From beloved annual traditions to new experiences, our calendar is already filling up with opportunities to get out and explore our Circle City! Whether you’re planning your year in advance or searching for something to enjoy soon, these upcoming events offer plenty of reasons to celebrate all year long.
February
Indianapolis Bridal Expo
When: 12 to 4 p.m. Feb. 1
Where: Indianapolis Downtown Marriott (350 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46225)
Newly engaged or helping a loved one plan their big day? Don’t miss out on the Indianapolis Bridal Expo Feb. 1 at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. As Indiana’s largest single-day bridal show, this event brings nearly 40 wedding professionals for brides-to-be to connect with. From photographers and DJs to florists and caterers, attendees can enjoy samples, tastings, interactive demonstrations, and door prizes throughout the afternoon. Register online to receive free admission to the expo.
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
When: 1 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19-April 4
Where: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre (9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268)
Fall in love with one of the most cherished romance stories with Beef & Board’s production of “Pretty Woman: The Musical.” As one of only a dozen major dinner theatres remaining in the country, Beef & Boards has been presenting Broadway musicals and plays since 1973. This season marks the theater’s first-ever staging of “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” based on the 1990 film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
Tickets for 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. showtimes range from $59.50 to $87.50. The theater’s buffet opens two hours before each performance and closes 30 minutes prior to showtime.
March
Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament
When: March 4-8
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204)
Indianapolis will once again host the Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, March 4-8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fans can purchase all‑session reserved seating tickets that include every game of the tournament through Ticketmaster.
“Tiana’s Joyful Celebration” at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
When: March 7
Where: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208)
Princess Tiana is bringing the spirit of New Orleans to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis March 7 with its newest exhibit, “Tiana’s Joyful Celebration.” Designed for children ages 6–10, the interactive exhibit invites your little ones to explore New Orleans’ art, food, dance, and music as they help Princess Tiana prepare for a Mardi Gras parade. Activities include decorating parade floats, designing costumes in Eudora’s dress shop, and cooking Tiana’s dad’s gumbo. This exhibit is included with museum admission.
Indy Indie Book Crawl
When: March 18-22
Support independent bookstores across Central Indiana during the third annual Indy Indie Book Crawl from March 18-22. Last year, book lovers could visit nearly 30 participating shops in Indianapolis, Noblesville, Shelbyville, Westfield, Mooresville, and beyond. Participants stamp each store they visit on their Book Crawl bookmark for a chance to win bookstore gift cards, merchandise, and, of course, books. No purchase is required to mark a store as visited; although leaving with a new read is encouraged.
April
Emma Willman at Helium Comedy Club
When: April 3-5
Where: Helium Comedy Club (10 W. Georgia St., Indianapolis, IN 46225)
New York City-based comedian Emma Willmann will take the stage at Helium Comedy Club April 3–5. Since her stand-up debut on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in 2016, she’s become known for comedy centered on her queer identity, mental health, and extreme wellness habits. Showtimes include 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are on sale now. General admission is $29.99, while reserved seats are $41.99.
May
The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis’ Opening Weekend
When: May 1-3
Where: 1125 Cruft St. Indianapolis, IN 46203
Garfield Park will welcome a new 40,000-square-foot contemporary art museum called The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) on May 1. What was once a 125-year-old dairy barn will feature nine galleries, 18 homes for resident artists, a public greenspace, an amphitheater, and an art park. CAMi’s mission is to preserve this space as a long-term, nonprofit-owned home for art and artists, while curating works that explore themes of community, memory, and mythology. Admission to the museum will be free during the opening weekend.
Morgan Wallen at Lucas Oil Stadium
When: May 8-9
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46225)
Country artist Morgan Wallen is stopping in Indianapolis for a two-night takeover of Lucas Oil Stadium, May 8-9, as part of his “Still the Problem” tour. Wallen will be the first artist to perform at Lucas Oil since Billy Joel and Sting’s concert in February 2025. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.
Georgia Street Grind celebrates 10 years
Where: 25 W. Georgia St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46225
Before heading into Lucas Oil Stadium for your events this year, grab a cup of coffee just down the street at Georgia Street Grind, a locally owned coffee shop favorite celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. Best known for its fan-favorite dirty chai, the Tiger Eye, the shop also offers freshly baked muffins from Manhattan, New York, along with seasonal specialty lattes.
Indiana Peony Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16
Where: Seminary Park (350 S. 10th St., Noblesville, IN 46060)
Noblesville will be bursting with blooms during its fifth annual Indiana Peony Festival on May 16 at Seminary Park in celebration of our state flower. The festival invites visitors to enjoy food trucks, more than 100 vendors, floral installations, and more. Admission to the festival is free.
Indianapolis Clowns at Victory Field
When: May 16-17
Where: Victory Field (501 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46225)
Named in honor of the legendary professional baseball team from the Negro American League, the Indianapolis Clowns is one of the newest Banana Ball teams. This fast-paced, entertainment-focused version of baseball keeps fans of all ages engaged from first pitch to last out.
While the Indianapolis Clowns make their debut in February against the Party Animals, fans can catch them at home at Victory Field on May 16-17. Although tickets are currently sold out, resale tickets are available through websites like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats.
Indianapolis 500
When: 12:45 p.m. May 24
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (4790 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222)
2026 marks the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500! Tickets are already on sale with reserved seats starting at $80 and general admission infield viewing mounds starting at $50. For fans who want to turn up the energy, Snake Pit tickets are also available with general admission at $100 and VIP access at $205.
June
Indy Strawberry Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11
Where: Monument Circle
For the 60th year, the Indy Strawberry Festival returns to Monument Circle on June 14. Hosted by Christ Church Cathedral, the festival features strawberry shortcake, food vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities, with proceeds supporting local charities. Admission to the festival is free.
July
Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration
When: July 9-19
Where: Indiana Convention Center (100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46225)
Known as one of the largest and most influential Black cultural gatherings in the Midwest, the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration returns July 9-19. Attendees can connect with Black-owned businesses, artists, civic leaders, and entrepreneurs spanning industries like fashion, art, literature, wellness, food, and technology.
The event also features art exhibits, live performances, networking opportunities, and resources for personal and professional growth. Vendors can take advantage of early-bird exhibition hall booth registration pricing through Feb. 28.
Indianapolis Water Lantern Festival
When: July 11
Where: Military Park (601 W. New York St., Indianapolis, IN 46204)
The Indianapolis Water Lantern Festival will light up the evening on July 11 at Military Park with live music, food trucks, and a glowing lantern release at sunset. Guests of all ages can decorate eco-friendly lanterns made of wood and rice paper with personal messages before setting them afloat along the Indianapolis Canal. Tickets have not yet gone on sale, but a waitlist is available for those interested in early-bird discounts.
August
Indiana State Fair
When: Aug. 7-23
Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds (125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204)
With its iconic pork tenderloins and refreshing lemon shake-ups, the Indiana State Fair returns Aug. 7–23. Visitors can ride the ferris wheel, browse 4-H projects, get up close with farm animals, and discover inventive snacks, like last year’s Taste of the Fair winner: cinnamon toast cookie butter pretzel bites.
Following the popularity of the fair’s 2025 “Art of Music Experience: Vinyl Revival” exhibit, fairgoers can also look forward to a new exhibit, “REWIND: A VHS Revival.” The exhibit will feature more than 100 large-scale works originally displayed in video stores from the 1980s through the early 2000s, celebrating the bold, hand-painted movie poster art that shaped a generation of pop culture.
Fair tickets typically go on sale late June or early July. In 2025, general admission tickets were $14, and parking passes were $9 when purchased on the Indiana State Fair’s website.
September
LA LA Land in Concert
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 19
Where: Murat Theatre (502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204)
The dreamy, jazz-infused soundtrack of the Oscar-winning film “LA La Land” starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling will come alive Sept. 19 at the Old National Center’s Murat Theatre. A 53-piece symphony orchestra, choir, and jazz ensemble will perform as the modern-day Hollywood love story plays on screen. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.
October
Brewfari at the Indianapolis Zoo
When: 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 3
Where: Indianapolis Zoo (1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46222)
Sip, sample, and celebrate spooky season at the Indianapolis Zoo’s Brewfari on Oct. 3. This adults-only event invites guests to enjoy local craft beers, ciders, and spirits from Central Indiana breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Since its debut in 2013, Brewfari has raised more than $700,000 to support the zoo’s animal care and conservation programs.
Along with seasonal pours, guests can enjoy Halloween-themed activities, animal chats, and live music throughout the zoo. Tickets are not yet on sale, but in 2025, admission was $70 per person or $35 for designated drivers.
Ed Sheeran at Lucas Oil Stadium
When: Oct. 10
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46225)
Ed Sheeran is returning to Indianapolis Oct. 10 for the first time since 2017 as part of his “LOOP” tour, performing his eighth studio album, “Play.” The Grammy-winning artist is known for building his songs live without a band, layering his vocals and instruments in real time using a loop pedal. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.
Indiana Women’s Running Festival
When: Oct. 17
Where: 3 Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032
The finish line is set for the Indiana Women’s Running Festival on Oct. 17, in Carmel, Indiana. In 2025, women representing 34 states laced up their shoes for one of the largest women-only half marathons in the country. The half-marathon also features a cash purse for the top 20 finishers. After crossing the finish line, runners can celebrate at the post-race party with free food, treats, and beverages.
Registration is now open for the half-marathon, 10K, and 5K, with early-bird pricing available before prices increase on July 31.
November and December
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
When: Nov. 20 through Dec. 24
Where: 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032
The magic of the holiday season will return to Central Indiana with the ninth annual Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Voted USA Today’s “Best Holiday Market” every year since 2019, the market draws nearly 10,000 visitors each day. Visitors can browse more than 50 huts showcasing authentic German food, like Glühwein (mulled wine), and handcrafted gifts like wooden toys, nutcrackers, and ornaments.
Admission to the market is free. Ice skating at the market’s outdoor rink costs $11 for ages 11 and older, with skate rentals available for $4.
Winterlights at Newfields
When: Late November through early January 2027
Where: Newfields (4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208)
Newfields will transform into a magical winter wonderland during its annual Winterlights celebration beginning late November 2026. Visitors can stroll through the museum’s gardens as admiring its 100-year-old trees strung with dazzling lights, while the historic Lilly House is decorated with whimsical Dickens Villages.
This year, Newfields is introducing lighted igloos at Winterlights. These private, heated spaces will be perfect for cozying up with specialty holiday drinks and seasonal treats available to pre-order. Ticket dates and pricing for 2026 will be announced in early fall.
Nicole Thomas is a writer and digital marketer excited to attend events new to her this year, like the Indy Indie Book Crawl and the Indy Strawberry Festival. You can follow her on LinkedIn.
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