broadway Fountain's Light Up Madison event on November 29. Shoppers can indulge in unique holiday finds all season long, Small Business Saturday, and The Merry Marketplace to name a few.

• Festival of Trees, Hosts of Angels, and Rudy's Garden at Lanthier Winery & Distillery
  Celebrate the season surrounded by over 850 Christmas trees, angelic displays, and the glowing charm of Rudy's Garden. This free, family-friendly event is open daily from November 29 through Christmas Eve, offering a magical setting for visitors of all ages.

• Santa Sightings

Madison welcomes Santa in a variety of settings—from the cozy Santa Cottage on Main Street to the Caroling with Santa event to seeing the big guy light up Madison with the Mayor. Children can also drop off letters in Santa’s mailbox at City Hall and receive a personal reply from Santa himself.

To make it easy to join in all of the festivities and see Santa’s schedule, every event has been compiled in the annual ‘Merry Madison & More Holiday Events Brochure’, available to view or download online.

This holiday season, Madison, Indiana, invites families, friends, and travelers to celebrate in a truly enchanting setting. With festive trolley rides, historic tours, Santa sightings and holiday shopping, “Merry Madison” offers a memorable experience for everyone. For more information go to www.VisitMadison.org or call 812-265-2956.