The Greatest Spectacle in Racing is almost here! Every year, Hoosiers count down the days until the Indianapolis 500 roars back to the track—because there’s nothing like the Month of May in Indiana.

The Indianapolis 500 is a historic IndyCar race that attracts more than 300,000 fans from across the globe, making it the largest single-day sporting event in the world. For over a century, 33 drivers have raced 200 laps around the legendary oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, determined to come out on top. And on Race Day, the town of Speedway swells so dramatically that it becomes Indiana’s second-largest city for the day.

Now, the Indy 500 is more than just a race. It’s a timeless tradition—and practically a month-long holiday for Hoosiers! After all, we’re “The Racing Capital of the World” for a reason. In the words of Roger Penske, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “Indianapolis comes to life each spring” with the legends and memories made at the track. 

From community concerts to high-speed races, the Month of May is packed with events for the race fan in everyone. Here’s a rundown on this year’s Indy 500 schedule—with everything you need to celebrate the Month of May in style! 

April 17 | Month of May Street Signs Installed

Starting in April, Downtown Indy, Inc. will partner with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to give our city streets a fresh look for the 109th Running of the Indy 500. In collaboration with the IMS team, special Indy 500-themed street signs will be installed throughout downtown, celebrating the iconic race and adding to the excitement of the Month of May. Keep an eye out for these beautiful signs marking the countdown to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing!

April 17 | Bricks & Flicks Series at the Kan-Kan Cinema

On April 17 at 7 PM, experience the Bricks and Flicks Series at Kan-Kan Cinema, showcasing a collection of archival footage from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. This event will feature a post-film Q&A with Jason Vansickle, Vice President of Curation and Education at the IMS Museum, and Jake Query, radio host for the IMS Radio Network. Tickets are $12.00 for general admission, and it’s a great opportunity to dive into the history of the Indianapolis 500!

April 19 | Indy 500 Night at Victory Field

IndyCar meets baseball in this ultimate collaboration at Victory Field! On Saturday night, you can catch an action-packed game between the Indianapolis Indians and the Toledo Mud Hens. Fans can expect special racing-inspired entertainment throughout the night. Tickets available here.

April 27 | Indy 500 Match at the Indy Ignite Game

Rev up your Sunday plans with Indy’s first pro volleyball team—Indy Ignite! Their Indy 500 Match presented by Meyer Najem will offer fun race-themed activities, while Indy Ignite takes on the San Diego Mojo. Get there early for the Indy 500 Fan Fest starting at 1 PM, featuring pedal car racing, an interactive pit stop, live music, giveaways, and more! And white you’re there, don’t forget to grab a photo with the custom Ignite-branded IndyCar! Tickets available here.

April 30 | 500 Festival Kickoff to May

The 500 Festival is a month-long celebration of the Indy 500 that begins with their annual “Kickoff to May.” This opening event is always free to attend, so everyone can celebrate the spirit of the season. Come down to Monument Circle from 11 AM – 1 PM to hang out with fellow race fans, meet the 500 Festival Princesses, and even see a few surprise guests! They will also have prizes, photo opportunities with festival cars, and more activities in store.

May 1 | Indy 500 Fan Fest at Bottleworks

Celebrate the beginning of the greatest month in racing at the Bottleworks District on May 1 from 5–8 PM! Located in the heart of the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District, Bottleworks is the perfect place to gear up for Race Day while enjoying award-winning food and drinks.

This free, all-ages event will include driver appearances, a Pit Stop Demo, a close-up look at the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy, a show car, the Firestone Firehawk, exclusive May 1st trading cards, live caricatures, Red Bull activations, and the Indiana Robot Show. No tickets are required—but you can mark yourself as “attending” on the Facebook event here.

May 2 | Indy 500 Wreath-Making Class

Head over to the Harrison Center for a fun Indy 500 Wreath-Making Class during First Friday! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create a race flag-themed wreath by tying fabric in the iconic colors of the Indy 500. No experience is needed, and all instructions will be guided by Lisa Schmitz, founder of For the Love of Speedway and the Speedway Artist Collective! So, grab a friend, come craft, and celebrate the excitement of the Indy 500! Tickets can be purchased here.

May 2–3 | Cleetus & Cars + the Indy 800

Get ready for two full-throttle days of action at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg during the Cleetus & Cars weekend! Hosted by YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland, this adrenaline-packed event features the wildly entertaining Indy 800 with epic burnout competitions, drag racing, monster trucks, and meet-and-greets with your favorite automotive content creators. Grab tickets and see the full schedule here.

May 2–3, May 6, & May 8–9 | Pick Up Your Porch Party Kit

It’s not May in Indiana without a porch party! Celebrate the spirit of the Indianapolis 500 by picking up a free Porch Party Kit—packed with flags, bunting, goodies, and more—to help you deck out your space in Race Day style. The IMS team is hosting five events around the region where fans can snag a kit on a first-come, first-served basis: May 2 at the Harrison Center (Indy), May 3 in Fishers, May 6 in Zionsville, May 8 in Avon, and May 9 in Speedway. Round up your neighbors and get ready to bring the race home!

May 3 | Rev, Presented by Fifth Third Bank

Rev is an extravagant event that kicks off the Month of May with delicious food, drinks, and dancing on the Speedway’s famous Yard of Bricks. But better yet, Rev raises funds to support Indiana University Health’s statewide trauma and critical care programs. Since its inception, Rev has raised more than $19 million for the cause, making it IU Health Foundation’s largest fundraiser. Tickets for this year’s event are already sold out, but you can follow Rev on social media to make sure you snag tickets for 2026 the moment they drop! Just be quick, they sell out FAST!

May 3 | 500 Festival Mini-Marathon + 5k

Get ready to run! Every year, the 500 Festival hosts one of the nation’s largest half-marathons on the first weekend of May, attracting over 20,000 participants from around the world. Recognized as America’s Best Half Marathon by USA Today, this iconic race takes you through some of the most scenic spots in Indianapolis, including a chance to kiss the bricks at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re looking for a shorter run, the 500 Festival also hosts a 5k on the same morning as the mini marathon! The 5k loop runs through downtown Indianapolis, along the White River State Park, past the Indianapolis Zoo, and then back to Military Park. Registration is still open for the 500 Festival races here.

May 9–10 | Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS

Race fans, your time has come! Before the flag waves for the Indy 500, IndyCar’s greatest stars must first take on the infamous IMS road course. This action-packed, 2.439-mile track includes 14 twists and turns to truly test their skills. You can watch the qualifications and practice sessions on May 9, and then May 10 will be Race Day! Snag your tickets here.

May 10 | 500 Festival Kids’ Day + Rookie Run

Looking for a fun, free, and family-friendly way to celebrate the Month of May? Head to Monument Circle for the Salesforce & JPMorganChase 500 Festival Kids’ Day, the state’s largest outdoor festival for kids! From 11 AM to 3 PM, downtown Indy transforms into a carnival-like atmosphere filled with interactive, educational activities for all ages and abilities. Best of all, it’s completely free!

Plus, don’t miss the Rookie Run, a non-competitive fun run for kids ages 3–10, giving them a taste of race-day excitement. Every young runner gets a personalized bib, goodie bag, and a finisher’s medal—just like the racers in the Mini-Marathon! For more information on Kids’ Day, visit the 500 Festival website.

May 11 | Indy Pride Hoosier 250

Get ready for a race like no other at the Hoosier 250, a fun and spirited tricycle race hosted by Indy Pride! Teams of two will race around the new Downtown Sun King location in a playful nod to the Indy 500—with the team that crosses the finish line first taking the win.

The Hoosier 250 will kick off with the race at 12 PM, but the fun doesn’t stop there! Attendees can stick around to mingle with community members, explore vendor booths, and cheer on their favorite teams. This event is free to attend, but you can also support Indy Pride with an optional donation. For those ready to race, register here, join in the excitement, and race to victory!

May 13–16 and May 19 | Indianapolis 500 Practice at IMS

The Month of May kicks it up a notch on May 13, as drivers begin practicing for the Indy 500! Visitors are invited to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway to witness the world’s best IndyCar drivers get ready for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. A couple of items to note: Children ages 15 and under get free admission with an adult; and a separate ticket is required for entry each day. Practice tickets are available here.

May 17 | 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard

Start your engines early with the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc! This annual tradition brings together mayors from across Indiana, community leaders, race fans, and the 500 Festival Princesses for a morning full of Hoosier hospitality.

Guests enjoy a classic breakfast, inspiring remarks from IMS and 500 Festival leadership, and the crowning of the 500 Festival Queen Scholar. Plus, attendees can take a lap around the famed oval in their own car and get a behind-the-scenes look at the garages before Race Day! While this year’s event is sold out, you can join the interest list for 2026 here!

May 17–18 | PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying

This weekend is an intense experience you won’t want to miss! The world’s most talented drivers compete for a coveted spot in the Indianapolis 500 during this two-day qualifier. Each competitor will race four laps at over 230 mph to earn their place in history. But it only takes a fraction of a second to miss out on the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Tickets are available for both days, so go out and cheer on your favorite driver!

May 19 | Burger Bash, Delivered by ClusterTruck

Head out to IMS, just outside of Gate 1, for the annual Burger Bash, delivered by ClusterTruck! This annual event benefits the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and is the perfect kickoff to race week. From 5-8 PM, there will be appearances from Indy 500 drivers, tasty ClusterTruck burgers, and even a live taping of Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin’s “Trackside” radio show on 107.5 The Fan. Best of all, this event is free and open to the public.

​May 23 | The American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service

On this day, we take time away from the race to recognize and reflect on Memorial Day. This tradition has been part of the Indianapolis 500 for more than 60 years, ensuring that we never lose sight of the meaning of Memorial Day. This service will include a wreath-laying ceremony, a funeral procession, the posting of colors, and other symbolic events to honor our fallen servicemen and women. More details can be found on the 500 Festival website.

May 23 | Miller Lite Carb Day at IMS

Carb Day is the official kickoff to Indy 500 weekend. Short for Carburetion Day, it’s the final day of practice before the Indianapolis 500 and the beginning of one high-energy weekend! Fans can cheer on racers as they push their cars to the limit, then rock out with music legends Bret Michaels and The All-American Rejects at the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert. Pro tip: a General Admission ticket gives you access to the infield, select grandstands, and the concert. Tickets are available here.

May 24 | AES 500 Festival Parade

Every year, over 200,000 people fill the streets of Indianapolis to witness one of the nation’s largest and most respected parades! The AES 500 Festival Parade is the crown jewel of the month-long celebration—featuring massive helium balloons, stunning floats, award-winning marching bands, celebrities, dignitaries, and all 33 Indy 500 drivers.

Festivities kick off at 11:45 AM, with the parade beginning at noon. But it’s best to arrive early to grab a great spot and beat the crowds. Can’t make it in person? Catch the action live on WTHR, Channel 13, or stream it on Peacock. Learn more about the lineup, parking, and ticket options here.

May 24 | Legends Day Presented by Firestone at IMS

Race over to the track for Legends Day! On the Saturday before the Indianapolis 500, fans have the rare chance to collect autographs from all 33 Indy 500 drivers, along with a few legendary IndyCar veterans. Then, stick around for the official Public Drivers’ Meeting, where drivers receive their final instructions before Race Day. Be sure to arrive early! Autograph lines fill quickly and will close once they reach capacity. For more information, check out their website.

May 24 | Legends Day Concert at Everwise Amphitheater 

Country fans, get ready—Midland is headlining the Firestone Legends Day Concert on May 24 at the Everwise Amphitheater in White River State Park! Set against the backdrop of downtown Indianapolis, this scenic outdoor venue offers stunning skyline views and unbeatable sound. It’s the perfect celebration the night before Race Day. Tickets are on sale now, so grab yours before they’re gone!

May 25 | 2025 Bike to the 500

Skip the traffic and ride straight to the action with Bike to the 500! Join hundreds of cyclists on May 25 for a police-escorted, five-mile ride to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where you’ll park your bike just west of Gate 1 in a secure, monitored corral. Choose from two departure times from 16 Tech —7:30 or 9:30 AM—and fuel up at the AMP before you go! Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day-of, and kids 15 and under ride free with a paid adult. Just don’t forget: you’ll need an Indy 500 ticket to enter the track after the ride!

May 25 | Indianapolis 500 Snake Pit at IMS

Are you ready for the most insane party in motorsports? The Coors Light Snake Pit is an all-day rager that starts at 8 AM and only ends when the race ends. This electrifying music festival features a star-studded lineup of EDM acts, including Illenium, Two Friends, Kayzo, Oliver Heldens, and Sammy Virji. Tickets for the concert are available here, but all concert-goers will also need a Race Day ticket to attend the Snake Pit.

May 25 | RACE DAY – INDIANAPOLIS 500

And finally, an event that needs no introduction—The Greatest Spectacle in Racing! The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is a day filled with high-speed thrills, unforgettable moments, and something for everyone. Each year, more than 300,000 fans gather at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch 33 of the world’s best drivers compete for racing glory.

I highly recommend experiencing the race in person—because there’s truly nothing like the energy and atmosphere of Race Day. Gates open at 6 AM, so get there early to soak it all in. Tickets are still available here.

There are endless ways to celebrate the Month of May in Indy.

The Month of May is always an insanely busy—and an extremely fun—time of year! There are so many events on the calendar that it creates a palpable sense of excitement leading up to the race. And best of all, most of the events are family-friendly, so everyone can join in the fun.

More Indy 500 Celebrations Around Indianapolis

• Visit the newly renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum at IMS.
• Tour the Dallara Factory and the Indy Racing Experience in Speedway.
• Channel your inner racecar driver at Speedway Indoor Karting.
• Order a specialty IndyCar burger at ClusterTruck from April 21 through May 31 and proceeds will benefit the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Check out a Cars & Coffee event on Saturday mornings, including May 3 at Graham Rahal Performance in Zionsville and May 17 with Indianapolis Cars & Coffee at Fishers Event Center.
• Grab your bike & participate in the Indy 500-themed Roast Ride on May 10.
• Listen to country singer Kelsey Hart perform at the Turntable in Broad Ripple on May 24 in an event benefitting the 500 Festival.
• Visit the Speedway Artist Collective in downtown Speedway where artists sell their work and share their knowledge through classes.

Where Can You Get Your Indy 500 Fashion?

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Merchandise Store is your go-to for official gear—from driver tees to checkered flags.
• The Shop Indy sells vintage-inspired racing merch with a hometown twist.
• United State of Indiana releases a new collection of edgy and fun Indy 500 tees every year!
• Flags for Good sells race-day flags with a mission, where every flag supports a cause.
• Levi’s® at Keystone Fashion Mall will let you customize your denim at the Levi’s Tailor Shop with checkered flag flair just in time for Race Day.
• Wild Kard Vintage is a McCordsville hidden gem that drops bold, Race Day-ready graphic tees that bring the heat all Month of May.
• Blue Peppermint Boutique offers chic, race-ready styles for the fashion-forward fan.

Things to Do in Indy for Non-Race Fans (and Locals Who Love Spring!)

Even if racing’s not your thing, the Month of May still brings a variety of springtime activities to Indianapolis. From arts festivals to backyard parties, the city comes alive during race season. So, if you’re still looking for something to do, check out this quick list for other things to do in Indianapolis this May.

• Watch an Indianapolis AlleyCats Ultimate Frisbee Game, happening May 10 and May 24.
• Attend First Friday activities in Indianapolis that showcases art, music, and local food and beverages to celebrate the beginning of the month.
• Cheer on the new Fishers Freight Indoor Football Team at their home games on May 3 or May 24.
• Go to a concert or show at one of Indy’s local venues, including the HI-FI, Turntable, Hendricks Live!, or the Fishers Event Center.
• Host your own Porch Party, a beloved Indy 500 tradition where Hoosiers gather with friends to relax outdoors, sip their favorite drinks, and soak up the springtime spirit—whether or not they’re race fans.
• Watch a movie at a drive-in theater! Nothing beats a movie under the stars at Tibbs Drive-In in Indy, Centerbrook Drive-In in Martinsville, or the Skyline Drive-In Theatre in Shelbyville.
• Volunteer at one of the hundreds of wonderful nonprofits in the Indy area. There are so many, but a few of my favorites are: Indiana Sports Corp, Humane Society for Hamilton County, Second Helpings, Indy Reads, and The Julian Center.

Whether you’re a die-hard race fan or just want something fun to do, Indianapolis has the answer you’re looking for! So much is going on in Indianapolis during the Month of May, you can see why we get so excited each year. Because that’s life in Indy!