The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Teddy Bear Concerts introduce children ages 3 to 7 to the instruments of the orchestra through storytelling, movement and live music. Children can move with the music, play real violins and meet ISO musicians. The stories were written by retired ISO violinist Victoria Kintner and are narrated by Perry Accetturo.
The concerts are free and travel to libraries around central Indiana, with a different story at each stop. A ticketed performance of The Garden Symphony is also part of the Peanut Butter & Jam series in Carmel on March 6, 2027.
Looking for more free things to do? Browse our monthly list of free events in Indianapolis.
2026 Dates:
- Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 11 a.m. | The Giant’s Violin | Franklin Road Branch Library
- Monday, October 12, 2026 | 11 a.m. | The Giant’s Violin | Downtown Columbus Public Library
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11 a.m. | Monkey’s Jungle Jam | Carmel Clay Public Library
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 11 a.m. | The Big Note | Mooresville Public Library
- Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 11 a.m. | The Garden Symphony | Central Library
2027 Dates:
- Saturday, January 9, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Runaway Strings | Haughville Branch Library
- Friday, January 15, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Big Note | Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library, Zionsville
- Saturday, January 16, 2027 | 10 a.m. | The Giant’s Violin | Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library
- Saturday, February 6, 2027 | 11 a.m. | Monkey’s Jungle Jam | Central Library
- Saturday, March 20, 2027 | 10 a.m. | The Giant’s Violin book launch | Central Library
- Monday, March 29, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Giant’s Violin | Avon-Washington Township Public Library
- Saturday, April 3, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Big Note | Johnson County Public Library, Clark Pleasant Branch
- Monday, April 26, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Garden Symphony | Lebanon Public Library
- Saturday, May 22, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Big Note | Eagle Branch Library
- Saturday, June 5, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Runaway Strings | Southport Branch Library
- Saturday, June 26, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Giant’s Violin | Warren Branch Library
- Saturday, July 10, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Garden Symphony | Central Library
- Monday, July 12, 2027 | 11 a.m. | The Big Note | Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library, Whitestown