Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt just claimed USA Today’s top holiday spot again
You won't want to miss The Nutcracker - presented by Metropolitan Youth Ballet on the Carmel Patch calendar
Hey hey Carmel! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt just claimed USA Today’s top holiday spot again
- Why Carmel just landed on Zillow’s hottest housing markets list
- How a recovering K-9 brought a high-profile case to Carmel
Also on today's calendar: The Nutcracker - presented by Metropolitan Youth Ballet and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Carmelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Carmelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Windy with periods of rain, with a high of 54 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Windy and very cold, temps: high: 26, low: 22.
- Saturday: Breezy with periods of sun, with a high of 47 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Carmel Christkindlmarkt named USA Today's No. 1 holiday market for 2025 (wishtv.com) — Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt has again been named USA Today’s No. 1 holiday market for 2025, and it’s still open through Dec. 24 with detailed daily hours. Expect big crowds, new German food options, and a free weekend shuttle that’s already eased parking for tens of thousands of visitors, plus special events like the Glühwein Gallop 5K and Military Appreciation Day. 
2. The 10 most popular housing markets in 2025: Zillow (newsnationnow.com) — Carmel has been named one of Zillow’s 10 hottest housing markets for 2025, standing out for relatively affordable home prices and strong buyer demand. Homes in these top markets are selling quickly, often under $350,000, as shoppers look beyond expensive coastal cities. Carmel’s inclusion signals continued interest from buyers considering Midwestern communities.
3. Charges filed against burglary suspect who was shot by Morgan County deputies (fox59.com) — An injured Morgan County K-9 named Bullet is recovering in Carmel after being struck during an alleged home invasion that ended with deputies shooting the suspect. Officials say Bullet is responding well to treatment despite fractures and broken teeth, while the suspect faces multiple charges and remains hospitalized. Carmel readers may notice regional law-enforcement traffic tied to the dog’s ongoing care.
4. 10 Tips To Find Cheap Designer Clothes (society19.com) — Carmel shoppers get a nod here, with Clay Terrace’s DSW highlighted as the closest discount designer shoe option for Purdue students and others willing to drive an hour. The piece shares ten practical strategies for scoring designer clothes, shoes, and accessories on the cheap, from outlet sales and thrift stores to online resale platforms and email-only promotions.
📸 Around Carmel
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Carmel
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The Nutcracker - presented by Metropolitan Youth Ballet
STAR Bank Performing Arts Center, 1000 Mulberry St, Zionsville
7:30 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Female Entrepreneur Event | Carmel Meet Up | Founding Females®
Link Office Suites Commerce Drive , 10255 Commerce Dr Suite , Carmel
12:00 pm - Jamestown CBC
McCloud Park Nature Center , 8518 Hughes Rd , North Salem
8:30 am - Cool Creek Bird Hike
Cool Creek Nature Center , 2000-1 East 151st St , Carmel
8:30 am - NOTHING MEANS ANYTHING: An Evening of Comedy With Chris Ryan
The Cat , 254 Veterans Wy , Carmel
7:00 pm - Eagle Valley CBC
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center , 6515 Delong Road , Indianapolis
8:00 am - Cool Creek Beginning Bird Hike
Cool Creek Nature Center , 2000-1 East 151st St , Carmel
9:00 am - Eagle Creek Bird Hikes
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center , 6515 Delong Road , Indianapolis
9:00 am - Cool Creek Beginning Bird Hike
Cool Creek Nature Center , 2000-1 East 151st St , Carmel
9:00 am
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Wednesday December 24
📣 Carmel Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Preschool Environmental Education Program Series (PEEPs): Winter Wonders
Zionsville, IN Calendar , 165 N Elm Street , Zionsville
10:00 am - INAEYC Public Policy Committee Virtual Meeting
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children , 2955 N Meridian St #120 , Indianapolis
2:00 pm - Young Professionals: Gathering before The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Christmas Crawl
COhatch Zionsville , 75 N Main St , Zionsville
4:00 pm - Zionsville Community Development Corporation (CDC) 8:30AM
Zionsville, IN Calendar , 1100 West Oak Street , Zionsville
8:30 am
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Carmel PatchAM possible:
- My Home Pros — (317) 975-0219
Your Trusted Home Handyman and Remodeling Service
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please be careful of an aggressive cream retriever in the village often walking with an elderly women near the apartments.
My french bulldog and 11 year old daughter were attacked when this aggressive dog broke free from its owner’s grasp on leash Friday. We were walking… (Nextdoor Village of West Clay) - I saw a black cat on Tulip Poplar Crest running down the sidewalk, E was headed towards Smiky Row but 5 or 6 houses down .
I think the eyes were gold I’m not sure. Didn’t look stray, shorthair. (Nextdoor Cool Creek North)
- Meijer, Inc. posted a job opening for Backdoor Receiver Grocery in Carmel. Apply here.
- Schahet Hotels posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Carmel. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Carmel here.
Ok Carmel! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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