It’s almost summer in Central Indiana! Finally! Bring on the sun, the heat, and countless summer festivals. Check out our list of the top 20 family-friendly festivals all over Central Indiana. Did we miss any? Which are your must-do-every-year festivals?
Confirmed for the 2022 season:
Children’s Festival
April 30, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
One Civic Plaza, Carmel
Register now for a special character visit, free mini stuffed animals, magician, bounce park, balloon artist, carnival games, free cotton candy and more.
http://www.kidslinked.com/Home/CalendarEvent/11207
Saint Simon Festival
June 2 – 4, 5:00 pm – 11:45 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!
Earth Day Indiana Festival
June 4, 11:00 am
Strawberry Festival On The Circle
June 9, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Downtown Indianapolis
The festival will run until 4 pm or all the strawberries are gone. Free admission with food ranging from $2-$8. Cash only!
Amo Fish Fry Festival
June 10 – 12, 2022
Mill Creek Elementary School, 4704 Pearl St, Amo
Join us for our Annual Amo Fish Fry Festival. We open Thursday June 9th and Friday June 10th at 5:30 and Noon on Saturday June 11th and close at 10 pm all three nights. We have tasty food, live music, games and carnival rides, BINGO, vendor tent and other special events.
Italian Street Festival
June 10 & 11, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Holy Rosary Church, 520 Stevens Street, Indianapolis
Savor all things Italian: pasta, cannoli, pizza and music at the annual Italian Street Fest. Carnival rides and games to entertain folks of all ages. Free admission and free parking.
https://www.indyitalianfest.org/
Taste Of Tippecanoe
June 18, 6:00 pm – Midnight
Downtown Lafayette
the TASTE has been downtown Lafayette’s largest, annual street festival. Join us in celebrating the area’s best local food, music, and art. In addition to our usual lineup of beats and eats, we’ll be transforming the streets of downtown with a live light show and video projection performance. General admission tickets are only $5.
Hendricks County Rib Fest & BBQ
June 25, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main Street, Danville, IN
Rib fest this 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 addition to Rib-Fest, the community can participate in the 7th Annual Rib Run sponsored by IU Health West with a 5k run and followed by 1/4 Slab Kids Run on June 25, 2022 at 8:30 am ET.
https://www.avonchamber.org/hendricks-county-rib-fest.html
Red, White & Blueberry Festival
July 2 – 4, 2022
Mallow Run Winery
Free admission. Family friendly. Complimentary wine tasting in the tasting room until 6:00pm. Wine also available at outdoor bar. Wine available for purchase by the glass or bottle. All beer and non-Mallow Run alcohol prohibited by Indiana law. Enjoy fireworks every night at this fun festival.
Taste Of Indy
July 4th weekend
Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis
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. From noon to sundown, visitors can groove to the sounds of live local music and sample the city’s best cuisine all while enjoying the historical backdrop of Monument Circle on 4th of July weekend. Admission is $8 at the door or $6 if purchased online ahead of time and kid’s under 6 are free.
https://tasteofindy.org/events/
Wabash Riverfest
July 9, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tapawing Park ,West Lafayette
Participate in the 5K run, canoe races, float trips, conservationists, food, music, exhibits, bike events and children’s activities including a fun run, and more!
Music Heritage Fest
July 15, 6:00 pm
American Legion Mall Downtown Indianapolis
Every year as part of Summer Celebration we put on a free concert with talent that knows how to bring it to the stage. This concert, highlighting legendary artists Patti LaBelle, Monica and After 7, is always a fun event. Be sure to come and share in the experience.
For those of you who want to amp up the experience, you can purchase VIP Access for only $75.00. With the purchase of VIP admission, you get to see the performers up close and personal.
https://www.indianablackexpo.com/events/
Blackberry Jam 2022
July 23, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wild Blackberry Farm
Stay tuned for more details o this annual blackberry festival.
Frankfort Hot Dog Fest
July 29 & 30, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Downtown Frankfort
Two days of all things Hot Dog! Dashhound races, crafts, music, kids activities and more! Hot Dog! Admission is free!
https://www.frankforthmainstreet.com/
St. Thomas Aquinas Sausagefest
August 19 – 20, 5:30 pm – midnight
St. Thomas Aquinas, 46th and Illinois, Indianapolis
Two day festival of live music, food, and a teen zone with activities for young guests that include inflatables, games, and face painting and a separate chaperoned party lot for teens with a DJ. The main stage music lineup includes returning favorites as well as emerging local talent.. Free admission.
http://www.staindy.org/church/sausagefest
Indiana State Hot Air Balloon Festival
August 20 & 21, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
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
August 26, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm and August 27, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
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.
The Feast Of Lanterns
August 27, 4:00 pm -11:00 pm
Spades Park, 1801 Nowland Avenue, Indianapolis
Indy’s largest summer festival on the Eastside. Features artisans, vendors, live music, food trucks and a colorful display of lanterns lit throughout the park. Free Admission
Tipton County Pork Fest
September 8 – 10, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
618 Dearborn Street, Tipton
Head North of Indy to the annual event and enjoy all things pork. Parades are Thursday at 5:30 PM and Saturday at 2:00 pm. Pork tent will be open during festival hours (11:00 am until approximately 10:30 pm). Famous 1-inch thick pork chops!
www.tiptoncountyporkfestival.com
Columbus Scottish Fest
September 10 & 11
Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, 750 W 200 S, Columbus
Just South of Indy is a Scottish Festival offering entertainment, food, vendors, competition, animals and athletics. The children’s area has a bounce house, face painting, crafts and games.
http://www.scottishfest.org
Cuisine Connect Culture 2022
September 10, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Grand Junction Plaza 118 Park St, Westfield
Explore diverse arts, entertainment, traditions and food from all over the world at our 2nd annual Cuisine Connect Culture festival. In addition to enjoying performances and sampling diverse cuisines, you’ll be able to discover the traditions, crafts, products and games from other countries. Bring your family and enjoy this wonderful multi-cultural event!
https://www.westfieldwelcome.com/cuisine-connect-culture
47th Annual Eagle Creek Folk Fest
September 17, 2022
7840 W 56th Street, Indianapolis
The festival will be filled with stage performances, singer-songwriter contest, jam sessions, a variety of workshops, and an instrument petting zoo. 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! Festival is free with park admission. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and picnic.
https://indianafolkmusic.org/folkFestival.html
Indy Irish Fest
Tentative dates of September 23, 24 and possibly the 25!
Garfield Park
Live music, Irish Dancers, food and drink! A kid’s activity area featuring Putt N’ Go, Bean Nag Toss, Face painting, Fairy games, crafts, danNNcing and more. Kids 4 and under are free.
Rocky Ripple Festival
September 24, 1:00 am – 6:00 pm
Hohlt Park, W. 53rd & Annette Streets, Indianapolis
An eclectic set of bands play throughout the day. 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!
Riley Days Festival
October 6 – 9
Downtown Greenfield
Plan on spending the day wondering 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 we hope to return this year:
Tarkington Park Fest
45 W. 40th Street, Indianapolis
This all day event is appropriate for all ages! The splash pad will be open, enjoy music, a car show, a basketball tournament, a marketplace, and a movie at sundown! Free admission but tickets are required.
International Festival
St. Gabriel’s Church, 6000 W. 34th Street, Indianapolis
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
Asian Fest
Indiana State Museum/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.
Carmel Apple Fest
Tuttle Orchards 5717 N 300 W Greenfield
You won’t want to miss making your very own caramel apple, picking apples, hayrides or playing in tractor town this fall. Festival admission is free. Some activities have a fee. Combo passes available.
St. Christopher Mid-Summer Festival
July 2023 ** specific dates TBA (Canceled for 2022 due to construction)
5301 W. 16th Street, Speedway
Enjoy carnival rides, tons of food options, live music and entertainment at this three day event. Admission is free.
