Carmel committee recommends excluding gazebo concerts and Christkindlmarket from DORA; approves Winter Games exclusion

CARMEL, Ind. ' The Central DORA Committee on Aug. 26 recommended that the city exclude specified gazebo concert dates and the operational hours of Christkindlmarket from the city's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), and separately approved a recommendation to exclude the Winter Games event on Jan. 24, 2026.

The committee's action was a recommendation to city council; committee members said an ordinance amendment will be required for the change. A voice vote on the recommendation passed after a motion and second; the committee did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.

The committee framed the exclusions as responses to longstanding event traditions and enforcement questions tied to DORA rules. "I think we decided that there are several days that should be excluded," Kelly, a city staff member, said during the discussion about festivals and special events. Kelly told the group that some events rely on collectible or branded cups and that operators at those events may want to preserve brand recognition.

Sergei, the city attorney, outlined the legal issue for law enforcement. "DORA essentially creates an open-container law within DORA. You cannot bring outside beverages and consume them when DORA is operational," he said, explaining that excluding specific events would return those events to the pre-DORA status…