My personal September is filled with the duty of wishing someone a “Happy Birthday” almost every other day. Fun fact: September is the month with the most common birthdays.
We can agree and disagree about this information. But in these polarizing times we can at least agree that this is a busy month.
For this “things to do” list, I sprinkled a little bit of everything regardless of price point.
Soak up National Literacy Month with Festival 451indy that celebrates the life and legacy of author Ray Bradbury. Spend a Saturday at an endless list of fairs and festivals including Penrod, the Afghan Annual Cultural Festival, BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest, Bates-Hendricks Fest and BLACK: A Festival of Joy.
Swing and sing to your favorite jazz numbers at Indy Jazz Fest. Step back in time to view a mid-century home built in 1960 that was designed by Avriel Shull, an architectural designer and builder and interior decorator.
If you’re looking for something that might pull on your heart strings head to Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre. See artist Billie Allen’s works and watch a short film about his life at a new exhibit. For over 25 years, Allen was on death row. In 2024, he received a pardon from President Biden, but is still serving a life sentence.
In September, we’ll be saying goodbye (some of us unwillingly) to summer and ushering in autumn. Use this list to find fun in the city all month long.
Sept. 1-7 🔝
Free Community Movie Series
🗓️ 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2
📍 Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
🎟️ Free
If you missed “Moana 2” when it was in theaters, make up for it with a free, family-friendly screening at Butler University.
Journal Making
🗓️ 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3
📍 Franklin Road library branch, 5550 S. Franklin Road
🎟️ Free
School-age kids can explore how journals can be used to write stories, keep notes, collect drawings and record goals. In this class, kids can design and build their own 3D accordion-style journal. Materials will be provided.
Glass Birds Workshop
🗓️ 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
📍 Factory Arts North, 1125 Brookside Ave.
🎟️ $97.88
Make one or a whole flock of glass cardinals. This Glass Arts Indiana workshop will safely guide you through the process to grab your molten glass from a 2,100-degree furnace. Pro tip: The studio can get hot, so wear T-shirts or button-down shirts, jeans or shorts and tennis shoes.
Festival 451indy
🗓️ Sept. 6-Oct. 5
📍 Multiple venues
🎟️ Free
Inspired by the life and legacy of author Ray Bradbury, this is a citywide celebration of the humanities, literature, film, performance arts and community storytelling. This year’s theme is “fierce imagination.” The first event, Letter from the Edge, is a writing workshop on Sept. 6 at Indy Type Shop. No experience needed.
State Street Club
🗓️ 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
📍 State Street Pub, 243 N. State Ave.
🎟️ $10 at the door
House nation stand up. Every first Friday of the month, get drinks, food and underground dance music during State Street Club. This event will feature guest DJs: 5LAPHOUSE, B2B, Miss Amillionaire and Black Moose.
First Friday at Factory Arts District
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Sept. 5
📍 Factory Arts North, 1125 Brookside Ave., and Factory Arts South, 1011 Mass Ave.
🎟️ Free
It can be overwhelming choosing between art galleries on First Friday. One stop at the Factory Arts District means you can see works from artists at over 20 studios and galleries.
Penrod
🗓️ 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
📍 Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
🎟️ $17.73; free for kids under 10
Shop from over 350 artists at one of the country’s largest art fairs. There will be performers across five stages, a children’s area, food and beverages. You can park at Lafayette Square Mall and catch a free shuttle to Newfields.
I Music Fest
🗓️ 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
📍 The Square, 3919 Lafayette Road
🎟️ Free
I Music Fest is a free community event and fundraiser for the International District Community Center. Enjoy a full day of live music, dance performances, food trucks and a kids’ zone with bounce houses, face painting and a petting zoo.
Electric Boys Festival
🗓️ 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
📍 Black Circle, 2201 E. 46th St.
🎟️ $21
Are you a dog lover? Get a night of unadulterated fun and art with some fellow dog-lovin’ folks. All proceeds will go to Street Outreach Animal Response Initiative, a nonprofit working with people experiencing homelessness who have pets.
Vintage Movie Night
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
📍 Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
🎟️ $5
Grab some popcorn and watch a few rare TV pilots.
Afghan Annual Cultural Festival
🗓️ 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
📍 Schwitzer Student Center at University of Indianapolis, 1400 Campus Drive
🎟️ Free but RSVP required
The celebration of Eid and Nowruz will include food and music, hosted by the Afghan American Community Center.
BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest
🗓️ Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7
📍 Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive
🎟️ Free
Celebrate Black queer freedom, culture and joy with live music, a Black-owned market, a family zone and drag shows.
Sept. 8-14 🔝
Indy Jazz Fest
🗓️ Sept. 9-20
📍 Multiple venues
🎟️ $25-60
Indy has birthed many jazz legends, like the late Wes Montgomery, the Hampton Sisters and Freddie Hubbard. Get ready to dance and sing to some of your favorite and soon-to-be favorite jazz performers from across the country.
Hawthorne Family Nights
🗓️ 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11
📍 Hawthorne Pocket Park, 70 N. Mount St.
🎟️ Free
Play video games, watch a short film and celebrate Latin American culture with other Near Westside neighbors. All ages welcome.
Indy Black Climbers’ one-year anniversary
🗓️ 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12
📍 North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave.
🎟️ Free
Jai-Lyn Norwood founded Indy Black Climbers to create a more inclusive rock climbing environment in the city. On Sept. 12, you can celebrate her club’s anniversary with Detroit house music, climbing and a raffle. All experience levels are welcome.
Bates-Hendricks Street Fest
🗓️ 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
📍 Lincoln and New Jersey Streets
🎟️ Free
Meet neighbors and enjoy food, music, family activities and local vendors. The event is free to attend, but you’re encouraged to give a $5 donation, which will be used to purchase school, sanitation and personal hygiene items for IPS School 31 and Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence.
BLACK: A Festival of Joy
🗓️ 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
📍 Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
🎟️ Free
Due to bad weather, the July festival was moved to September. Lucky for you, the fun won’t stop this time. Get a full day of Black joy with some live music, food and drinks.
Signed, Billie Allen
🗓️ Opening reception 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; exhibit runs Sept. 2-28
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free
Billie Allen painted the world as he saw it for many years. For over 25 years, Allen was on death row at the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute. In 2024, his death sentence was commuted to a life sentence by former President Joe Biden. The exhibit features original artworks signed by Allen.
On opening night, you can also catch a showing of the American Lives Theatre’s play “Wad,” produced by Keiko Green about art, imprisonment and justice.
Pokepalooza 3
🗓️ 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14
📍 Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.
🎟️ General admission $13.39; VIP $30.52; free for kids under 10
Pokepalooza 3 has been called the Midwest’s largest Pokemon trading card show. The event will feature over 230 dealer tables, a tournament and a cosplay contest.
Papermaking workshop with Kahli Brown
🗓️ 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 14
📍 COMPANION, 3715 Washington Blvd.
🎟️ $35
Naturalist Kahli Brown will share the history of handmade paper and its materials, tools and processes. From pulp to product, you will create your own sheets of paper. All materials will be provided, but you can also bring your own.
Sept. 15-21 🔝
Teen Cooking: Sneak Attack
🗓️ 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
📍 Garfield Park library branch, 2502 Shelby St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Get ready to slice, dice and snack your way through some fun, teen-friendly recipes in this cooking program sponsored by Purdue Extension.
Yoga on the Canal
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
📍 Near the Admiral Spruance Basin on the Downtown Canal
🎟️ Free, but must register
What’s better than little exercise near water? End the summer with calmness and serenity at this event hosted by the Hot Room. Bring a mat and a friend or two.
Butler University’s Visiting Writers Series: Victoria Chang
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17
📍 Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
🎟️ Free
Victoria Chang is a Taiwanese American poet, essayist, multimedia artist and children’s author. She often writes about living as an Asian-American woman and dealing with depression, loss and grief. Chang will read from her book of poems, “With My Back to the World.”
Mid Century Modern House Tour
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18
📍 7654 Holiday Drive
🎟️ $45, $80
Step back in time to view a mid-century home designed by Avriel Shull, an architectural designer, builder and interior decorator. The home was built in 1960 — you’ll notice several popular features including built-ins, a wet bar and stereo consoles. The tour will feature appetizers and punch, and the owner, who’s an organist, will be there to answer questions.
Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19-20
📍 Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle
🎟️ Tickets start at $15
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra reimagines Dolly Parton’s greatest hits, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” with new orchestrations and vivid multimedia storytelling by Parton.
WCSA Youth Community Choir Call Out
🗓️ 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Youth ages 12–20 who love music and creative expression can strengthen their vocal abilities, gain confidence and make friends. In addition to singing, students will learn how to play drums, keyboard and guitar. All skill levels are welcome.
Arts for All Fest
🗓️ Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
See works from artists, connect with community members and resources and create your own art at creation stations. Arts for All Fest, hosted by ArtMix, will serve as a fundraiser for the nonprofit to help people with disabilities create art.
Art Squared Festival
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
📍 Virgina Avenue in Fountain Square neighborhood
🎟️ Free
Art Squared is bringing the quirkiness. Spend your Saturday at the art fair, watching street performers and artists who create art for the Masterpiece in a Day competition. For the first time, there will be a creator presentation space with food and beer, and demonstrations by local creatives.
The Spooky Sprint
🗓️ 8-11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21
📍 White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
🎟️ $17-58
If Halloween can’t wait, lace up your tennis shoes for Bodies Race Company’s Spooky Sprint. This festive 5K, 10K and half marathon will also feature a free professional photo station, costume contests, food and drink. There’s a virtual race option for those who prefer to haunt their own course.
Sept. 22-30 🔝
Lit Stage Open Mic
🗓️ 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
The Lit Stage open mic welcomes people of all ages, art forms and languages to share their talents including singing, skits, dancing, comedy, poetry and essay reading. Keep it family-friendly.
Murat Shrine Circus
🗓️ Sept. 25-28
📍 Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
🎟️ $35-59
The circus is coming to town with a special bilingual performance by a mariachi band; a pet adoption event with Hendricks Animal Shelter; exotic animals and clowns.
READ-IN
🗓️ Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
📍 Black Circle, 2201 E. 46th St.
🎟️ Free
Hang out with fellow book and zine nerds. Shop from comic artists, book vendors and zine makers and support local mutual aid organizations at this event hosted by Railroad City Mobile Book Fair. Artist Elyza Sarver will do face and body painting. Guests can donate gently-used clothes and non-perishable food items.
Afro Wellness Festival
🗓️ 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
📍 H.E.R. Living Campus, 3624 Five Points Road
🎟️ $16.30
Refresh your mind and spirit with a sound bath, yoga and tai chi.
Central Library’s sci-fi book group Ad Astra
🗓️ 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
Journey through the cosmos with the Ad Astra science fiction reading group. This month, they’re reading Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.” Grab a copy from the library and get ready to discuss.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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