We love summer in Central Indiana! Bring on the sun, the heat, and countless summer festivals. If you love live music, local arts and crafts, amazing food, and a family-friendly community-centered vibe, we’ve found a festival (or 20) for you. Check out our list of the top festivals to experience with your kids and other loved ones all over Central Indiana.
The communities in our area offer so many fantastic events and festivals that we simply can’t list them all! Did we miss your favorite? Which are your must-do-every-year festivals in Indiana? Let us know in the comments.
This list will be updated as event details are announced for 2024.
Top Family-Friendly Festivals in Indianapolis
Saint Simon Festival
Saint Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, 8155 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis
May 30-June 1, 5-11 pm
The annual Saint Simon Festival is THE kickoff to summer. Enjoy live music, amazing festival food favorites, and carnival games & rides for all ages! Your purchase of $10 in food and drink tickets includes admission to the festival.
International Festival
St. Gabriel’s Church, 6000 W. 34th Street, Indianapolis
May 31-June 1, 5-11:59 pm
Celebrate the cultural diversity of the surrounding neighborhood with an old-fashioned mid-way, classic family-friendly games, live music, and international cuisine. Free admission
Earth Day Indiana Festival
Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive, Indianapolis
June 1, 11 am-5 pm
Indy Strawberry Festival
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Downtown Indianapolis
June 13, 9 am-4 pm
This Indianapolis tradition has been running for nearly 60 years! The festival will run until 4 pm or until all the strawberries are gone. Admission is free but a strawberry shortcake with “The Works” will cost $10.
Italian Street Festival
Holy Rosary Church, 520 Stevens Street, Indianapolis
June 14-15, 5-11:00 pm
Savor all things Italian: pasta, cannoli, pizza, wine, and music at the annual Italian Street Fest. You’ll find carnival rides and games to entertain folks of all ages. Admission and parking are free. Food tickets are cash only, so come prepared!
St. Christopher Summer Festival
St. Christopher Catholic Church, 5301 W 16th Street, Speedway
June 21-22, 5-11 pm
Founded in 1937, the St. Christopher Summer Festival is one of the oldest in the state. Enjoy carnival rides, tons of food options, live music, and entertainment at this two-day event. Admission is free.
Taste Of Indy
White River State Park, 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis
July 6, 11 am-9 pm
This year’s Taste of Indy presents a delectable assortment of Asian, Soul, Greek, Mediterranean, Cajun, Hispanic, and American food. The all-day concert glamorizes Indy’s best live, local musical artists displaying their awesome talents in Jazz, Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Latino, and Reggae music. Don’t miss Indy’s largest food festival. Admission is $30 and includes general admission and 10 tickets that can be redeemed for food and beverages. Kids 10 and under are free.
The Feast Of Lanterns
Spades Park, 1800 Nowland Avenue, Indianapolis
August 24, 4-11 pm
Indy’s largest summer festival on the Eastside has its origins in the late 1800s when neighbors would decorate their porches and gather together for summer celebrations. The modern-day Feast of Lanterns features artisans, vendors, live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and a colorful display of lanterns lit throughout the park. Admission is free.
49th Annual Eagle Creek Folk Fest
Eagle Creek Park Beach Shelter, 7840 W 56th Street, Indianapolis
September 14, 12-7 pm
The Annual Eagle Creek Folk Festival will be filled with stage performances, a singer-songwriter contest, jam sessions, a variety of workshops. Food and beverages will be available through the Morgan County Sertoma Club. This festival is open to the public, free of charge, and is family-friendly. All are encouraged to bring instruments and join in the music-making! The festival is free with park admission. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and picnic.
Rocky Ripple Festival
Holt Park, 840 W 53rd Street, Indianapolis
September 28, 11 am-6 pm
An eclectic set of bands plays throughout the day at the Rocky Ripple Festival. Over 70 artists bring their unique items for sale. Beer and wine are provided by the Broad Ripple Brewpub, and a variety of food offerings are available from local vendors. All at a family-friendly admission price – FREE! Head to the playground for children’s activities.
St. Thomas Aquinas Sausagefest
St. Thomas Aquinas, 4625 N. Kenwood Ave, Indianapolis
2024 dates TBD, 5:30-midnight
This two-day festival includes live music, food, and a teen zone. Activities for young guests include inflatables, games, and face painting. Teens can hang out in a separate chaperoned party lot with a DJ. The main stage music lineup includes returning favorites as well as emerging local talent. Free admission.
Favorite Central Indiana Summer Festivals
Taste Of Tippecanoe
Downtown Lafayette
June 15, 6:00 pm – Midnight
The TASTE has been downtown Lafayette’s largest, annual street festival. Join the community in celebrating the area’s best local food, music, and art. Guests can enjoy music on two different stages and chow down on food from dozens of restaurants and food vendors.
Hendricks County Rib Fest & BBQ
Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E Main Street, Danville
June 29, 10 am-10 pm
Rib Fest features live entertainment, games for kids, hot air balloons, lots of food, and fireworks! Local restaurants compete for the “Best Ribs” & “Best Sauce” bragging rights by local celebrity judges. In association with Rib Fest, the community can participate in the Annual Rib Run with a 5k run followed by the 1/4 Slab Kids Run the morning of the Fest at 9 am. Parking is $5 per car.
Red, White & Blueberry Festival
Mallow Run Winery, 6964 Whiteland Rd, Bargersville
July 6-7, Times Vary
Admission is free if you arrive before 5 pm on Saturday, after which you can expect a $10/car charge. This event is family-friendly, with a variety of food trucks on-site to satisfy any craving. Wine tasting is available in the tasting room until 6 pm. Wine, including the winery’s newly released blueberry wine and cider, is also available for purchase at the outdoor bar. All beer and non-Mallow Run alcohol are prohibited by Indiana law. Enjoy fireworks on Saturday evening at this fun festival.
Wabash Riverfest
Tapawingo Park, 100 Tapawingo Dr, West Lafayette
July 13, 9 am-4 pm
Riverfest is a free event with a focus on nature and conservation and highlighting the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States. Event features include a 5K run, canoe races, float trips on the Wabash, conservationists, food, music, exhibits, bike events, children’s activities including a free rock climbing wall, and more!
Tipton County Pork Fest
618 Dearborn Street, Tipton
September 5-7, Times TBD
Head North of Indy to this annual event and enjoy all things pork. Catch the kick-off parade on Thursday night and return for the Grande Parade on Saturday. The pork tent will be open during all festival hours. Don’t miss the famous 1-inch thick pork chops!
Columbus Scottish Fest
Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, 750 W 200 S, Columbus
September 7-8, Times TBD
Just south of Indy is a Scottish Festival offering entertainment, food, a Celtic Market, animals, Scottish country dancing, and the Highland Games. The free children’s area has a bounce house, face painting, crafts, and games.
Cuisine Connect Culture
Grand Junction Plaza, 118 Park St, Westfield
September 21, 12-3 pm
Explore diverse arts, entertainment, traditions, and food from all over the world at Westfield’s annual Cuisine Connect Culture festival. In addition to enjoying performances and sampling diverse cuisines, you’ll be able to discover traditions, crafts, products, and games from other countries. Bring your family and enjoy this wonderful multi-cultural event!
Riley Days Festival
Downtown Greenfield
October 3-6, Times TBD
Plan on spending the day wandering one of Indiana’s largest craft festivals. They offer plenty of children’s activities… live music, parades, and magic shows to name a few. Free admission.
Festivals Unconfirmed for 2024
Frankfort Hot Dog Festival
Downtown Frankfort
Two days of all things Hot Dog! Dashhound races, crafts, music, kids activities and more! Hot Dog! Admission is free!
Asian Fest
Indiana Historical Society/Canal-Area, Downtown Indy
Immerse yourself in the Asian culture with exhibits, food, music and entertainment, and children’s activities. This year the featured country is South Korea. Admission is free
Festival Dia De La Familia
Military Park Downtown Indy
Celebrate all things Latin: food, music, culture. There is a kid’s area with bounce houses, games, a rock wall and more. Free admission.
Indiana State Hot Air Balloon Festival
Marian County Fair Grounds, 7300 E Troy Ave. Indianapolis
Get the whole family out for a great family festival! See incredible Hot Air Balloons, check that bucket list and get a ride on an actual Hot Air Balloon! We will have a Kids Zone, with Games and Rides including trains, bounce house’s, rock walls and much more! DJ & Live Music for your entertainment from a variety of Artists.
Greek Fest
3500 W 106th St. Carmel
Enjoy everything Mediterranean: food, music, dancing, crafts and vendors. They have a kid’s area including a bounce house city! Free admission.
Blackberry Festival
Wild Blackberry Farm
Stay tuned for more details on this annual blackberry festival.
Summer is full of free family fun. Find out where to catch a free concert or an outdoor movie.
Splash over to one of Indiana’s best waterparks!
