Indianapolis Events

Arts and Entertainment

Indianapolis offers a variety of performing arts, from mainstream musicals to thought-provoking dramas. Most are in the downtown area in historic venues, within easy walking distance of many hotels. A five-block area along Massachusetts Avenue, just northwest of downtown, has become known as the arts district. It's home to several theaters (the Murat, American Cabaret Theatre, Theatre on the Square and the Phoenix Theatre), as well as a variety of restaurants and bars and some shops.

Dance
American Cabaret Theatre
401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-631-0334. Toll-free 800-375-8887.
Mainstream original musical revues often featuring foot-stepping tunes from particular eras or from particular composers.

Ballet Internationale Indianapolis
September-April. 502 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis. Phone 317-637-8979.
The state's premier ballet company performs at the Murat Theatre (a stunning structure modeled after an Islamic mosque).

Opera
Indianapolis Opera
250 E. 38th St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-283-3531.
The state's largest opera company performs four operas each season at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University and also tours statewide.

Theater
Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
9301 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Phone 317-876-0504.
Enjoy a meat-and-potatoes-style buffet while you watch Broadway productions. Popular with tourist groups.

Sports

In recent years, Indianapolis has become something of a sports capital by offering more than top auto races. Downtown venues have hosted such events as the NCAA Final Four games and the Olympic Trials. The city also supports professional teams in football, minor-league baseball and the state's first love, basketball.

Auto Racing
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W. 16th St. (west of downtown), Indianapolis.
Phone 317-484-6700.
About 400,000 people head to the speedway on Memorial Day weekend for the Indianapolis 500. About the same number fill the stands each August for the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race, which debuted in 1994. The U.S. Grand Prix, held each September, drew the largest crowd in modern Formula One history when it premiered in 2000. Tickets for the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400 traditionally sell out well in advance, although they can usually be obtained through scalpers (legal in Indiana).

Shopping Areas
Broad Ripple Village
Hours vary. It's bordered by White River to the north, Kessler Boulevard to the south, Meridian Street to the west and Evanston Avenue to the east.
An eclectic neighborhood north of downtown that has many distinctive shops, galleries and restaurants. Names such as Grateful Threads (Grateful Dead-inspired clothing) and Birkenstock Sole.

Events

January
Early January--Circle of Lights. The traditional unveiling of the Circle of Lights on Monument Circle ushers in Indianapolis' holiday season. More than 50 strands of colored lights are strung from the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to its base, 1 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-237-2202. Concludes early January
1 Jan--New Year's Day. Public holiday.
Jan--Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Public holiday.
Throughout January--Theater. The Indiana Repertory Theatre presents a broad range of contemporary theater productions. 140 W. Washington St. For information, call 317-635-5277. For tickets, call 317-635-5252. TDD 317-236-0722

February
3rd Week in Feb--Presidents Day. Public holiday.
Throughout February--Central Hockey League. The Indianapolis Ice play home games at Pepsi Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., and Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. For information, call 317-925-4423. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through mid March.

March
Early-Mid March--Central Hockey League. The Indianapolis Ice play home games at Pepsi Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., and Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. For information, call 317-925-4423. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151.

April
Early-Late April--Minor-League Baseball. The Indianapolis Indians, Triple-A affiliates of the Milwaukee Brewers, play home games at one of the best U.S. minor-league parks. Victory Field, West and Maryland streets. For information, call 317-269-3542. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239- 5151. Continues through early September .

May
Mid-Late May--Broad Ripple Art Fair. Nearly 250 national and regional artists display their original works in this juried show, featuring functional and decorative items such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, pottery and jewelry. Also five stages of various music styles (jazz, blues, Celtic, swing, pop and reggae), regional and international food, and children's activities. Indianapolis Art Center grounds, 820 E. 67th St. Phone 317-255-2464.

June
Early-Mid June--Vintage Indiana. Samples of more than 100 brands from Indiana wineries and cuisine prepared by Indianapolis' finest restaurants. Also live music entertainment, artists booths and children's activities. Military Park, New York and West streets. For information, call toll-free 800-832-9463

July
4 July--Independence Day. Public holiday.
Early-Mid July--Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. More than 300,000 attend this festival's activities: business conferences, professional workshops, health and community fairs, film and music festivals, celebrity basketball games, a cultural pavillion and more. Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome. For information, call 317-925-2702.

September
6 Sep--Labor Day. Public holiday.
21-30 Sep--Art Exhibit. Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road. Phone 317-923-1331 or 317-920-2660. Continues through 2 Jan
24-26 Sep--4-Wheel & Off-Road Jamboree Nationals. One of the best truck shows in the U.S. features monster truck and NMRO racing, a Mothers Polish Car Show Series event and manufacturers exhibits. Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St. For information and tickets, call 317-236-6522.

October
Early-Mid October--Circle City Classic. The second-largest college bowl game between two historically black colleges. It's grown from a football game into a festival, featuring a parade, princess pageant, golf tournament, cabaret shows and college fair. RCA Dome, 100 S. Capitol Ave. Phone 317-237-5222. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151.

November
Early Nov--Indy's International Festival. Cultural demonstrations, customs and food presented by the more than 50 ethnic groups represented by the Nationalities Council of Indiana. Exposition Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1200 E. 38th St. For information, call 317-236-6515 or 317-638-9510
11 Nov--Veterans Day. Public holiday.
4^th Thursday in Nov--Thanksgiving Day. Public holiday.

December
25 Dec--Christmas. Public holiday.
Throughout December--Circle of Lights. The traditional unveiling of the Circle of Lights on Monument Circle ushers in Indianapolis' holiday season. More than 50 strands of colored lights are strung from the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to its base, 1 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-237-2202. Continues through early January