Fun in the Summertime!

Summer is a great time to go out and explore central Indiana, and the sunny, hot weather means that outdoor activities abound. From food fests to live music, there are plenty of events across Hancock and Marion counties to keep you and your whole family entertained.

And if you find yourself getting excited about going on outings to the events you missed last summer, you’re not alone. Many people are thrilled to reengage in normal activities after taking a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that COVID vaccinations are helping everyone do that, and the CDC has some great recommendations for staying safe and healthy no matter where you go in our community or beyond. 

Below are our top local, family-friendly summertime activities.

Head to New Palestine at 6 p.m. July 23 or August 27 and dance the night away! With a beer and wine garden for adults, a plethora of food options, and live music this is a win-win for a great family evening. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to relax on after a dance party with the kids.

This free festival—featuring music, food vendors, and art—is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 31 in Greenfield. Take your time visiting the various booths or walk with your family down Pennsy Trail for a nice dose of nature. 

This one’s perfect for the kids. Not only is there an ice cream-eating contest, there’s also a car show, games, music, food trucks, and more. The event starts at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 14. 

Forget cooking at home on July 9. Instead, head to the Hancock County Courthouse Plaza for Food Truck Friday! Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Both feature a variety of food trucks, and there’s live music from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Head to Lucas Oil Raceway on July 16 from 7 to 11 p.m. for Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration Free Outdoor Concert, featuring Keith Sweat, Stephanie Mills, Johnny Gill and El DeBarge. Summer Celebration is celebrating it’s 50^th year, so a good time will be had by all.

Celebrate the blackberry in Fortville on Saturday, July 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. This family-owned farm has animals to see, too, so it’s sure to please everyone in your family. 

If you’d prefer an air-conditioned family outing, look no further than Regal’s $1 movies. Every Tuesday and Wednesday all summer, you and your family can enjoy a feature film at one of the many Regal cinemas in Indianapolis. The full list is here, and you can contact any theater ahead of time to find out about their COVID policies. Tickets are available at all venues.  

If your idea of summer movie fun involves being outside at sundown, then head to Garfield Park Arts Center in Indianapolis on July 2 and 23 for outdoor movies! Shows start at 9 p.m. 

The 91^st Annual Marion County Fair will be from June 25 through July 4. Check the website for a full list of each day’s events.