Looking for the best things to do this weekend in Indianapolis with kids? You’re in the right place. For August 21–23, families can catch the final weekend of the Indiana State Fair, eat their way through GreekFest, celebrate Mexican polka traditions at the Indiana State Museum, explore a creek at Holliday Park or stay out late for astronomy and the Feast of Lanterns. Start with our curated picks below, then check out the full Indy family events calendar for even more options.
Things to Do This Weekend in Indianapolis with Kids | August 21–23, 2026
All Weekend
2026 Indiana State Fair | Final Weekend, Aug. 21–23 | Indiana State Fairgrounds | 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday | Online admission $19, ages 5 and under free
This is it for fair season in Indianapolis. The Indiana State Fair wraps up Sunday, giving families one last weekend for fair food, animals, exhibits, midway attractions and this year’s baseball-themed additions. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day, with last admission at 8 p.m. The 2026 Indiana State Fair runs Aug. 7–23 and is closed Mondays.
Indianapolis Greek Festival | Aug. 21–22 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | FREE
GreekFest fills Holy Trinity with Greek food, music, folk dancing and entertainment Friday and Saturday. Come hungry: gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava and plenty of other Greek specialties are on the menu. Admission is free, with $5 parking available on festival grounds.
Friday, August 21
Jams at the Junction | Grand Junction Plaza | 6:30 p.m. | FREE
Westfield’s Friday-night concert series returns to the Great Lawn with Midnight RedEye Band. Food trucks will be on-site, and a free parking shuttle runs between the Westfield Washington Public Library and Grand Junction Plaza.
Saturday, August 22
Polkas Norteñas Festival | Indiana State Museum | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | FREE
The Indiana State Museum hosts a full day of music, dance and art celebrating polka culture and its influence on Mexican musical traditions including Corridos, Tejano, Norteño and Redova. Families can catch musical and dance performances throughout the day and browse an arts and crafts fair.
Michaels In-Store Craft: Watercolor Chameleon | Participating Michaels Stores | 10 a.m.–noon | FREE
Kids can make a watercolor chameleon during this beginner-friendly in-store craft session. No painting experience is needed, making this an easy Saturday-morning option when a full festival feels like more commitment than anyone has in them.
Foam PAW-ty | Crate Escapes, Westfield | Noon–7 p.m. | FREE
Dogs, kids and a lot of foam take over Crate Escapes for its final Foam PAW-ty of the summer. The noon session is family-friendly, while the 3 and 6 p.m. foam rounds are for dogs only, though kids can remain at the park. Children under 13 must stay within arm’s reach of an adult, and a signed waiver is required for children.
Family Creek Exploration | Holliday Park Nature Center | 1:30–2:30 p.m. | $5
Plan on getting wet and muddy during this hands-on exploration of Holliday Park’s streams and river habitats. A naturalist will help families identify the creatures they find, with nets and collecting tubs provided. Old shoes and clothes are the right call here.
Feast of Lanterns | Spades Park | 4–11 p.m. | FREE
This longtime Near Eastside festival brings an evening of live music and neighborhood fun to Spades Park. More than 35 artisans and vendors are expected, along with community booths, food and a beer garden.
Cosmos at Cool Creek | Cool Creek Nature Center | 8–10 p.m. | FREE
Older kids with an interest in space can spend Saturday night digging into astrophotography at Cool Creek Park. The free program is designed for ages 10 and older and covers observing and photographing celestial objects, along with a broader look at telescopes, constellations and discoveries beyond our solar system.
Sunday, August 23
Strawtown Enclosure – Native American Village Tour | Strawtown Koteewi Park | 2–3 p.m. | FREE
Take a guided walk to the site of a Native American village inhabited more than 700 years ago. Interpretive staff will share what archaeologists have learned about the Indigenous people who built and used the enclosure, and visitors can see some of the artifacts recovered from the site.
No matter what you choose, there’s plenty of fun to be had this weekend. For even more options, check out our full calendar of Indianapolis family events and our guide to free things to do in Indianapolis this month.
Things to do near Indianapolis this weekend (August 21–23, 2026):
