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Travel and Outdoors  Parks and Recreation

9 outdoor music festivals around Indianapolis, IN

Plan ahead with this list of upcoming music events.

March 31, 2023 • 
Anna Bowman
A crowded TCU Amphitheatre in White River State Park

We expect to see a crowd as big as this one at Sad Summer Fest.

Photo via @whiteriverstprk

Table of Contents
Mark your calendars
Keep an eye out

Name a more iconic duo than the great outdoors + live music. We’ll wait.

The list of outdoor music festivals around the Circle City is growing and we’re giving you ample time to plan ahead with this roundup of noteworthy fests, including events that are currently TBD.

Crowd sitting in front of a stage with performers

Who do you want to see perform at this year’s festival? | Photo by Caleb John Smith via @bloombox_indy

Mark your calendars

Bloombox | Saturday, June 17 | Harrison Center | Formerly the Independent Music + Art Festival, the day-long fest focuses on independent local musicians and artists, as well as a contemporary craft fair.

WonderRoad | Saturday, June 17-Sunday, June 18 | Garfield Park | We’re coming undone because Weezer is the headliner at this second annual fest.

The WonderRoad arch set up at the festival

We hope the festival brings back its Instagrammable arch this year. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Garfield Park Art & Music Festival | Saturday, Aug. 12 | Garfield Park | This free festival hosted by Indy Parks, Musical Family Tree, and Garfield Brewery will be celebrating local artists + musicians.

Carmel Jazz Fest | Friday, Aug. 11-Saturday, Aug. 12 | various Carmel stages | Spyro Gyra is the headliner for this inaugural indoor/outdoor hybrid fest.

Chreece | Saturday, August 26 | Fountain Square | Indy’s biggest hip-hop festival is coming back after a three-year hiatus.

Sad Summer Festival | Saturday, July 22 | TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park | We’re getting major Warped Tour vibes from this smaller fest featuring bands like Taking Back Sunday and The Maine.

WAMMFest | Saturday, Aug. 19 | Craig Park, Greenwood | Five bands, including Spin Doctors, will be taking the stage at the wine, art, music, and microbrew event this year.

A crowd at Backalley Ballyhoo

We’re picturing an even bigger crowd this year. | Photo via @squarecatvinyl

Keep an eye out

Back Alley Ballyhoo | Dates TBD | Square Cat Vinyl | We’re still tripping over this psychedelic music and art festival that took over the Fountain Square area last August.

Indy Jazz Fest | Dates TBD | Garfield Park | Local acts like Bashiri Asad + Charlie Ballantine performed at this show last October.

Did we miss a festival? Let us know + we’ll add it to the list.

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