There’s no shortage of live music to check out this summer in Indianapolis. With this list, we highlight all the shows that are absolutely free and open to the public.
From jazz to soul to rock ‘n’ roll, there’s something for all the music lovers out there. So be sure to mark your calendar and head on out to enjoy some beautiful tunes.
Art & Soul Sundays
🗓️3-4 p.m. Sundays, once a month, May-August
📍Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
The Indy Arts Council has celebrated Black artists for 30 years now with its annual Art & Soul festivities. This summer, you can catch a series of free concerts in their communal Artsgarden space on select Sundays.
June 14: Kenn.Wav and Friends
July 12: D’yshe Mansfield
Aug. 9: LIVE with Dr. Austin Dean Ashford
Broad Ripple Third Thursdays
🗓️6-9 p.m. every third Thursday, May-September
📍Throughout the Broad Ripple neighborhood
In addition to giving Indy residents a chance to support Broad Ripple merchants, Broad Ripple Third Thursdays also feature live music events. Visit LoveBroadRipple.com for more information on each month’s details, including a seasonal theme.
Fridays at the Fort
🗓️6:30-9 p.m. select Fridays, June-August
📍Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave.
Arts for Lawrence curates this series of free summer events, which feature live music, food trucks, activities for kids and a beer and wine tent.
- June 26: Aimee Eisenmann Duo
- July 10: Teresa Reynolds & the Slicktones
- July 24: Highway 9 Blues Band
- Aug. 14: Heartstone Crossing Band
Indy Parks Alliance Summer Concert Series
🗓️May 12-October 3
Indy Parks will host a full slate of free concerts all summer, with a little something for everyone. Hop in your kayak and enjoy some jazz on the water at Eagle Creek beach, or grab a blanket and lounge out on the lawn at one of the other participating parks.
📍Broad Ripple Park, 1426 Broad Ripple Ave.
- 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 22: Kids’ Concert Series: ShooBeeLoo
- 7 p.m. Friday, June 26: Original Music Series: Shawn McGowan
📍Brookside Park, 3500 Brookside Parkway S. Drive
- 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 9: Kids’ Concert Series: Freetown Village Singers
📍Eagle Creek Beach, 7602 Eagle Beach Drive
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27: Jazz at the Beach — Ron Jones
- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2: In Concert with Nature — A Bright Abyss
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10: Jazz at the Beach — Premium Blend
- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16: In Concert with Nature — 3to1
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24: Jazz at the Beach — Rob Dixon
- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30: In Concert with Nature — El Marimbaso
📍Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair St.
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
📍MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, 2450 Conservatory Drive
- 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11: Son Latin Groove
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17: Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra
- 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25: CRP Music featuring Rob Dixon & Okara Imani
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1: Indianapolis Symphonic Band
- 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9: Sofia Goodman Trio
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23: The Downstroke Band
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5: Girls Rock! Indianapolis
- 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9: Hip-Hop Anthology
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12: Pride of Indy Band
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20: Woomblies Rock Orchestra
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26: Indianapolis Municipal Band
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3: Lisa Frank and the Trapper Keepers
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9: New Horizons Band
- 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26: Garfield Park Art and Music Festival
📍Garfield Park Sunken Gardens, 2505 Conservatory Drive
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1: Liederkranz Band
📍Holiday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road
- 7 p.m. Fri. Aug. 28: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
📍Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1702 N. Broadway St.
- 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 16: Freedom Concert Series: Clint Breeze
- 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13: Kids’ Concert Series: JBJ Collective
📍Rev. Charles Williams Park, 3242 Sutherland Ave.
- 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6: Kids’ Concert Series Griot Drum Ensemble
📍Taggart Memorial Amphitheater at Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
- 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21: Blue Bergamont
- 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28: The Palace
- 7 p.m. Friday, June 5: Indianapolis Men’s Chorus with the Dan Nix Big Band
- 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18: PsyWrn Simone
- 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2: Brandon Meeks
- 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15: Indy Ballet
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
- 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18: Pavel & the Direct Contact
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24: Toy Factory
📍Watkins Park, 2360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 14: Jazz in the Park Lester Johnson/Sandy Lomax
📍Wes Montgomery Park, 3501 N. Hawthorne Lane
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23: Dy’she Mansfield
- 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 7: Cathy Morris
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 11: Sunny Side
Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series
🗓️Noon to 3 p.m., first or second Sundays, April-November
📍Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), Terri Sisson Park, 1125 Cruft St.
Presented by local arts nonprofits Big Car Collaborative and Arte Mexicano en Indiana, these outdoor concerts offer up an eclectic array of sounds, with food trucks and vendors on hand as well.
- June 7: Brandon Meeks, Ida Y Vuelta and Sergio Ospina Romero
- July 12: Glyders, Bollywood Beats, and Sergio Ospina Romero
- Aug. 9: Rob Dixon & Trilogy, Sound Ecologies + Indiana Movement Arts Collective, and Raíces
- Sept. 13: Natural Information Society, A Bright Abyss, and Harmony in Hamilton
Propylaeum Porch Concerts
🗓️5-8 p.m second Fridays, June-September
📍Indianapolis Propylaeum, 1410 N. Delaware St.
This relaxed summer concert series celebrates seasoned local musicians in the heart of the city’s Old Northside, the Indianapolis Propylaeum.
- June 12: Grupo Bembé
- July 10: Brenda Williams
- Aug. 14: Chad Mills
- Sept. 11: The Jazz Mamas
The Alley Sessions
🗓️7:30 p.m. Fridays in August
📍The Alley at the Cabaret, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
The Alley Sessions return for a sixth season in the summertime oasis that is The Alley at the Cabaret.
In addition to live music, you can order food and drinks provided by The Jazz Kitchen, shop with local artisans and vendors, and see art at Indy Arts Council’s Gallery 924.
Space at each event is limited, so make sure to reserve your spot.
- Aug. 7: Mariah Ivey and Troy Thomas with TruMusiq
- Aug. 14: Steve Allee
- Aug. 21: The Band Downstairs and Pavel & Direct Contact
- Aug. 28: Stephanie Allen-Stevenson & Composition
Did we miss anything? Send your free music event to Arts & Culture Editor Jennifer Delgadillo at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org.
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Seth Johnson is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach him at seth.johnson4291@gmail.com.
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