Summer in Indiana is packed with festivals. If you’re looking for a fun day or weekend trip to celebrate the start of summer this May, there are plenty of options statewide–whether you’re looking for a family outing, a day trip date, or a solo adventure!
500 Festival Parade
The quintessential Indiana summer is incomplete without some celebration of the Indianapolis 500. Whether you plan on being at the race or not, you’ll find plenty of programming all through the month of May to get you in the Indy 500 spirit. The 500 Festival Parade draws some 200,000 race fans each year. The celebration begins at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 23rd, and the parade commences at noon. Catch giant helium balloons, a lineup of floats, and every driver in this year’s race. The opening production will feature Loren Allred (of The Greatest Showman fame) singing the national anthem, and Ephraim Owens (seen on The Voice) performing with the Indiana Pacemates and the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders.
Banks of the Wabash Festival
If your kids can't wait until the county fair for some festival fun, check out the Banks of the Wabash Festival in Terre Haute. From Thursday, May 21st through Saturday, May 30th, Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute transforms into a perfect summer carnival. The days will be packed with live music, fair food, carnival rides, and more–don’t miss Rumble at the River on the 30th, an event which promises to mix professional wrestling and boxing for an exciting close to the festival.
Southern Indiana Renaissance Faire
The Southern Indiana Renaissance Faire is open for just one more weekend–this Saturday and Sunday, May 23rd and 24th. If jousting, sword swallowers, live music, and a sea of great costumes sounds like your dream festival, this one’s for you. The festival is family friendly, but three pubs serving up alcoholic drinks make it an especially great destination for adults. There are also plenty of vendors serving up food–I recommend the porksicle, a massive hunk of seasoned pork on a stick.
