Circle Of Lights Go Up In Monument Circle

The Circle of Lights decorations went up Monday. Strings of lights and 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers circle the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

This year, instead of gathering downtown, the lights will be lit on television on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Senior Communications Director for Downtown Indy Jennifer Hanson said safety is the number one priority.

"What typically happens for the Circle of Lights is, you know, about 100,000 people show up for a live show, so it made sense to us, we weren’t going to put anyone in harm’s way," Hanson said. "So, we made the decision in October, with all of our partners, that the lights will still go up, and they still will turn on, but the actual Circle of Lights show will broadcast live on WTHR the day after Thanksgiving."

The Circle of Lights show will include musical acts.

"We’ll have dance groups, singers -- Josh Kaufman, Angela Brown --  will all be a part of that show from 7-8 p.m. on that Friday," Hanson said.

Beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a video and holiday presentation will take place nightly at 6:30, 8, and 10 p.m.

The lights will remain until early January.