Indianapolis kicked off July with a patriotic bang.
The Fourth of July has come and gone, but summer in the city is just getting started. From the WNBA All-Star Weekend to Indiana Black Expo, the Water Lantern Festival and Shakespeare in the park, the Recorder compiled a list of some free and low-cost things to do throughout the rest of July.
READ MORE: IBE announces headliners for Summer Celebration Mental Health Symposium
Friday, July 11
Bashiri Asad at the Jazz Kitchen — $15-$40
The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
Bashiri Asad will perform his new show “The Everyday SoulSinger,” at the Jazz Kitchen, taking audiences on an intimate journey through soul, story and his latest album.
Saturday, July 12
Garden Soiree to benefit The Villages of Indiana — $50
Former Indy Taxi Cab Company, 1520 N. Alabama St.
The fourth annual Garden Soiree invites guests 21+ to explore the lush gardens of Joe and Julie Whitsett while enjoying live music, hand-crafted cocktails and a seek-and-find mural with all proceeds benefiting The Villages of Indiana.
Indianapolis Water Lantern Festival — $30.99
Military Park, 601 W. New York St.
Hoosiers of all ages and backgrounds are invited to connect with friends, family and loved ones as they decorate and release lanterns onto the water. Guests can also enjoy live music, vendors, a scavenger hunt and food trucks leading up to the lantern launch.
waterlanternfestival.com/events/indianapolis
Black: A Festival of Joy — FREE
Riverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside Drive
Returning for its fourth year, Black: A Festival of Joy brings the community together in the summer to celebrate Black joy, featuring live music, DJs and performances, interactive art, Black-owned vendors and food trucks in addition to wellness spaces and community conversations.
Sunday, July 13
2025 Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series: July Concert — FREE
Tube Factory, 1125 Cruft St.
Wife Patrol, Technicolor Band and Florelis Jimenez round out the line up for the Levit Vibe free summer concert series presented by Big Car Collaborative and Arte Mexicano en Indiana. Guests will also have access to the Fiesta on the Go #2 food trucks, games and a Chreece pop-up.
Wednesday, July 16
Indy Reads Chess Club — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
The first and third Wednesdays at Indy Reads are open to kids and families learning or interested in playing chess. Hosted by the letter C and Cloud City Youth with Coach C, boards, sets and clocks are all provided.
indyreads.org/event/indy-reads-chess-club-29
Thursday, July 17
Indianapolis Jazz Collective presents Christmas in July — $25
Indianapolis Art Center, 829 E. 67th St.
The 2025 Jazz at the Center outdoor summer concert series continues with an exclusive alpha pre-release concert celebrating “Jazz on Christmas.”
indyjazzfoundation.org/jazz-at-the-center
Friday, July 18
Cultural Arts Pavilion Exhibition & Art Speaks Cafe — FREE
Indiana Convention Center, Rooms 140-142, 100 S. Capitol Ave.
Presented as part of Indiana Black Expo’s 2025 Summer Celebration, the Cultural Arts Pavilion invites visual and performing artists to indulge in “Court vision: The Art of Resilience and Excellence,” highlighting the power of women and girls through stories of athletes, artists and change makers.
“Micah Meets a Mimi Wata” — $15-$25
Fonseca Theatre, 2508 W. Michigan St.
Written by Prentiss Matthews III, the African mythology-inspired “Micah Meets a Mimi Wata” follows a young Black boy named Micah who learns about the power of friendship, mer-magic and the joy of being yourself after encountering the musical Mimi Wata.
SPARK X WNBA All-Star Art Market — FREE
Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis
In honor of the WNBA All-Star 2025, SPARK is teaming up with the WNBA to present an art market featuring women artists and basketball-inspired designs on Monument Circle.
indyarts.org/event/spark-x-wnba-all-star-art-market
Saturday, July 19
A Space for Us — $28.49-$33.99
Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave.
Produced by F.A.M.E. Foundation Inc., in partnership with IBE, “A Space For Us” presents an immersive cultural celebration intersecting fashion, music, dance, visual arts and storytelling.
ICON Party • 50 Years of Hip-Hop — $20
The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
Baked by Old Soul Entertainment and Sir Doug, ICON is hosting a party celebrating 50 years of hip-hop with drinks, dancing and live music.
Indy Dance Festival — $25-$30
Tobias Theatre, Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
Returning for a third year in a row, the Indy Dance Festival highlights local and visiting performers, showcasing the diversity of movement and experiences within the Indianapolis dance community.
indydancecouncil.org/indy-dance-festival
Mass Ave Summerfest — FREE
600 Block of Massachusetts Ave.
The Mass Ave Cultural Arts District is celebrating summer with a day-long event featuring an artisan’s market, live music, a kid’s zone and more.
Sunday, July 20
“Hadestown: Teen Edition” — $15-$25
Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.
Footlite Musicals presents the teen edition of the Broadway musical which reimagines the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hades and Persephone and the fates.
Monday, July 21
DMing 4 Theatre — $16
Gamer’s Loot, 6020 E 82nd St.
Presented by the 4th Wall Players, guests will be guided through the world of Shakespeare’s plays in a D&D-style adventure.
4thwallplayers.org/events/dming-4-theatre-scxlp
Tuesday, July 22
Indy Shorts International Film Festival — $60+
Living Room Theatres, address and Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
Presented by Heartland Film, the 8th annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival returns to present 253 short films across 39 programs screening over six days.
Wednesday, July 23
“The Spongebob Musical” — $26-$45
Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
Presented by Summer Stock Stage, “The Spongebob Musical” follows the beloved characters from Bikini Bottom as they work together to save their underwater home from a pending volcanic eruption.
butlerartscenter.org/performances/the-spongebob-musical
Thursday, July 24
“Comedy of Errors” — FREE
Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre, Riverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside Drive.
Presented by the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company in partnership with Act A Foo improv crew, “Comedy of Errors” is a fun twist on Shakespeare’s comedy set at Daytona Beach in the 1980s.
Friday, July 25
Jazz in the Alley — FREE
The Alley, 924 Pennsylvania St.
The Alley Sessions, presented by Glick Art, kicks off the season by welcoming Rob Dixon and Triology join Brenda Williams for a blend of jazz, blues and Motown performances.
Tuesday, July 29
Bizarre Book Bazaar — FREE
The Whispering Shelf, 414 N. College Ave.
Hosted by The Whispering Shelf, July’s Bizarre Book Bazaar brings book lovers together for a discussion on “Patricia Wants to Cuddle” by Samantha Allen.
Wednesday, July 30
One Night. One Song. One Voice. – a One Night Choir event hosted by One Voice Indy — FREE
Driven NeuroRecovery Center, 1300 E. 96th St.
Hosted by One Voice Indy, this One Night Choir offers singers from all backgrounds and skill levels a chance to come together and make music. Guests will learn “With a Little Help From by Friends” by the Beatles alongside One Voice Indy’s a cappella chorus.
July Damsels in Distress — FREE
The Whispering Shelf, 414 N. College Ave.
The Whispering Shelf’s July fantasy book club discussion will cover “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn.
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.
