December Holiday Promotions & Activities At Indiana Casinos

With the holiday season in full swing, casinos in Indiana have a packed sleigh of Christmas and New Year’s happenings planned for December.

The events range from late-night dance parties to family-friendly Christmas activities.

PlayIndiana put together a December guide to concerts, promotions and other events at select casinos in the state.

Unfortunately, Indiana online casinos are still illegal. Furthermore, lawmakers have expressed their intent to keep any gaming legislation off the table until at least 2025.

Horseshoe Hammond

Visitors Horseshoe Hammond can enjoy a full range of casino games, dining, and an outstanding entertainment lineup.

December features music legends and Prince collaborators Morris Day and the Time along with percussionist virtuoso Sheila E. Grammy-award winners are also on the slate, including hip-hop mogul Nelly and R&B star Anthony Hamilton. Contemporary gospel aficionados can rejoice with a concert featuring renowned Christian artists Fred Hammond and Hezekiah Walker.

Dec. 1: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Dec. 8: Morris Day and The Time with special guest Sheila E.
Dec. 9: Comedian Jo Koy and friends
Dec. 15: Worship Live concert with Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Vashon Mitchell
Dec. 29: Nelly
Dec. 30: Anthony Hamilton

A heads-up for fans of Latin Billboard chart-topping Marisela, known as the Latin Madonna: The singer-songwriter performs at the casino on Jan. 27.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

The casino has two entertainment venues: the Council Oak Bar and the Hard Rock Cafe. Performances are on Friday and Saturday nights, and many of the concerts are free. The month’s lineup ends with a performance by the multi-platinum band Sugar Ray on New Year’s Eve.

Dec. 1: Wedding Band (80s tribute band)
Dec. 1: Vino Louden (blues)
Dec. 2: Chronic Flannel (multi-genre from hip-hop to country)
Dec. 2: Boy Band Review (boy band tribute group)
Dec. 8: The Smiley Tillmon Band featuring Kate Moss (blues)
Dec 9: Stache (multi-genre party band)
Dec. 9: Ivy Ford (blues)
Dec. 15: Mike Wheeler Band (Chicago Blues Hall of Fame band)
Dec. 15: Too Hype Crew (old-school hip-hop and party band)
Dec. 16: John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band (blues)
Dec. 16: Lounge Puppets (arena rock and ’80s hair band tribute group)
Dec. 22: Libido Funk Circus (multi-genre costume band)
Dec. 22: DJ Nasty Boy Noel (dance party DJ)
Dec. 23: The Red Roses (alternative, indie hits cover band)
Dec. 23: Duke Tumatoe and The Power Trio (blues)
Dec. 29: Hi Infidelity (high energy ’80s rock)
Dec. 29: Tom Holland and The Shuffle Kings (blues and jazz)
Dec. 30: Stefan Hillesheim Blues Band (blues)
Dec. 30: Nate Venturelli (country)
Dec. 31: The Spazmatics (’80s New Wave tribute band)
Dec. 31: Ultrabeat (electronic dance music)
Dec. 31: Sugar Ray (pop, funk, alternative)

Special promotions at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in December

Classic Rockers: Patrons 55 and over get 50% off meals at the casino’s Fresh Harvest eatery.
Daily Bonus Bets Rewards: Unity rewards members are eligible for promo dollars to bet 72 hours after a trip to the casino.
New members: Patrons who sign up for Unity rewards receive $10 in free slot play and are entered into a drawing for up to $100,000 in free slot play.

Horseshoe Indianapolis

The horse racing season is over at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but the casino has several promotions in December for patrons to enjoy.

Golden Gamers: Casino visitors aged 50 and over can participate in drawings on the casino floor on Tuesdays with a chance to win up to $250 in free slot play.
Caesars Rewards App Promos: Activate a 5x reward multiplier from within the Caesars app on Dec. 7 and Dec. 21 to earn money on the casino floor. App users can also enter drawings on Dec. 8 to win $250 in free slot play.
Colts Touchdown Multipliers: On Indianapolis Colts game days, patrons are guaranteed a 2X credit multiplier in the Caesars Reward app for each touchdown the team makes. Game dates in Dec.: 3, 10, 16, 24, and 31. The promo is also good for the Jan. 7 game.
Jackpot Frenzy: Play slots or tables on Dec. 30 to win $777 in free slot play. Rewards app users get additional entries.

Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa

The Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City has an extensive live shows calendar this month.

Dec. 1: Carlos Ramos Band (pop, rock, disco)
Dec. 2: Whiskey Road (classic southern and country rock)
Dec. 2: Ultrafab (dance and party hits covers)
Dec. 8: The Bigger Picture (classic rock)
Dec. 9: The Rockets (1960s dance music)
Dec. 9: The Collective (alt-rock party dance covers)
Dec. 15: The Hipposonics (pop, country R&B)
Dec. 16: iPop (pop covers)
Dec. 16: Windy City Rev Ups (swing, rock, blues)
Dec. 22: Redline Audio (’80s and ’90s alternative and modern rock covers)
Dec. 23: Lauren Dukes Band (blues, soul, jazz)
Dec. 23: JazBluSion (jazz, blues)
Dec. 29: The Crawpuppies (rock cover band)
Dec. 30: Uptown Dance Band (dance party band)
Dec. 30: Nick Falco n’ the Roadhawks (’50s rock and roll tribute band)
Dec. 31: Crosstown Classics (rock, country, pop)
Dec. 31: Nawty (high-energy dance)

Rising Star Casino Resort

Rising Star Casino and Resort offers free live entertainment at its Anchor Lounge every month.

Dec. 1: Mike’s Magical Holiday Male Revue (male dancers)
Dec. 2: Chuck Brisbin and Stewartsville (blues)
Dec. 9: Turntable (pop and funk dance music)
Dec. 16: Bent Penny Band (classic rock)
Dec. 23: Nathan Jenkins band (country)
Nov. 25: Night Owl (classic rock and country)
Dec. 30: Saffire Express (country, disco, pop, R&B, rock)
Dec. 31: Channel Kats (rock and blues)

The casino’s December promotions include:

Saturday drawings for a chance to win free slot plays and cash awards with a grand prize of $250,000 cash.
Jackpot Frenzy on Monday through Wednesday for chances to win free slot play.
Slot tournaments on Sundays and Thursdays (except for Dec. 24 and 31).
Christmas Eve drawings to win up to $1,000 in free slot play.
Christmas Day drawings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. allow patrons to earn up to $1,000 in free slot play.
Christmas Day T-shirt giveaway for patrons who visit the promo booth.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day drawings for a chance to win up to $2,500 in free slot play.

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg continues its “Boogie Nights Dance Club” called the “Best Nightlife” in Indiana by Casino Player magazine. If you dress up in a disco costume, bouncers might let you in for free … if you arrive before 11 p.m. Friday’s cover is $5 and on Saturdays, it’s $10. The club is open until 3 a.m.

Dance club theme nights for December:

Dec. 1: Disco night – free admission if you wear a disco costume.
Dec. 2: Onesie night – wear a onesie and get in for free.
Dec. 15: Hits from the ’90s and 2000s.
Dec. 22: Ugly Christmas sweater party – wear an ugly sweater for free entry.
Dec. 31: Boogie Nights New Year’s Eve bash and balloon drop.

Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago

Ameristar Casino Hotel continues its fall promotions through December.

Pro Football Pick’em Challenge: Dec. 21 is the last date of the challenge over the past few months. Submit a three-player roster of who you think will score the highest that week. If your roster comes in the top five, you can win up to $250. Contestants with the overall top scores over the fall have a chance to win a grand prize.
Forever Young Days: Guests 50 or over can use their PENN Play card to receive a cash multiplier at any promotional kiosk and print dining coupons.
Penn Heroes: Active-duty military, veterans and first responders can sign up for a Penn Heroes card for up to 30% off dining, shopping and hotel rates.

Bally’s Evansville Casino

Bally’s Evansville Casino has several promotions in December. Patrons earn entries for drawings by swiping their Bally’s Rewards cards at kiosks.

Dec. 1-2: Enter the $20,000 Jingle Jangle Slot Play Drawing by receiving printed entries from kiosks between 2 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. Two winners every 15 minutes will receive $250 in slot play.
Dec. 1-3: Get multiplied Bally Bucks and tier points during Multiplier Weekend when you use your Bally’s Rewards Card when playing casino games.
Dec. 1-10: During the 28th Annual Holiday Toy Drive, patrons who bring a new toy valued at $10 or more will receive a voucher for $10 of free slot play.
Dec. 8, 13, 15, 22, 29: Bally Rewards members who have earned a jackpot of at least $1,200 before Dec. 12 can win $1,000 in free slot play and a $20,000 jackpot grand prize.
Dec. 23: All Bally Rewards members can enter to win $250 in cash and become eligible for the $10,000 Holiday Cash Drawing grand prize.
Dec. 31: Guests who check in at kiosks on New Year’s Eve will be entered into a $3 million drawing. Three winners will receive $1 million each.

The casino’s Piano Bar at Cavanaugh’s On the River has free live entertainment every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, with a rotating lineup of pianists and singers.

French Lick Resort Casino & West Baden

The French Lick Resort Casino continues its impressive slate of Christmas-themed events, including the family-friendly 50 Days of Lights activities that began in November and runs through Jan. 7.

Christmas 50 Days of Lights

Daily Candy Cane Lane Scavenger Hunts.
Dickens Carolers features singers in “A Christmas Carol” themed costumes on Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23.
Gingerbread house competition on Dec. 9 and 16.
Pictures with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer on Dec. 3, 10 and 17.
Letters to Santa activities for kids through Dec. 12.
Santa’s Toy Maker Workshop through Dec. 17.
Cookie decorating classes through Dec. 16.
Holiday story times through Dec. 16.
Meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the hotel lobby from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 16.
Daily light shows on the hour between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Christmas Drive-in Movies featuring kid-friendly flicks, including “Prancer,” “The Polar Express” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” Movie dates: Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30. Movies begin at 7 p.m.
Winter Break Bounce Bash from Dec. 18 to Dec. 30, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Bounce games, face painting and other activities for kids.

Other December events at French Lick:

Home for the Holidays concert: Country band Home Free performs.
New Year’s Eve Bourbon and Bubbles: A 1920s-themed formal party featuring a live band and a champagne toast at midnight.
Bubbles and Bedtime stories: A kid’s New Year’s Eve party with music, games, crafts, movies and more.

Belterra Casino Resort

Belterra Casino Resort has two concerts lined up for December.

“America’s Got Talent” stars The Clairvoyants visit the casino on Dec. 1 for a mind-bending magic mentalist holiday show.
Styx keyboardist Dennis DeYoung and Mannheim Steamroller keyboardist John Blasucci are the featured musicians in the band Luminare. The group plays a Christmas-themed Dec. 9 show that includes “a fusion of reimagined holiday classics, high energy symphonic rock and cinematic magic.”’

Caesars Southern Indiana

Caesars Southern Indiana, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, features Super Senior Wednesday in December. Rewards program members who are 55 and older get a 3X reward credit multiplier every Wednesday. Seniors who earn at least 70 tier credits on Wednesdays also get a free entrée at the casino’s The Piazza restaurant.