When it’s hard to afford groceries or gas, you may think there’s no room for extra things in the budget. But all across the city, you can go to events, try new experiences and find resources you would never expect to be free.
If you’re trying to develop in your career this year, you can learn from a business coach at the library or get a new suit without paying a cent.
Want to get creative? Seniors can go to a college class for free at Ivy Tech, and anyone can join a free monthly paint night at the International District Community Center.
Mirror Indy gathered a list of 15 free things, so you can discover what you can do in Indy without going over your budget.
Free English-learning conversation circles
Every Sunday at 3 p.m., you can meet new friends and practice your English language skills at Indy Reads’ community bookstore, 1066 Virginia Ave. It’s open to anyone.
Free mental health support groups
Therapy is pretty expensive, but you can find help for free through two mental health support groups offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Indiana. If you’re struggling with a mental health condition, you can join a peer-led group, called a Connection Recovery Support Group.
There’s also a group for family members to share their experiences supporting loved ones. Anyone over 18 can join without a referral. Email info@namiindiana.org for details.
Free professional clothes
Women can get clothes for an interview or new job from Dress for Success Indianapolis. You can get referred by one of the group’s partners or fill out a self-referral. Dress for Success also offers career coaching and workshops.
Men can get professional clothes through Making Men Better or In Pursuit Of, which will start giving out clothes in 2026.
Free yoga and meditation classes
Indy Community Yoga offers all sorts of free classes: chair yoga, a meditation followed by book club and a yoga group for queer and transgender folks. At CityYoga, you can take a donation-based class and pay $0 to $25.
The Indianapolis Zen Center, a Buddhist temple and home, has free weekly guided meditation sessions. And Irvington Wellness Center offers free, monthly community yoga nidra classes. The next ones are at 5 p.m. Dec. 14, Jan. 18 and Feb. 15.
Free HIV and STD testing
The Damien Center offers free and confidential HIV, STD and pregnancy tests. Book an appointment or walk into the center at 1420 E. Washington St. You can call the testing desk with any questions at 317-632-0123.
Free painting nights
Want to lean into your creativity? Try a free painting class at the International District Community Center, 3540 Commercial Drive. The classes are open for anyone 8 years old and above, and all materials are provided. Classes meet 6-7:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. There’s no paint night in December, so the next one will be Jan. 27.
Free business coaching
The Indianapolis Public Library has business librarians who do 1:1 coaching and who also lead workshops on topics such as patents and trademarks or starting a small business. You can book a consultation with them or check out the library’s annual nonprofit workshop series or small business workshop series.
Free legal advice
The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society offers free legal advice on civil matters in three areas: adoption and guardianship, protecting the elderly and disabled, and child and family services.
Families have to meet federal poverty guidelines to qualify. For example, a family of four with a household income of less than $32,150 can get assistance. Call the office at 317-635-9538 and press 2.
Free admission to museums
If you want to check off Indy bucket list items and take a museum trip, check out the free days most museums offer. Usually, they fall on holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day or Juneteenth.
You can learn about a famous Hoosier author for free the first Monday of every month at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library or check out some art for free the first Thursday of every month at Newfields.
Free art classes for kids
For 30 years, Indy Art Center has been teaching and encouraging kids to make art after school and during the summer through its free Art Reach program. If you have a group of kids in your church, school or community, you can apply online to bring Art Reach classes to your space.
Free college classes for seniors
Hoosiers over 60 can find some joy in learning new things during retirement at free classes from Ivy Tech. The Senior Scholars program is available at any Ivy Tech location. You have to fill out an application, take an assessment and talk to an advisor to get started.
Related
‘I don’t feel old here’: At Ivy Tech, retired seniors can take classes for free
Retirees also bring life experiences that make the campus community ‘culturally richer.’
Free pet food
If you’re struggling to afford caring for your pet, reach out to Indy CARES for help paying for pet food, crates or other supplies. You can email them at indycares@indy.gov or fill out a request form to get support.
Free period products
Outside Irvington Books & Vinyl, you can grab free menstrual products from a pink box. It’s the first installation from Indianapolis nonprofit Midnight Riot. The box is at 202 S. Audubon Road.
Free tax prep
Families with a low-to-moderate income can get their taxes prepared for free. This year, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is taking on those duties. If you have questions, reach out to Ashley Piland, who runs the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, by email at wood246@purdue.edu or by phone 317-275-9253.
Free haircuts
Once a month, the Center Township Trustee offers free haircuts on a first-come, first-served basis to residents of Center Township at the Julia M. Carson Government Center, 300 E. Fall Creek Parkway N. Drive. This month, Let-A-Vet Mobile Cuts will serve the first 12 people from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18. Center Township Trustee LaDonna Freeman shares the dates in a monthly newsletter and shares updates on Facebook.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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