Indianapolis Metro Events
IndyCentral features a curated lineup of regional festivals, shows, and community events in the Indianapolis area. Each listing is chosen based on its atmosphere, locale, and community reputation to help you decide where to spend your time.
Browse the calendar below, or use the filters to search by event category or a specific date.
- SEP 24–NOV 2
ZooBoo
- Fall & Halloween
- Family
Indianapolis Zoo's fall celebration includes trick-or-treating, Halloween activities, themed ride experiences and animal viewing in cooler weather.
Official event site → - SEP 25–NOV 1
Harvest Nights
- Fall & Halloween
- Arts & Culture
- Family
Spooky, not scary nighttime Halloween experience at The Garden at Newfields with thousands of glowing pumpkins, the Pumpkin Path of Peril, Ghost Train effects and Mischief Manor.
Official event site → - OCT 1–25
Headless Horseman Festival
- Fall & Halloween
- Festivals
- Family
Fall festival at Conner Prairie with carnival activities, live entertainment, seasonal treats, and the separately ticketed Headless Horseman hayride.
Official event site → - OCT 2–31
TreeRunner HallowGlow — Zipline After Dark
- Fall & Halloween
- Family
HallowGlow brings nighttime climbing and ziplining to TreeRunner, an aerial adventure park with treetop obstacle courses. Throughout October, the forest course is lit with colorful lights for its seasonal Night Forest experience.
Official event site → -
A glowing full moon, haunted house and jack-o’-lanterns set the scene for Fright Academy’s Halloween attractions. - OCT 9–31
Fright Academy Haunted House
Notice No Frightening Hours Oct. 9 or Oct. 31
- Fall & Halloween
- Family
The Children’s Museum’s annual haunted house offers family-friendly Friendly Hours and scarier Frightening Hours with dimmed lights, scary music and jump scares.
Official event site → - OCT 10–NOV 1
Fall Foliage Express — Scenic Train Ride
Notice Sat–Sun Oct. 10–25 · Sun Nov. 1
- Fall & Halloween
- Family
A 65-minute fall train ride through northern Hamilton County aboard a 1956 vintage railcar, with scenic countryside views, apple cider and a seasonal sweet treat included. Fall cocktails, beer and wine are available for purchase.
Official event site → - OCT 24–31
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
Notice Sat Oct. 31: Street Fair 10 AM–4 PM, Parade 3:30 PM
- Fall & Halloween
- Family
Week-long neighborhood Halloween celebration with themed events, movies, contests, and activities, culminating in the Halloween Street Fair.
Official event site → - OCT 30–NOV 1
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert
Series Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Film Series
- Concerts & Music
- Arts & Culture
- Family
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs the film score live while the movie plays overhead.
Official event site → - OCT 31
Trick or Treat on the Rails - Halloween Train Ride
- Fall & Halloween
- Family
A 65-minute Halloween train ride through northern Hamilton County aboard the historic Nickel Plate Express. Children receive a trick-or-treat bag filled with goodies, apple cider is included for all guests, and costumes are encouraged.
Official event site → - OCT 31
Boo Bash
Fishers’ annual Halloween celebration with costume parades, live entertainment, trick-or-treat booths, games and photo ops at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Free; no registration required. Categories: Fall & Halloween | Family Free: Yes
Official event site → - NOV 14–DEC 23
Reindeer Express — Holiday Train Ride
Notice Sat–Sun Nov. 14–22 · Fri–Sun Nov. 27–Dec. 20 · Daily Dec. 21–23
- Holiday
- Family
A 75-minute holiday train ride aboard the historic Nickel Plate Express with Christmas music, a holiday treat, letters to Santa, and a visit from Santa during the ride. Pro Tip: Families with children may prefer Platinum seating. The private table gives kids a place to write their letters to Santa and makes it easier to manage cookies and drinks during the ride. Standard coach has roomier seats, but no table.
Official event site → - NOV 15
"Hoosiers" 40th Anniversary Screening with Q&A
- Arts & Culture
A 40th anniversary screening of the Indiana basketball classic Hoosiers, followed by a live Q&A with director David Anspaugh, screenwriter Angelo Pizzo and actors Brad Long and Maris Valainis. An autograph session follows, and the original Hickory Huskers team bus will be on display outside the Palladium.
Official event site → - NOV 17–22
Mrs. Doubtfire — Broadway Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
- Family
Based on the hit film, Mrs. Doubtfire follows an out-of-work actor who disguises himself as a Scottish nanny to stay close to his children. The musical mixes broad comedy with a family-centered story and is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Official event site → -
Star-shaped holiday lights illuminate an outdoor winter market setting at night. - NOV 21–DEC 24
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Notice Special hours Nov. 25 noon–9 PM · Nov. 26 closed · Dec. 21–23 noon–9 PM · Dec. 24 noon–4 PM
- Holiday
- Food & Drink
- Festivals
- Family
German-style Christmas market with festive vendor huts, German food and drinks, live entertainment, family activities and ice skating.
Official event site → - NOV 21–JAN 3
Christmas at the Zoo
Notice Closed on Nov. 26 · Dec. 24–25 · Dec. 31 · Jan. 1
- Holiday
- Family
Holiday lights and activities throughout the Indianapolis Zoo with seasonal displays, visits with Santa, and evening animal viewing.
Official event site → - NOV 27–JAN 10
Circle of Lights
- Holiday
- Family
Downtown Indy’s Circle of Lights transforms Monument Circle for the holiday season, beginning with the annual tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving. Thousands of lights remain on display through early January.
Official event site → - NOV 27–DEC 28
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Notice Open Fri-Sat, Nov 27-28 · Fri-Sun, Dec 4-20 · Mon-Wed, Dec 21-23 · Sat-Mon, Dec 26-28
- Holiday
- Festivals
- Family
Holiday festival across Conner Prairie with thousands of lights, historic holiday traditions, seasonal attractions and visits with Santa.
Official event site → - DEC 2–10
Holiday Cheers Express — 21+ Holiday Train Ride
Notice Wed–Thu Dec. 2–3 & 9–10
- Holiday
A 21+ holiday train ride aboard the Nickel Plate Express with seasonal music, a sweet treat and a commemorative wine glass. Beer, wine, and festive cocktails are available for purchase from the onboard bar.
Official event site → - DEC 8–13
The Great Gatsby — Broadway Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel comes to the stage in a Tony Award-winning musical filled with Roaring Twenties glamour, romance, and tragedy, with a jazz- and pop-influenced score. The official event listing recommends the show for ages 10 and up. Parents may want to note that the story includes mature themes such as adultery, a fatal car accident, gun violence, and suicide.
Official event site → - JAN 12–17
The Sound of Music — Broadway Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
- Family
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical follows Maria and the von Trapp family, with songs including “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss.” The official event listing recommends the show for ages 7 and up and notes depictions of Nazi iconography and references, along with flashing lights.
Official event site → -
Violinists perform together as part of a live symphony orchestra. - FEB 13–14
Disney's The Lion King: Live in Concert
Series Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Film Series
- Concerts & Music
- Arts & Culture
Experience The Lion King on the big screen as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra brings Hans Zimmer’s iconic score to life alongside the film.
Official event site → - FEB 23–28
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
The musical tells the story of Neil Diamond’s rise from Brooklyn songwriter to international star, set to hits including “Sweet Caroline,” “America” and “Forever in Blue Jeans.” The official event listing recommends the show for audiences of all ages.
Official event site → - MAR 17–21
Hadestown — Broadway Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
Inspired by the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, Hadestown follows two intertwined love stories on a journey to the underworld and back. The Tony Award-winning musical blends folk, jazz and blues influences with themes of love, doubt, sacrifice and hope. The official event listing recommends the show for ages 8 and up. Parents may want to note that the production includes adult language and themes, theatrical haze and strobe-like effects.
Official event site → - MAR 20–21
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert
Series Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Film Series
- Concerts & Music
- Arts & Culture
Set sail with Captain Jack Sparrow as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs the swashbuckling score of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl live with the film.
Official event site → - APR 13–18
The Outsiders — Broadway Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
Based on S.E. Hinton’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s film, the 2024 Tony Award winner for Best Musical follows Ponyboy, Johnny and the Greasers as they face rivalry, violence and questions of belonging in 1967 Tulsa. The official event listing recommends the show for ages 10 and up. Parents may want to note that the production includes mature themes such as suicide and violence, along with flashing lights, loud noises, haze and herbal cigarettes.
Official event site → - APR 30–MAY 2
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Series Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Film Series
- Concerts & Music
- Arts & Culture
Travel to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Return of the Jedi on the big screen while the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ score live.
Official event site → - MAY 11–16
The Book of Mormon — Broadway Musical
- Arts & Culture
- Concerts & Music
Two mismatched Mormon missionaries are sent to Uganda, where their efforts to win converts quickly go off course. While ambitious Elder Price begins questioning his mission, his awkward companion Elder Cunningham starts inventing increasingly outrageous versions of church teachings. The musical is a religious satire and contains explicit language and mature themes.
Official event site →