Trade Taylor Swift friendship bracelets with IndyStar at the Eras Tour
We’re ready for the shows! We have our friendship bracelets made and ready to trade, find us this weekend and pick up some IndyStar swag!
It’s (almost) Eras Tour time!
Taylor Swift is getting ready to take over downtown Indianapolis for three shows at Lucas Oil Stadium, bringing a few hundred thousand people and significant economic impact.
Tickets, if you can get them, have in some cases cost a pretty penny. If you’re looking for budget-friendly ways to get in on the fun this weekend, though, various Indianapolis organizations have pulled together some free entertainment and experiences.
Here are a few free Swift-themed events happening around downtown this weekend.
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Hear It In The Silence: A Taylor Swift Silent Disco
5-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at The Garage Food Hall, 906 Carrollton Ave. More information: bit.ly/4cYztf2
It’s a party, but only in your headphones. A silent disco DJ will be spinning all-Taylor all-night with headphones available for fans on a first come, first-serve basis. While you’re waiting for your turn, check out Taylor-themed drink specials throughout the food hall, make friendship bracelets or take photos in front of a custom backdrop. And since it’s Halloween, you’ll also have the chance to participate in the Show Us Your Era costume contest. Show up dressed as your favorite Taylor era for a chance to win prizes.
Swift City Sessions: Indy Arts Council-sponsored pop-up performances
2-6 p.m. Nov. 1 and noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2-3 in various locations downtown. More information: bit.ly/4hjWQmN
More than 100 musicians and spoken word artists will host free pop-up performances at 13 locations across downtown Indianapolis.
- Bicentennial Unity Plaza, 117 S. Pennsylvania St., near Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- Capitol Avenue underpass, near Capitol and Louisiana Street
- East and west blocks of Georgia Street
- Hudnut Commons, 50 S. Capitol Ave.
- Indiana Convention Center east and west (the convention center is located at 100 S. Capitol Ave.)
- Indiana Repertory Theatre (140 W. Washington St.)
- Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St., over the intersection of Washington and Illinois Streets
- Lugar Plaza, 200 E. Washington St., outside the City-County Building
- Monument Circle
- Starbucks patio (30 S. Meridian St.)
- The intersection of Washington and West Streets
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Swift City Sessions: Make & Take Art Stations
2-6 p.m. Nov. 1 and 1-6 p.m. Nov. 2-3 in the Indianapolis Artsgarden. More information: bit.ly/4hjWQmN
Also presented by Indy Arts Council, these art activities, led by ArtMix, will give fans the chance to create their own Eras-themed sunglasses, flower crowns, guitar picks, friendship bracelets and other crafts.
Spark on the Circle friendship bracelet workshop
Various times. Nov. 1-2 on Monument Circle. More information: circlespark.org
Stop by Spark, a downtown park and leisure space, to make your own friendship bracelets to wear or trade with fellow fans. Custom Taylor-themed postcards will also be available for attendees to color and send for free.
In Our STEM Era with Purdue University and e.l.f. Cosmetics
Nov. 2-3 at Circle Centre Mall, 49 W. Maryland St. Learn more: bit.ly/3A0qQDf
A partnership between Purdue University and e.l.f. Cosmetics brings together music, beauty products and the scientific fields behind their creation. Visitors can create friendship bracelets including hidden messages in binary code, design a personal digital photo background for social media, sample products at the e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Oil Change and learn about women in motorsports, print a keepsake tote bag and more. They’ll also get the chance to make keychains and participate in STEM-oriented activities with representatives from the university’s Women in Engineering Program. Admission is free. To find this pop-up makerspace, enter the mall near Maryland and Illinois Streets and go up the escalators.
Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them
Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.