Live music in and around Indianapolis: 100+ free summer shows

Rory Appleton and Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star
Updated ·6 min read

Summer brings more than warm temperatures and mosquitoes to central Indiana, as free live performances explode into the sunlight of our parks and green spaces.

This year, Indianapolis and the doughnut counties have stepped up to offer well over 100 concerts, plays and film screenings that won't cost a dime. Here is a master rundown of most of them. Be sure to check back frequently, as this list will be updated as more free concert series are announced.

Limited festival and show dates

  • June 17: Bloombox Festival (formerly the Independent Music + Art Festival), with bands and artists who create original works. 1505 N. Delaware St. harrisoncenter.org/programs/imaf

  • July 20-22: "Love’s Labor’s Lost" — Shakespeare's comedy about a king and his friends who commit to self-improvement while trying to avoid women. Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre in Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway. indyshakes.com

  • Aug. 12: Garfield Park Art + Music Festival, with local musicians and artists selling handmade fine art and goods. 2432 Conservatory Drive. gpacarts.org/garfield-park-art-music-fest

More: Newfields' Summer Nights returns with 'Finding Nemo,' 'Crazy Rich Asians' and more

Indy Parks Summer Concert and Movie series

At parks across Indianapolis. Full schedule available at indy.gov/activity/summer-concert-and-movie-series, or call 317-327-7275.

Pops Series, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Highlights:

  • June 21: Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis

  • Aug. 2: Greater Greenwood Community Band

  • Aug. 9: Ed Zlaty’s GMH Jazz Orchestra

  • Aug. 23: Directors’ Jazz Orchestra

  • Aug. 30: Crossroad Brass Band

  • Sept. 6: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

Movies at the Mac, 9 p.m. Fridays.

  • June 23: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

  • July 14: “Matilda” (1996)

  • Aug. 25: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”

From the Friends of Garfield Park

  • Sept. 3: Friends Night with Southern Accents, 6:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 9: The Friends Present: Opera in the Park, 7 p.m.

Alt Indy Series, 7 p.m. Thursdays. Highlights:

  • June 8: Busman’s Holiday with Elizabeth Lee Trio

  • July 6: Ferdinand the Bull with Saint Lavender

  • July 20: Joshua Powell with Fifth Lucky Dragon

  • Aug. 31: Mina and the Wondrous Flying Machine with Jennasen

Original Music Series at Broad Ripple Park, 7 p.m. Fridays.

  • June 16: Songwriter's Circle with Kristen Bennett, Sadie Johnson and Jody Friend

  • July 7: Jennie DeVoe

  • July 28: Wampus Milk Daddies

  • Aug. 18: Rob Dixon and From the 317

Freedom Series at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 7 p.m. Fridays.

  • June 9: Sean Imboden Sextet

  • June 30: Pavel & Direct Contact

  • July 21: Salaam

  • Aug. 11: Run Katie Run

Monumental Concert Series at Riverside Park, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Highlights:

  • June 15: Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra

  • July 6: JAS Productions presents: A Tribute to Luther Vandross featuring Down the Stretch

  • Aug. 31: Bashiri Asad and the Lady

Gospel Series at Riverside Park, 4 p.m. on June 18, July 2, Aug. 20 and Sept. 3.

Movies at the Monument, 9 p.m. Fridays.

  • June 9: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

  • July 7: "Back to the Future"

  • Aug. 11: "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish"

  • Sept. 8: "Encanto"

Watkins Park, 5 p.m. Sundays.

  • June 11: The Guitar Summit: Celebrating Wes Montgomery

  • July 9: Tad Robinson Band

  • Aug. 13: Billy Myers and the Trash Collectors

  • Sept. 10: Protocol

In Concert with Nature at Eagle Creek Park, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Park Entry Fee required. Highlights:

  • June 14: The Half Step Sisters

  • July 12: Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Espirit Creole

  • Aug. 9: Sister Sinjin

  • Aug. 23: Katherine Nagy Trio

Jazz at the Beach at Eagle Creek Park, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Park Entry Fee required. Highlights:

  • June 7: Urban Renewal Big Band

  • July 5: Premium Blend

  • Aug. 16: Shawn McGowan

More: David Foster, Katharine McPhee and more on Center for the Performing Arts' 2023-24 season

Concerts on the Canal

Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St. More information: indianahistory.org.

Concerts begin at 6 p.m. Free seating is on the grassy area along the Canal Walk; tables require an admission fee. Highlights:

  • June 8: Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra

  • June 15: Cool City Band

  • June 22: Jennie DeVoe

  • July 20: Pavel and Direct Contact

  • July 27: Deb Mullins

Groovin in the Garden at Easley Winery

205 N. College Ave. More information: easleywinery.com

Concerts are from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feel free to bring or order food. Seating runs out quickly, so bringing chairs is encouraged. Highlights:

  • June 3: Island Breeze

  • June 10: Magnetically Aligned

  • July 22: Jennifer Mlott

  • July 29: Tracy Thompson

The Alley Sessions

The Alley at Library Square, beside The Cabaret at 924 N. Pennsylvania St. More information: thecabaret.org.

Concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Fishers Community Concert Series

Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Drive in Fishers. More information: npdamp.com.

  • June 6: Six Foot Blonde

  • June 13: DUDE!

  • June 20: Jukebox Luke

  • June 27: My Yellow Rickshaw

  • July 4: Karma (8 p.m. show, fireworks to follow at 10 p.m.)

  • July 11: Street Pennies

  • July 18: Groovesmash

  • July 25: Hank Ruff

Concert at the Commons

First Merchants Pavilion at Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St. in Noblesville. Full schedule: noblesvilleparks.org

Concerts are at 7 p.m. on many Saturdays between June and September. Highlights:

  • June 24: Shoot to Thrill (AC/DC tribute)

  • July 15: No Fences (Garth Brooks tribute)

  • Aug. 26: Earth to Mars (Bruno Mars tribute)

  • Sept. 23: Trippin Billies (Dave Matthews Band tribute)

Noblesville Summer Concert Tour

Dillon Park, 6351 Midland Lane in Noblesville. Full schedule: noblesvilleparks.org

Concerts are at 7 p.m. most Thursdays in June and July. Highlights:

  • June 8: Cosmic Situation

  • June 22: Jai Baker 3

  • June 29: Not Your Average Boy Band

  • July 13: The Toons

Summer Family Concert Series at the Gazebo

Carmel Gazebo, 3 Civic Square in Carmel. carmelgazeboconcerts.org

Concerts are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Highlights:

  • July 26: The Bishops

  • Aug. 23: GrooveSmash

  • Sept. 20: Jai Baker Trio

Late Night on Main

Carmel Arts & Design District, East Main Street and North Rangeline Road. carmelporchfest.org

  • 9 p.m. July 15: The Indigos (7 p.m. street party)

  • 9 p.m. Aug. 19: Jai Baker 3 (7 p.m. street party)

  • Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 17: Carmel Porchfest 2023

Mallow Run Winery's Picnic Concert Series

Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road in Bargersville. Full schedule: mallowrun.com

Most shows are free. Highlights:

  • June 17: Magic Bus

  • July 15: Small Town John Mellencamp Tribute

  • Aug. 5: No Fences Garth Brooks Tribute

  • Aug. 12: Windbreakers

  • Aug. 19: The Flying Toasters

See Mallow Run's full concert schedule: Live music all summer with special wine and cider releases

Music in the Park

Blue River Memorial Park, 725 Lee Blvd. in Shelbyville. 7 p.m. on Fridays. More information: shelbyparks.com.

  • July 14: Heartache Tonight - A Tribute to the Eagles

Greenwood Summer Concert Series

Greenwood Amphitheater, 300 S Washington St. in Greenwood. 7 p.m. on Saturdays. More information: greenwood.in.gov.

  • June 3: Toy Factory

  • June 10: The Woomblies

  • June 17: The Big 80s

  • July 8: Living Proof

  • July 15: Blue River Band

  • July 22: Tastes Like Chicken

  • July 29: Nauti Yachty's

  • Aug. 5: Sounds of Summer

  • Aug. 12: My Yellow Rickshaw

Greenwood Park Mall Summer Concert Series

1251 U.S. Hwy 31 North in Greenwood. More information: simon.com/mall/greenwood-park-mall

Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. at the outdoor fountain near Entrance 3 next to Bar Louie. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Highlights:

  • June 1: The LitSoul Band

  • June 15: Blue River Band

  • July 6: Toy Factory

  • July 20: The Big 80’s

Riverside Park Amphitheater Concert Series

Riverside Park Amphitheater, 302 S. Riverside Drive in Rushville. Saturdays. More information: rushvilleamphitheater.com

  • June 10: Walker County

  • June 24: 84 - The Van Halen Tribute

  • July 15: Electric avenue - The MTV Experience

  • July 22: Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond Tribute

  • Aug. 19: Turn the Page - Bob Seger Tribute

  • Sept. 16: Pink Droyd - Pink Floyd Tribute celebrating "Dark Side of the Moon" 50th anniversary

Kokomo Summer Concert Series

Kokomo Performing Arts Pavilion at Foster Park, 721 W. Superior St. in Kokomo. 6 p.m. Saturdays. More information: visitkokomo.org.

  • June 10: Myron Elkins Band

  • June 17: The Downstroke Band

  • June 29: Here Come the Mummies

  • June 30: Ace Frehley, formerly of Kiss

  • July 1: Starship with Mickey Thomas

  • July 8: Los Colognes

  • July 22: Rhumfest, featuring Rhum Academy of Music students and instructors

  • Aug. 5: Kokomo Symphony Orchestra with Piano Man: Generations - The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John

  • Aug. 19: Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel

Mooresville Summer Concert Series

Pioneer Park, 1101 Indianapolis Road in Mooresville. Full schedule: mooresvillepark.com

Concerts start at 7 p.m. on some Fridays through July. Highlights:

  • June 9: Big Roscoe and the Hammer

  • July 14: Stella Luna & the Satellites

  • July 28: Bigg Country

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Free concerts in Indiana 2023: 100+ summer shows around Indianapolis