Indy Crit Bicycle Festival | Free Family Fun at IU Health’s Momentum Indy

Experience the thrill of bicycle racing during two days of family-friendly events. The Indy Crit Bicycle Festival and the Mass Ave Criterium have come together to form a single weekend bike extravaganza known as Momentum Indy. You don’t have to join the race to join the fun! There’s plenty for families to do and see, and you don’t have to spend a dime. Pedal, jump, climb, and play all while learning how to stay happy, healthy, and safe this summer.

What is a Bike Criterium?

In a bicycle criterium, also known as a “crit,” riders speed around a short circuit track of about one-half to one mile in length. Races vary in length but typically don’t last more than an hour. These criteriums are usually held in urban settings and are extremely fast-paced and exciting to watch! Spectators can line the race course and watch as both amateurs and professionals zip past over and over as they complete their laps.

Free Family Fun at Momentum Indy

Spend Friday evening on Mass Ave catching all the excitement of one of the Midwest’s longest-running urban bike races, the Mass Ave Crit. Head to University Park on Saturday for free family activities, kids’ races, and more thrills as the amateurs and professionals race.

Mass Ave Crit

Mass Ave Cultural Arts District
Friday, July 12, from 4-9:30 pm

While you won’t find activities specifically planned for the kids on Friday evening, everyone will be drawn in by the fast-paced criterium races. Get a spot along Mass Ave and feel the exhilaration as the competitors speed along the route.

Best of all, this race puts you right in the middle of one of downtown’s most vibrant shopping and dining districts. Pair your criterium viewing with a bite to eat at Condado, BRU Burger, the Flying Cupcake, or one of the area’s other delicious restaurants. You can also hit up Pins Mechanical for some pinball or duckpin bowling (21+ after 8 pm), or walk up to the Circle City Industrial Complex for a game of fowling!

Indy Crit

University Park, 307 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 13, from 9:30 am-5:30 pm

Kids, families, and bicycle enthusiasts can enjoy an entire day of bicycling and free health and fitness activities at the IU Health Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival. 

Explore the free Riley Children’s Health Adventure Zone from 11 am-2 pm. The Adventure Zone will feature a variety of bicycling and physical fitness activities, arts and crafts, and healthy lifestyle education booths. Kids are encouraged to bring their own bikes so they can participate in all activities. Families can also enjoy yard games throughout the event and catch one of two BMX shows at 12:05 and 1:30 pm!

Kids can collect stamps along the way on their Adventure Zone passport which will help them earn a free bicycle helmet at the end of their adventure. The helmets are generously provided by the CIBA Foundation. Stop by the decorating station to give your new safety gear an awesome makeover!

Be sure not to miss the Kids’ Bike Races at 12:20 pm! Children ages 3-12 will LOVE riding their bicycles along the route in front of thousands of cheering fans! The Kids’ Race is free but registration is required.

About the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival and Indy Criterium, Inc.

Indy Criterium, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose signature program is the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival and the Mass Ave Criterium. Over its 10-year history, the two events have grown into two of the Midwest’s largest bicycling events.

The Indy Criterium is a “celebration of all things bicycling”. Since 2010, the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival has raised over $164,000 to support local youth-serving charities and other local bicycling-related charities in Indianapolis

Race with the whole family! Try one of these 5ks.

Looking for more downtown Indy fun? We love the Indianapolis Zoo and the Colts Canal Play Space.