10 Tips for the Best Time at Symphony on the Prairie 2024

The Kroger Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie is back for a jam-packed 2024 musical season! This is one of those outdoor summer concerts that you just have to experience. It’s always tops on our list of things to do in Indy during the summer.

Starting June 28, this year’s concert series features the ISO’s legendary Star-Spangled Symphony, the Best of John Williams, tributes to Taylor Swift, Tina Turner, Billy Joel & Elton John, and so much more!

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Symphony on the Prairie

The popular series begins June 28th at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater.  Attendees must have mobile or hard-copy tickets for each performance. Children 2 and younger do not need a ticket. Each concert begins at 8 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m.

June 28 – The Music of Queen with Windborne
June 29 – The Music of Led Zeppelin with Windborne
July 3-5 – Star Spangled Symphony featuring Rhapsody in Blue
July 12-13 – Disco Fever!
July 19-20 – Best of John Williams with Jack Everly
July 26-27 – She’s Got Soul with Capathia Jenkins
August 2 – Evil Woman: The American ELO
August 3 – A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
August 9 – Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA
August 10 – Yachtley Crew with Rock E Bassoon
August 16 – Hollywood Nights: A Bob Seger Experience
August 17 – Let’s Sing Taylor — A Live Band Experience
August 23 – Free Fallin: The Tom Petty Concert Experience
August 24 – Face-2-Face: A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel
August 30 – Proud Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner
August 31 – The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute

Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie

Tips for Attending Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie

  1. Plan ahead: Check the schedule for Symphony on the Prairie and purchase your tickets early. Many concerts sell out quickly, so it’s best to plan ahead and buy tickets in advance. If you plan on reserving a table, make those arrangements right away!
  2. Splurge on parking: If you can fit it into your budget, splurge for reserved parking. Parking is free, but it’s a pain. Paid parking gets you up into a preferred (closer) area and lets you bypass the bulk of traffic getting in and out of the venue. If $40 is worth it to you, go for it!
  3. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs: Seating is on the grassy hillside, so you’ll want to bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on. We typically bring blankets to spread out and reserve space and then some oversize pillows for the kids to lean back and relax and then my husband and I sit in the chairs we use at soccer games.
  4. Pack a picnic: Bring a picnic dinner, snacks, and drinks to enjoy before and during the concert. There are food vendors on-site, but the lines can be long and your choices are limited to what’s available. Bring your favorite snacks, grab dinner to-go from your favorite restaurant, or make something at home.
  5. You can bring your own alcoholic beverages too. Just please drink responsibly. We love bringing a bottle of wine and treating ourselves to a date night for two (and 8,000 of our closest friends and neighbors). Couple this with a charcuterie board and we’re good for the whole evening! Don’t forget the corkscrew!
  6. Haul it all in a wagon: Going to SOTP, especially with kids, can be quite the production. Bring along a wagon to carry all of the things. That’s right, toss in your picnic, your drinks, your chairs, your blankets…and at the end of the night, you might have a sleepy kiddo in there too.
  7. Dress appropriately: The concert is outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather. It can get chilly at night, even during the summer months, so bring a jacket or sweater just in case. You’ll also want to bring insect repellent (yay, Indiana summer nights).
  8. Arrive early: Gates open at 6 PM for most concerts, so plan to arrive early to save a good spot on the grassy hill. There’s a playground for the kids to check out and plenty of space to roam before the show starts. Sitting closer is best in most cases, but sitting at the back of the hill gives a better elevation for a good view of the full stage, it’s just that everything will look teeny. Very large LED screens help provide a good view to everyone.
  9. Be respectful: Remember that Symphony on the Prairie is a family-friendly event, so be respectful of those around you and clean up after your family.
  10. Have fun: Symphony on the Prairie is a fun and unique experience, so be sure to relax, enjoy the music, and have a great time! If all of this seems like too much, just show up (if you have a ticket) — there’s food and beverages for sale, grass to sit on, and a bathroom nearby.

Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie

Symphony on the Prairie Tickets

Tickets to the general public will go on sale on April 23. Buy tickets on the ISO’s website beginning April 23, 2024. Tickets may also be purchased at central Indiana Kroger stores, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, or by calling the Box Office at 317-639-4300.

New this year! Purchase tickets to three or more concerts and automatically receive a 10% discount. No code is needed; the discount will be calculated at checkout.

Parking at Symphony on the Prairie

Parking is always an interesting thing at SOTP. Plan for a line to get into the venue parking lot and a line to get out. Parking is free, but reserved parking is available for $40 per show and gives you preferred parking in a spot up close and makes it a lot easier to get in and out of the lot.

Groups at Symphony on the Prairie

If you’re going to have a group at SOTP, it’s a good idea to have someone there right when the gates open so they can reserve a spot for your crew. There are also options to pay an extra fee on top of your ticket price to have a reserved table for ten. If your group is 30 or more people, you’re eligible for a 10% discount.

Where is Symphony on the Prairie?

Symphony on the Prairie takes place at Conner Prairie in Hamilton County. The address for Symphony on the Prairie is 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, Indiana.

Check out all the free, cheap, and family-friendly concerts around Indy this summer.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Teddy Bear Concert Series is a favorite with preschoolers and toddlers!

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