Getting to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Planning your visit to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt? Parking in Carmel is free, and you can get to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt in several ways, including garages, surface parking, a free weekend shuttle, the Holiday Trolley, and walking or biking.  Use this guide to find parking, accessible transportation, drop-off information, and other ways to get to the Market.

‍

Parking or Riding Into the Carmel Christkindlmarkt

All parking in Carmel is free! We suggest using the parking garages, surface parking, or our Shuttle Parking Lot on weekends.

Here are the suggested parking garages:

• Sophia Square Garage
  
  • 31 1st Ave. NW, Carmel, IN 46032
  • 0.8 mile · 11–15 minute walk
  • Walk south to Main Street, head east to the Monon Trail, then follow the trail south to the Market. Note: This is an underground garage.
• Midtown North Garage
  
  • 145 Elm St., Carmel, IN 46032
  • 0.5 mile · 9–12 minute walk
  • Head west on Elm Street to the Monon Trail, then follow the trail south to the Market.
• Midtown South Garage
  
  • 580 Veterans Way, Carmel, IN 46032
  • 0.5 mile · 6–10 minute walk
  • Walk south on Veterans Way, turn west on Walnut Street, then follow the Monon Trail south to the Market.
• Civic Square Garage
  
  • 50 Red Truck Rd., Carmel, IN 46032
  • 0.3 mile · 6–10 minute walk
  • Head north toward Bank Street, then west to the Monon Trail. Follow the trail north to the Market.
• Proscenium Garage
  
  • 1225 Veterans Way, Carmel, IN 46032
  • 0.6 mile · 11–15 minute walk
  • Follow the pedestrian route north to the Monon Trail, then continue north to the Market.

While these options do require a short walk, the Monon Trail lit up with holiday lights provides a festive way to get to the Market, and utilizing these garages will save you time rather than trying to find surface parking closer. 

‍

Weekend Shuttle Parking

Free shuttle rides are available Saturdays and Sundays when the Market is open, with shuttles running approximately every 15 minutes. The shuttle is accessible. Our free Shuttle Parking Lot is located at 550 College Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.

‍

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking will be available at the Tarkington Garage at 3rd Avenue SW for those with qualifying tags or license plates. 

‍

Taxi & Ride-Share Drop-Offs

Guests may use Uber, Lyft, or other ride-share services to avoid parking. For drop-off, have your driver pull up near the Market on 3rd Avenue, preferably near the northwest corner. Please note that this is not an official Market drop-off location and can become very congested, especially on weekends. Another location near the Market may be more convenient.

‍

The Carmel Holiday Trolley

The Carmel Holiday Trolley offers a free seasonal shuttle that connects you to some of Carmel's most popular holiday destinations, including the Arts & Design District, Carmel City Center, the Indiana Design Center, Civic Square, and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. The trolley runs on Fridays and Saturdays from November 21 to December 19. Please note that the trolley is not ADA-accessible. 

• Fridays 5:00–9:00 p.m.
• Saturdays 2:00–9:00 p.m.

‍

Walking or Biking to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt

To walk (or bike) to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt at 10 Carter Green, you can use the paved, multi-use Monon Greenway if you are coming from nearby Midtown or Main Street. Walking from nearby Midtown or downtown parking areas via the path system is often faster and less stressful than parking directly adjacent to the busy Carter Green. 

‍

The Magnificent Monon Trail

In November and December, the Monon Trail transforms into a beautiful outdoor walkway of seasonal lights and decorations along the Magnificent Monon Greenway in Carmel, from Carter Green to Main Street. The Monon Trail lets visitors park outside the crowds and walk or bike to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, City Center, Midtown, or the Arts & Design District.

‍

Bike Share Program

The Carmel Bike Share Program offers Carmel residents and visitors a convenient, sustainable way to experience the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. The program includes 50 bikes across eight docking stations, with affordable pricing. Download the Movatic app and scan the QR code on the bike frame or basket to unlock.

Bikes are available at:

• Carmel City Hall
• One Civic Square (southwest corner of the parking lot)
• Central Park on the Monon Greenway - Carter Green and Monon Greenway (east of 3 Carter Green)
• City Center Drive and Range Line Road (southwest corner)
• Main Street and the Monon Greenway (in front of Bazbeaux Pizza)
• Midtown Plaza, 365 Monon Boulevard (just north of Elm Street)
• 37 East Main Street (in front of the Visit Hamilton County offices)

For additional transportation services, please visit the City of Carmel’s Transportation Services website here.