End the year with a bang with a family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration in the Governor Frank O'Bannon Great Hall. Face painting, stilt walkers, clowns and music by Indianapolis band The Tides highlight the evening. A balloon drop at 8 p.m. allows the little ones to celebrate the New Year in style. Reservations recommended. Call 317.232.1637

Enjoy the wonderful world of winter outside! One of the best parts of winter is being able to play outside in the snow. Come visit the museum and enjoy our Outdoor Winter Weekends right outside the museum on the White River State Park canal, snow or no. Families can play games, make outdoor ornaments, sit by the fire and even purchase a s'more making kit.

On Dec. 11, 1861 Indiana became the 19th state to join the union. The Statehouse will host "Indiana Statehood Day" to celebrate Indiana's 195th birthday. The Birthday Party will begin at 9 a.m. and include interactive activities throughout the Statehouse. Explore presentations by many state agencies and offices that are designed for 4th grade students. Or you can schedule your group for the simultaneous program at the INdiana State Museum. At noon, all will be seated for an official program.

Community Tuesdays happen the first Tuesday of each month. Receive half off general admission to the Indiana State Museum and $2 off tickets to the IMAX Theater. Similar discounts apply at other White River State Park venues.

Please call first for reservations to this engaging, interactive holiday musical for pre-school and elementary-age children and their families. The 20-minute musical follows the action in the mythical village of Celebration Crossing as Trumble the Train enlists the help of his forest friends in foiling the plot of hte villainour Dickens Bildungsroman to take over the village and ruin the holiday season for everyone. Original songs, lively dialogue and audience participation are part of the fun.

At the Indiana State Museum, the holiday season begins the day after Thanksgiving with the arrival of Santa by helicopter and the opening of the Celebration Crossing exhibition. Besides the excitement of Santa, you can feel the nostalgia of the L.S.Ayres Christmas window display as well as more contemporary holiday fun, choirs and bands from schools around Indiana, the Santa Claus Express train, and other activities.

Hoosiers have been creating handmade treasures for hundreds of years, and their popularity has only grown. Learn about handmade crafts and see demonstrations by local artisans. Support Small Business Saturday and buy local by coming to the INdiana State Museum for Handmade Indiana. Over 20 vendors will be selling their locall created products and crafts, celebrating crafting in Indiana.

Eternally young, sexy and intense, that's the image of James Dean. But who was James Dean the man? Born in Marion, INdiana Dean made just three films before his death in 1955 at age 24. Eternal James Dean will take a look at his Indiana roots, his brief time as an actor in California and New York, his films and his passion for motorcycles and racing.

The museum will host a month-long celebration of los Dia de los Muertos, or Day ofht eDea. See aspects of this traditional Mexican holiday which honors the lives of the deceased and celebrates the continuiation of life with a belief that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage of existence. The museum will exhibit ofrendas, or altars, created by community members, artists, schools and families in Indiana.

For more information about this event, please contact Chris Layer @ www.newharmonymusicfest.com or Missy Parkison @ Historic New Harmony (812-682-4488).The Music School is being held on November 2nd. Please contact Chris Layer or Missy Parkison for details and rates. The Concert is on November 3rd and the cost is $15.00 for general admission.