19 Things to Do in Indianapolis This Week · May 21–24, 2026

Sports

109th Indianapolis 500

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 109th running of the Indy 500, drawing over 300,000 attendees.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 · Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Festivals & Special Events

Zak Brown & Will Buxton: Racing Minds Talk

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton take the stage at Hilbert Circle Theatre for a special Indy 500 week conversation.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 7:00 PM · Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis

2026 Last Row Party

The annual Indy 500 Last Row Party celebration takes place at the Dallara Experience Hub ahead of race weekend.

Friday, May 22, 2026 6:00 PM · Dallara Experience Hub, Indianapolis

500 Festival Parade

One of Indy's favorite annual traditions, the 500 Festival Parade rolls through downtown Indianapolis ahead of race day.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Downtown Indianapolis

Panda Fest Indianapolis

Panda Fest takes over Indy this weekend with Asian street food, unique treats, and vendors serving everything from Korean bites to a meter stick of meat.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Indianapolis

2026 Snake Pit Festival

The annual Snake Pit electronic music festival returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Indy 500 race day, featuring top DJ acts.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 4:00 AM · Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Music & Nightlife

Bob James at The Jazz Kitchen

Modern jazz master Bob James performs two nights at Indy's premier jazz club, one of Downbeat Magazine's Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N College Avenue

Combat Baltimore at Turntable

Combat Baltimore tears through Turntable with support from Bomb Cats Band in a high-energy rock show presented by Forty5 Presents.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · Turntable, Indianapolis

Between the Buried and Me: The Blue Nowhere U.S. Tour

Between the Buried and Me brings their Blue Nowhere spring tour to The Vogue with support from Imperial Triumphant and Fallujah.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 · The Vogue, Indianapolis

Arts & Culture

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B

Phoenix Theatre presents Kate Hamill's clever feminist retelling of Sherlock Holmes featuring Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 7:30 PM · Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis

Aries Spears at Helium Comedy Club

Stand-up comedian Aries Spears headlines multiple shows at Helium Comedy Club across the weekend.

Friday, May 22, 2026 7:00 PM · Helium Comedy Club, 10 W. Georgia St.

BODY / BEYOND: Fashion That Transforms at Newfields

Newfields' exhibition BODY / BEYOND explores the architecture of the silhouette through transformative fashion and wearable art.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road

FREEDOM REIMAGINED: NAATC Collaborative Storytelling Slam

A powerful collaborative storytelling slam celebrating freedom and community presented at Arts for Lawrence.

Saturday, May 30, 2026 7:00 PM · Arts for Lawrence, Indianapolis

Date Night

Swing Night at Fountain Square Theatre

Fountain Square's beloved swing dance night returns with a beginner lesson followed by a live swing band on the dance floor.

Friday, May 22, 2026 7:30 PM · Fountain Square Theatre Building, 1105 Prospect Street

Outdoors & Active

Outdoor Yoga at the Ruins – Opening Day

Free outdoor yoga classes kick off for summer at the historic Ruins at Holliday Park, led by teachers from Invoke Studio — May 24 and 26 classes are free.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 7:00 AM · Ruins at Holliday Park, Indianapolis

HandleBar Hot Lap

Downtown teams race around Monument Circle in pedal-powered handlebar cars on race day, with pop-ups and special appearances from Month of May organizations.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 10:45 AM · Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis

Free Events

Spring Into Lugar – Live Music & Food Trucks

Downtown Indy's weekly Lugar Plaza activation continues with live music from Coach Redd and Naomi Pulver plus visiting food trucks throughout the week.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 · Lugar Plaza, Downtown Indianapolis

3 RUN 7 Saturday Run Club

Indy's biggest friend group run club meets every Saturday outside Provider Cafe with pace groups for all runners — always free.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 9:00 AM · Provider Cafe, Indianapolis

Food & Drink

Rooftop Social in Broad Ripple – Indy Networking

Indy Networking kicks off summer with a rooftop social in Broad Ripple featuring cocktails, light bites, and connections overlooking the city.

Thursday, May 28, 2026 · Broad Ripple, Indianapolis