There’s a whirlwind of activity happening in Fishers, Indiana, and the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater is right in the middle of it. This rapidly growing suburb northeast of Indianapolis is a vibrant city in its own right. But with year-round concerts at the Amphitheater, Fishers is staking its claim as one of Indy’s premier entertainment destinations.

The Nickel Plate District is the area around downtown Fishers, just west of where I-69 meets 116th Street. This booming district brings together city government, luxury apartments, local boutiques, and restaurants in one walkable, accessible place. Over the last few years, the Nickel Plate District has only grown bigger and better, and the Amphitheater—affectionately called the AMP—is their main event! 

The Amphitheater’s central location makes it an ideal venue for the city’s biggest community events. It’s also easy to drive over and check out the rest of the Nickel Plate District’s shops and spots. Locals can easily ride their bikes on one of the nearby trail networks, and bicycle parking is provided onsite. There’s also free car parking just steps away from all the attractions.

Fishers has a rocking and rolling music scene.

The Amphitheater hosted its first concert back in 2012, making it relatively new to the Indy music scene. But the venue already attracts 150,000 music fans each year for a wide variety of local and national performances! 

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater features a specially crafted stage that accommodates all kinds of performances. And in front of the stage is an elevated, sloping lawn designed to give concert-goers the best views. So, on a concert night, you’ll see as many as 5,000 people fill the lawn with picnic blankets and coolers! A small number of the Amphitheater’s concerts require a paid ticket, but most are freely available to the public.

One of the Amphitheater’s biggest events of the year is the annual Fishers Blues Fest. The two-day event is a Labor Day Weekend tradition, presenting renowned blues artists from around the country. The city’s summer concert series also brings thousands of people out to Nickel Plate to see musicians from all genres. The series includes family-friendly nights that start earlier in the evening, while Friday nights are reserved for bigger acts.

During some events, local vendors will even provide refreshments for the audience—giving you a taste of Nickel Plate. On a warm night, it doesn’t get much better than listening to live music while drinking a locally brewed beer.

Local events take center stage at the Nickel Plate District.

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater is also the perfect venue for Fishers’ most popular community events. From the Spark!Fishers Fourth of July event to their holiday light display, the Amphitheater is the center of the celebration all year round. 

On Saturday mornings in the summer, the Fishers Farmers Market takes over the Amphitheater lawn. You can leisurely stroll around the market, shopping from fresh, local produce, baked goods, and other seasonal favorites. As you explore the market, local performers fill the space with music and keep the atmosphere lively, even in the summer heat. So, even though the line for bubble tea is always long, it’s definitely worth the wait!

The Nickel Plate Amphitheater is also the best spot in town for families to watch the latest films under the stars. The AMP’s “Movies in the Park” series presents free entertainment for all ages, featuring both popular blockbusters and animated movies for the kids. Just bring a blanket and a picnic, and you’ll be set for a night of family fun. 

The Amphitheater is just the start of the Nickel Plate District’s bright future.

The Amphitheater brings out the crowds for events, but locals and visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring the Nickel Plate District. You can grab a coffee, browse the local boutiques, enjoy public art, eat at one of their many restaurants, and drink a pint from a local brewery. 

And in the coming years, there will be even more sights to see and things to do. Fishers is already working on constructing a new 4.5-mile greenway called the Nickel Plate Trail. 

This trail will be more than just a pedestrian path, creating a public space with playgrounds, boardwalks, and plazas. It’ll conveniently intersect with the district and eventually stretch northward to Noblesville. Once this phase is complete, there are plans to develop even more spots to live, work, and shop along the trail.

So, there’s no doubt that the success of the Nickel Plate Amphitheater and the surrounding district is driving Fishers forward. Considering the city’s affordability, amenities, and amazing community, it’s no surprise that Fishers is consistently named one of the best places to live in the United States. Money Magazine explained that it’s because of their “entrepreneurial buzz” while still prioritizing greenspaces and fun things to do—and the Amphitheater provides that in spades!