It’s July, folks. Which means the dog days of summer are here! We’ve rounded up 25 free things to do in Indianapolis in July. Totally free, totally family friendly — totally fun! Because, nothing’s cooler than free, right?
Cruisin’ with the Cops
July 1
Bring your ride and join the Indiana State Police Museum for its first cruise-in and the opening of a new car exhibit. The museum will be running tons of activities for the whole family.
Carmel Fest
July 3-4
CarmelFest 2016 promises to be a grand spectacle with a free two-day outdoor festival, entertainment on three stages, an array of tasty foods, a crafts marketplace, an interactive KidZone, a patriotic parade on July 4th and spectacular fireworks display.
Westfield Rocks the Fourth
July 4
Celebrate independence at Grand Park! As always, you can expect great food, fun activities for the kids and family, and plenty of local retailers, car show and live entertainment! As an added bonus, the firework spectacle will be synchronized to music.
Target Free Family Night at The Children’s Museum- Beyond Spaceship Earth
July 7
Explore the world’s biggest and best children’s museum for free! Make discoveries, spark your creativity, be transported to other times and places, get your hands in sand and water, climb and jump . . . and have a ball doing it all.
Free Admission At The IMA
July 7
Following suit with some of our local museums and hotspots, the Indianapolis Museum Of Art also offers free admission on the first Thursdays of every month from 4-9pm. Perfect for a date night, evening out with the family or a little ‘me’ time.
Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival
July 9
It’s never too early for kids to learn fun & safety on the bike. Bring the kids out to have fun and learn about bike safety in the PNC Kids Zone, which includes activities like helmet decorating and face painting.
Fishers Parks and Recreation Mud Day
July 9
On this day, Parks combines 20 tons of topsoil + 20,000 gallons of water to create the ultimate mud bath. And kiddos will want to get muddy – a King and Queen Mud are crowned at the end of the event, so don’t let them shy away!
Summer Fest
July 9
Join the party that is simply being thrown for the love of summer and the love of Indy. The fest includes includes a motor bike and car show, inflatables for all ages, caricature sketch artists, face painters and much more.
18th Annual Pet Carnival
July 9
Animal lovers are invited to bring pets of all shapes and sizes to enjoy a fun-filled day with a variety of retail vendors and area rescues. Highlights include low-cost pet photos, adoptable pets, a Splash Zone, exotic animals, paw painting, along with free pet psychic readings and caricatures.
One Hour Tennis Class for Kids Ages 8-11
July 9
Give kids some exposure to one of the oldest and best sports- tennis! The class is set in the morning so it is not too hot, but be sure to still rub on the sunscreen.
Holliday Park Beastly Brunch
July 13
What is your favorite food? The animals at Holliday Park love crickets, worms, and even mice. Come watch staff feed the nature center animals their breakfast and learn about their diets. All ages. Free, no registration required.
Gardening 101 for Kids Workshop
July 15
Children ages 6-12 are invited for a hands-on look at dirt, rocks and plants that tell us where we live. They’ll learn about earth, water and the basics of gardening in an urban or rural setting. Space is limited, so registration is required.
12th Annual Pop Tab and Coin Drop on Monument Circle
July 15
Gather your pop tabs and join the fun downtown. This event is fun for all ages and includes food, games, live music, and even an appearance by Ronald McDonald himself!
Fitness Explorers: Yoga
July 15
Find your inner self with an introduction to yoga. This class is designed for kids ages 7-12, and in addition to practicing postures and poses, kids will learn more about staying healthy. Come hydrated!
World Snake Day
July 16
Sssss-elebrate World Snake Day at the Zion Nature Center with live shows, crafts, and more! Registration is required.
Scavenge the Ave
July 20
Join a cultural trail scavenger hunt sponsored by MHS. Taking place along the eclectic Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianapolis, the six-block scavenger hunt is intended to raise awareness about adult literacy while giving people something unique and fun to do in the Mass Ave neighborhood on a summer evening. Kids are free.
Not Your Average Boy Band
July 21
This summer, Not Your Average Boy Band will be a part of the Noblesville Summer Concert Series. Grab a blanket, lawn chairs, and snacks to make the most out of this FREE concert!
Hamilton County 4-H Fair
July 21-25
This four-day fest is packed with awesome activities for people of all ages, including a Color Run, Youth Pet Parade, and Farmer Olympics. Check out the day by day schedule to pick a day to attend.
Christmas in July: Historic Indianapolis City Market
July 25
Santa is on vacation so Mrs. Claus is visiting Historic City Market for Indiana’s Bicentennial celebration at the Historic Hall of Agriculture. Come play with your food in our activity center presented by The Indianapolis City Market and U-Relish Farm
Summer Under the Sails: Audiodacity
July 27
Jam out with the whole family to a local Indy band! The funk-pop group will be performing under the Sails at the Eiteljorg, and free activities relating to art and science will be available inside.
IMPD Community Day in the Downtown District
July 28
Get to know IMPD officers, learn more about companies downtown, sample food from local restaurants and receive safety/prevention information. Booths include IMPD, IFD, Animal Control, Eskenazi Health, radio stations, SWAT, FBI, Naptown Roller Girls and many more.
Holliday Park Summer Concert Series- Tim Brickley and the List (popular covers)
July 28
Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and head to Holliday Park for a free evening of family fun! Sponsored by the Friends of Holliday Park.
Westfield Movies In The Park – Tomorrowland
July 29
Westfield Parks & Recreation and CitySpring Church have offered a special Movies In The Park series since 2013. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks and flashlights for comfort. Parking available at Westfield High School and movies begin at sunset.
