Lucky you. You just found INDYtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Indy each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, and text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Seasonal fun
Carmel E.A.T.S. — Entrepreneurs, Artisans, Tastes + Storytelling | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Ice at Carter Green, Carmel | Free entry | Sit back, relax, and savor the flavors of Carmel at this all-day festival featuring bites from local chefs, artisan goods, and live entertainment.
Third Thursdays in Broad Ripple Village | Thursday, Sept. 18 | 6-9 p.m. | Broad Ripple | Price of purchase | Explore the neighborhood and curate your perfect evening with live music from local performers, a vendor market, creations by local artists, and health + wellness hubs.
Kite Festival: Soaring Through the Winds | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 1-4 p.m. | Avon Town Hall Park, Avon | Free entry | Bring your own kite (or DIY one on-site) at this family- and pet-friendly festival — there will also be food trucks, bounce houses, games, and contests.
Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 26 | 5-10 p.m. | Monument Circle | Price of purchase | Don your best lederhosen and raise a stein to this 14th annual Bavarian block party featuring German-inspired fare, games, photo ops, and live music by the Indianapolis Liederkranz German Band.
Sports and active opportunities
Colts 5K | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $20+ | Celebrate the return of NFL football with a race through downtown that finishes on the 50-yard line.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins | Sunday, Sept. 7 | 1 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $71+ | Bleed blue and help the Colts open up the NFL season by sending the Dolphins back to the ocean.
Spooky Sprint | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 8-11 a.m. | White River State Park | $17+ | Costumes are encouraged for these Halloween-themed races, which will also feature trick-or-treat stations and a live DJ spinning frightfully fantastic hits.
Oktoberfest 5K | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10:45 a.m. | Big Lug Canteen | $40+ | Take a run (or walk) through the flat, shaded Monon Trail, then hydrate with an ice cold brew.
TikTok sensation Alex Warren will bring his “Cheaper than Therapy” tour to Indy this September.
Photo by Mike M. Cohen via Wikimedia Commons
Shows and concerts
Downtown Dinner & Theatre: Broadway Off Broadway | Friday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 20 | Times vary | Murat Shrine Center | $64+ | Enjoy dinner and a show featuring the melodies of legendary composers Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers & Hammerstein, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and more.
Billy Currington & Kip Moore | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | $41+ | If your “Heart’s Desire” is to be “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer,” you’ll want to make your way to this country concert.
An Evening with Christian Borle | Friday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | The Cabaret | $120+ | Musical theater fans won’t want to miss this intimate performance from the two-time Tony Award winner known for shows like “Something Rotten!”, “Some Like it Hot,” and “Legally Blonde.”
Bob the Drag Queen | Friday, Sept. 19-Saturday, Sept. 20 | Times vary | Helium Comedy Club | $40+ | This comedian, activist, and winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 8 is bringing her latest stand-up routine to the Circle City.
“Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony” | Friday, Sept. 19-Saturday, Sept. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Hilbert Circle Theatre | $47+ | Watch and listen as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra reimagines this musical icon’s greatest hits along with guest vocalists, plus multimedia storytelling from the artist herself.
Indy Jazz Fest | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 4 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | $74+ | This year’s premiere jazz celebration has a star-studded lineup featuring Brian Culbertson, Terence Blanchard, and Nicole Henry.
Shaboozey | Monday, Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | Old National Centre | $84+ | While “everybody’s at the bar getting tipsy,” you’ll be dancing the night away to this genre-bending artist’s top songs.
”World of Hans Zimmer: A New Dimension” | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7-11 p.m. | Fishers Event Center, Fishers | $39+ | Voyage through this legendary composer’s most famous cinema scores, combined with visual projections.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” “Werq The World” Tour | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Old National Centre | $53+ | Sashay away to this live experience featuring performances from some of the most iconic cast members of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Alex Warren | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 8 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | $181+ | This viral singer-songwriter known for songs like “Ordinary” and “Carry You Home” will bring his “Cheaper Than Therapy” tour to Naptown.
Lee Brice | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 7 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | $30+ | It won’t be “Hard to Love” this South Carolina-native country singer’s performance.
Papa Roach & Rise Against | Friday, Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | $48+ | No bugs were harmed in the making of this alternative 1990s rock band’s latest tour.
Jay Leno | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 8 p.m. | The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel | $58+ | Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt thanks to this stand-up comedian and Television Hall of Fame inductee’s latest set.
Keep your eyes peeled for cool photo ops during Penrod on the Newfields grounds — including the famous giant blue snail.
Photo via @localtourist.indy
All about the arts
Carmel on Canvas 2025 | Friday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 6 | 8 a.m. | Carmel Fire Department Headquarters, Carmel | $13+ | Artists of all ages can register for two days of painting in plein air — more than $13,000 in total prizes will be up for grabs.
20th Annual Quest for the West Art Show and Sale | Friday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 6 | Times vary | Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art | $125+ | Meet contemporary Western artists, connect with fellow collectors, and have the opportunity to purchase works during this prestigious show — members-only pricing is available.
58th CBIZ Penrod Arts Fair | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Newfields | $17 | Join the fun of “Indiana’s Nicest Day” and largest single-day arts fair in the US featuring more than 1,000 visual and performing artists + local bites and bevs.
Festival of the Arts | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Arbuckle Acres Park, Brownsburg | Free | Artists, performers, and art lovers unite at this event showcasing visual art exhibits, live music, workshops, a vendor market, and food.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.