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100+ free concerts in and around Indianapolis this summer

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100+ free concerts in and around Indianapolis this summer


Concert tickets, rather notoriously, aren’t cheap these days. Luckily, central Indiana has plenty of live entertainment to offer that won’t drain your bank account.

Summer means free concert season, and there are ample opportunities to catch plenty of shows no matter your preferred genre. Rock, pop, jazz, classical, international music and tribute bands galore are set for local stages all season.

Pull up a lawn chair or grab a picnic blanket for more than 100 free concerts in Indianapolis, Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Greenwood, Plainfield, Mooresville, Kokomo, Rushville and more.

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Festival and one-off show dates

  • June 20: Bloombox Festival, with bands, vendors and artists creating original works. Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St. harrisoncenter.org/bloombox
  • July 3-4: CarmelFest, with a parade and festival that includes two days of live concerts. In and around Carter Green and Civic Square in Carmel. carmelfest.net/event-schedule
  • June 18-20: Haynes Apperson Festival, with acts including Kool & The Gang and Foghat. Foster Park, 721 W. Superior St. in Kokomo. haynesappersonfestival.org
  • July 14-15: Symphony in the Parks, with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at Ellenberger Park on July 14, 5301 E. St. Clair St and at Garfield Park on July 15, 2345 Pagoda Drive. tinyurl.com/437kfpr6
  • Aug. 27 and 28: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra at Taggart Memorial Amphitheater at Riverside Regional Park on Aug. 27, 1856 Burdsal Pkwy. At Holliday Park on Aug. 28, 6363 Spring Mill Road. Register for tickets: icomusic.org/shows
  • Sept. 11: Opera in the Park, with Indianapolis Opera and guests, honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. At MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive.
  • Sept. 26: Garfield Park Art + Music Festival, with live music, food and more. MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive.

Groovin’ in the Garden at Easley Winery

205 N. College Ave. Full schedule and more information: easleywinery.com

Concerts are from 2-5 p.m. Saturdays in June and July. Feel free to bring your own food or order it there. Seating runs out quickly, so bring your own chairs. Highlights:

  • June 6: Island Breeze
  • June 27: Black Velvet Duo
  • July 25: Two for the Show (pop and rock from the 1960s and 70s)

Levitt Vibe Indianapolis Music Series

Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis campus, 1125 Cruft St. Full schedule and more information: bigcar.org/project/vibe

Multi-genre concerts are from noon to 3 p.m. on the first or second Sunday of each month through November. Schedule of headliners:

  • June 7: Brandon Meeks
  • July 12: Glyders
  • Aug. 9: Rob Dixon and Trilogy
  • Sept. 13: Natural Information Society
  • Oct. 11: Sofia Rei
  • Nov. 8: Good Flying Birds

The Alley at The Cabaret

The Alley at Library Square, beside The Cabaret at 924 N. Pennsylvania St. More information: thecabaret.org.

7:30 p.m. on several Fridays in August. Reservations required for limited table seating. No reservations needed for patrons bringing lawn chairs.

  • Aug. 7: Mariah Ivey, Troy Thomas with TruMusiq
  • Aug. 14: Steve Allee
  • Aug. 21: The Band Downstairs, Pavel and Direct
  • Aug. 28: Stephanie Allen-Stevenson and Composition

Indy Parks concert series

At different parks across the city. Check parks.indy.gov/free-concert-series for times, locations and the full schedule. Highlights:

  • June 10: Premium Blend (Eagle Creek Beach)
  • June 14: Lester Johnson and Sandy Lomax (Watkins Park)
  • June 18: PsyWrn Simone (Riverside Park)
  • June 25: CRP Music featuring Rob Dixon and Okara Imani
  • June 26: Shawn McGowan (Broad Ripple Park)
  • July 7: Cathy Morris (Wes Montgomery Park)
  • July 14: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (Ellenberger Park)
  • July 16: Clint Breeze (Martin Luther King Park)
  • Aug. 9: Hip-Hop Anthology (Garfield Park)
  • Aug. 15: Indy Ballet (Riverside Park)
  • Aug. 28: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (Holliday Park)

Fishers Community Concert Series

Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Drive in Fishers. Full schedule and more info: fishersparks.com

Concerts on Tuesdays in June and July. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Patrons can bring chairs, blankets and food.

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  • June 9: Living Proof
  • June 16: Blue Water Kings
  • June 23: Toy Factory
  • June 30: Karma
  • July 7: Big Rosco and The Hammers
  • July 14: The Doo Band
  • July 21: The Flying Toasters
  • July 28: Stella Luna and The Satellites

Concerts at the Commons

First Merchants Pavilion at Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St. in Noblesville. Full schedule and more info: noblesvilleparks.org

Concerts are at 7 p.m. on some Saturdays from June through September.

  • June 13: EMO KIDS
  • June 27: Southern Accents 
  • July 25: The Silver Bullet Experience
  • August 15: Rod Tuff Curls and The Bench Press
  • August 29: Dusty Millers No Fences Garth Brooks Tribute
  • September 12: Hyryder

Dillon Park Summer Concert Tour

Dillon Park, 6351 Midland Lane in Noblesville. Full schedule and more info: noblesvilleparks.org

Concerts are at 7 p.m. on most Thursdays in June and July.

  • June 18: Groove Smash
  • July 9: Toy Factory 
  • July 16: Indigos Band
  • July 30: Jai Baker 3

Summer Family Concert Series at the Gazebo

Carmel Gazebo, 1 Civic Square in Carmel. Full schedule and more info: carmelgazeboconcerts.org

Concerts are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 9. Highlights:

  • June 10: My Yellow Rickshaw
  • June 24: 45RPM
  • July 15: Cook and Belle
  • Aug. 5: Rick K and The Allnighters
  • Aug. 19: The Woomblies Rock Orchestra
  • Sept. 9: Endless Summer Band

Late Night on Main

Carmel Arts & Design District, East Main Street and North Rangeline Road. carmelporchfest.org

Concerts start at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

  • June 20: Jai Baker
  • July 18: Blair Clark and The Fun Factor Band
  • Aug. 15: Dude!
  • Sept. 20: Carmel Porchfest (noon-6 p.m.)

Entertainment at Depot Street Park

Depot Street Park, 251 Depot St. in Greenfield. parksingreenfield.com

Concerts start at 6 p.m.

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  • June 12: The Flying Toasters
  • June 25: Hard Day’s Night
  • July 10: James Taylor Tribute and Sounds of Summer
  • July 24: The Woomblies Rock Orchestra
  • Aug. 7: Chris Collins: A John Denver Tribute
  • Aug 21: No Fences

Live at the Rails

Depot Street Park, 251 Depot St. in Greenfield. parksingreenfield.com/live-at-the-rails

Concerts start at 6 p.m.

  • June 13: The Kings of Queen
  • July 18: Thunderstruck (AC/DC Tribute)
  • Aug. 15: Boys in the Band (Alabama Tribute)
  • Sept. 5: Shadow of a Doubt and A Springsteen Celebration
  • Sept. 19: Moving in Stereo and E5SC4P3

Mallow Run Winery’s Picnic Concert Series

Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road in Bargersville. Full schedule and more info: mallowrun.com

Many shows are free through Sept. 19. Music starts at 6 p.m. for the following. Highlights:

  • June 13: Shining Star
  • June 20: Hairbangers Ball
  • July 11: Bon Journeyed
  • Aug. 1: The Doo!
  • Aug 22: The Nauti Yachtys
  • Sept. 12: Midtown Madmen

Music in the Park

Blue River Memorial Park, 725 Lee Blvd. in Shelbyville. shelbyparks.com.

Concerts begin at 7 p.m., mostly on Fridays through Sept. 12.

  • June 26: Boys in the Band (Alabama Tribute)
  • July 12: Sam Morrison Band (Southern Rock Explosion)
  • July 31: Matt Mason
  • Aug 7: Captain Mike and the Shipwrecked (Jimmy Buffett Tribute)
  • Sept. 12: 84 and Excitable (Van Halen and Def Leppard Tribute)

Greenwood Summer Concert Series

Greenwood Amphitheater in Craig Park, 300 S. Washington St. in Greenwood. Full schedule and more information: greenwood.in.gov

7 p.m. on most Saturdays through Aug. 8.

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  • June 6: Big Rosco and The Hammers
  • June 13: Cosmic Situation
  • June 20: The Woomblies Rock Orchestra
  • July 11: Blue River Band
  • July 18: Cornfield Mafia
  • July 25: Tastes Like Chicken
  • Aug. 1: The Big 80s
  • Aug. 8: Soul Street

Greenwood Park Mall Summer Concert Series

1251 U.S. Hwy 31 North in Greenwood. More information: simon.com

Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. most Thursdays.

  • June 11: Dream Slice
  • June 18: Tastes Like Chicken
  • June 25: Blue River Band
  • July 9: The Big 80s
  • July 16: Back2Mac

Beech Grove Concert Series

Sarah T. Bolton Park, 1300 Churchman Ave. in Beech Grove. More information: beechgroveconcertseries.nicepage.io

Concerts start around 7 p.m. every other Thursday from June-August. Highlights:

  • June 11: Train Wreck
  • July 9: The Doo
  • Aug. 6: Small Town
  • Aug. 20: Cornfield Mafia

Franklin Parks’ Summer Concert Series

DriveHubler.com Amphitheater at Youngs Creek Park, 237 West Monroe St. in Franklin. More information: franklinparks.org

Concerts start at 7 p.m. Highlights:

  • June 6: Dusty Miller Band
  • July 3: Blue River Band (38th Infantry Division Band at 5 p.m.)
  • Aug. 14: Absolute Queen
  • Sept. 26: Clayton Anderson at the Fall Festival

Hummel Park Concert Series

Hummel Park Performing Arts Center, 5373 S. Sugar Grove Road in Plainfield. More information: guilfordtownship.com

Concerts start at 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) mostly on Saturdays from June-September.

  • June 13: Victims of Love (Eagles tribute)
  • 5 p.m. July 4: Big Rosco and the Hammers, food and fireworks
  • July 25: No Fences (Garth Brooks tribute)
  • Aug. 8: Parrots of the Caribbean (Jimmy Buffett tribute)
  • Aug. 29: Sounds of Summer (Beach Boys tribute)

Live by the Levee Summer Concert Series

Riverside Park Amphitheater, 302 S. Riverside Drive in Rushville. More information: rushvilleamphitheater.com

Concerts start at 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on several Saturdays from June-September. Highlights:

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  • June 20: IPOP (DJ-style approach)
  • July 11: Gabriel Sanchez (Prince Experience)
  • Aug. 15: The Springsteen Experience
  • 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19: On the Border (Eagles tribute)

Kokomo Summer Concert Series

Kokomo Performing Arts Pavilion at Foster Park, 721 W. Superior St. in Kokomo. Full schedule and more information: visitkokomo.org

Concerts start at 5 p.m. See website for future announcements.

  • June 13: Grateful Grass
  • July 11: Hippies & Cowboys

Mooresville Summer Concert Series

Pioneer Park, 1101 Indianapolis Road in Mooresville. Full schedule and more information: mooresvilleparks.com

Concerts start at 7 p.m. on some Thursdays through August.

  • June 11: Cook & Belle
  • July 16: Big Rosco and the Hammers
  • July 30: Soul Street
  • Aug. 6: The Revelators
  • Aug. 20: Tastes Like Chicken

This Indy newsletter has the best shows, art and eats

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or X: @domenicareports.



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Indianapolis, IN

‘Thrill is gone’: Jason Whitlock says Caitlin Clark fever is over in Indianapolis

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‘Thrill is gone’: Jason Whitlock says Caitlin Clark fever is over in Indianapolis


The Indiana Fever had its biggest game of the early season on Thursday night against the Atlanta Dream in Indiana’s 2026 Commissioner’s Cup debut. The Fever entered the contest on a two-game losing streak after dropping both games of a West Coast road trip to the Golden State Valkyries and Portland Fire. The Fever, which…



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Indianapolis, IN

Christian Rasmussen to remain with ECR in 2027 and beyond

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Christian Rasmussen to remain with ECR in 2027 and beyond


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — NTT IndyCar Series driver Christian Rasmussen is staying with ECR.

The team announced on Thursday morning that Rasmussen will remain the driver of the No. 21 car for the 2027 season and beyond as part of a multi-year agreement.

“I’m excited to extend my partnership with ECR for 2027 and beyond. I’ve enjoyed my time with the team so far and believe in the future of ECR,” Rasmussen said in a press release. “We have undergone a lot of changes over the last couple years, and it has been a privilege to witness them firsthand, and to play a part in them. I’m confident that together we will continue to take ECR to its fullest potential.”

Rasmussen is currently in his third season driving for ECR. He raced only road and street courses, along with the Indy 500, during the the 2024 season. He then became a full-time driver for the team in 2025.

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Rasmussen earned his first IndyCar victory for ECR last year when he won at Milwaukee Mile.

“We are very excited to finalize this extension with Christian,” ECR co-owner and CEO Ed Carpenter said in the press release. “Maintaining continuity with our driver lineup is something we feel that is an important element for ECR to reach its full potential. We have watched Christian develop over the past two seasons and firmly believe that the future is bright for Christian and ECR.”

Rasmussen drives the No. 21 for the team, alongside Alexander Rossi. Rossi drives the No. 20 for the team full-time.

It’s been a tough season for Rasmussen, who currently sits 24th in the IndyCar standings. His best finish is 14th, which occurred at Phoenix in March. He was actually a threat to win that race, but damage on his car late in the race led to a finish outside of the top ten.

“Christian has shown incredible talent, dedication, and adaptability since joining ECR,” ECR owner and chairman Ted Gelov said in the news release. “Nothing has changed our minds in that regard. Seeing Christian and the entire ECR organization battle adversity and emerge strong has strengthened our belief in him and this team. Extending our partnership with Christian ensures that we continue building momentum with a driver who understands our team’s vision and culture. The best is yet to come for Christian and ECR.”

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Rasmussen is hoping to show once again how strong he is on short ovals this weekend when the series visits World Wide Technology Raceway. The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 takes place Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT.



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Indianapolis, IN

Work completed on $3 million restoration of fountains at Garfield Park

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Work completed on  million restoration of fountains at Garfield Park



by:
Gregg Montgomery and Kelsie Gibbs


Posted: / Updated:

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indy Parks on Saturday will unveil the restoration of longstanding fountains, a project almost two years in the making.

The fountains were already shooting water among newly landscaped walking paths on Wednesday afternoon at the Garfield Park Sunken Garden.

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City planner and landscape architect George Kessler designed the Sunken Garden and the adjacent Garfield Park Conservatory, which was built in 1916 at 2505 Conservatory Drive.

Funds for the $3 million restoration project were part of an $80 million Lilly Endowment grant issued to Indy Parks in late 2022 for projects at 42 Indianapolis parks.

The Friends of Garfield Park, a group devoted to the south-side park, oversaw the project to restore the concrete walls and plumbing, and add color-changing lights to enhance the look of the fountains.

The group hopes to raise an additional $1 million for the upkeep of the fountains.

A news release issued Wednesday said a recognition event and a ribbon-cutting, free and open to the public, were scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday. Due to storms in the forecast, the event could be delayed or canceled.

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