On the 12 FREE Days of Christmas, downtown Indy gave to us

Where do the two turtle doves enter the story?

Have you ever wondered why we sing the song about the 12 Days of Christmas when Christmas only lasts one day? The answer is complicated, as no one is quite sure of the specific origins of the song. Some think it comes from religion in that the days represent the time between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi. Others think it simply started as a memory game in which people had to keep repeating verses and adding another (similar to This Old Man). The 12 Days of Christmas dates back to at least the 16th century, and the music is reputed to be French.

Whatever the answer is, however, you’ll probably have that song stuck in your head as you celebrate the 12 FREE Days of Christmas Downtown.

Downtown Indianapolis is kicking off a new adventure every day, complete with a new freebie for each of the 12 days. The first is tomorrow on Friday, December 13, and the FREE days continue through Christmas Eve. Each day, a new downtown destination will open its doors for FREE. Here is the schedule:

• December 13: FREE admission to the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library
• December 14: FREE ice skating at Pan Am Pavilion
• December 15: FREE elevator ride to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle
• December 16: FREE admission to the Indiana State Museum
• December 17: FREE admission to the James Whitcomb Riley Museum
• December 18: FREE admission to the Morris Butler House
• December 19: FREE admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Winter Solstic
• December 20: FREE admission to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
• December 21: FREE admission to the Indiana History Center
• December 22: FREE admission to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
• December 23: FREE admission to the National Institute for Fitness and Sport
• December 24: FREE admission to The Children’s Museum

Click here for more details, including open hours for all the attractions available during the 12 FREE days. Thank you to Deal Scout Lorraine M. for the lead on this upcoming set of deals.