When is 60th annual Indianapolis Strawberry Festival? Date, time, strawberry shortcake prices

• The 60th annual Indy Strawberry Festival will take place on Monument Circle in Downtown Indianapolis.
• The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, or until supplies are gone.
• A strawberry shortcake dessert, known as “The Works,” costs $10 and includes strawberries, ice cream, shortcake, and whipped topping.
• The festival is a major fundraiser for Christ Church Cathedral, with profits benefiting various non-profit organizations.

Strawberry shortcake lovers should grab their forks and head to Downtown Indianapolis for the 60th annual Indy Strawberry Festival Thursday.

Strawberry Festival Indiana 2026: When is Indy Strawberry Festival in Downtown Indianapolis?

The Indy Strawberry Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11 or until supplies run out.

Indianapolis Strawberry Festival 2026: Where is the Indy Strawberry Festival?

The Indy Strawberry Festival is held on Monument Circle in Downtown Indianapolis.

2026 Indy Strawberry Festival prices: How much does strawberry shortcake cost at Indianapolis Strawberry Festival?

An Indy Strawberry Festival shortcake costs $10 for “The Works,” a container packed with strawberries, ice cream, homemade shortcakes and whipped topping. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Be prepared to wait in line. 

Indy Strawberry Festival origin: How did Indianapolis Strawberry Festival start at Christ Church Cathedral?

Christ Church Cathedral Women will make nearly 20,000 homemade shortcakes, and use 12,000 pounds of strawberries during the festival, where sellouts are not uncommon for the 300-plus volunteers.

According to the festival website, the book “The Little Church on the Circle,” written by Eli Lilly, spoke of Christ Church Cathedral using strawberries to raise money since 1864.

The first official Indy Strawberry Festival began with 100 homemade shortcakes sold on the lawn in 1965.

The women set up their stand on Thursday to make the most of J.C. Penney department store hours. Two hours later, the women had sold every last shortcake.

The event − held annually on the second Thursday in June − helps Christ Church Cathedral raise more than $70,000 each year, where 95% of the profits benefit local, national and international nonprofit outreach groups.

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Chris Sims is a trending reporter at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.