The spring equinox couldn’t come soon enough. And this month is ripe with holidays: International Women’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Eid, Pi Day, Holi, Nowruz and the start of Daylight Saving Time.
Through the March showers (hopefully we’ve officially passed the snow period), there’s lots of arts and culture to go out and explore. Hit up a few galleries on First Friday. Learn how to knit. Spend a Saturday morning helping care for a low-tech and regenerative food-growing operation.
Watch Chinese American-style lion dance, Chinese orchestra music and Tai Chi exercises at the Lunar New Year festival at Central Library. This year marks the year of the fire horse.
To keep those gray skies at bay, use this list to discover something new and exciting to do in Indianapolis.
March 1-8 🔝
‘Bat Boy: The Musical’
🗓️ March 1-8
📍 Basile Theatre at IF Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ $22
This musical comedy and horror show is about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near in West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a “normal.” When he tries to fit in with the townspeople, they turn on him.
Note: This production contains violence, strong language, flashing lights and depictions of animal death. It is recommended for ages 17 and up.
Live From the South Tour
🗓️ 8 p.m. Thursday, March 5
📍 Egyptian Room at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
🎟️ $42-332
As a songwriter, ERNEST has racked up 13 No. 1 hits, including Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help.” Now, he’s on the road with fellow artist-writers Rhys Rutherford, Chandler Walters and Cody Lohden on the Live from the South Tour. ERNEST just released an EP, “Live From The South,” to preview his 2026 album.
State Street Club
🗓️ 9 p.m. Friday, March 6
📍 State Street Pub, 243 N. State Ave.
🎟️ $10 at the door
Pull up early and dance to underground dance music spun by DJs Jannell Jannell, Tonic Clonic, MiKa and gnz.
First Friday: Harrison Center
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 6
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
Walk the different floors to view art exhibits. “Family Ties,” by Melanie Millis Wissel and Mark Millis, shows the creative bond between artist-siblings through oil, acrylic and pastel works.
“Coloring Outside the Lines: A Journey Across Artistic & Geographic Borders” is a group show featuring the artwork of Cuban, Haitian and Afghan artists who have experienced war, persecution, violence and injustice.
First Friday: Factory Arts District
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 6
📍 Factory Arts District, 1125 Brookside Ave.
🎟️ Free
It can be overwhelming to choose between art galleries on First Friday. A stop at the Factory Arts District means you can see works from artists at more than 20 studios and galleries.
This month in the Schwitzer Gallery, Kalli Bednarz will show paintings she made about the story of Greenlawn Cemetery and the Henry Street Bridge project. She said her “Tender Ground” exhibit will act as an art gallery-turned-archaeological park.
‘Funny Girl’
🗓️ March 6-22
📍 Hedback Community Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.
🎟️ $15-25
Footlite Musicals has showcased this classic three times. The story of Fanny Brice — a witty and determined Jewish performer who dreams to be a Broadway star — is filled with humor, heart and powerhouse vocals in songs like “People,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “I’m the Greatest Star.”
Knitting 101
🗓️ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7
📍 Patina Galley, 2201 E. Michigan St.
🎟️ $15
Keep your hands busy and make something. This beginner level knitting class with instructor Sally Clementine will teach you basic knit stitches and how to troubleshoot. Yarn will be provided, but you will need to bring your own 6-8 mm knitting needles.
Princess Tiana’s Joyful Celebration
🗓️ March 7-Dec. 31
📍 The Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ $28-32, access passes are $3
Princess Tiana made history as Disney’s first Black princess with the 2009 release of “Princess and the Frog.” Kids can explore the art, food, dance and music of New Orleans alongside Princess Tiana.
They’ll use their own “special spice” to help her plan a Mardi Gras parade by decorating parade floats, designing costumes, cooking up a pot of Princess Tiana’s daddy’s gumbo and rehearsing with the Spasm Band.
Lunar New Year Festival
🗓️ Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the year of the fire horse. Enjoy stage performances of traditional Chinese American-style lion dance, Chinese orchestra music and Tai Chi exercise presentations.
Towards Telemann
🗓️ 2:15-5 p.m. Sunday, March 8
📍 Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1230 Greyhound Lane
🎟️ $15-35
This concert by the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra and conductor Barthold Kuijken traces Baroque composer Georg Philipp Telemann’s musical influences through French, German and Italian opera.
‘Jubilate Deo’
🗓️ 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8
📍 Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle
🎟️ $17, free for kids ages 5 and under
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will remaster “Jubilate Deo,” originally composed by Dan Forrest, for its 30th season. The performance will blend classical choral music with modern harmonies.
Limelight: A Conversation in Sound
🗓️ 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8
📍 The Tobias Theater at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
🎟️ $50–75
Multi-instrumentalist Justin S. Kinchen will play violin, trumpet and piano, and sing together with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and other guest artists. The music will span genres from classical to jazz to contemporary.
March 9-15 🔝
‘Sentenced’
🗓️ 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11
📍 IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St.
🎟️ $35
“Sentenced” is a documentary that explores how literacy can free people from the cycles of generational poverty. The film, produced and narrated by four-time NBA basketball champion Stephen Curry, focuses on the points of view of adults and children who have never learned to read.
This exclusive screening includes a reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a post-movie discussion. Ticket sales will benefit Indy Reads.
Steward Speakers: Soledad O’Brien
🗓️ 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 12
📍 Warren Performing Arts Center, 9500 E 16th St.
🎟️ $25-50
The next event in the Steward Speakers “Building Back Better” series features an intimate conversation with Soledad O’Brien. She’s a journalist, entrepreneur and host of “Matter of Fact,” a weekly syndicated political TV talk show.
‘Machinal’
🗓️ March 12-21
📍 Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W. 42nd St.
🎟️ $24.70-30.90
Told through a series of episodes, “Machinal” examines marriage, work, motherhood and the justice system through a feminist lens. The play follows Helen, who works in a boring office, marries her boss for financial security, finds motherhood oppressive and has a lover who abandons her.
‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’
🗓️ March 12-14
📍 Shortridge High School, 3401 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ $10-15, free for kids under 5
A Shortridge High School student reached out to me via email about their spring musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” It reminded me of my days as a theater student. Fond and funny memories.
Note: Digital payments are only accepted through the Cheddar app.
Lit Trivia Night
🗓️ 7 p.m. Friday, March 13
📍 Loudmouth Books, 212 E. 16th St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
This month’s theme is women’s literature. Compete for prizes as you answer questions about women’s literary classics and contemporary titans. Sign up as an individual or as a team.
Hopawaaka: A Vision Quest
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 13 (closes April 3)
📍 1000 Words Gallery, 3328 E. 10th St. Suite C
🎟️ Free
Artist Dailyn Eades spent over a year working on new abstract and ceramic sculpture for this exhibit. It was a spiritual journey for Eades, who is of Shawnee descent. At an artist talk on March 16, she will talk about her relationship with her heritage and the tribe’s displacement from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky to a reservation in Oklahoma.
Fiesta Floral
🗓️ 3-7 p.m. Saturday, March 14
📍 The Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ Free
Shop from Latino vendors and learn how to make paper floral bouquets and plant kits with Hispanic Cultural Hub.
‘The Heron’s Journey’
🗓️ 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14
📍 Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 W Ohio St.
🎟️ $11-21.30
Adam Booth uses spoken storytelling, quilting and paper sculpture to tell an allegory filled with magic, challenges to opposition and transformation of a character named Lake.
Queer Figure Drawing
🗓️ 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 14
📍 Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
🎟️ Free, 18+
The Queer Figure Drawing group gets together every second Saturday of the month. Bring your own supplies and get to sketching.
Oscars Watch Party
🗓️ 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15
📍 Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar, 1258 Windsor St.
🎟️ Free, but must RSVP
Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar is throwing a watch party to celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night. Who do you want to see take home an Oscar? My pick is Michael B. Jordan or Delroy Lindo for their performances in “Sinners.” Fun fact: “Sinners” is the most nominated film — 16 nominations — in the Academy Awards’ 98-year history.
March 16-22 🔝
Indy Indie Book Crawl
🗓️ March 19-22
📍 Various locations
🎟️ Free admission
This four-day annual event in the Indianapolis area encourages book lovers to visit as many independent bookstores as possible in one weekend. Grab some physical copies on your TBR list — you know you need to.
Remember to get your festival bookmark stamped at each stop. Each stamp is an entry for a Book Crawl Grand Prize — so the more locations you visit, the greater your chances to win. The winner will be announced March 26.
Connectivity Tissue
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 20
📍 Patina Galley, 2201 E. Michigan St.
🎟️ Free
Artist Bailey Jörk will create large-scale artworks centered around the kinship of motherhood and identity.
‘Re-Entry’
🗓️ March 20-22
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
“Re-Entry: Building a life after incarceration” is a new one-act play featuring the stories of local women who have been incarcerated. The inspiration for the play comes from interviews conducted by Dr. Sally Wasmuth, an occupational therapist and researcher at IU Indianapolis.
After the show, you can hear from some of the women during a panel discussion.
HDSA Bowl-A-Thon
🗓️ 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21
📍 Woodland Bowl, 33421 E. 96th St.
🎟️ $40-180
Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain. It’s been described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease all at once. The Indiana chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America is hosting a bowling event to benefit the organization’s work to support families and explain access to better care, resources and research.
Flanner Farms Volunteer Saturdays
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21
📍 Flanner Farms, 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
🎟️ Free
Lend a hand and learn how Flanner Farms staff prepares for the spring season. Flanner Farms is a low-tech, all-natural, regenerative food-growing operation. Dress for the weather and bring water.
Swap Sesh
🗓️ Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21
📍 Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
🎟️ Free
Between November and December, Swap Sesh organizers said they donated over 700 pounds of clothing. You can only bring up to 10 clothing items per person. Do your best to remove pet hair and smoke before donating.
DIY tote bag pop up
🗓️ 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22
📍 Good Neighbor, 850 Mass Ave.
🎟️ $30
Decorate your own scrapbook-inspired tote bag for farmers market hauls, bookstore runs or to add a little whimsy to your everyday errands. Sessions are 45 minutes. Connection Club will provide all supplies.
March 23-31 🔝
Corks and Forks
🗓️ 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24
📍 Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ Starting at $150, 21+
Indy’s top chefs, bartenders and business leaders will fundraise for Second Helpings through creative dishes, signature drinks and a silent auction.
FemmeFest
🗓️ March 26-29
📍 The Basile Theatre at IF, 719 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ $15, or $50 for a four-show festival pass
FemmeFest is an evolution of IF Theatre’s DivaFest program, which sought to reduce the barriers for women and femme playwrights to see their work performed in the city. This year, audiences can watch four 60-minute theater productions, including “B S Conversations,” “Female Troubles,” “Out of Yard Signs” and “Shared Stage.”
Each playwright received up to $1,000 in financial support and hands-on membership through a partnership between Betty Rage Productions and IF Theatre.
Room to Bloom
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 27
📍 10 East Arts, 3137 E. 10th St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Artist JayAmi Sellers invites guests to read an excerpt from a favorite book that resonates with them, and create art inspired by what they hear and feel. In the last 30 minutes, there will be a closing circle to share reflections.
Cowboy Couture: The Fashion of Jerry Lee Atwood
🗓️ March 28-Aug. 2
📍 Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.
🎟️ Standard museum admission
Jerry Lee Atwood is known for his custom Western two-piece suits. He has a long list of celebrity clients, including Lil Nas X, Post Malone and NFL player Von Miller. The exhibit will showcase the Indianapolis-based designer’s chain-stitch embroidery and hand-applied embellishments.
Holi Mela 2026
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29
📍 Indy’s Global Village, 4233 Lafayette Road
🎟️ Free
Holi is a major Hindu festival known as the “festival of colors.” Enjoy a color show, food and dance to honor the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna.
2026 Naptones Awards
🗓️ 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 29
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ $15.18
The Grammys in Indianapolis? You bet! The second annual Naptones Awards will honor Indiana-based artists with 18 awards. Come dressed in your best formal attire, because there’ll be a red carpet, performances and I will present an award.
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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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