Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/30/2025
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location
Monument Circle
Categories
- The 500 Festival Kickoff to May, presented by STAR Bank, kicks off the greatest month in Indiana and starts the countdown to the Indy 500.
- Held at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, the event is packed with festivities! Join in as we welcome the spirit of May with members of the community, the 500 Festival Board of Directors, the 500 Festival Princesses, race fans, and maybe even a few surprise guests! At this event, you can also pick up prizes from exhibitors, take photos with the 2025 Festival Cars, and so much more.
- Kick off May on Wednesday, April 30, at Monument Circle, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Kick off May with a celebration the whole family will love at the 500 Festival Kickoff to May, presented by STAR Bank. Wednesday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis to launch the “greatest month in Indiana” with free, Indy 500 family-friendly fun that ushers in the countdown to the Indy 500.
From the moment you arrive, little Hoosiers will be swept up in the excitement. Meet the 500 Festival Princesses as they lead the festivities, rub elbows with surprise celebrity guests, and pose beside the Indianapolis 500 pacecars for photos. Kids 12 and under can even enter the official Kickoff to May coloring contest, with prizes awarded throughout the event. Local exhibitors will host interactive booths where families can win swag, learn about community programs, and collect keepsakes that commemorate the kickoff of May in Indy.
The Kickoff to May is just the beginning—this signature event kicks off a month of programming, from the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and 5K on May 3 to Kids’ Day & Rookie Run on May 10, all leading up to the Memorial Service, Parade, and of course the Indy 500 itself. For generations, families have made Kickoff to May a springtime tradition; now it’s your turn to start a new one 500festival.com.
Best of all, the Kickoff to May is completely free. No tickets or reservations are required—just bring your enthusiasm and sense of adventure. Street parking is available nearby, and the Circle is easily accessible via IndyGo routes.
Make this May unforgettable: gather the kids, grab some sunblock, and head to Monument Circle for the ultimate kickoff to summer in Indianapolis!
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