Welcome to a new year and a new Community Arts Calendar.
After a bustling holiday season, many Hoosiers might be ready to slow down and settle in for a cozy winter this January. However, for those who’d rather stay busy, the Recorder has compiled a list of a few free and low-cost arts and culture events, shows and experiences around Indianapolis to keep them engaged this month.
Friday, Jan. 2
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Premiere Party — $10-$30
Tini on the Ave, 717 Massachusetts Ave.
Celebrate the new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race,” featuring Hoosier queen Ciara Myst. Guests are invited to a viewing party hosted by Ava and Calyko Magick-Waffle followed by a Q&A and afterparty.
“Tactile and Telling,” Debra Gindhart Dragoo — FREE
Full Circle Nine Gallery, 1125 Brookside Ave. Ste. B23
Hailing from the Muncie art scene, Debra Gindhart Dragoo was a founding member of the Full Circle Nine Gallery and is returning as a featured guest during January’s First Friday exhibition. Dragoo’s work explores the concept of yarn bombing and uses repurposed materials throughout her paintings and jewelry.
Tiny XIV — FREE
Gallery 924, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
TINY, the largest Gallery 924 show of the year, features more than 500 original artworks created by Central Indiana artists that are 6x6x6 inches or smaller. Works vary from paintings, paper, fiber art, interactive art and more and retail for $100 or less.
indyarts.org/programs/tiny-xiv
Saturday, Jan. 3
Vocalease | Soul Edition — $15 (Recurring Jan. 7 and Jan. 10)
The Jazz Kitchen, College Ave.
Kicking off a weekend of powerhouse performances to kick the post-holiday blues, Alaina Renae, Stephanie Allen-Stevenson and Staci McCrackin are joining forces backed by the heavy-hitting sounds of the band Be On It!
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Big Queer Hangout Community Fair — FREE
BBBS of Central Indiana, 1433 N. Meridian St.
Hosted in partnership with the Damien Center, Hoosiers ages 19+ are invited for a night of community building and conversation. Free resources, information and testing from partner organizations will be available free of charge.
indypride.org/event/big-queer-hangout
Thursday, Jan. 8
Free Naloxone Training — FREE
The Whispering Shelf, 414 N. College Ave.
Hoosiers are invited to participate in a free training on how to use Naloxone to prevent overdose. The training is free and open to the public, and certification, test strips and naloxone kits will be available.
Playwriting Workshop for Kids — FREE
Indianapolis Public Library, East 38th Street Branch, 5420 E. 38th St.
In partnership with Fonseca Theatre, IndyPL invites kids of all ages to become storytellers. Using games and creative exercises, participants will get to create their own short plays.
attend.indypl.org/event/15138322
Friday, Jan. 9
Lady Bits Comedy Show — $13
The Blackbox at IF Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair. St.
Presented by Betty Rage Productions and hosted by Callie Burk-Hartz, “Lady Bitz” is a comedy show featuring a rotating cast of Indy’s “finest femme comedians” and new improv scenes each night.
indyfringe.org/performance/lady-bits
“Safronia’s Daughter” by India Nicole Burton — FREE
Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
Written by India Nicole Burton, “Safronia’s Daughter” is a story of magic, following Bee, a young Black woman trying to protect her family’s supernatural legacy on a 1890 Louisiana Plantation. Burton’s play is one of the featured works up for a reading during the 2025-26 season of PlayFest Indy.
Saturday, Jan. 10
READ MORE: Where to experience free public art in Indianapolis
Resin Jewelry Workshop — $15-$40
Cain’s Creative Chaos, LLC. 1221 Indy Way
Hoosiers of all skill levels are welcome to join a pop-in workshop to design and create their own unique UV resin jewelry pieces. Each piece takes about 15-30 minutes and supplies will be provided.
Writing Workshop & Open Mic with IndyUntitled — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
Hosted in partnership with IndyUntitled, this monthly hybrid-style workshop is designed for writers and performers aged 13 and older. Participants are encouraged to come as they are, with whatever materials they are working on; however, prompts will also be provided.
Tuesday, Jan. 13
“MJ The Musical” — $108+
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
The Tony Award-winning musical created by Christopher Wheeldon is coming to Indianapolis as part of the 2025-26 Broadway in Indianapolis season. “MJ” tells the story of Michael Jackson’s unique artistry, centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Indy Actors’ Playground — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
Hosted by Lou Harry and Kelsey Leigh Miller, Indy Reads’ series of monthly play readings features a rotating cast of local actors reading plays they’ve always wanted to perform — no props, no prep.
indyreads.org/event/indy-actors-playground-28
Friday, Jan. 16
Indianapolis Home Show — $15; free for children under 5 (Recurring daily through Jan. 25)
Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.
Indianapolis’ largest event for homeowners returns this year, featuring hundreds of exhibiting businesses, expert advice and displays for all things home improvement, remodeling, home decor, gardening and landscaping.
“Heathers” — $15-$25
Footlite Musicals, 1847 N. Alabama St.
Directed by Jonna Kauffman, “Heathers” is based on the 1988 film of the same name, following high school misfit Veronica as she becomes entangled with the school’s most popular clique and falls in love with the dangerous new kid JD.
footlite.org/show/heathers-the-musical
Saturday, Jan. 17
Peanut Butter & Jam: Move & Groove with The Call — $10
The Studio Theater, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
Designed for kids aged 1-7, Peanut Butter & Jam sessions invite families to dance, play and feel the beat in a community-centered event. The Call is an Indy-based R&B, neo-soul band led by Okara Imani alongside Courtney Blayne McCrary, Sarah McCrary, Ke’ara Sanders and Lorenzo Davis.
Monday, Jan. 19
44th Annual MLK Day of Celebration — FREE
Madam Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave.
The historic Walker Theatre invites Hoosiers to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., featuring New York Times bestselling author, attorney and activist Bakari Sellers as the keynote speaker.
Devour Indy Winterfest 2026 — Price varies (Recurring through Feb. 1)
Locations vary
Presented by the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association, Devour Indy Winterfest features two weeks of specially priced, exclusive menus from more than 100 participating venues for Hoosier foodies to enjoy.
Thursday, Jan. 21
Dance Kaleidoscope Open Rehearsal — FREE
Dance Kaleidoscope, 1125 E. Brookside Ave., Suite D5
Hoosiers are invited to an open rehearsal to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Dance Kaleidoscope’s creative process and watch how a dance piece comes together.
Friday, Jan. 22
Teresa Reynolds and the Slicktones — $10
Booth Tarkington Theatre, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
The Local Mix Series, previously Live at the Center, welcomes Teresa Reynolds and the Slicktones for a community concert blending pop, R&B, soul and jazz. Guests are invited to join either in person or via live stream.
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Indy Dance Film Fest – $15
Kan-Kan Cinema, 1258 Windsor St.
Presented by the Indy Dance Council, the third annual Indy Dance Film Fest will feature short dance films from filmmakers across the U.S., fostering connection throughout the city’s vibrant dance scene by celebrating new stories and local dance of every kind.
goelevent.com/Kan-KanCinemaandBrasserie/e/INDYDANCEFILMFEST
Saturday, Jan. 31
Vision Board Workshop — $46
The Botanical Bar, 11-3 N. College Ave.
Hoosiers are invited to The Botanical Bar to create their 2026 vision boards alongside “like-minded dreamers.” Participants will receive all the materials needed to make vision boards, a 3” plant to symbolize growth and light non-alcoholic refreshments; however, bring personal photos or images for inspiration.
Please note: Admission and ticket prices listed are general and before taxes/fees.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
