Opportunities From: City Of Carmel

As a Rangoli Assistant, you serve as a cultural ambassador and a creative force behind one of the festival’s most visually stunning traditions. This role is perfect for someone who has a steady hand, an appreciation for folk art, and enjoys engaging with the community while creating something beautiful.

Design Support: Assist lead artists in laying out intricate geometric patterns and traditional motifs using chalk, stencils, or freehand outlines.

Material Management: Oversee the organization of vibrant colored powders, sand, flower petals, and diyas (lamps), ensuring materials are replenished and colors remain distinct.

Crowd Engagement: Enthusiastically explain the art of Rangoli to curious festival-goers, sharing its symbolic purpose of welcoming Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity) and bringing good luck to the home.

Interactive Guidance: Help manage "community zones" where attendees—especially children—can contribute to the artwork, providing gentle guidance on technique and color blending.

Art Maintenance: Monitor the finished designs to protect them from foot traffic and environmental factors, performing quick "touch-ups" to keep the patterns crisp and festive throughout the event.

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.

As a Tear Down & Clean Up volunteer, you are the finishing touch that ensures our community spaces return to their pristine condition. This is a high-energy, "behind-the-scenes" role perfect for someone who enjoys physical activity, working as part of a team, and seeing immediate results. You will work closely with City Staff to efficiently pack up event logistics and leave the venue better than we found it.

Proactive Maintenance: Patrol the festival grounds to collect litter and ensure disposal bins are emptied before they overflow, keeping the event space pristine.

Spillage Response: Quickly address any accidental spills near food stalls or beverage stations to prevent slipping hazards and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.

Rangoli Protection: Carefully clear debris from the areas surrounding the Rangoli art installations without disturbing the delicate designs.

Packaging Management: Help manage the disposal and recycling of Laddoo boxes, food containers, and other materials to ensure we are following eco-friendly festival guidelines.

Post-Event Restoration: Assist in a final sweep of the area after the festival concludes, ensuring the venue is returned to its original condition for the City of Carmel.

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.

As an Event Runner, you are the "quick-response" engine of the festival. You provide the essential mobility and support needed to keep the Festival of Lights running smoothly. This role is perfect for someone who is energetic, enjoys being in the middle of the action, and loves solving logistical puzzles in real-time.

Choose Your Impact

Rapid Supply Delivery: Transport essential items—such as extra colored powder for Rangoli artists, fresh batches of Laddoos, or backup water for performers—across the festival grounds.

Communication Link: Act as a mobile messenger between the Volunteer Booth and specific stations, relaying urgent updates or checking in on team needs.

Technical & Setup Support: Assist with minor logistical needs, such as moving chairs, adjusting signage, or helping the AV team with small equipment runs.

Station Relief: Provide short-term coverage for other volunteers, allowing them to take quick breaks while ensuring their stations remain attended.

VIP & Performer Assistance: Help escort performers or guest speakers to their designated "Green Rooms" or stage areas to ensure the event schedule stays on track.

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.

As a Diya Distributor, you are responsible for handing out the most iconic symbol of the festival: the light. Your role is to ensure every guest can participate in the "Festival of Lights" by providing them with the traditional lamps that signify the victory of light over darkness. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys warm, rhythmic interaction and wants to play a part in the festival’s most beautiful tradition.

Inventory Management: Oversee the careful storage of clay diyas and tea lights, ensuring they are handled gently to prevent breakage.

Distribution Flow: Efficiently hand out diyas to guests as they enter or gather for ceremonies, ensuring everyone receives a lamp in a calm and orderly manner.

Safety Instruction: Provide brief, clear guidance on how to handle the lamps safely—especially if they are pre-lit or being used near clothing and decorations.

Cultural Significance: Share the meaning of the diya with curious guests, explaining how these small lamps represent knowledge, hope, and the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness.

Station Organization: Keep the distribution trays or tables neatly arranged and aesthetic, reflecting the beauty and tradition of the holiday.

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.

We are looking for a creative, visually-driven volunteer to help tell our story. As a Photographer & Social Media Ambassador, you will be the "eyes and ears" of our organization, capturing high-quality imagery and translating our mission into engaging digital content. Your work will directly increase our visibility and help us connect with donors, volunteers, and the community.

Capture the Mission: Attend events, programs, or daily operations to take high-quality photos and short-form videos (Reels/TikToks).

Content Creation: Draft engaging captions and stories that highlight our impact, following our brand voice.

Platform Engagement: Help manage and grow our presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Trend Spotting: Stay up-to-date with social media trends and suggest creative ways to apply them to our cause.

Asset Management: Organize and upload edited photos to our shared digital library for future marketing use.

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.

Volunteer Badges available for pick up at City Hall (1 Civic Square, Carmel IN) during normal business hours of 8am - 4:30pm.

Are you a people person who loves the buzz of a crowd? The City of Carmel is looking for high-energy Survey Ambassadors to be the heartbeat of our local events! This isn’t your average "sit behind a desk" volunteer gig. You’ll be on the move, ensuring our guests have a fantastic experience while gathering the insights we need to keep Carmel world-class.

The Vibe Curator: Greet guests with a smile and assist with wayfinding or general event questions to keep the "festive vibes" going.

The Feedback Specialist: Engage with attendees to collect quick digital or paper surveys. Your mission is to capture the community's voice in the middle of the action!

The Logistics Hero: Jump in with quick supply runs—whether it's restocking brochures, grabbing extra pens, or helping coordinate materials between event stations.

Problem Solver: Help maintain the flow of the event by spotting needs before they become issues.

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.

As a Tear Down & Clean Up volunteer, you are the finishing touch that ensures our community spaces return to their pristine condition. This is a high-energy, "behind-the-scenes" role perfect for someone who enjoys physical activity, working as part of a team, and seeing immediate results. You will work closely with City Staff to efficiently pack up event logistics and leave the venue better than we found it.

Vendor & Station Load-Out: Assist event staff and vendors with light breakdown of stations, which may include folding chairs, collapsing tables, and organizing supplies.

Site Restoration: Help clear event debris and ensure the festival grounds are tidy, safe, and ready for public use the following morning.

Signage & Decor Retrieval: Systematically collect event directional signs, banners, and autumn decorations from throughout the event space.

Logistical Support: Work with the team to load materials into transport vehicles or designated storage areas, ensuring everything is accounted for.

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.

As an Event Set-Up volunteer, you are the architect of the festival’s first impression. This role is essential for transforming an empty space into a vibrant community celebration. If you are an early bird who enjoys seeing a project come to life from the ground up, this is the perfect position for you. You will work alongside City Staff to ensure every tent, table, and sign is perfectly in place before the first guest arrives.

Venue Preparation: Assist with the placement of tables, chairs, and pop-up tents according to the event site map.

Signage Installation: Help set up directional signs, banners, and promotional materials to ensure smooth guest flow.

Vendor Support: Greet arriving vendors and artists, helping them locate their designated booth spaces and providing light assistance with unloading if needed.

Decor & Aesthetics: Help distribute autumn-themed decorations and floral arrangements to create a festive atmosphere throughout the event grounds.

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.

We offer a variety of roles across the race weekend. Select the area that best fits your energy and skills:

The Motivator (Water Stations): Keep the energy high and the runners hydrated. This is a perfect role for groups—play music, wear costumes, and cheer on participants as they pass your station.

The Welcoming Committee (Expo & Packet Pickup): Be the first face runners see! Help hand out bibs and race shirts at the Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel on the Friday before the race.

The Finisher Crew (Medals & Roses): There’s no better feeling than awarding a finisher. Celebrate their achievement by handing out medals and the signature post-race roses at the finish line.

The Course Guardian (Course Marshal): Ensure the safety of our runners by directing them at key turns and intersections throughout Carmel’s beautiful parks and trails.

The Logistics Lead (Set-up & Tear-down): Help us build the "race city." From setting up the finish line arch to organizing the post-race party area in Civic Square, you are the backbone of the event.

The Lead Cyclist: If you’re an experienced biker, lead our top runners through the course to ensure they have a clear path to the finish line.

Dates: October 16–17, 2026

Location: Carmel, Indiana (Expo at Renaissance Hotel; Race Day at Civic Square)

Official Charities: Proudly supporting the Indiana Women In Need (IWIN) Foundation and the Twisted Pink Foundation.

Ready to make a difference? Sign up via the official RunSignup volunteer page or contact volunteer@carmelroadracinggroup.com for group inquiries.

As a General Support volunteer, you are the "engine" that keeps our community events running smoothly. This is a dynamic role perfect for someone who enjoys variety, staying active, and interacting with the public. You will work closely with City Staff to ensure guests have a seamless experience and logistics are handled in real-time.

Guest Direction: Act as a friendly face for the City of Carmel, helping attendees navigate the event space and find amenities (restrooms, first aid, stage locations).

Crowd & Line Management: Assist at high-traffic areas, such as food trucks or activity booths, to ensure lines remain organized and safe.

Event Logistics: Support staff with light errands, such as delivering supplies to different stations or distributing programs/schedules.

Operational Support: Be "on-call" for miscellaneous tasks as they arise, ensuring that any small hurdles are cleared quickly.

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.

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!