If you head downtown during the last two full weekends of August, you might notice signs directing you to the Indy Fringe Festival. You may catch an impromptu performance of some sort or meet a performer on the street creating buzz for her show. But the best way to join the artistic and creative scene at Indy Fringe with kids is to make time to see a show or two. This event could make a great date night or mom’s night out, but every year features age-appropriate performances so you can enjoy Indy Fringe with kids. While the festival is not designed for children specifically, there’s plenty of family-friendly fun to go around.
What is the IndyFringe Festival?
Just what is IndyFringe? Indy Fringe as an organization exists to support new and experimental theater initiatives, particularly from local artists. The IndyFringe complex on St. Clair Street downtown houses three distinct venues, providing a variety of spaces to host different types of performances.
Year-round, IndyFringe offers interesting and up-and-coming shows in their home venue. Annually in August, they host an extravaganza that’s worth the time to see firsthand. This year’s Fringe Festival takes place over 11 days, at 6 venues with 70 different shows taking the stage. When it’s all said and done, more than 250 performances will have taken place.
The festival runs the length of Massachusetts Avenue, from Michigan Street to the Bottleworks District. This vibrant location is awesome if you want to pop into some shops or grab a bite to eat from a local restaurant while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Purchasing Tickets
So how do you know what’s playing, and how to take kids to Mass Ave.? I’m so glad you asked.
For starters, check out the IndyFringe Festival website. Here you can read about performances, and filter through what you’re looking to see. At this time, there is no filter to specify “Kids” or “Family-Friendly” shows. However, if you click “Read More” as you browse the performances, you can see a full description of the show along with age recommendations.
Also on the website, you can check out IndyFringe talks, where a team of reviewers covers as many shows as possible. From there, you can order tickets online, pick them up at will call when you arrive, or print them out a home.
The 2024 IndyFringe Festival will take place over eleven days from August 15-25. Most performances are scheduled for weekends.
Tips on Attending Indy Fringe with Kids:
- Scope out the shows beforehand. Stick with the specifically family-friendly unless someone you trust assures you it’s rated G. Magic shows and dance performances are usually safe bets with kids. If you’re Fringing with teens, you’ll find a wider variety of performances appropriate for ages 13+.
- Buy your tickets online – as the festival builds momentum, popular shows start selling out. The box office for each show opens a half hour before each performance, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. However, if you’re not choosy, you can save up to 40% on day-of Rush Tickets if seats are still available.
- Arrive early and soak in the atmosphere! Wander over to the patio area and beer tent, where they also sell soft drinks. The house for each show opens about 10 minutes before the curtain, so you don’t have to spend much time in line or waiting for the show to start.
- Use the facilities before you enter! Every show is one act, and there are no intermissions. Fringe is great for kids because each show is only 45-60 minutes, but once you leave a show, there is no re-entry.
- See two shows back to back! Once you have the hang of it, it’s easy to see two shows. The schedule is such that you can see a show, and stroll leisurely to your next one with plenty of time to spare, and even grab a quick snack.
Immersing your kids in theater and the arts is easy at this jam-packed three-weekend event. You may inspire a budding artist or playwright, spark some deep thought on important topics, or simply enjoy laughing together as a family. Do a little research beforehand and use our tips as your guide. Indy Fringe with kids can be a memorable experience and may even become a favorite new tradition.
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