For five decades, the 500 Festival has shown commitment and excellence by producing a month-long series of programs and events celebrating the Indianapolis 500, including the IPL 500 Festival Parade.
Indianapolis has something for everyone, whether your interests run to music, sports, film, or fairs.
500 Festival
No other singular sporting event in the world has a legacy like the Indianapolis 500. No other event has shaped and defined a city and state and their people like the Indianapolis 500.
The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 51 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.
Last year, nearly 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in festival activities throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini, fourth grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state's largest festival for kids, or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation's premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.
Indianapolis 500
The 2010 Indianapolis 500 will feature a two-week/three-weekend event schedule that provides an opening week of busy daily track activity, two pressure-packed days of qualifications and a traditional Race Week format that includes all of the pageantry of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." There will be 12 days of on-track action during the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, just one fewer track activity day than the 2009 event, which followed a four-weekend format.
Daily practice is scheduled for seven consecutive days from Opening Day, Saturday, May 15 through Fast Friday, May 21. The drama of qualifications will intensify with two days of time trials. Pole Day Qualifications are scheduled for Saturday, May 22, and the remaining spots in the 33-car field will be determined on Bump Day, Sunday, May 23.
Track activity will resume Thursday, May 27 with practice for the Firestone Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights race. Miller Lite Carb Day is Friday, May 28 and will feature a schedule packed with the final Indianapolis 500 practice, the Firestone Freedom 100 race, the annual Pit Stop Challenge for Indianapolis 500 teams and the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert.
The 2010 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, May 30.
The month of May at IMS will begin for the second consecutive year with the Centennial Era Balloon Festival on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, adding another fun weekend at the track. More details will be released soon on the popular event featuring hot-air balloons from across the country.
More information available at
www.indy500.com
Brickyard 400
The 2010 Brickyard 400, one of the premier races on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule is scheduled for Sunday, July 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More information available at
www.brickyard400.com.
Red Bull Indianapolis GP
Tickets for the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis GP are on sale now, with a new structure that offers additional value and flexibility to fans attending the annual MotoGP event Aug. 27-29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Among the highlights of the new ticket structure are lower prices and single-day reserved and general admission tickets for Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 29. More information available at
www.redbullindianapolisgp.com.
Music
Indy Jazz Fest
In June, world renowned musicians perform at
White River State Park during the
Indy Jazz Fest.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
The
Violin Competition was founded in 1982 under the artistic leadership of
Josef Gingold to discover major violin talent and nurture the careers of those identified. Every four years, music lovers from all parts of the globe focus their attention on
"The Indianapolis." Now regarded as one of the most respected music competitions in the world.
Bands of America/Drum Corps International
The
Bands of America Grand National Championships is recognized as the premier marching band event in the nation. Ninety bands from across America will participate, including some of the finest, most progressive bands in the activity today.
In 2008 the event moves to its new home in the new Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis.
SuperBowl XLVI
Indianapolis will also host the SuperBowl for the first time ever in 2012. The game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened in 2008.
NCAA Final Four
Beginning in 2010, Indianapolis will host the NCAA Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium once every five years until at least 2039 with other NCAA championship games and events in between.
Film Festivals
Heartland Film Festival
When the
Heartland Film Festival began in 1991, it was a small event. Today, it's nine days of student and professional films, a variety of special events, and a one-of-a-kind experience. The festival is held annually in October.
Indianapolis International Film Festival
What began as a three-day film festival in 2004 is now a ten-day event that has screened many award-winning films. The
Indianapolis International Film Festival offers films that inform, enlighten, and educate the community by providing a vivid reflection of the rich cultural diversity of Indianapolis and the world beyond our doors.
Fairs, Festivals & Expositions
Circle City Classic
Annually, 150,000 people from all over America travel to Indianapolis for the
American Family Insurance Classic Weekend featuring the Circle City Classic to experience several exciting days of concerts, sports, heroes, and legends that celebrates African American cultural excellence and educational achievement.
Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration
Visitors can explore the city's African-American heritage and culture with the
Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. The weeklong event includes an employment fair, health, and wellness fair, concerts, and more than 1,000 consumer exhibits.
Indiana State Fair
Each August, Indianapolis hosts the
Indiana State Fair, the oldest state fair in the country at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Circle of Lights
More than 100,000 spectators enjoy the annual
Circle of Lightsceremonial lighting and holiday kickoff on Monument Circle, which takes place annually the Friday after Thanksgiving.