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. Inside the historic Antheneum,

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).

Dance Kaleidoscope

4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Phone 317-940-6555.

This 10-member professional dance troupe is Indiana’s best in contemporary dance, trained in modern and classical ballet arts.

Music
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

32 East Washington St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-262-1100.
One of the country’s premier orchestras, the Indianapolis Symphony performs in the splendid historic Hilbert Circle Theatre on Monument Circle.

Verizon Wireless Music Center

May-September. Ticket prices vary by performance. 12880 E. 146th St., Noblesville (about 30 minutes north of downtown), Indianapolis. Phone 317-249-2710.
During the summer months, this 220-acre/89-hectare amphitheater offers outdoor concerts ranging from famous classical performers to contemporary pop stars

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.

Indiana Repertory Theatre

140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Phone 317-635-5277.
Drama, comedy, classic and contemporary professional regional theater featuring actors from across the country.

Indianapolis Civic Theatre

1200 W. 38th St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-924-6770.
Founded in 1914, this is the largest professionally managed community theater in the city.

The Phoenix Theatre

749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis. Phone 317-635-7529.
Housed in a charming, 100-year-old former church, this is the city's only professional theater dedicated to contemporary, issue-oriented works.

Theatre on the Square

627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis. Phone 317-637-8085.
A professionally managed community theater that performs original, contemporary pieces. Nestled among art galleries and restaurants.

Other Options
The Murat Center

502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-231-0000.

This breathtaking multipurpose facility features a 2,500-seat performing arts theater and brings in major concerts and Broadway shows.

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).

Baseball
Indianapolis Indians

Corner of West and Maryland streets, downtown, Indianapolis.

Phone 317-269-3542 for tickets.
Named by Sports Illustrated as the “best minor league park in the nation," Victory Field is home to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. The 13,500-seat stadium also has a lawn and picnicking area that holds 2,000 more fans. April-August

Basketball
Indiana Fever

125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis.

Phone 317-917-2500. For tickets, phone 317-917-2727.
Indiana's WNBA franchise began play in 2000. Games are in Conseco Fieldhouse; season runs May-August. Very child- and family-friendly..

Indiana Pacers

November-April.. 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-917-2500. For tickets, phone 317-917-2727.
Indiana's NBA franchise plays in Conseco Fieldhouse,

Football
Indianapolis Colts

Season runs August-December.. 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis. Phone 317-297-7000. For tickets, phone 317-262-3389.
The Colts play home games at the RCA Dome, adjacent to the Convention Center. Tickets are available at the box office as well as through Ticketmaster.

Shopping
Traditional shoppers will like the polished ambience and profusion of shops with familiar names at downtown Circle Centre Mall. Several malls north of downtown also offer good upscale shopping.

Look for the chic as well as the unusual among the little galleries, shops and sidewalk cafes in Broad Ripple Village.   Antique lovers shouldn't miss the several dozen antique dealers pooling their treasures at Midland Arts and Antiques or the specialty shops in outlying Zionsville, northwest of the city.

Collectors are likely to enjoy Tim and Avi's Salvage Store, which sells old doors, hardware and other authentic architectural remnants. Collected by two men who restore older homes, pieces are also sold online and shipped around the world.

Shopping Hours: Most shops at malls are open Monday-Saturday 9 or 10 am-9 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. Specialty shops tend to close daily at 6 pm, although there are exceptions downtown and in Broad Ripple Village, where some stay open late on Friday and Saturday nights.

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.

Circle Centre Mall

49 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis.

Phone 317-681-8000.

Monday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm
A modern, urban shopping mall built behind the facades of several 19th-century buildings, the five-story structure is connected by walkways to nearby hotels, restaurants and sports arenas and has low-cost underground parking garages. A major downtown attraction, it has nightclubs, movie theaters, restaurants, department stores and more than 100 specialty shops

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

 

Throughout January—Concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents classical music concerts and features frequent guest soloists. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-262-1100. For tickets, call 317-639-4300, or toll-free 800-366-8457. Continues through late June.

Throughout January—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.

Throughout January—Opera. The Indianapolis Opera presents four productions each season at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University campus, 4600 Sunset Ave. For information, call 317-283-3531. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through early May

Throughout January—Dance. Ballet Internationale performs at Murat Centre, 510 N. New Jersey St. For information, call 317-637-8979. For tickets, call 317-231-0000, or Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151.  Continues through late April.

Throughout January—Musical. The American Cabaret Theatre mounts frequent musical productions in the Athenaeum Building, 400 E. Michigan St. For information and tickets, call 317-631-0334, or toll-free 800-375-8887. Continues through late December

Throughout January—NBA Basketball. The Indiana Pacers play home games at Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. For information, call 317-917-2500. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151, or toll-free 800-462-2849.Season continues through mid April

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

Throughout February—Opera. The Indianapolis Opera presents four productions each season at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University campus, 4600 Sunset Ave. For information, call 317-283-3531. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through early May

Throughout February—Musical. The American Cabaret Theatre mounts frequent musical productions in the Athenaeum Building, 400 E. Michigan St. For information and tickets, call 317-631-0334, or toll-free 800-375-8887.  Continues through late December

Throughout February—Dance. Ballet Internationale performs at Murat Centre, 510 N. New Jersey St. For information, call 317-637-8979. For tickets, call 317-231-0000, or Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151.. Continues through late April

Throughout February—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. Continues through late May

Throughout February—Concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents classical music concerts and features frequent guest soloists. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-262-1100. For tickets, call 317-639-4300, or toll-free 800-366-8457. Continues through late June

Throughout February—NBA Basketball. The Indiana Pacers play home games at Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. For information, call 317-917-2500. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151, or toll-free 800-462-2849. Season continues through mid April

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. Concludes mid March

17 Mar—St. Patrick's Day Parade. More than 100 entries join this parade from North and Pennsylvania streets down Ohio to Meridian. The 4-mi/6.4-km Shamrock Run and Walk precedes the parade. Organized by the Indianapolis Athletic Club. For information, call 317-236-6515.

Throughout March—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. Continues through late May
 

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.

Late May—Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis 500, perhaps the world's most famous auto race, annually draws about 400,000 people to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Qualifying and practices take place from early May. Tickets traditionally sell out a year in advance, but general admission to the grounds is available. Crawfordsville and Georgetown roads. For ticket information, call 317-492-6700, or toll-free 800-822-4639.

Late May:  Memorial Day. Public holiday.

Late May—Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade. Nearly 100 units include floats, marching bands and the 33 drivers of the Indy 500. More than 300,000 people line the parade route that follows various downtown streets, including Pennsylvania Street. For information, call 317-927-3378.
 
Early May—Orchard in Bloom. Ranked one of the top 75 garden shows in the U.S., this three-day show features award-winning floral, garden and table-top designs by top professionals, a gardeners market and children's activities. Holliday Park, 63rd and Spring Mill roads. For information, call 317-713-5765.
 
Early-Late May—500 Festival. This month long festival celebrates the Indy 500 auto race with the nation's largest minimarathon (30,000 runners), the state's largest children's festival, the largest motor-racing parade in the U.S., art displays and more events. Various venues. For information and tickets, call 317-927-3378 or 317-614-6400.


 

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

Mid June—Indy Jazz Fest. Well-known and emerging jazz artists give concerts in styles from jazz and blues to gospel and soul. Miller Park, downtown. For information, call toll-free 800-344-4639.

Mid-Late June—U.S. Grand Prix. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the only U.S. race on the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar. Expect tickets to sell out quickly. Crawfordsville and Georgetown roads. For information and tickets, call 317-492-6700, or toll-free 800-822-4639.

Late June—Indian Market. The Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market brings together more than 150 artisans representing 50 Native American tribes to sell and display their works at the largest event of this type in the Midwestern U.S. Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St. For information, call 317-636-9378.

 

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.

Mid-Late July—Tennis. The RCA Championships is a hard-court tournament that showcases some of the top male professional tennis players in the world. Indianapolis Tennis Center, 150 University Blvd. (at New York Street). For information, call 317-632-8000. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151, or toll-free 800-622-5683.



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.

Late September—Dance. Ballet Internationale performs at Murat Centre, 510 N. New Jersey St. For information, call 317-637-8979. For tickets, call 317-231-0000, or Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through late April

Early-Late September—Concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents classical music concerts and features frequent guest soloists. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-262-1100. For tickets, call 317-639-4300, or toll-free 800-366-8457. Continues through late June

Early-Late September—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.. Continues through late May

Early-Mid September—Penrod Art Fair. This annual art fair presents works by 300 artists and craftsmen, live musical performances on five stages, fare from 20 restaurants, and special children's activities and entertainment. Indianapolis Museum of Art, 400 Michigan Road. For information, call 317-252-9895.
 
Throughout September—Art Exhibit  Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road. Phone 317-923-1331 or 317-920-2660. Continues through mid- Oct

Early September—Oktoberfest. Bratwurst, beer, oompah bands and dance are part of the state's largest festival celebrating German culture. German Park, 8600 S. Meridian St. For information, call 317-888-6940.

 Throughout September—Exhibit. Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St. Phone 317-334-3322. Continues through 31 Dec

 

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.

Early-Late October—Opera. The Indianapolis Opera presents four productions each season at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University campus, 4600 Sunset Ave. For information, call 317-283-3531. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through early May
 

2^nd week in  Oct—Columbus Day. Public holiday.

Late October—NBA Basketball. The Indiana Pacers play home games at Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. For information, call 317-917-2500. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151, or toll-free 800-462-2849. Season continues through mid April

Mid-Late October—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

Mid-Late October—Heartland Film Festival. Established in 1991, the festival recognizes filmmakers whose work artistically represents hope and respect for positive values of life. Screens features, shorts, dramas, documentaries, animations and works by students. Various cinemas. For information, call 317-464-9405. For tickets, call toll-free 866-433-1010.

Throughout October—Art Exhibit.. Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road. Phone 317-923-1331 or 317-920-2660. Continues through 2 Jan

Throughout October—Dance. Ballet Internationale performs at Murat Centre, 510 N. New Jersey St. For information, call 317-637-8979. For tickets, call 317-231-0000, or Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through late April

 Throughout October—Concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents classical music concerts and features frequent guest soloists. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-262-1100. For tickets, call 317-639-4300, or toll-free 800-366-8457. Continues through late June

Throughout October—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. Continues through late May

 

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.

Late November—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

Throughout November—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

Throughout November—Opera. The Indianapolis Opera presents four productions each season at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University campus, 4600 Sunset Ave. For information, call 317-283-3531. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through early May

Throughout November—Concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents classical music concerts and features frequent guest soloists. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. For information, call 317-262-1100. For tickets, call 317-639-4300, or toll-free 800-366-8457. Continues through late June

 Throughout November—NBA Basketball. The Indiana Pacers play home games at Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. For information, call 317-917-2500. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151, or toll-free 800-462-2849. Season continues through mid April

Throughout November—Dance. Ballet Internationale performs at Murat Centre, 510 N. New Jersey St. For information, call 317-637-8979. For tickets, call 317-231-0000, or Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151. Continues through late April
 
Throughout November—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. Continues through late May

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