Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events
Hoosiers love to celebrate. And we find plenty of reasons to do so. From the first crocus of spring to the sweet strawberries of summer, from the reddish leaves of autumn to the swirling snow of winter, we host festivals and fairs and gatherings of all sorts. Just about any weekend of the year, you can find at least one event taking place in and around Indianapolis. From art to antiques, caroling to chocolates, gardening to gems, horsepower to hayrides, there’s something for everyone.
It’s not surprising that many events are organized around our Hoosier passion for sports. The month of May is one long party with the famous Indy 500 as the guest of honor. More details about sports and sporting events can be found in the chapters on Spectator Sports and Motorsports. We are also mighty proud of our heritage, and we host events in our neighborhoods and at churches to celebrate it. For a true taste of French or German cooking or any international cuisine, get the real thing at one of these street fairs. In this chapter, we’ll share a smattering of great ways to have fun in Indy. Many more events are offered, of course, and it’s a wonderful way to meet folks and find out what Indianapolis is all about. After all, we’re known for our Hoosier Hospitality and those aren’t just words. We mean it.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 13400 Allisonville Rd.
2. Indianapolis Home Show
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 395-1350
Address: 1202 E. 38th St.
Description: When snow covers the ground, the Indianapolis Home Show gives a preview of spring with gardening projects, blooming plants, flowering trees, and decorating tips. Almost 90 years old, the show is the nation’s oldest and the Midwest’s largest home-focused extravaganza. The show features thousands of products, decorations, construction, and remodeling ideas for visitors to gather and compare. It’s also a great place to showcase new products. The fee is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12.
3. Devour Downtown
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Chase away the winter blues and enjoy some tasty cuisine at the annual Devour Downtown. This is a good time to get out and try Indy’s most talked about restaurants. About 35 participating restaurants stretch from the Wholesale District to Mass Ave and Fountain Square. Special three-course $30 menus are a real bargain. Started in 2005, the event has proven so successful that it has been extended to two weeks and happens twice a year, in the winter and again in the summer. It’s a perfect excuse to escape the winter doldrums and try some top cuisine.
4. Indiana Boat, Sport and Travel Show
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (877) 892-1723
Address: 1202 E. 38th St.
Description: For over half a century, the city’s oldest sports show has drawn outdoor and travel enthusiasts to dream, purchase, and check out the latest in hunting, fishing, camping, and boating equipment. With over 600 exhibitors, it’s a great place to spend a winter day planning for summer. From canoes to cruisers, RVs to tents, this show has it all. Travel and tourism booths from throughout the U.S. and Canada are ready to show you what’s great about their attractions and help you plan a visit. The fee is $10 for adults, $7 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.
5. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 884-3836
Description: Plop on a green hat, a green shirt, or even an “I’m Irish” button and head downtown for this festive event. You have to get up early on March 17th to catch the colorful kickoff—turning the White River Canal green. Free breakfast and coffee is usually served as long as it lasts. Shortly after 6:30 a.m., city officials pour dye into the canal, which produces a brilliant green fountain for the rest of the day. A pipe-and-drum band and Celtic dancers are usually on hand to help wake you up. Sponsored by the Indy Sports Foundation, the day’s celebration includes a parade and Shamrock Indy Fun Run and Walk. The parade features more than 100 units, including floats, motorcycles, horses, bands, and dancers. The Gordon Pipers are a popular strut with their bagpipes and swinging kilts.
6. Earth Day Indiana Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 767-3672
Description: On the last Saturday of every April, thousands of Hoosiers head to downtown Indianapolis to attend one of the nation’s largest Earth Day festivals. The free outdoor festival combines 130 environmental and conservation exhibits with live music from some of Indiana’s best new bands, special activities for kids, and good food. Learn how to make a compost pile for your home or find out how to create a rain barrel to water your garden. Get information on backyard habitats, downsizing your carbon footprint, green advocacy, the latest energy savers, and locally grown food. Maybe take home a free tree to plant or help your child check for the correct pressure in bicycle tires. Above all—Live Green and Prosper.
7. 500 Festival Kick-Off
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 482-6700
Description: Start the exciting month of May by spending lunchtime with the Indianapolis 500 pace cars and princesses at the first part of the monthlong 500 Festival. Live music, free giveaways, and free lunch for the first 500 people always draw a big crowd.
8. OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 492-6700
Description: Some 35,000 runners take to downtown streets for the nation’s largest half-marathon, part of the monthlong Indianapolis 500 festivities. With 120 entertainment groups and spirit squads lining the 13.1-mile course, the Mini-Marathon has arguably the most entertainment of any road race in the world. Fans say it might be one of the largest four-hour music festivals anywhere. The Mini is a fun, family-oriented community event with participants ranging in age from 10 to 80 plus. In the past, participants have represented all 50 states and seven countries. Register early for the run. The post-race party is free and open to the public. Spectators can watch the action at the finish line and perhaps witness a marriage proposal or two.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1200 W. Washington St.
10. Broad Ripple Art Fair
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 255-2464
Address: 820 E. 67th St.
Description: Munch on a grilled turkey leg, watch bricks being made, dance to some cool jazz, throw (create) your own ceramic pot, and see the marvelous work of more than 225 artists from the United States and Canada. Established in 1971, the Broad Ripple Art Fair is a favorite for browsers and buyers. The event also features booths from local cultural organizations, a children’s creative area, gourmet food courts, a beer and wine garden, and live entertainment on four stages and in the Frank M. Basile Auditorium. Admission at the gate is $15 for adults and $2 for children 3 to 12; children under 3 are free. Proceeds from the two-day event fund Art Center programs.
11. Indy 500 Mile Race and Parade
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 492-6747
Description: The legendary Indianapolis 500-Mile Race is held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event lends its name to the “IndyCar” class of formula, or open-wheel, race cars that have competed in it. Billed as “the Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” it is one of the oldest and richest motorsports events in existence. Expect to see celebrities enjoying themselves at the Brickyard. Arrive early, bring plenty of sunscreen, and drink loads of water.
12. Strawberry Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 636-4577
Description: More than 12,000 pounds of strawberries, 18,000 sweet biscuits, mounds of whipped topping, and mountains of ice cream are savored during the delicious Strawberry Festival. Starting at 9 a.m., volunteers dish out bowls of the sweet treat until they run out. The works with everything goes for $6 a bowl, or pick what you want for $2 a al carte. Proceeds benefit charities.
13. Italian Street Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 767-7685
Address: 520 Stevens St.
Description: Authentic Italian food is a top draw at the Italian Street Festival. And these folks sure know how to cook. Toasted ravioli, antipasti, Italian sausage, sweets galore, and plenty of wine are sold at more than 30 food stands in a festive setting with strands of twinkling lights. Italian music and an Old World–style procession with a statue of the Blessed Virgin add to the Italian feel at the free festival. People often follow the procession into the church for the second of two Masses on Saturday night.
14. Indian Market and Festival
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 622-2024
Address: 500 W. Washington St.
Description: Make a mask, toss a corncob dart, hear a storyteller, watch a Native American dancer, and enjoy Indian tacos. The Indian Market and Festival draws nearly 130 Native American artists from across the country to share their art. Dancers and singers add to the festive atmosphere. This is a great place to buy beautiful jewelry and original artwork. Tickets are $10 at the gate; children 17 and under are admitted for free.
15. Indianapolis Air Show
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (317) 335-7252
Address: 3867 Aviation Way
Description: Precision flybys, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, historic fighter planes, bombers, and aerobatics delight visitors to the Indianapolis Air Show. The show has in the past also featured hot-air balloon rides, antique car shows, military history exhibits, giant-scale radio-controlled aircraft, and competitions. Admission at the gate is $20 for adults, $10 for children 6 to 12. Smoking is not permitted on the grounds of the airport. Smoking in cars parked in the general parking area, prior to entering the event, is allowed.