Art Events in Indianapolis
The Broad Ripple Art Fair is an event that Indianapolis citizens look forward to all year long. Held in May in the cultural Indianapolis hot spot known as Broad Ripple Village, it spreads out over the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center, located in the heart of the trendy district, an up-and-coming Indianapolis cultural district. Popular with young and old alike, this is one of the most festive Indianapolis events of the summer. It features over 225 different artists from the United States and Canada, a plethora of food options from the best Indianapolis restaurants, a beer and wine garden, and live entertainment on four different stages.
The Penrod Arts Fair, another eagerly anticipated event, held each year in September at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Nearly 300 artists turn out for the event, and there are plenty of food and beverage options, live entertainment, and an extensive children’s area. The Indianapolis Museum of Art also boasts shows year-round at their extensive collection of galleries. A few of the distinctive areas you can look forward to learning more about are European art, South Pacific art, photography, and textile and fashion arts. In addition, you can attend special shows such as Light and Space, and Eighteenth-Century Furniture Design.
Stutz Artists Association Holiday Show: This event is a yearly exhibition of work by almost 50 Indianapolis artists, convened in the historic Stutz Art Space Gallery.
Talbot Street Art Fair: Still a unique and fun annual Indianapolis attraction, this fair has been one of the favorites in America for more than fifty years. The Talbot Street Art Fair takes place along the streets in bustling downtown Indianapolis and is continually ranked as one of the top fairs in the nation. There are generally more than 250 artists who put their work on display, including painters, pottery masters, and various other craftspeople. If you get tired of wandering and want a stop for a quick rest, the steps of Monument Circle are a great place to enjoy the scenery while getting off of your feet for a bit.
Cultural Events in Indianapolis
Indianapolis society, culture and community combine to form the foundation of this diverse city. Here are the major cultural events in Indy:
Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade: As enormously attractive as the world-renowned Indianapolis 500-mile race may be, the parade that precedes it every May enjoys nearly an equal footing.
Indiana Black Expo Circle City Classic: This is a wonderful fall festival that draws nearly 200,000 every year to see the very best in black college football.
Indiana Black Expo Summertime Celebration: Eleven fun-packed days that focus on the unique African American culture in Indianapolis, this is one of Indy’s most popular events.
Indianapolis Greek Festival: Put on by the Indianapolis Greek Orthodox Church, this is the big downtown party just after Labor Day.
The Indianapolis International Festival celebrates Indiana’s rich cultural heritage.
Indianapolis Irish Festival: Traditional Irish festivities from dawn to night, set in the popular Military Park gathering place.
Indianapolis Italian Street Festival: Held at Stevens and East Streets every June, this colorful, energetic festival celebrates the Italian culture and its pervasive influence in Indiana.
Indianapolis Middle Eastern Festival: Another colorful summer festival, this one honors the Middle Eastern culture through its dance, food, music and spirit.
Indianapolis Pride Festival: Thirteen days of summer fun with live entertainment, vendors and a big, huge gay and lesbian pride parade.
Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival: A 10-day extravaganza of unconventional performance art, this festival turns Mass Ave into a living stage every summer.
The INDY Awards are hosted by the Indiana Film Society every other year to showcase, celebrate, and honor Indianapolis filmmakers.
Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival: Each June, Indy citizens gather at Military Park to sample some of the finest wines and foods in Indy, all set to a backdrop of local musical acts.
Holiday Events in Indianapolis
When it’s holiday time in Indianapolis, Hoosiers gather together and warm one another up. Follow the links for tons of information on these Indianapolis holiday events:
Circle of Lights Downtown Indianapolis: Thousands of people gather every year to witness this stunning holiday tradition at Monument Circle in the heart of Indy.
Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival: This popular Halloween event also celebrates the glory of Autumn in greater Indianapolis. Held late October every year at nearby Noblesville’s Stonycreek Farm.
Lights Over Morse Lake: One of the best ways to celebrate Independence Day around Indianapolis, this annual event takes place in Cicero, Indiana, about fifteen miles north of Indy. Runs from July 2 to 4.
Miscellaneous Events in Indianapolis
Indiana Auto Show: Huge exhibition of the newest makes and models, plus tons of entertainment, held in the spanking new Indiana Convention Center attached to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indiana Flower and Patio Show: This dazzling event takes place each Spring at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and is a must for any outdoor lover.
Indianapolis Home Show: If you’re in the market for a new home or simply want to spruce up the one you have, make sure to attend this popular event every January.
Indiana State Fair: If you’re an animal lover, 4-H enthusiast, down-home Country music lover, or any of the above, don’t miss out on this staple of summertime fun in Indiana.
Music Events in Indianapolis
Indianapolis music is right up there with sports, art and family. Here are some of the ongoing, major music events in Indianapolis:
Drum Corps International World Class Championships: The DCI world championships happen over a week in August every year. The competition is always hot among the young participants, age 15 to 21. Drum Corps International makes its home in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indy Jazz Festival: One of the most popular music festivals held in the Midwest, the Indy Jazz Fest convenes in June every year at Indy’s famous gathering spot, Military Park.
Indianapolis Early Music Festival: A month-long event celebrating the early origins of music and dance in downtown Indianapolis.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis: A highlight for Indianapolis culture, this contest lasts 17 days and winners take away not only significant prize money, but one of the most highly respected trophies in the field.
Sky Concert A yearly festival: this is a family favorite of Indy’s many wonderful events. Held in beautiful White River State Park, it’s a big party culminating in fireworks put to music out under the summer sky.
X-Fest Hosted by WRZX radio station: the X-Fest in Indiana is produced in Indianapolis suburb Noblesville at the nearby Verizon Wireless Center and draws almost a quarter million music lovers every year.
Sports Events in Indianapolis
In the city that hosts the greatest auto races in the entire world, and one which is also known as the “basketball capitol of the nation,” Indianapolis sports offer huge entertainment. Here are the biggest annual sporting events in Indy:
500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard: This breakfast celebrates the success of the Indy 500 and is where the crowning of the 500 Festival Queen takes place.
500 Festival Memorial Service: An integral part of the 500 Festival and celebrates Memorial Day in Indianapolis by paying tribute to all the Hoosiers who lost their lives in defense of their country.
500 Festival Mini-Marathon: The largest foot race of its kind in the nation brings in nearly 40,000 participants each year.
500 Festival Princess Program: Thirty-three 500 Festival Princesses are chosen each year as ambassadors of the festival and reign over the festivities surrounding the Indy 500 during the month of May.
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard: NASCAR’s most popular event, the Brickyard 400 is held at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year in July.
Hoosier 100 A USAC event that takes place just west of Indianapolis at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and is one of the most popular events surrounding the legendary Indy 500.
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race: The biggest, splashiest, most-anticipated racing event in the entire world, the Indy 500 is produced annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indianapolis 500 Festival: Inspired by the greatest race on the planet, the Indy 500 Festival puts some 40,000 marathon runners to the test every year in May.
Miller Lite Carb Day: The Friday before the Indy 500, this fun day allows fans to watch the drivers practice and listen to a national musical act perform.
NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament: AKA “March Madness,” this extremely popular college basketball competition has become a major yearly Spring event.
Snakepit Ball Tickets – 500 Festival: A glamorous affair complete with dinner and dancing that celebrates Indy’s biggest night in sports, the Indy 500.
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