The holiday season is here and the Cultural Districts are full of life and fun for everyone. The festival of lights is an Indianapolis tradition I hope you didn't miss this year. As the temperature slightly dropped going into the evening on Friday November 27th, 2009, it sent a chill across our fingers as we rushed through the downtown streets to find the perfect view of the first lighting of the large monumental tree. As we rounded the corner and turned onto Market Street we made it just in time for the illumination. The crowd began to count down, oddly they began to count down three times, but finally all 4,784 lights lit up the garland strands that shone down at us like a smiling child. Everyone cheered at the beautiful display of soldiers, sailors and peppermint sticks and then the moment was over, but these lights can be seen at the Monument Circle through January 8th, 2010.

If you didn't get a chance to get away from the turkey and shopping malls this last weekend then may I recommend taking some time this First Friday (12.4.09) to do a little bit of holiday shopping in the Cultural Districts. Not only will you find unique boutiques, but original artwork makes perfect holiday gifts.

In the Fountain Square District the Wheeler Arts Community is having their Winter Open House from 6 pm to 10 pm. Every season Wheeler hosts an open house so artists have a chance to show off their studios, bring in guest artists to decorate the halls with art, and if that doesn't entice you, they will also have local bands playing music in the atrium throughout the evening (1035 Sanders Street, Indpls. 46203). Over at AV Framing Gallery Gayla Hodson is showing a collection of new paintings inspired by her recent travels to the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., "Northern Blooms" springs to life on canvas just as winter starts to set in here in Indy. (AV Framing, 1139 Shelby Street). Hodson's work can be seen from December 4 through January 23, 2010. The artist reception will take place on December 4th, 2009, from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Another gallery says good-bye on Mass Ave, the G.C. Lucas Gallery is hosting their last opening during the First Friday Gallery Walk, so stop by and take advantage of significant discounts as they explore new ways to serve their collectors. The gallery will be open until 9 pm, the current show will be up until December 24th, 2009. For more information contact gclucasgallery@sbcglobal.net

If you are looking to hang around Broad Ripple on Friday, December 4, 2009, then check out the newest addition to the gallery scene; Forrest Formsma Gallery located at 54th & the Monon Shops. The grand opening of this new space takes place from 5 pm to 8 pm and you can view and purchase his paintings and prints. For more info on Forrest www.forrestformsma.com Another recent addition to the Broad Ripple Gallery scene is the T.K. Nelson Fine Art Gallery located at 6331 North Keystone Avenue (for more on times and events www.tknelsonpaintings.com. Enjoy your Holiday Season!