Whew! Summer 2025 went by so quickly, huh?
As we welcome the (slightly) cooler weather and usher in a new school year, Indianapolis is bustling with family-friendly activities, events and festivals — including food, music and arts — in addition to Labor Day, Hispanic Heritage month celebrations and Indy Do Day.
The Recorder compiled a list of free and low-cost things to do with family and friends around Indianapolis this September.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Summer Courtyard Session with Reggie Bishop — FREE
The Stutz, 1060 N. Capital Ave.
Reggie Bishop, an Indy-based jazz musician and keyboardist, is next up in The Stutz’s summer music series.
thestutz.com/events/summer-courtyard-session-with-reggie-bishop
Friday, Sept. 5
Black Sheep by Sam Penaloza — FREE
The Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
On view in the Harrison Center’s Underground Gallery, Sam Penaloza’s “Black Sheep” explores the shadows of human experience and challenges societal norms. Penaloza emphasizes the necessity of “embracing life’s uncomfortable truths” through dark, confrontational pieces.
harrisoncenter.org/first-fridays/2025/8/7/september-2025-modern-baroke
Epicurean Night Market — FREE
The Stutz, 1060 N. Capital Ave.
Epicurean Indy is back, taking over The Stutz courtyard featuring a free late-night street food market with local vendors, live music, art and performances by Mass Ave Process.
thestutz.com/events/epicurean-night-market
Picnic in the Park with Mo Gio – A Wearable Art Performance — FREE
The Tube Factory Artspace, 1125 Cruft St.
Mo Gio’s First Friday performance outside the Tube Factory asks guests to explore the unpredictable nature of life, turning a perfectly sunny picnic into a moment of chaos. Mexican food truck 3 Marias and Juicy Pop-up will be onsite, but guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and snacks.
Remembrance/Resilience Exhibition Opening — FREE
Cafe Oztara, 1446 E. Washington St.
Presented by the Damien Center alongside Cafe Oztara, Remembrance/Resilience showcases artwork that amplifies the voices of domestic violence survivors. The exhibition has also partnered with local advocacy groups to highlight creativity as a tool for healing and empowerment.
Saturday, Sept. 6
58th Annual CBIZ Penrod Arts Fair — $15
Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
“Indiana’s Nicest Day” is back. The 58th annual Penrod Arts Fair returns to Newfields, featuring approximately 350 artist booths and 50 community organization booths, live music, dance performances, food vendors and more.
Career Charting: Design Your Professional Path — FREE (Recurring Sept. 13 and Sept. 20)
Martindale-Brightwood Branch, 2434 N. Sherman Dr.
IndyPL’s three-part workshop series aims to help community members start down a meaningful career path, featuring sessions designed to navigate challenges and create a plan for success.
Festival 451Indy: Writing Workshop: Letters from the Edge — FREE
Indy Type Shop, 261 Shelby St.
Hosted by the Ray Bradbury Center in partnership with Genesis Literature and Art Magazine, guests are invited to this hands-on speculative writing workshop to craft letters from the edge of time, space and self. Writers of all ages and experience levels are invited to participate.
“The Color Purple” — $40-$48 (Recurring through Sept. 7)
Basile Theatre, The Antheneum, 401 E. Michigan St.
Urban Theatre and KaidyDid Productions are bringing “The Color Purple” to the stage for a handful of performances. The show follows 14-year-old Celie in an emotional story of love, resilience and self-discovery.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Artist talk with Madiha Siraj — FREE
Gallery 924, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
Mixed media artist Madiha Siraj will discuss her work, life and exhibition, “Sacred Garden, American Soil,” which is currently on view at Gallery 924.
Indy Jazz Fest Sunset Series: Kenny Garrett — $30-$60 (Recurring through Sept.10)
The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
Grammy Award-winning Jazz saxophonist Kenny Garrett will bring an electrifying performance to The Jazz Kitchen as part of Indy Jazz Fest’s Sunset Series.
Saturday, Sept. 13
BLACK: A Festival of Joy — FREE
Riverside Park, 2420 Burdsal Parkway
Returning for its 4th 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.
Naptown Block Party — $50
The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
Indy Jazz Fest is honoring established and emerging Hoosier artists during the Naptown Block Party, which features one-off performances from local favorites across two stages throughout the night.
Friday, Sept. 19
Do Good, Read Scrolls: D&D at Indy Reads — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
Join Dungeon Master Logan Taylor for Indy Reads’ new D&D night. Taking place on the first Thursday of the month, players of all levels, aged 13 and up, are welcome to learn and participate in the program.
indyreads.org/event/do-good-read-scrolls-dd-at-indy-reads
“The Prom” — $15-$25 (Recurring through Oct. 5)
Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.
Footlite Musicals presents this heartfelt musical comedy about a group of washed-up Broadway stars who rally in support of a high school girl banned from bringing her girlfriend to prom.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Hispanic Heritage Month Festival — FREE
Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with SADCO, featuring international food, live music, dancing, trampolines and more. The family-friendly event aims to cultivate community and culture.
Rice & Beans Festival — FREE
Fonseca Theatre Company, 2508 W. Michigan St.
Fonseca Theatre hosts the Rice & Beans Festival, a community event welcoming everyone to the table with plenty of food and a live band. All are welcome; no ticket needed.
fonsecatheatre.org/shows/rice-beans-festival-2024
Saturday, Sept. 27
Día Latino de Lawrence — FREE
Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave.
A local tradition since 2022, Día Latino de Lawrence aims to celebrate culture, build community and inspire students. The district-wide, school-based celebrations highlight Latino culture, food, music and family traditions.
msdltf.org/events/dia-latino-de-lawrence/dia-latino-de-lawrence.html
Indy Reads’ Author Expo — FREE
Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
Indy Reads’ Author Expo offers Hoosiers a free opportunity to meet and engage with local authors, discover and purchase new books and get those books signed.
indyreads.org/event/author-expo-at-indy-reads
Sunday, Sept. 28
An Evening with Brian McKnight — $46
Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel
Contemporary R&B singer-songwriter Brian McKnight takes the Palladium stage for one night only, serenading guests with his smooth tenor voice and hit songs across his 19 studio albums.
Fiesta de la Familia — FREE
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.
The Children’s Museum is offering free admission for guests to celebrate Latin American cultures, honoring children with special activities and musical performances throughout the museum.
childrensmuseum.org/visit/calendar/event/162
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.
