Opportunities From: City Of Carmel

Arts in Autumn brings the Carmel community together for a vibrant day of art vendors, fall festivities, family activities, and seasonal fun along Midtown Plaza and the Monon Greenway.

Volunteers are the heart of this event! Whether you love early morning organizing, engaging with the public during peak festival hours, or keeping operations seamless through the finish line, there is a high-impact role for you.

Set Up (10:00 AM -12:00 PM, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Be part of the crew that transforms Midtown Plaza into a welcoming festival space before the gates open.

Event Support (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Keep the festival friendly, smooth, and fun while serving as the welcoming face of Carmel.

Tear Down (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Ensure the festival concludes safely and leaves Midtown Plaza in pristine condition.

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

Event Overview

The Carmel Small Business Network (CSBN) was created to give small business owners in the City a direct communication link to the Mayor and other City employees with whom these businesses have correspondence. These meetings allow small business owners the opportunity to get information directly from the Mayor regarding issues directly affecting their businesses, such as construction and other improvements, economic development projects, Carmel Redevelopment Commission plans, and other future direction for specific areas of the City. 

Event Set-Up: Arrange seating and tables according to the meeting layout, and organize informational packets, vendor handouts, or agendas for easy access.

Registration & Greeting: Welcome local business owners, entrepreneurs, and guests with a friendly, professional demeanor. Manage the check-in list and distribute name tags.

Seating Assistance: Help seat guests by actively guiding them to their assigned tables as they enter the main room.

Meeting Support: Act as a helpful point of contact for basic attendee questions and maintain the tidiness of the hospitality and refreshment stations during the session.

Tear Down: Assist in packing up materials and clearing the room of any leftover items.

Personality: Outgoing, helpful, professional, and community-minded.

Reliability: Punctual for early set-up and committed to staying for the duration of the event.

Physical Ability: Comfortable with light lifting, such as moving chairs or boxes of meeting supplies.

Civic Pride: A genuine interest in Carmel’s local business economy, entrepreneurship, and community growth.

Valuable Networking: Build direct, face-to-face connections with local business leaders, company executives, and city officials from across Carmel.

Official Volunteer Carmel Polo: Represent our city in style! You'll be among the first to wear the brand-new, official Carmel volunteer apparel.

Carmel's annual Shop Small Event is a city-wide celebration held during the peak holiday shopping season to champion our local entrepreneurs, artisans, and boutique owners. Local businesses are the heartbeat of our community, and this event encourages residents and visitors to "shop small" and keep their holiday spending local.

As part of the festivities, the City distributes a thousand custom shopping bags to patrons. Each bag is packed with exclusive coupons and promotional items from Carmel vendors—serving as a powerful incentive for shoppers to discover new favorite spots and support the local economy.

As a member of the Bag Stuffing Crew, you will work in a fun, team-oriented assembly line to:

Organize and sort incoming coupons, flyers, and promotional items from Carmel’s local vendors.

Efficiently stuff bags with a complete set of marketing materials, ensuring each bag looks neat and welcoming for our residents and visitors.

Quality check bags to ensure no local business gets left out.

Count and stack completed bags for easy transport to the event site.

No prior experience required—we will provide a quick training session at the start of your shift!

A positive attitude and a love for supporting local Carmel small businesses.

Good hand dexterity and the ability to perform repetitive tasks (sorting, folding, stuffing) efficiently.

Ability to stand or sit for the duration of the 4 hour shift.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome (under 14 must be accompanied by an adult). Group sign-ups (families, clubs, coworkers) are highly encouraged!

Perks & Benefits

Spread Holiday Cheer: Play a direct role in boosting our local economy and supporting small business owners.

Festive Environment: Enjoy holiday music, and snacks while you work!

Community Connection: Meet fellow Carmel residents and city staff.

Volunteer Hours: Each 1st time Volunteer will get a official Volunteer Carmel TShirt

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is a world-renowned holiday market that brings the charm and tradition of a classic German Christmas to the heart of our city. Featuring authentic food, drinks, artisan crafts, and outdoor ice skating, Opening Day draws thousands of families eager to kick off the festive season.

A highlight for our youngest visitors is the arrival of Santa Claus. To make their visit truly unforgettable, the City distributes special Santa Bags filled with small toys and festive surprises. As a volunteer, you will ensure Santa’s sack is fully stocked and every child receives a beautifully prepared token of holiday magic.

As a member of the Santa Bag Stuffing Crew, you will work in a festive, high-energy assembly line to:

Organize and inventory holiday treats, small toys, and festive goodies designated for the children's gift bags.

Efficiently stuff bags with a complete set of treats, ensuring they are neatly packed and presented.

Quality check each bag to guarantee a consistent and magical experience for every child.

Pack and organize completed bags into Santa's distribution bins for seamless delivery on Opening Day.

No prior experience required—we will provide a brief orientation at the start of your shift.

A joyful holiday spirit and a passion for creating magical experiences for families.

Good hand dexterity and the ability to work efficiently in a team-based setting.

Ability to stand or sit for the duration of the 4 hour shift.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome (under 14 must be accompanied by an adult). Excellent opportunity for families, youth groups, and civic clubs!