August usually signals the end of summer, with the weather (hopefully) cooling off and the kiddos heading back to school, but there’s still plenty to do around the city this month.
From the Indiana State Fair to IndyFringe Festival, free concerts in the park and a community sing, Indianapolis’ art scene is showing no sign of slowing down this month. The Recorder has compiled a list of free and low-cost activities to do throughout the month of August.
Friday, Aug 7
The Alley: Mariah Ivey | Troy Thomas with Trumusic — FREE
The Alley at the Cabaret, 924 N Pennsylvania St. Ste B
Poet, writer, musician and curator Mariah Ivey will give a free outdoor performance filled with truth-telling, warmth and joy beginning at 7:30 p.m. as The Alley Session’s featured artist for August.
Creatives in color 2026: Art Show — FREE
Factory Arts District, 1125 E. Brookside Ave.
Returning for the second year in a row, the Creatives in Color Art Show celebrated BIPOC and underrepresented artists shaping Indy’s creative community. This year’s exhibition, which takes place from 6-9 p.m., is centered around fellowship and the idea of a third space.
aigaindy.org/creatives-in-color-2026
Indiana State Fair — $14+
Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.
The Indiana State Fair returns with live music on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage, Midway rides and attractions, livestock barns, Taste of the Fair and more through Aug. 23. The fair is open Tuesday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and closed on Mondays.
Overflow: Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Exhibition Opening — FREE
Gallery 924, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
The Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship exhibition will celebrate its opening during First Friday, from 6-9 p.m., with a reception featuring musical performances at the Cabaret from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
indyarts.org/programs/overflow-creative-renewal-arts-fellowship-exhibition
Saturday, Aug. 8
Gladys Knight — $55
Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
Seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer Gladys Knight will spend an evening serenading guests in Carmel, with an opening performance by Indianapolis-based comedian Dwight Simmons beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Dancing in the Park with KDO — FREE
Al E. Polin Park, 100 E. 29th St.
Kids Dance Outreach invites kids of all ages and skill levels to bring their sneakers out for interactive dance experiences with live music, dance performances, guest artists, arts programming and more from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Art & Soul Sundays: LIVE with Dr. Ashford Ft. Austin Dean Ashford — FREE
Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
Celebrating 30 years of Indy-based Black art and music, Art & Soul 2026 Featured Artist Austin Dean Ashford will take the stage from 3-4 p.m. with a special, family-friendly performance
The Cypher: Movement & Music on the Canal — FREE
Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St.
Hoosiers are invited to participate in a new, free, immersive festival full of dance, music and fashion alongside a marketplace of local vendors and visual artists from 4-9:30 p.m. Donations benefit the Indy Dance Council and The Damien Center.
Hip Hop Anthology: Volume 7 Park Jam — FREE
Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Dr.
Hip Hop Anthology is back this month with the Park Jam, hosted by Chris Thomas and featuring live music and performances, live art and local artists showcasing their work alongside retail vendors, live DJs, food and more from 1-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Every(body) Wants to be a Showgirl — $20
Indy Liberation Center, Fonseca-Du Bois Gallery, 1619 Prospect St.
Curated by Aquarius Moon, Every(BODY) Wants to Be a Showgirl is a traveling exhibit highlighting Black burlesque artifacts, including costumes, prints and stories, spanning the last century. The exhibition opening takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Pride in the Park: Summer Sounds — FREE
MacAllister Amphitheater, Garfield Park Arts Center, 2425 Conservatory Dr.
The Pride of Indy Bands will present a free concert from 7-9 p.m., blending lively tunes, community spirit and a relaxing atmosphere in honor of the summer season. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Friday, Aug. 14
IndyFringe Festival — $16-$22 per show; pay-what-you-can $12 minimum
Downtown Indianapolis, various venues
Hoosiers are invited to experience 12 days of live performances celebrating theater, comedy, music and magic, featuring 63 acts by both local and national artists across six local stages through Aug. 23.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Community Sing! — FREE
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43rd St.
Singers of all ages and skill levels are invited to join a summer sing and connect with neighbors from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free tea and snacks will be provided, and donations will go toward the MLK Center.
Monday, Aug. 17
Creative Connections — FREE
In Process Community Art Space, 709 Main St., Beech Grove, IN
This free monthly gathering is open to adults aged 60+ to exercise their creativity. The workshop will take place from 1-2 p.m., doesn’t require previous experience and provides all materials.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Jazz at the Center: J Thomas II & The Situation – SoulBook — $28.40
Indy Art Center Terrace, 820 E. 67th St.
The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation presents the Jazz at the Center summer concert series, featuring innovative Black instrumentalists J Thomas II & The Situation. The concert takes place from 7-9 p.m., and will have a beer, wine and soda cash bar with catered food from The Jazz Kitchen.
app.opendate.io/e/j-thomas-ii-the-situation-soulbook-august-20-2026-710683#tickets
Thursday, Aug. 27
ICO at Riverside Park — FREE
Taggart Memorial Amphitheater, Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra presents an evening in the park with a variety of chamber music classics and performances by the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy and Global Prep Academy, beginning at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Chreece — FREE
Various venues, Fountain Square
The annual one-day hip hop festival returns with its first female headlining act, Rico Nasty, alongside performances by local, national and international artists throughout 8 Fountain Square venues.
Prints for My City @ Full Moon Yoga with Indianapolis Cultural Trail — FREE
North end of the Canal, 337 W. 11th St.
Lily Groot of “Prints for My City” is giving a free live silkscreen demonstration by bike during the Indianapolis Cultural Trail’s Full Moon Yoga Party at 7 p.m.
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.
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