Take a breath of that crisp November air.
As we turn back our clocks and prepare to gather with family and friends, Indianapolis is gearing up for a busy season this November. The Recorder has compiled a list of arts and culture events to enjoy this month, from fall festivals and markets to live entertainment, community gatherings and more.
Thursday, Nov. 6
NaNoWriMo Write-in Night — FREE (Recurring every Thursday)
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
National Novel Writing Month is here, and Indy Reads is hosting free write-in nights for folks to catch up on their word count. Writers of all ages are welcome to BYO work or use prompts provided by local authors.
Sacred Synergies: Nature, Faith, & Science with Katharine Hayhoe — FREE
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St. & online
Kicking off this year’s Spirit & Place Festival, Katharine Hayho, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, will deliver a virtual and in-person keynote speech about climate change.
Friday, Nov. 7
Indianapolis LBGT Film Festival — $12+ (Recurring through Nov. 17)
Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant, 1258 Windsor St.
The 25th annual LGBT Film Festival is back, marking a quarter century of film, community and pride, showcasing stories from all over the world.
IYFF Movie Night: Sinners — $5
Flanner House, 2307 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Indiana Youth Film Festival presents its first feature film series with “Sinners.” Food will be provided, followed by a group discussion immediately after the film.
Onyx Fest — $17 (Recurring through Nov. 16)
Basile Theatre at IF, 719 E. St. Clair St.
Indy’s only playwriting festival dedicated to Black voices returns this month, featuring four never-produced one-act plays by June Edwards, Ebony Chappel, McKenya Dilworth-Smith and Lique. This year’s festival will also include a play written by Vernon Williams.
Saturday, Nov. 8
Cereal Cinema — $8.15
The Basile Theatre, The Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St.
The Atheneum’s Saturday morning movie series where kids can enjoy a great movie with a bowl of cereal, returns with “The Rescuers” on the first Saturday of the month.
The voice of Whitney: A symphonic Celebration — $56
Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
A new concert tribute to Whitney Houston is coming to the Palladium, featuring original recordings of Houston’s voice over new orchestrations of her greatest hits.
Sip & Shop at Tea’s Me Community Cafe — FREE
Tea’s Me Community Cafe, 3967 N. Illinois St.
Join Tea’s Me every second Saturday of the month to support local businesses and enjoy freshly brewed tea or purchase pre-packaged and bulk tea bags.
teasmeindy.com/events/sipandshop/
Sunday, Nov. 9
“Aging. Reimagined!” — $11-$21.30
Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St.
Written by Brenda Johnson as part of the Frank Basile Emerging Storytellers Fellowship “Aging. Reimagined!” is a one-woman show challenging the way people think about getting older—with resilience, joy and hope.
“Marie and Rosetta” ASL/AD performance — $25+
Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St.
Set over the course of one night, the one act play details the life and legacy of Godmother of rock ‘n Roll Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her relationship with partner and protégé Marie Knight.
2025 Holiday Market Fair presented by Candlewine — FREE
Marion County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 7300 E. Troy Ave.
Featuring local businesses and crafters, the holiday market aims to be a one-stop shop to do some early holiday shopping.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day
2025 Veterans Day Service — FREE
The Indiana War Memorial, 55 E. Michigan St.
The annual memorial service, hosted by the Veterans Day Council, begins at 11 a.m. The parade will step off immediately following the service downtown at noon.
Friday, Nov. 14
“Dare to Dream Jr. – A Disney Musical Revue” — $10-$15
Arts for Lawrence, Theatre at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave.
Presented by the Nature School of Indiana in partnership with ACT IT OUT!, “Dare to Dream Jr.” celebrates 100 years of Disney magic.
“Frozen: A Drag Parody Musical” — $35
The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave.
Indy Drag Theatre invites families to enjoy a Disney favorite about sisterhood, magic and love with “Frozen: A Drag Parody Musical.”
Saturday, Nov. 15
2025 Fall Fest and Slammin’ Rhymes Challenge XIX — FREE
Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair. St.
The Indianapolis Public Library’s annual Fall celebration and poetry contest returns this month, featuring special guests Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins, also known as “The Three Doctors.”
Potpourri: An African American Showcase — $20-$30
IU Auditorium, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1211 E. 7th St., Bloomington, IN
The African American Choral ensemble, the African American Dance ensemble and the IU Soul Revue are returning to the stage again this year in a collaborative concert celebrating Black music, dance, art and culture.
iuauditorium.com/events/detail/potpourri-2025
Totally Rad Vintage Fest — $8-$12
Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.
Guests are invited to explore and shop from a variety of vendors offering clothing, accessories, home goods, vinyls, toys and games across the 80s, 90s and Y2K eras.
Friday, Nov. 21
Peabo Bryson — $36
Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
The “Pavarotti of soul singers” is coming to the Palladium for one night only, performing a variety of his greatest hits spanning five decades of more than 20 albums.
“Newsies” — $25 (Recurring through Dec. 14)
Hedback Theatre, 1847 Alabama St.
Footlite Musicals is hawking headlines with its holiday show, presenting guests with a powerful yet Disney classic about the newsboys strike of 1899.
Saturday, Nov. 22
Girls for Christ Empowerment Conference — $75
Holiday Inn Express, 9791 N. by N.E. Blvd, Fishers
Hosted by Sister Roberta Thorpe, Girls for Christ aspires to empower young girls to become positive role models in their communities, families and homes.
Contact gfcinc@gmail.com
Miami in Motion: Sharon Isbin, Classical Guitar — $43+
The Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra presents a new guitar concert by Karen LeFrak, featuring Sharon Isbin in an evening filled with music spanning from romanticism to contemporary.
Tuesday, Nov. 22
The Comfort Zone — FREE
The International District Community Center, 3540 Commercial Dr.
The Comfort Zone is a free monthly painting class for adults and youth aged 8+. The dedicated space is open on the last Tuesday of every month and provides participants with a place to relax and explore their creativity through watercolor painting. All materials are provided.
“The Nutcracker Story” — $17.85
Castleton United Methodist Church, 7101 N. Shadeland Ave.
Featuring music from Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, The Performing Arts Conservatory’s holiday show is set to feature new and exciting scenes written by students.
tpacindy.org/events/the-nutcracker-story
Indianapolis Women’s Chorus Beauty Within concert — $15-$30; free for children 12 and under
The Warren Performing Arts Center, 9500 E. 16th St., Door 27
Join the IWC for a powerful, uplifting program celebrating the “beauty within each person.”
indianapoliswomenschorus.org/beautywithin
Thursday, Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Day
Friday, Nov. 28
Ujamaa’s Blackity Black Friday Vendor Event — FREE
Ujamaa Community Bookstore, 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St.
Hoosiers are invited to catch up on holiday gifting by shopping local and supporting Black-owned vendors during this special Black Friday event.
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.
