A Magical Evening of Giving: Recapping our 21st Annual DREAM Christmas

On December 17, 2025, the spirit of the season came alive at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as DREAM Alive hosted our 21st Annual DREAM Christmas—a heartwarming tradition that turns the holidays into a beacon of hope for families facing hardship in Indianapolis.

At its core, DREAM Christmas empowers our DREAM Alive scholars to step into the role of givers, creating an unforgettable “dream” holiday for children and families in need. This year, we welcomed over 600 joyful guests, with 175 dedicated 8th-grade scholars from Howe, Northwest, Arlington, Longfellow, and Paramount Englewood serving 247 children and their families with personalized gifts, festive meals, and endless cheer.

For five weeks leading up to the event, our scholars dove into hands-on preparation: mastering budgeting skills, thoughtfully shopping for their sponsored child’s wish list, and meticulously wrapping each present. The culmination? Meeting their sponsored child face-to-face for the first time and hosting them in a magical celebration filled with laughter, connection, and the true magic of giving.

But the surprises didn’t stop there! In a delightful twist, our scholars received an unexpected gift of their own—a brand-new pair of shoes, courtesy of New Shoe Day and our incredibly generous donors. Watching our scholar’s faces light up reminded us all that generosity flows both ways.

None of this magic would have been possible without the extraordinary DREAM Alive community coming together. A heartfelt thank you to our inspiring scholars, tireless volunteers, supportive partners, and dedicated vendors—you made dreams come true. (See our amazing event sponsors and partners pictured below!)

And a special shoutout to our friends at Pacers Sports & Entertainment for opening the doors to the iconic Gainbridge Fieldhouse—the perfect backdrop for an evening we’ll cherish forever.

From all of us at DREAM Alive, thank you for being part of this beautiful story of empowerment, service, and holiday joy. Here’s to dreaming bigger in 2026!