Enjoy our list of free things to do around Indianapolis this July! Summer seems like it is flying by but Indy has more in store! See what we found to do for free this month.
Historic Walk Through Garfield Park
Explore the rich history of Garfield Park with this hour-long tour. Meet at Sunken Gardens Overlook
Location: Garfield Park, Time: 10:00 am
Date: Saturday, July 1
Play Date Preschool Storytime
Preschoolers and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays and rhymes following by playtime at the library.
Location: Fountain Square Library, 11:00 am
Date: Monday, July 3
Saxony Independence Celebration Concert & Fireworks
You’ll be moving and grooving the night away with your family and friends to the upbeat sounds of My Yellow Rickshaw. During the concert, be sure to check out all of the food truck options available at this event.
Location: Witten Park, Time: 7:00- 10:30 pm
Date: Tuesday, July 4
Free Fun on the Fourth
Enjoy a free day of fun and music in downtown Indianapolis, ahead of the city’s Fourth of July fireworks. The first-ever Indiana Olympics takes place from 12-5 pm, and IHS will host a special patriotic edition of its Concerts on the Canal series from 6 to 8 pm.
Location: Indiana Historical Society, starts at 10:00 am
Date: Tuesday, July 4
Donatos Downtown Freedom Blast
Celebrate Independence Day with a bang…or a blast! See Indy’s largest fireworks display, shooting from the top of the Regions Bank Tower! This fantastic fireworks show is a local tradition and favorite activity! Bring the entire family downtown for food, and fun that ends with an amazing firework display after dusk synchronized to patriotic and popular music.
Location: Indiana War Memorial, Time: 6:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, July 4
4th of July Ole! Festival
St. Mary Catholic Church opens its arms to all visitors and city residents for a multicultural 4th of July ¡Ole! festival featuring Latino and typical American 4th of July food and drink, games for the whole family, raffles and game of chance, plus LIVE music and entertainment. The campus, located at 311 N New Jersey St in historic downtown Indianapolis, offers a great location to watch the fireworks. Admission is free and parking is available on nearby city streets.
Location: St. Mary Catholic Church, Time: 3:00- 11:00 pm, Phone: 317-637-3983
Date: Tuesday, July 4
Paws to Read at Eagle
School-age children who are reluctant readers are invited to read to a non-judgmental registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories! It’s a great way to improve a child’s reading skills and self-confidence. Ages 6-11
Location: Eagle Branch (West), Time: 1:00- 2:00 pm
Date: Friday, July 7
Little Learners Storytime
Little learners ages birth – 5 years old and their families are invited to come together for stories, songs, and rhymes. All are welcome to stay after to play!
Location: Central Library, Time: 11:00- 12:00 pm
Date: Friday, July
Pack the Parks at Holliday Park
Join the city-wide celebration! Holliday Park is offering free activities all day long that will help you get out and enjoy your local parks. Nature Crafts and Outdoor game supplies, yoga at the ruins, naturalist lead hike and more!
Location: Holliday Park, Time: 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
Date: Saturday, July 8
Summer Showtime: Finding Dory
Children and families are invited for a showing of the film, “Finding Dory” (PG).
Location: Holliday Park, Time: 10:45 am
Date: Wednesday, July 5
Pack the Parks
Indy Parks, the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, and MHS (Managed Health Services) want to show you and your community how much we appreciate you! Pack the Parks will be a fun-packed experience as it helps you explore all that Indy Parks has to offer. Pool Hours: Noon- 6:00 pm. Other activities include – Pools & Weight Rooms, Eagle Creek Park + Beach, Garfield Park Conservatory + Sunken Gardens, Classes, programs, games, giveaways, & more!
Location: All Indianapolis Public Parks, Time: 9:00 am- 9:00 pm
Date: Saturday, July 8
Indy Crit Festival
The 2017 IU Health Indy Crit will feature, Family Rides, a VIP/Celebrity Race, a Handlebar Race an expanded Vendor Village and PNC Kids Zone and activity area. As in previous years, proceeds from this event will go to Freewheelin’ Community Bikes, in addition to other Central Indiana non-profit organizations.
Location: Monument Circle, Time: 11:00 – 2:00 pm
Date: Saturday, July 8
Pacers Summer Reading Tour
This event is fun for all ages and includes food, games, live music, and even an appearance by Ronald McDonald himself! Along with the pop tab drop, they will also be holding a coin drive.
Location: Spades Park Branch Library, 1:00 pm
Date: Monday, July 10
Digging for Dinos
It’s time for Paleontology Camp 2017! Activities will include digging for fossils, cave drawing, and sensory bins with volcanos and meteors. Hatch, your own dinosaur egg to take home! Free tickets are required and will be available on a first come, first-served basis at the Children’s Desk 30 minutes prior to the scheduled program start time. A ticket will be required for each person, including infants, attending the program. This program will be held in the Storytime Room and is for children ages 4-7 and their caregivers.
Location: Carmel Clay Library, Time: 11:00- 11:30 am
Date: Friday, July 14
Pop Tab and Coin Drop on Monument Circle
This event is fun for all ages and includes food, games, live music, and even an appearance by Ronald McDonald himself! Along with the pop tab drop, they will also be holding a coin drive.
Location: Monument Circle, Time: 11:00 – 2:00 pm
Date: Friday, July 14
Indiana Landmarks Center Treasure Hunt
At the annual antiques market on Indiana Landmarks’ Indianapolis campus—on the parking lot and inside Indiana Landmarks Center and on the lawn at adjacent Morris Butler House—you’ll find 60 booths of antiques, collectibles and architectural salvage in a festival atmosphere, with roving entertainment and food to keep up your strength for hitting the 40+ yard sales throughout the Old Northside. Best of all, Treasure Hunt is FREE from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, you can pay $5 online or at the door for early-bird entry from 8-9 a.m. to get first pick from the antique vendors on Indiana Landmarks’ campus.
Location: Indiana Landmark Center, 1201 Central Ave, 9:00 am- 3:00 pm
Date: Saturday, July 15
Beastly Brunch
The animals at the nature center eat rather interesting food. Watch staff feed the animals crickets, worms, and even mice, and learn about their diets! Meets in the lobby.
Location: Holliday Park, 10:30- 11:00 am
Date: Friday, July 21
Who Framed Roger Rabbit- Free Movie
Bring a blanket and movie snacks before heading over to Forest Park for an outdoor showing of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Bring the whole family for a relaxing, fun-filled night in the park!
Location: Forest Park, Noblesville, 9:30 pm
Date: Friday, July 21
Zion Hope Church Community Day & Back to School Rally
They will provide access to free health screenings, haircuts for boys, salon gifts cards for girls, a backpack giveaway, and more, including live performances from musicians, poets, and dancers. Community organizations and programs will also be onsite to share info about how to navigate public programs/tools, mentoring, college-bound programs, internship/job opportunities and more! (Food trucks will be on site with food available for purchase.)
Location: Zion Hope Church, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm
Date: Saturday, July 22
Summer Showtime Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Children and families are invited for a showing of the film, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (PG-13). This film will be shown in the Learning Curve.
Location: Central Library, 1:30- 3:30 pm
Date: Monday, July 24
Back to School Bash
Join us on the Courthouse Square in Downtown Noblesville for a Back to School Bash. This is a free community event with a video game trailer, dunk tank, hot dogs, ice cream, live music, kids games and activities, school information tables, Noblesville athletic zone and a showcase of youth organizations.
Location: Courthouse Square Downtown Noblesville, Time: 5:00-8:00 pm
Date: Friday, July 28
[…] 21 Free Things to do in July […]