16. Brew-Ha-Ha
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 635-2381
Address: 700 N. Park Ave.
Description: Beer, beer, and more beer. What’s not to like? Cold beer, hot music, and a great time keep people coming to this beer-tasting festival and block party in Indy’s Mass Ave Arts District in front of the Phoenix Theatre. Sample the best in craft beer from around the region and the nation. Tickets are $25 and include beer sampling. Designated drivers tickets (no alcohol allowed) are $10. Cheers!
17. Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 832-9463
Address: 601 W. New York St.
Description: Celebrate the fruit of the vine. More than 100 award-winning wines from Hoosier wineries are available for sampling, along with food from culinary experts. Browse artists’ booths and enjoy live music. Tickets are $15 at the gate for adults, which includes a souvenir wine glass to the first 10,000 people. An ID is required and every guest is carded at the gate. Tickets for designated drivers cost $10 at the gate and include unlimited soft drinks. Designated drivers may not sample wine but can purchase bottles to take home. Designated drivers include any adult over the age of 21 who does not wish to consume alcohol. Admission costs $5 for children 6 to 20 and is free for children 5 and under.
18. Talbot Street Art Fair
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 745-6479
Description: Held for over half a century, the Talbot Street Art Fair is a top-ranked, juried exhibition featuring more than 250 artists and crafts from around the country. One of the city’s oldest festivals, the Talbot Street Art Fair was started in 1955 by Herron School of Art students as a venue to sell their work at the end of the semester. One of the last free art fairs around, the festival is a great place to shop for excellent artwork.
19. Let’s Meet PBS Kids in the Park
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 715-2005
Description: Come to the park and meet Clifford the Big Red Dog, Cookie Monster, Curious George, Miss Rosa, Snook, and many more PBS kids’ show characters. Multiple stages feature nonstop entertainment, plus education and carnival-style activities. Hosted by some of Central Indiana’s leading arts and service organizations, activities have included crafts, games, exhibits, train rides, face painting, balloon artists, craft dough, bubble-making stations, and children’s book giveaways. The family fun is free.
20. Glorious Fourth at Conner Prairie
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 966-1836
Address: 13400 Allisonville Rd.
Description: Celebrate the nation’s birthday with an old-fashioned party. Help decorate Prairietown, march with the militia, play old-time baseball, eat watermelon, and see who can spit the seeds the farthest. Enjoy games like croquet and sack races. Honor Independence Day with a flag presentation, Declaration of Independence reading, patriotic songs, and recognition of war veterans. Regular admission to Conner Prairie is $12 for adults and $8 for children 2 to 12.
21. Independence Day Fireworks
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: The best seats for downtown’s annual Fourth of July fireworks are at Indiana War Memorial Plaza, Central Canal, and Victory Field baseball stadium after the Indianapolis Indians game.
22. Indianapolis International Film Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 567-1368
Address: 4000 Michigan Rd.
Description: Movie lovers are in heaven at the Indianapolis International Film Festival. Started in 2004, the Film Festival now screens more than 100 films at one lovely venue, the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The 11-day, star-studded celebration of movies represents more than 50 nations from around the world. The festival aims to promote innovative and independent films that might not otherwise receive wide distribution. Settle into a comfy theater seat and watch future Oscar winners. Individual tickets are $10 per show but may be purchased in bundles of 10 for a discount. Check the Web site for a listing of movies to be shown.
23. Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 925-2702
Description: Stars galore light up the annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. First held in 1971, the event highlights the cultural, artistic, historical, and economic accomplishments of African-Americans. Stretching over 11 days, Black Expo includes business workshops, health and wellness programs, employment opportunities, spiritual enrichment, exhibits, youth activities, and entertainment. But the party is always at the downtown concerts. Celebrities for 2009 included Eric Benet, Jamie Foxx, Magic Johnson, the Sugar Hill Gang, and Ginuwine. Admission is charged for events at various locations.
24. Brickyard 400
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 492-6700
Address: 4790 W. 16th St.
Description: Watch the best NASCAR drivers start their engines for the Brickyard 400 at the famed oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. First held in 1994, drivers compete in 400 miles in 160 laps. Some of NASCAR’s top drivers have won the Brickyard 400 (formerly known as the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard), including Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart. Ticket prices vary, usually from about $75 up to $1,000.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1202 E. 38th St.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 100 S. Capitol Ave.
27. Oktoberfest
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 888-6940
Address: 1202 E. 38th St.
Description: Sure, we know it’s not October. But there’s no reason not to start the celebration a bit early. Stretching over two weekends in late Aug and early Sept, Oktoberfest is produced by the German-American Klub of Indianapolis. Oktoberfest features authentic, traditional German cuisine like frikadellen (German hamburgers), bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, and German-style potato salad. In addition, a wide variety of German and domestic beers are available in the popular German Bier and Wein Garten. Visitors can also enjoy live music, dancing, carnival rides, and games like bingo and Monte Carlo. Admission at the gate is $6 for adults, free for children 10 and under.
28. Indianapolis Greek Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 733-3033
Address: 3500 W. 106th St.
Description: Souvlaki, dolmades, spanakopita. Opa! And that doesn’t include the desserts. Greek food and culture are spotlighted at this festival. Now almost 40 years old, the Greek Festival also has plenty of music and dancing. Watching the youngsters in their Greek outfits hold hands and dance like in the Old Country is charming. Save room for tempting desserts such as diples—delicately rolled pastry, lightly fried and topped with honey and cinnamon; galaktoboureko—phyllo dough filled with custard and topped with syrup; and koulourakia—butter cookies sprinkled with sesame seeds. You don’t have to know how to pronounce them or spell them; just point, pay, and eat. Admission is $5 at the gate; kids under 12 get in free.
29. Penrod Art Fair
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 923-1331
Address: 4000 Michigan Rd.
Description: One of the biggest one-day art fairs in the nation, the Penrod Art Fair has a beautiful setting, art galore, and plenty of food and entertainment. Held in the gardens of the Indianapolis Art Museum, the almost 5-year-old juried show features more than 300 local and national artists showing and selling their work. Pieces range from woodworking and watercolors to pottery and paper cutting, with excellent jewelry, etchings, photography, sculpture, fabrics, and even birdhouses. Six stages of entertainment ensure something for everyone. Tickets are $15.
30. French Market
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 849-4709
Address: 4217 N. Central Ave.
Description: Beef bourguignon, ratatouille, onion soup, pate, Provençal chicken, white cheese pizza, crawfish étouffée, tarte flambé, beignets, éclairs, madeleines, and plenty of strong cappuccino. Yum! You don’t have to go to France to savor such tasty cuisine. It’s all at the French Market, one of Indy’s major neighborhood festivals, with live entertainment, artisan booths, children’s games, and plenty of French and American cuisine. The annual event raises funds for the maintenance of St. Joan of Arc Church and School. Free admission.