You can have a totally free night on the town this summer with a little planning. All you have to do is gather your pals, make some egg salad sandwiches, fill up your water bottles and then ride your bikes to one of these cool concert series events.
Not an egg salad fan? Well, I have good news for you. You can buy something delicious from food trucks and vendors at most of the music events on our list.
We’re hearing whispers of more free music coming this summer, so rest assured we’ll keep updating this list as the summer rolls on.
Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series
🗓️ Noon to 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month
📍 Tube Factory in Terri Sisson Park, 1125 Cruft St.
Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Big Car team up with local and national musicians, local vendors, artists, poets and neighborhood partners for free concerts.
- July 13: Music by Wife Patrol, Technicolor Band and Florelis Jimenez. Food truck: J & J Taste of Home. Community partner: Chreece pop-up shop.
- Aug. 10: Music by Girl in a Coma and Criollisima con Sentimiento with performances by Iibada Dance Company. Food truck: The Grub House. Community partner: Latino Market, Latino/e/x artisans and vendors.
- Sept. 14: Music by Don Slepian, Sound Ecologies and Indianapolis Chinese Performing Arts. Food truck: Sakura Express. Community: Free Market; trade and receive free items.
- Oct. 12: Music by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Indygaita, Gamelan Mojomanis. Food truck: Arepas. Community: Daydream Market, mix of vendors selling vintage, art and hand-made wares.
Concerts are moved inside Tube Factory artspace when there’s rain, storms or extreme heat.
Viernes Cultural with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail
🗓️ 7-10 p.m. on the last Friday of the month
📍 Richard G. Lugar Plaza, 200 E. Washington St.
A music show with a side of salsa, cumbia or bachata dance lessons? Si, por favor. Get there early and snag a great spot with your lawn chairs or blanket. If you’d prefer a front-row seat, you can reserve a table and three chairs with a $20 donation to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
- June 27: Music by 317 Proyecto with a group bachata dance lesson by Jen Gaskill. Food by The Garnacha Spot and Just Call Kate Mobile Libations.
- July 25: Music by Son de Esquina with a group cumbia dance lesson by Latin Expressions. Food by The Garnacha Spot and Just Call Kate Mobile Libations.
- August 29: Music by Pavel & Direct Contact with a group salsa dance lesson by Latin Expressions. Beverages by Just Call Kate Mobile Libations.
- September 26: Music by Son de Esquina with a group salsa dance lesson by Jen Gaskill. Beverages by Just Call Kate Mobile Libations.
The Alley Sessions
🗓️ 6-8:30 p.m. on Fridays
📍 The Alley at The Cabaret, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
The best of cabaret life, but with chill outdoor seating and well-behaved dogs. Table seating with shade umbrellas is limited, but guests can bring lawn chairs. Food and beverages are provided by The Jazz Kitchen. Doors open at 6 p.m., performances take place 7-8:15. and the bar closes at 8:30.
You can also shop local artisans and vendors, and explore contemporary works at Indy Arts Council’s Gallery 924, which is open during performances. All performances are family-friendly, and leashed dogs are welcome. (Water bowls will be provided.) Homebodies can listen to the music live on WICR 88.7 FM.
- July 25: Jazz in The Alley: Rob Dixon & Trilogy and Brenda Williams
- Aug. 1: Art & Soul in The Alley: 2025 Featured Artists & Alumni. Presented in partnership with Indy Arts Council, this evening highlights 2025 Art & Soul featured artists Akili Ni Mali and Brandon Lott, plus Art & Soul alumna PsyWrn Simone aka AshLee Baskin.
- Aug. 8: Blues in The Alley: Queen Delphine & The Crown Jewels and Rebekah Meldrum
- Aug. 15: Bashiri Asad & Okara Imani
Fridays at the Fort
🗓️ 6:30-9 p.m. Fridays, June 13-25
📍 Arts For Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave.
Free, live music with a kids zone, food trucks, special guests, a beer tent for grown-ups, and more.
- June 13: Akili Ni Mali, 2025 Art & Soul featured artist
- June 27: HeartStone Crossing Band
- July 11: Blackberry Jam
- July 25: Vinnie & The Moochers.
Symphony in the Parks
Led by conductor Daniel Wiley, the program features orchestral pieces and film favorites, including “Moonriver” by Roberto Mancini, “Summertime” from the opera “Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin and the “Star Wars” main title by John Williams.
Entry begins at 5 p.m., and guests are advised to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and arrive early to grab a great spot.
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 8: Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 9: Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road
ICO Parks Concerts
Experience a live orchestra under the evening glow. The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra will perform two free, family-friendly concerts. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic and enjoy the sounds of classical music.
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28: Taggart Amphitheatre at Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
- 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29: The ruins at Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road
Art & Soul Sundays
🗓️ 3-4 p.m. on select Sundays
📍 Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
Since 1996, Art & Soul has kicked off Black History Month in Indianapolis, and now this celebration of Black culture and creativity is going year-round. All events are free and family friendly. Paid parking is available in the Circle Centre Mall garages.
- Aug. 3: The Gospel of Morris
- Sept. 21: Monique Burts
- Oct. 5: Jeremy Larnel Thompson
Indy Parks Free Music Series 2025
📍 Broad Ripple Park, 1426 Broad Ripple Ave.
- 7 p.m. Friday, June 20 – Original Music Series: Sophia Goodman Trio
- 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 – Original Music Series: Cathy Morris
🗓️ 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through Aug. 20
📍 Eagle Creek Beach, 7602 Eagle Beach Drive
- June 11 – Jazz at the Beach: Rob Dixon
- June 25 – In Concert with Nature: Squirrel Butter
- July 9 – Jazz at the Beach: Ron Jones
- July 23 – In Concert with Nature: Máquina del Tiempo
- July 30 – Jazz at the Beach: Gene Markiewicz
- Aug. 6 – Jazz at the Beach: Monika Herzig
- Aug. 20 – In Concert with Nature:| Starcat
📍 MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, 2425 Conservatory Drive
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 – POPs: Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 – POPs: Cohen-Rutowski Projects
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 – Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 – POPs: Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective
- 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17 – Alt Indy: Enigma Fig
- 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24 – Alt Indy: Rob Funkhouser
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 – Alt Indy: Marrialle Sellars
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 – POPs: Pride of Indy
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 – Alt Indy: Sarah Grain
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 – POPs: Indianapolis Municipal Band
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3 – POPs: New Horizons Band
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 – Alt Indy: Wife Patrol
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 – POPs: Indianapolis Brass Choir
- 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 – Garfield Park Art and Music Festival
📍 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1702 Broadway St.
- 7 p.m. Friday, June 27 – Freedom Concert Series: JBJ Collective
- 7 p.m. Friday, July 11 – Freedom Concert Series: Salaam
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 – Freedom Concert Series: Dr. Dean Austin Ashford
📍 Taggart Memorial Amphitheater at Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 – Monumental Concert Series: Clint Breeze & The Legion of Funk
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 – Monumental Concert Series: Be On It
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28 – Monumental Concert Series: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
- 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 – Praise in the Park Gospel Fest
📍 Watkins Park, 2360 Doctor M.L.K. Jr. St.
- 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 – Jazz in the Park: Kent Hickey Organ 4tet
Did we miss anything? Send your free music event to Arts & Culture Editor Jennifer Delgadillo at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org.
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