Indy Parks is hosting a series of over 60 free concerts and shows across the city from May to October. It is a series which includes events coordinated by IndyFringe as well as a plethora of concerts at Garfield Park.
“Our annual free concert series brings music and joy to our parks across the city,” said Indy Parks Director Brittany Crone in a press release. “These concerts are an incredible celebration of the arts, community, and our local artists.”
The 2026 Free Concert Series kicked off May 12 at Wes Montgomery Park on the east side of Indianapolis.
“We have some really flagship places for concerts and performances that are kind of iconic,” said Alex Cortwright, head of communications for Indy Parks. “So being able to bring performances, both to those beautiful and incredible spaces but also to some of our smaller parks that don’t see that, was really a neat opportunity.”
Performances this year vary from folk to jazz, hip-hop and orchestral music — but not all shows are musically focused. Some listed performers specialize in puppetry, fire dancing, and magic.
Acts include the Indy Ballet, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and local artists like jazz bassist and beatmaker Brandon Meeks.
Indy Parks is also partnering with IndyFringe Theatre to focus on a variety of free kid-friendly concerts and performances over the course of the summer.
“Those are really cool, and just a unique opportunity to bring those types of performances into parks along with music and really just create a great experience for kids,” Cortwright said.
Some of those performances will happen alongside Indy Parks’ Summer Meal Service, which provides free meals to people 18 and under at whichever park the program is active.
More concerts are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
All are invited to attend the free concert series, hosted at various parks around the city. From popcorn on the lawn to kayaking concerts at Eagle Creek Park, everyone can get in on the party, Indy Parks leaders said. Following is the current schedule of upcoming shows, more will be announced in the coming weeks.
MACALLISTER AMPHITHEATER AT GARFIELD PARK
* Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. KC and the 3 Kings
* Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. Cross Roads Brass Band
* Thursday, June 11th at 7 p.m. Son Latin Groove Presented by the Friends of Garfield Park
* Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra
* Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m. CRP Music featuring Rob Dixon & Okara Imani Presented by the Friends of Garfield Park
* Wednesday, July 1 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Symphonic Band
* Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. Sofia Goodman Trio Presented by the Friends of Garfield Park
* Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
* Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. The Downstroke Band Presented by the Friends of Garfield Park
* Wednesday, August 5 at 7 p.m. Girls Rock! Indianapolis
* Wednesday, August 12 at 7 p.m. Pride of Indy Band
* Thursday, August 20 at 7 p.m. Woomblies Rock Orchestra Presented by the Friends of Garfield Park
* Sunday, August 9 from 4-7 p.m. Hip-Hop Anthology
* Wednesday, August 26 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Municipal Band
* Thursday, September 3 at 7 p.m. Lisa Frank and the Trapper Keepers Presented by the Friends of Garfield Park
* Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. New Horizons Band
* Saturday, September 26 from 4-9 p.m. Garfield Park Art and Music Festival
Garfield Park Sunken Gardens
* Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. Liederkranz Band
INDY FRINGE
New to the Indy Parks Program in 2026, Indy Fringe will perform kid focused, family friendly concerts and performances at 12 parks this summer.
* Bluff Park May 29. 3 – 4 p.m. Hand Pan Perfomer Eric Zhong
* Windsor Village Park, June 5. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Fire dance/glow poi
* Frederick Douglass Park June 16. 11 a.m. – noon. Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment – Stiltwalkers & Jugglers Tuesday
* Brookside Park Thursday, June 25. 1 p.m. Juan Francisco Spanish-language performer Mime and puppetry
* Krannert Park Friday, June 26. 10 – 11 a.m. Juan Francisco Spanish-language performer Mime and puppetry
* Rhodius Park July 2. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Laughing Jack Folk music/Irish music Thursday
* Broad Ripple Park Friday, July 10. 11 a.m. – noon. Forward Motion Indianapolis-based ensemble performs with and without scores. Compelling, spontaneous improvisations that sound so organic, they feel fully composed.
* Garfield Burrello Family Center Monday, July 13. 2 p.m. Jamahl Keys Family-Friendly Fun Comedy, Lots of Audience Participation, Magic & Mindreading
* Riverside Park Friday, July 17. 2 – 3 p.m. Jamahl Keys Family-Friendly Fun Comedy, Lots of Audience Participation, Magic & Mindreading
* Jake Greene Park Tuesday, July 21. 1 – 1:30 p.m. Audrey Johnson “Parlor music with accompaniment and focus on women’s suffrage”
* Christian Park Friday, July 24. 1-2 p.m. Cirque Indy – Stiltwalkers & Jugglers
* Ellenberger Park Tuesday July 28. 11 a.m. – noon. Cirque Indy – Aerial performers
WES MONTGOMERY PARK
* Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. Bashiri Asad
* Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. Dy’she Mansfield
* Tuesday, July 7 at 11 AM Cathy Morris
* Tuesday, August 11 at 6 p.m. Sunny Side
BROAD RIPPLE PARK
* Fri. May 22 at 5:30 p.m. Kids’ Concert Series: ShooBeeLoo
* Fri. June 26 at 7 p.m. Original Music Series: Shawn McGowan
BROOKSIDE PARK
Tuesday, June 9th at 1 p.m. Kids’ Concert Series Freetown Village Singers
EAGLE CREEK BEACH
* Wed. May 27 at 6:30 p.m. Jazz at the Beach: Ron Jones
* Tues. June 2 at 6:30 p.m. In Concert with Nature: A Bright Abyss
* Wed. June 10 at 6:30 p.m. Jazz at the Beach: Premium Blend
* Tues. June 16 at 6:30 p.m. In Concert with Nature: 3to1
* Wed. June 24 at 6:30 p.m. Jazz at the Beach: Rob Dixon
* Tues. June 30 at 6:30 p.m. In Concert with Nature: El Marimbaso
ELLENBERGER PARK
* Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
HOLLIDAY PARK
* Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
Martin Luther King Park
* Friday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. Freedom Concert Series: Clint Breeze
* Thursday, Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Kids’ Concert Series: JBJ Collective
Rev. Charles Williams Park
* Thursday, August 6 at 6 p.m. Kids’ Concert Series Griot Drum Ensemble
Taggart Memorial Amphitheater at Riverside Park
* Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. Blue Bergamont
* Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. The Palace
* Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Men’s Chorus with the Dan Nix Big Band
* Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m. PsyWrn Simone
* Thursday, July 2 at 7 p.m. Brandon Meeks
* Saturday, August 15 at 8 p.m. Indy Ballet
* Thursday, August 27 at 7 p.m. Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
* Friday, September 18th at 7 p.m. Pavel & the Direct Contact
* Thursday, September 24th at 7 p.m. Toy Factory
WATKINS PARK
* Sunday, June 14 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Jazz in the Park Lester Johnson/Sandy Lomax
