Wabash & Erie Canal Park invites families and friends to step back in time and experience a Christmas celebration like no other. Christmas at the Canal will take place on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1030 N Washington Street in Delphi. This event is the park’s heartfelt gift to the community during a season when every dollar counts: admission, parking, activities, and tours are all completely free of charge.
Visitors will be welcomed into a winter wonderland of yesteryear, where the sights, sounds, and scents of an old-fashioned Christmas come to life. In the Canal Center’s reception hall, dozens of local artisans will offer a variety of handmade goods, perfect for holiday shopping. Guests can browse and buy unique, handcrafted gifts and décor, supporting local makers while enjoying the warmth of the holiday spirit.
The heart of the celebration takes place in the park’s 1850s Pioneer Village, where costumed interpreters make history come alive. Families can visit Santa Claus in one of the charming log cabins and snap a photo to remember the day. Cozy fires will burn in the cabins’ hearths as volunteers demonstrate historic trades and crafts, offering interactive experiences for all ages. Visitors can sample warm cider and cookies while learning about life in an Indiana canal town nearly two centuries ago.
For those eager to explore more of the past, free tours will be offered of both the Wabash & Erie Canal Museum and the beautifully restored 1844 Reed Case House. The museum’s hands-on exhibits and interactive models provide a fun, educational look at Indiana’s transportation history, while the Case House offers a glimpse into the elegant architecture and domestic life of the 19th century.
Music will fill the air throughout the day, adding to the festive atmosphere. Guests can join in a carol singalong in the park’s historic White Chapel, or enjoy live music in the Reed Case House, where the trusty pump organ will share traditional holiday tunes.
“Christmas at the Canal is one of our favorite traditions,” said Mike Tetrault, Executive Director of the Wabash & Erie Canal Park. “It’s our way of giving back to the community that supports us all year long. We invite everyone to connect with local history and make lasting memories while checking off their Christmas lists. And a special thanks to Duke Energy, the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission, and Horizon Veterinary Service for sponsoring this event. Without their generosity, we wouldn’t be able to offer as much as we do!”
With its blend of history, holiday spirit, and hometown hospitality, Christmas at the Canal promises to be a highlight of the season for visitors of all ages.
EVENT DETAILS AT A GLANCE
Location: Wabash & Erie Canal Park, 1030 N Washington Street, Delphi, IN 46923
Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Highlights: Handmade crafts, Santa visits, historic trades, live music, museum and historic home tours
Admission & Parking: Free
Come celebrate the magic of the holidays and rediscover the joy of Christmas at the Canal, where history and tradition meet the spirit of the season.
ABOUT WABASH & ERIE CANAL PARK
Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 1030 N. Washington Street in Delphi, Indiana at Wabash & Erie Canal Park.
The organization is devoted to preservation, education, and recreation along the historic Wabash & Erie Canal, which operated from 1832 to approximately 1874. The extensive canal once crossed Indiana along the Wabash River and is the second-longest transportation canal ever constructed in human history. The restored canal segment in Delphi is the last remaining navigable segment of the waterway in Indiana, and the park there seeks to preserve the stories and wonder of Indiana’s Canal Era.