May in Indianapolis marks the beginning of one of the most important Indy traditions: The Indy 500. Acting as one of the biggest events in Indianapolis annually, there are many things to do and celebrate, but that’s not the only thing happening in Indy this month. From Star Wars celebrations, to concerts, and outdoor events, there are so many things to do this month while also enjoying the nice weather.
Indy 500 Fan Fest
Bottleworks Hotel, May 1
The Indy 500 Fan Fest is the perfect opportunity to gather with like-minded fans to celebrate the countdown to one of Indy’s biggest events of the year — The Indy 500. Free and open to the public, the event offers a chance to experience the fun and thrill of the Indy 500 celebrations while enjoying award-winning food and drinks.
Naptown Story Hour
Golden Hour Books, May 1
Come watch some of Indy’s finest actors perform 4 short stories in one event. These stories and their magical authors will be publicized after each event. These stories may contain PG-13 content, and admission is free, but tickets are required to reserve a spot.
Brick Street Market
Main Street Zionsville, May 3
Brick Street Market is one of the largest artisan and craft fairs in the Midwest, located on the main street of Zionsville. Expected vendors range from art, home decor, and antiques to food, jewelry, and woodworking. There is something for everyone at Brick Street Market, and it’s an amazing opportunity to get some last-minute Mother’s Day gifts.
Nerdfest
Carmel Clay Public Library, May 3
Make your way to the Carmel Clay Public Library to attend events for people of all ages. Activities last all day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., including Build Your Own Board Game, a Dungeons and Dragons Demonstration, games of Quidditch, Pokémon card trading, trivia, craft stations, and more!
City of Carmel Cherry Blossom Festival
Kawachinagano Japanese Garden, May 4
Come celebrate the cherry blossom season with the City of Carmel’s annual cherry blossom festival. With Japanese food vendors, cultural activities, and performances of all types, there are a lot of fun and educational experiences to explore at this festival.
Free Fishing Day
Parks Across Indy, May 4
Free fishing days are a long-time Indiana tradition that offers opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy nature and learn a new skill. On these days — four each year — Indiana residents and visitors are allowed to fish without the need to purchase a license. This provides the perfect opportunity for families and friends to learn and teach each other to fish together.
Star Wars May the 4th Trivia
Books and Brews Indianapolis, May 4
Prepare for an epic night of Star Wars trivia, awesome prizes, special themed food and drinks for Star Wars lovers and cosplayers. Books and Brews is gearing up for their second annual Star Wars Trivia Night with the Indiana Star Wars Collecting Community. Costumes are encouraged, so dress up as your favorite character or wear your favorite Star Wars merchandise.
Sunday Crafternoon with Tuggles
Tuggle’s Gifts and Goods, May 4
Spring into creativity at Connection Club Indy’s upcoming Sunday Crafternoon event. These monthly crafting events are dedicated to making, creating, and connecting. Whether you’re looking to try something new, meet fellow makers, or simply spend an afternoon surrounded by good vibes and craft supplies, this is the perfect event for you. Each workshop includes all materials, complimentary tea, and a warm, welcoming space to unwind and create something by hand.
Indianapolis Alleycats Ultimate Frisbee
Kuntz Stadium, May 10 and May 24
Dive into the dynamic world of Ultimate Frisbee with the Indianapolis AlleyCats. As a foundational team in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA), the AlleyCats are a symbol of athleticism, family fun, and community in Indiana. Enjoy some time outside while supporting the Indianapolis AlleyCats and uplifting the Indianapolis community.
500 Festival
Monument Circle, May 10th
The Salesforce and JPMorganChase 500 Festival welcomes kids and families downtown for this family-friendly celebration. Kids’ Day is Indiana’s largest free outdoor celebration designed exclusively for kids. On this day, Monument Circle turns into an Indy 500 celebration with interactive educational displays and carnival atmosphere — giving children a day full of fun, learning, and activity for every interest and ability.
Karmic Mealpack
The Stutz, May 11
Join this mission to help pack 25,000 meals for food-insecure Hoosiers! This event is for anyone who wants to make a tangible difference in the lives of people in the Indiana community. If you’re passionate about volunteering, helping communities in crisis, or just want to connect with others who care about making a positive impact, this is the place for you. Whether you’ve packed meals before or are new to this kind of initiative, people of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come together and work as a team to create meals for those who need them most.
Indy Chamber’s Conexión: 5 for 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 13
Indy Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council invites you to an unforgettable experience at Conexión to celebrate five exceptional individuals who are revolutionizing the path for Hispanic progress in our community. They will be recognized in five categories: advocacy, leadership, small business impact, trailblazer, and vision. These inspiring leaders are shaping a vibrant and inclusive community, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to the region’s success.
Indy Maven May Meetup: How to Edit a Room Workshop
The Indianapolis Propylaeum, May 14
Join this live workshop with interior designer Lauren Ramsby, the founder of FOUR STORIES Design Studio and the creator of the online course How to Edit a Room where she will walk us through seven steps to achieving higher functionality and less chaos. In this workshop you will learn how to identify your style, prioritize functionality, how to choose layouts that will suit your room, and complete a new layout. Attendees should bring their laptop and recent photos of the room that they want to work on.
Indy Maven May Lunch & Learn
The Indianapolis Propylaeum, May 20
Join us for a lunchtime chat about building connections and community featuring Chelsea Marburger, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Propylaeum, and Leslie Bailey, Founder of Indy Maven. A Third Space: Building Connections & Community, is a welcoming environment outside home and work where women can connect, share ideas, and foster relationships. This discussion will explore the vital intersection of community and collaboration with an emphasis on the importance of creating spaces specifically for women. Chelsea and Leslie will share their insights on how these spaces can enhance collaboration, strengthen community ties, and drive change to ultimately empower women.
Zoopolis 500
Indianapolis Zoo, May 21
During Zoopolis 500, tortoises are placed on a racetrack where they race toward the finish line, competing for the treats that await them. The event is a fun and educational way to showcase the natural behaviors of tortoises and to promote conservation efforts.
Disney’s Little Mermaid
Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, May 22 – July 13
The adventurous mermaid Ariel steals the stage and our hearts in the musical version of the Disney film The Little Mermaid. Dive into this family favorite, featuring songs like “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.” Perfect for families, Disney adults, or a fun night out with friends, this is an event that Disney fans of all types don’t want to miss.
Indy 500 Night
Westfield Farmers Market, May 22
Start your engines and race on over to the Westfield Farmers Market for their Indy 500 Theme Night celebrating Indiana’s most iconic race with a night full of fun, flavors, and festive energy. With an Indy 500 Pace Car, race-themed activities, and their lineup of incredible local vendors, this is a fun-filled event to get pumped for the Indy 500. Whether you’re a die-hard IndyCar fan or just looking for a night filled with good vibes and local goodies, this event is sure to be a winner!
Strawberries on the Square
Franklin Square, May 23
Celebrate the arrival of strawberry season with all things strawberry in Historic Downtown Franklin. Strawberries, shortcakes, ice cream, and whipped topping are served starting at 11 am. This first-come first first-served event also has other food vendors on site, along with live music for the evening.
500 Festival Parade
Downtown Indianapolis, May 24
The AES 500 Festival Parade is one of the original 500 Festival events, ranking among the nations most prominent parades. With over 200,00 spectators lining the streets of downtown Indy, awaiting extravagant floats, enormous helium balloons, renowned figures, and all 33 Indy 500 drives, this is an unforgettable Indianapolis tradition. Whether you attend in person, or stream it live on Channel 13 or Peacock, this is an event that you don’t want to miss.
Mimosa Crawl
Downtown Indy, May 24
Get ready for a night full of fun and frills with the hottest venues and the ultimate Indianapolis mimosa experience. Tickets for this event include an exclusive souvenir cup, mimosa samples at every stop, discounted pour for your favorite bubbly drinks, and curated mimosa flavors. This Instagram-worthy experience is perfect for those looking to celebrate with friends or just explore downtown Indianapolis. Explore vibrant neighborhoods, sip unique blends, and enjoy an unforgettable day filled with laughter, flavor, and bubbles.
Legends Day
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 24
The day before the Indy 500 is going to be a fun-filled and busy day with access to meet star drivers for the IndyCar Series and IndyCar Veterans with autograph sessions and an exclusive peek at the Public Drivers’ Meeting where drivers receive their final instructions before Race Day. The General Admission ticket provides the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and a first-come, first-served access to selected grandstand to watch the annual Drivers Meeting.
Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 25
Start your engines! The Indy 500 — an event at the heart of Indianapolis tradition — is a 500-mile, 200-lap showdown where fearless drivers race around the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway at speeds topping 230 mph. However, it is not just a race; this event is filled with thrills and experiences to last a lifetime, with everything from fun race-themed activities to concerts and amazing food vendors. It is this accumulation of Indy culture that turns Memorial Day weekend into a festival full of thrills and adrenaline.
Civic Theatre Trivia Night
Half Liter BBQ, May 29
The second annual Trivia Fundraiser is the perfect opportunity to gather a team of friends and family to compete in six rounds of trivia. This game is designed for everyone, not just theater enthusiasts. However, there are some fun opportunities included within the night for the theater fans who will be in attendance. Half Liter’s BBQ Buffet is included in your ticket, and the winner will earn the chance to book a private reception in the Pedcor Box for any show in the 2025-26 season, excluding the holiday show.
Each Other’s Business Book Fair
Mochi Joy, May 31st
This event introduces a permanent bookshelf inside Mochi Joy that is partnered with Ujamaa Community Bookstore. Discover new titles, connect with authors, and explore the world of business literature at this grand-opening event. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the latest trends and insights in the business world.
Star Wars Night
Victory Field, May 31
Victory Field turns into a galaxy far, far away on Star Wars night with character appearances, music, in-game entertainment, and more.
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