Ease into cooler weather with free outdoor concerts, food festivals, fashion shows and plays about trailblazing women.
byBreanna Cooper
Have fun exploring the city with Play List, Mirror Indy’s midweek arts and culture newsletter. Sign up here:
Once the kids are back in school and we’re done (mostly!) with hellish heat waves, it can be easy to fall into a routine.
Luckily, Indy’s calendar is jam-packed with free concerts, cultural celebrations, art exhibits and more to keep life interesting.
Use these buttons to jump down the list to events in a specific week.
Sept. 1-8
Sept. 9-15
Sept. 16-22
Sept. 23-30
Levitt Vibe Indianapolis Music Series
🗓️ Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
📍 Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive
💰 Free
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for the first of seven free outdoor concerts in September and October. Sylvia Thomas, El Mirambaso, The Roundups and Mina and the Wondrous Flying Machine will perform at the first show, put on by Big Car Collaborative and Arte Mexicano en Indiana.
Teen Fashion Week Show
🗓️ 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
📍 Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St.
💰 $20/students and $35/adults
The talents of local fashion designers and models aged 15-23 will be on full display during the fashion show, which starts at 5:05 p.m. The event will also include local vendors.
Book Bans, Education and the Long Campaign to Teach the Truth about Black History
🗓️ 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
💰 Free
Black children need to see themselves reflected in the books they read. That’s part of the discussion author, journalist and historian A’Lelia Bundles will lead at this event hosted by the Center for Africana Studies and Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis.
“Hear Our Stories: The Life and Afterlife of Incarceration”
🗓️ 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5
📍 Ujamaa Bookstore, 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
💰 Free
People who have spent time in the prison system will share their stories. Event organizers hope that listening to these lived experiences will challenge the perspectives of audience members.
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra concert
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5
📍 Taggart Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
💰 Free
Bring the family to hear classical music performed at Riverside Park amphitheater. Set your own stage for a great evening with a picnic, lawn chairs or blankets. Registration is encouraged.
First Friday Artist Market
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6
📍 Fountain Square
💰 Free
Sixteen local artists will have work available for purchase at Fountain Square Plaza, 1101 Virginia Ave., and College Avenue Plaza, 630 Virginia Ave.
St. Joan of Arc French Market
🗓️ Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7
📍 St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4217 Central Ave.
💰 Free
Authentic French dishes, wine, live music and arts vendors will be onsite at the 100-year-old church. A Mass in French will begin at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds go to the St. Joan of Arc primary school.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis community concert
🗓️ 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7
📍 Madam Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave.
💰 Free
Orchestral trio 6-Wire combines Western and Eastern music to tell stories of world cultures. A ticket is required for entry.
Skin Art Social
🗓️ 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7
📍 Playground Productions Studio, 5529 N. Bonna Ave.
💰 Free
Trapdoor Tattoos offers a meet-and-greet for those interested in getting a new piece of ink, asking questions about tattoo care or trying their hand at tattooing on a piece of fruit.
Humor, color and whimsy at Herron Galleries
🗓️ 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11
📍Eskenazi Hall, 1410 Indiana Ave.
💰Free
Explore three galleries at this fall opening reception at Herron School of Art and Design. See paintings and sculptures by James Wille Faust, collage and video by Allison Baker and multimedia work by Butch Anthony.
Charlie Woohill’s Idea Club
🗓️ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12
📍 10 East Arts Hub, 2301 E. 10th St.
💰 Free
Every second and fourth Thursday of the month, Indianapolis artists, writers, musicians and other creatives can share their work and bounce ideas off of one another.
“Clue” at The Vogue
🗓️ Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
📍 The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave.
💰 $50 and up
Live characters will be part of the intermission when Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant hosts a screening of the 1985 cult classic “Clue.” Dinner starts at 6 p.m., and the movie begins at 7. Guests must be 21 or older.
Ronny Chieng at the Egyptian Room
🗓️ 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13
📍 Murat Theatre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
💰 $53 and up
Comedian Ronny Chieng of “The Daily Show” brings his “The Love to Hate It” tour to Indianapolis. The show, rescheduled from Jan. 12, digs into topics ranging from politics to self-help.
Matter of Record: Photography and the Creation of Meaning
🗓️ Opens Friday, Sept. 13
📍 Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
💰 $20 and up
Learn about the role photography plays in shaping current events and history and see important work from 150 years of photography. Ansel Adams’ “Jeffrey Pine Sentinel Dome” and photos about war, labor, social justice and more will be on display in the IMA’s first all-photography exhibit since 2018. The show ends in April.
Multi-lingual Read Aloud: “Here There Be Monsters”
🗓️ 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
💰 Free
Friday the 13th has a reputation for bringing about bad luck. Indy’s Ray Bradbury Center presents stories from around the world of mythical beasts, human nature and the supernatural, told in various languages. This event is part of Festival 451 Indy.
Hip-Hop on the Water
🗓️ Friday, Sept. 13-Saturday, Sept. 14
📍 Urban Wilderness Trail, 600 Porto Alegre St.
💰 Free
Live music, DJ sets and dance performances are part of this two-day event along the White River. At 7 p.m. Sept. 14, see a hip-hop show by No Days Off, Wildstyle Paschall, the Neon Black Dance Festival and A Rising Tide.
New Harmony Project’s PlayFest Indy
🗓️ Friday, Sept. 13-Sunday, Sept. 15
📍 Various times and locations
💰 Free
If you’ve never been to a play reading, it’s your chance to see new works in development, before they ever hit the stage. These eight plays, written by women, include stories of true crime, disability and bodily autonomy.
AfroStylez Fashion Show
🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
📍 Global Village, 4233 Lafayette Road
💰 $20-$30
The third annual show – focused on “Heritage and Harmony” – celebrates traditional and contemporary African fashions and includes a runway show, designer showcases, food and music. Buy tickets early to save money.
“All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg”
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
📍 Butler Arts & Events Center, 4602 Sunset Ave.
💰 $35 and up
The actress in this one-woman show gives audiences a look into the life of the late Supreme Court Justice “RBG,” from graduating as the valedictorian from her Brooklyn high school to becoming the second woman, and first Jewish judge, to sit on the Supreme Court.
Free Community Movie Series: Shrek
🗓️ 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19
📍 Butler Arts & Events Center, 4602 Sunset Ave.
💰 Free
Join about 400 other fans (that’s how many seats are in this performance space!) to see the 2001 hit “Shrek.” No tickets are needed, but seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Circle City Irish Festival
🗓️ Friday, Sept. 20- Saturday, Sept. 21
📍 Holy Rosary Church, 520 Stevens St.
💰 $15 adults; free for children 12 and under
In its second year, the Circle City Irish Festival brings vendors and live entertainment, including The Fighting Jamesons and Brigid’s Cross, downtown. Three pubs – 9 Irish Brothers, Snug and Irish Mutt – will also be on tap for the festivities.
13th annual Tenderloin Fry
🗓️ 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20
📍 Bridgeport Masonic Lodge, 8697 W. Morris St.
💰 Free
The tenderloin might top the menu, but you can also dine-in or drive-through and order hot dogs, baked beans, Sloppy Joes, brownies and more. All proceeds go to the upkeep of the lodge.
Art Squared
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
📍 Fountain Fletcher District, 1098 Prospect St.
💰 Free
This year’s “You ART Beautiful” theme pays tribute to the iconic “You Are Beautiful” artwork in Fountain Square. Over 150 local artists will sell their work, and you can compete in “Masterpiece in a Day” to win cash prizes. Bands will perform from noon to 6 p.m.
FIESTA Indianapolis
🗓️ Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
📍 Military Park, 601 W. New York St.
💰 Free
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Latino culture in Indy with live music, food and children’s activities. The festival also includes a health and wellness fair and resource booths.
Naptown Sound at Indy Jazz Fest
🗓️ 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21
📍 The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
💰 $50
Bashiri Asad, The Blue Side and Gordon Bonham are all on the lineup for a night of local jazz. The evening includes a tribute to Hoosier icon Freddie Hubbard, the famed trumpeter. This year’s Indy Jazz Fest has nine featured shows from Sept. 17-28.
Toni Stone: An original play by Lydia R. Diamond
🗓️ 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22
📍 District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave.
💰 $25 and up
Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball with the Indianapolis Clowns, dropped out of high school at 16 to pursue baseball. The new Indianapolis Black Theater Company also explores the racism and misogyny Stone faced in her life and career.
Monument Circle Oktoberfest
🗓️ 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
📍 121 Monument Circle
💰 Free
Monument Circle turns into a German festival with street food, beer and wine, and a
performance by the Indianapolis Liederkranz Band at 6 p.m.
Moon Goons album release show
🗓️ 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
📍 Square Cat Vinyl, 1054 Virginia Ave.
💰 $15-$18
Local psychedelic rock band Moon Goons celebrate the release of their album, “Lady of Many Faces” with a concert also featuring Brood X, Doom Gong, Radar Gold and Hyper Tensions.
Haunting at the Hannah House
🗓️ 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
📍 Hannah House, 3801 Madison Ave.
💰 $10-$25
Who says you have to wait until October to celebrate Halloween? The Hannah House, which claims to be Indiana’s “only real haunted house,” will offer tours. The home, which was built in 1858, served as a safe haven on the Underground Railroad.
Circle City Classic
🗓️ 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
📍 Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave.
💰 $20 and up
The 40th annual Circle City Classic football game has North Carolina Central University and Norfolk State University going head-to-head at 3 p.m. A “Battle of the Bands” competition between the two universities marching bands will take place at halftime.
Recovery Ride and Rally
🗓️ 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
📍 Broad Ripple Park and Southside Harley Davidson
💰 Free
Nearly one in 12 Hoosiers meets the criteria for substance use disorder. Indiana Recovery Network and Indiana Addiction Issues Coalition aim to provide hope through this 16th annual event. A motorcycle ride will start at 10:30 a.m. at Southside Harley Davidson and end at 1 p.m. at Broad Ripple Park, where guests can find a food truck, live music and face painting
Yachtoberfest – A Yacht Rock Oktoberfest
🗓️ 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
📍 Herron-Morton Place Historic District, 1927 N. Alabama St.
💰 $10 and up
German food, lagers and the musical likes of the Doobie Brothers and Kenny Loggins merge for Yachtoberfest. Dress in nautical-inspired threads to win the “Best Dressed Sailor” competition. Tickets are $15, or $10 for non-drinkers. Guests under 18 get in for free.
Mirror Indy reporter Breanna Cooper covers arts and culture. Email her at breanna.cooper@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @BreannaNCooper.
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