Indianapolis, IN
Need budget-friendly ways to enjoy Eras Tour weekend? Here are 5 free Taylor Swift-themed events
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.
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
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.
Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.
Indianapolis, IN
Milder Saturday, cooler Sunday, then quiet before midweek rain | May 9, 2026
TODAY
Early clouds give way to gradual clearing, and the afternoon turns much nicer than the damp start might suggest. Highs reach the mid 70s, with a west-southwest breeze around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Once we get past the morning gray, this looks like a very usable day for outdoor plans, just a bit breezy at times.
TONIGHT
Clouds increase again overnight, and scattered showers with a few thunderstorms may arrive late, mainly after 3 a.m. Lows settle in the mid 50s, with a light breeze becoming northerly late. Most of the evening stays quiet, but by early Sunday morning a few neighborhoods could hear some rain on the roof.
MOTHER’S DAY
Cooler than Saturday, with a mix of clouds and some breaks of sun along with the chance for an isolated shower. Highs top out in the mid 60s, and a north breeze around 5 to 10 mph adds a slightly cooler feel. It is not a washout, but it is also not as nice as Saturday afternoon, especially south of Indianapolis where a stray shower may hang on longer.
TOMORROW NIGHT
Partly cloudy and cooler, with lows in the mid 40s and a north northeast breeze around 5 to 10 mph. The air dries out nicely, and this looks like a quiet, comfortable night across central Indiana.
MONDAY
Bright and seasonably cool with sunshine taking over. Highs reach the mid 60s, with a light north wind around 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. This looks like one of the cleaner forecast days of the stretch, great for errands, practices, or getting outside without weather trouble.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear and chilly again, with lows in the low to mid 40s and light wind fading late. Quiet weather continues, and there are no meaningful travel concerns overnight.
TUESDAY
Another decent start, then clouds begin to increase later with a chance for showers and thunderstorms after mid afternoon. Highs reach the mid 60s, with a light south southwest breeze around 5 to 10 mph. Most of the day still looks usable, but the late afternoon and evening carry the next better rain signal.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms become more likely for part of the night before activity starts to ease later on. Lows hold in the low to mid 50s, with a south-southwest wind around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. It does not look like a high-end severe setup right now, but it is enough of a signal to keep an eye on late evening plans.
WEDNESDAY
A leftover shower is possible early, then the trend turns drier with more sun returning through the day. Highs recover into the upper 60s, and a northwest breeze around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph will make it feel a little brisker at times. The day improves as it goes, and by afternoon it should look much better than the early morning may suggest.
7 DAY FORECAST
After a milder Saturday and a small late Saturday night into Sunday shower window, the broader pattern settles down for Sunday night and Monday with quieter, cooler weather in place. The next more meaningful chance for rain arrives Tuesday into Tuesday night as another system approaches, then drier conditions return Wednesday as that system pulls away. Temperatures run in the 70s Saturday, slip back into the 60s Sunday through Tuesday, then edge a little milder again by midweek. Confidence is best in the quiet Sunday night through Monday stretch, while the exact timing of Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night rain could still wobble a bit.
Indianapolis, IN
Watch Andrea Hunley discuss run for Indy mayor, data centers and more
Editor’s note: This interview is part of our ‘Meet the Candidates’ show. Watch past episodes here.
After working in education for about 15 years, Andrea Hunley won her first bid for political office four years ago in an Indiana Senate district covering the core of Indianapolis.
On May 8, Hunley, 42, officially launched her campaign for an office that she says feels closer to home: Indianapolis mayor.
About a year ahead of the May 2027 mayoral primary, Hunley sat down with IndyStar on May 5 to discuss what she hopes to accomplish as mayor, why her candidacy differs from her challengers, and how she thinks about hot-button issues like education, public safety and data centers.
At this point, Hunley will face longtime Indianapolis City-County Councilor Vop Osili and Department of Public Works administrator David Bride. Both candidates will also be invited for sit-down interviews with IndyStar in the coming weeks.
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
Indianapolis, IN
Meet all 12 Indianapolis Colts undrafted free agents
The Indianapolis Colts announced the addition of 12 undrafted free agents for the rookie minicamp beginning Friday:
>> Cam Ball, DT, Arkansas: Appeared in 50 games with 31 starts, making 138 tackles, 12.5 for loss with 3 sacks at 6-4, 310 pounds. Ball was a team captain last season, named to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team and on the 2024 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.
>> Austin Brown, S, Wisconsin: Received a $272,000 guarantee, a source told IndyStar. The 6-0, 199-pounder played in 50 games with 24 starts), totaling 142 tackles with eight passes defensed. Brown was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice (2023-25) and named CSC Academic All-District in 2025.
>> Tahj Chambers, LB, Mississippi: Played in 15 games in one season at Mississippi with 45 tackles and three passes defensed. The 6-2, 231-pounder also played in 43 games at Missouri State with 196 tackles, 17 for loss, 3.0 sacks and eight passes defensed. Chambers made the MVFC honor roll in 2022 and 2024 and was selected to the Missouri State AD’s Honor Roll in Fall 2022 and Fall 2024.
>> Sahmir Hagans, WR, Duke: The 5-11, 188-pounded played in 57 games at Duke with 152 catches for 1,586 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hagans also returned 24 kicks for a 31.5-yard average and two touchdowns and five punts for a 30.6-yard average with a score. He was a second team All-ACC selection as a return specialist in 2025 and named to the 2022 ACC All-Academic Team.
>> E.J. Horton, WR, Purdue: Played in 41 games between Purdue, Florida Atlantic, West Virginia and Marshall in a college career that began in 2020. He made 53 catches for 735 yards and four touchdowns.
>>Mitchell Melton, DE, Virginia: Played at Virginia and Ohio State as a 6-3, 253-pound defensive end with 60 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 8 sacks, 4 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles. Last season he started 14 games at Virginia and was honor mention All-ACC.
>>Lincoln Pare, RB, Texas State: At 5-8, 190 pounds, Pare played in 38 games with 2,454 yards and 25 touchdowns on 477 carries, plus 78 receptions for 644 yards and 3 scores. Prior to earning second team All-Sun Belt last season, Pare played at Arkansas State. His last name is pronounced Pair-ee.
>>Nolan Rucci, OL, Penn State: At 6-8, 314 pounds, Rucci was a tackle at Penn State and Wisconsin, making 18 starts. He was honor mention All-Big Ten.
>> Raylen Sharpe, WR, Arkansas: At 5-9, 173 pounds, Sharpe was a receiver and ball carrier at Arkansas, Fresno State, Missouri State and Houston with 181 catches for 2,413 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus 12 carries for 122 yards and he threw a touchdown pass. He was honor mention All-Mountain West in 2024 and first team All-MVFC in 2023 while also running track in 2021 at Houston.
>>Geno VanDeMark, C, Alabama: Earned starts at right guard, left guard and center at 6-4, 314 pounds. Also played 18 games, with eight starts at Michigan State.
>>Jordon Vaughn, RB, Abilene Christian: He’s 6-3, 228 pounds and rushed for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns on 179 caries in 30 games. Also played at Wyoming for two seasons.
>>West Weeks, LB, LSU: The 6-2, 230-pound linebacker appeared in 54 games between LSU and Virginia with 164 tackles, 12.5 for loss and 5 sacks.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
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