Here are 20+ events where you can watch the solar eclipse in Central Indiana
Indianapolis never has a shortage of entertainment and things to do, but the city is going all-out for the total solar eclipse on April 8.
With thousands of people expected to flock to Central Indiana, organizations across Marion and the surrounding have made big plans to celebrate the celestial event.
Here's a big list of events happening in Indy and across Central Indiana on eclipse day.
More: Road-tripping to Indy for the eclipse? Here are some destinations to check out on the way
Indianapolis eclipse events
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Select broadcast location thanks to a partnership with NASA. Symposium on rockets, race cars, STEM careers and more. Demo laps by Ed Carpenter and other activities, brought to visitors by the speedway and Purdue University (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 4790 W. 16th St. $20 grounds access, $300 Pagoda Club suite access. Tickets at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/eclipse)
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Art projects, the science behind the eclipse, giveaways and activities, like decorating your glasses. (10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 3000 N. Meridian St. Included with museum admission. tinyurl.com/tvexc3ms)
Indiana State Museum
Art and science projects, DJs, a solar system model, kinetic sand and shadow play, and scientists on hand to answer questions. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. 650 W. Washington St. Included with general admission and free for members. Registration required by April 5 at indianamuseum.org)
Newfields
DJs, fire performers, food, live music and more. Ticket includes entry to the museum and "Dalí Alive" at the Lume. Parking is sold out, according to the website. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. 4000 Michigan Road. $34 public, $29 members for adults, with discounts for other age groups. discovernewfields.org/calendar/eclipse)
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Live music; food trucks and concessions; and drinks that include the Cosmic Cooler, Moonbeam Mule and Blackhole Bourbon Smash. (Day's events start at 9 a.m. 1202 E. 38th St. $25 per vehicle with up to eight people. indianastatefair.com/events/2024/eclipse-2024)
Blackout at the Biergarten
Live music, dancing, food and Sun King's new brew called the Path of Totality. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Rathskeller Biergarten, 401 E. Michigan St. $15 adults, $10 ages 18 and under. athenaeumindy.org)
Want to know what you'll see? This interactive map will help you find out when and where you can get the best view of the eclipse
Hamilton County eclipse viewing events
Conner Prairie
Talks from experts, music, dance and more. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. $55 nonmembers, $40 members. connerprairie.org/solareclipse2024)
Ruoff Music Center's Total Eclipse Tailgate
Live entertainment, food trucks, inflatable obstacle course, dance party and guest speaker from NASA. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. $100 per vehicle. Tickets at tinyurl.com/4px22zzn. Eight-ticket limit.)
Moon Market at Strawtown Koteewi Park
Artisan market with celestial-themed crafts and educational display, hosted by the Taylor Center of Natural History. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 12302 Strawtown Ave. in Noblesville. $5 county residents, $10 out-of-county visitors. Register at tinyurl.com/ysetd3ca)
Grand Park Sports Campus
Food, drinks, inflatables, viewing telescopes and a Moon Pie eating contest. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. 19000 Grand Park Blvd. in Westfield. $25 per standard-size vehicle, $100 for overnight camper and RV parking. Tickets required in advance at westfieldwelcome.com/solar-eclipse)
Park Side of the Moon at Cool Creek Park
Walking areas, live entertainment, crafts, food and activities. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2000 E 151st St. in Carmel. $10 county residents, $15 out-of-county visitors. tinyurl.com/ysetd3ca)
Hendricks County eclipse viewing events
Beasley's Orchard
Bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch from the farm. Games, music, food trucks and more. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2304 E. Main St. in Danville. $7. tinyurl.com/28hfc99w)
Hendricks Live
Entertainment, snacks, conversation, a cash bar and more at the arts center events space and terrace. (Noon. 200 W. Main St. in Plainfield. $25. Register at hendrickslive.org/hendricks-eclipse-live)
Murphy Aquatic Park
Party with bounce houses, activities, live music, food trucks and more. (1-5 p.m. 753 S. CR 625 E. in Avon. $5. Registration required. tinyurl.com/zmx5dpbp)
Johnson County eclipse viewing events
Mallow Run's Eclipse Fest
Food trucks, live music and refreshments from the Sycamore at Mallow Run. (11 a.m.-5 p.m. 7070 Whiteland Road in Bargersville. $75 per vehicle early bird price. mallowrun.com/eclipse-fest)
Free eclipse parties in Indianapolis
Holcomb Observatory at Butler University
Telescopes, scientific experts to guide eclipse viewing, planetarium shows, music and food trucks. (Noon-4:30 p.m. 4600 Sunset Ave. butler.edu/arts-sciences/holcomb-observatory/eclipse-2024)
White River State Park's Lunacy Festival
Food trucks, live music, free yoga classes, a brass quintet from the Indianapolis Symphony and a lounging space with chairs and hammocks. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 801 W. Washington St. whiteriverstatepark.org/event/solar-eclipse)
Find more events in Marion County at visitindy.com/events/eclipse.
Hamilton County eclipse viewing events
Civic Square in Carmel
Updates from eclipse experts, food and drink, live music. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1 Civic Square in Carmel. tinyurl.com/2f2vm9eu)
Find more Hamilton County events at visithamiltoncounty.com/eclipse.
Hendricks County eclipse viewing events
Lucas Oil Raceway Park's Race to the Eclipse
Including a 5K, dragstrip race, live music and food. (1-5 p.m. Lucas Oil Raceway Park, 10267 E. U.S. Highway 136. More information and registration for the 5K, which requires tickets: visithendrickscounty.com/eclipse/race-to-the-eclipse)
The Shops at Perry Crossing
Celebrated in conjunction with a military tribute and will include displays from local military branches and activities. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2499 Perry Crossing Way in Plainfield. perry-crossing.com/events/solar-eclipse-2024)
Brownsburg Public Library
STEM activities, face painting, Lego building and more. (10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 450 S. Jefferson St. tinyurl.com/2rbxvn4s)
Find more events in Hendricks County at visithendrickscounty.com/eclipse.
Hancock County eclipse viewing events
Depot Street Park
Food trucks, music, cookie decorating and planetary science experts. (Noon-6 p.m. 251 Depot St. in Greenfield. parksingreenfield.com/events)
Greenfield Parks and Recreation also will hold eclipse events at Beckenholdt Park, 2770 N. Franklin Road; Brandywine Park, 900 East Davis Road; and Riley Park is located at 300 Apple St.
Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
Contact IndyStar newsroom development director Holly Hays at [email protected]. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Where to watch the eclipse in Indianapolis: Events around Indy