Family events in Anderson, IN

A single Semifinals ticket provides access to a full day of competition, starting with the DCI All-Age Class World Championship in the morning and continuing through the DCI World Championship Semifinals in the evening. Prelims for the All-Age Championship in the morning and early afternoon use general admission seating on the street level. In the evening, the Semifinals are reserved seating, and you will need to sit in the specific seat shown on your ticket. Children younger than two may attend at no charge with an accompanying adult ticket holder, and they must sit on a lap.

At Urban Air Adventure Park (Noblesville), Jumperoo offers dedicated playtime designed for children 5 and under. Admission is $10.99 per child, and parents attend for free. Memberships can be used for this event with access limited to Deluxe attractions. Socks are not provided. The Friday session does not take place on school holidays or during summer break.

DockDogs brings high flying canine action to the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Week 1 with Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. Multiple waves build toward Big Air finals across Pro, Semi Pro, Contender, and Amateur divisions, and there are opportunities for onsite registration and practice. Participation does not require prior experience. Dogs of any breed or size who are at least 6 months old, along with first time and seasoned handlers, are welcome. Pre-registration fees are $39 per team for Adult entries in Big Air, Speed Retrieve waves, Extreme Vertical, and Iron Dog, and $25 per team for Duel. Youth pre-registration is $19 per team for Big Air and $38 per team for Speed Retrieve waves, Extreme Vertical, and Iron Dog. On-site registration is $42 per team for Adult entries in Big Air, Speed Retrieve waves, Extreme Vertical, and Iron Dog, and $30 per team for Duel. Youth on-site rates are $22 per team for Big Air and $40 per team for Speed Retrieve waves, Extreme Vertical, and Iron Dog. Weeks 2 and 3 add Dueling Dogs to the lineup.

Active play, read-alouds, and simple crafts come together in a friendly storytime for children 0 to 5 with their caregivers at the Lapel Branch Library. Activities support early literacy, encourage social time, and keep the experience fun and engaging. This program is free and open to everyone, and no library card is needed to visit or participate.

Step into a cool, air conditioned big top at the Indiana State Fair for a circus packed with high flying stunts, daring acrobatics, high energy acts, and plenty of family friendly laughs. New performances created for 2026 add fresh excitement to the lineup. Shows take place each day and are included with Fair admission, and box or reserved seating upgrades are available.

School Day Play creates a dedicated school-day session at the park for children who homeschool or learn remotely, offering active play and a chance to log PE credit while taking a break from coursework. The park opens specifically for this program on select Fridays each month, and it does not run on school holidays. All Access tickets are $15.99, and memberships are accepted, with attraction access determined by membership level. Urban Air socks are not provided.

Toast After Hours pairs classic diner comfort with Friday night fun, serving burgers off the grill, crispy fries, hand spun shakes, and onion rings that spark conversation, all wrapped in a nostalgic vibe. No reservations are needed and there is no dress code, so it is all about good food and relaxed company, an easy way to include downtown Anderson in the evening. Settle in with a shake and feel at home. Toast After Hours is a fresh tradition built on a 70 year legacy.

At Carmel Food Truck Nights, a rotating mix of 10 to 15 Indiana food trucks, trailers, carts, and pop-ups serves an array of local eats. Seating is limited, so plan to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs.

The DCI All-Age World Championships will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Spend your summer evening downtown with Jams at the Junction, a free outdoor concert series at Grand Junction Plaza. This installment features Groovesmash, playing classic rock, pop, funk, soul, and R&B. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy live music with friends and neighbors. Parking is available at the Union parking garage, and a free shuttle runs from the Westfield Washington Public Library.

Experience all-ages, fast-paced improv as ComedySportz puts a playful sports spin on on-the-spot comedy. Two teams of quick-thinking players face off to earn laughs, rack up points, and go after the trophy. A referee keeps the action moving, gathers suggestions from the audience to shape each scene, and calls fouls when needed. Think Whose Line Is It Anyway with a competitive twist, designed for everyone to enjoy.

Catch The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute at the Conner Prairie Symphony Bowl, a Beatles tribute known for its close, note-for-note performances of classic songs like “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” and more. The show also features multiple costume changes that spotlight the band’s different eras.

The Pike Farmers Market brings together community, culture, and small businesses in Pike Township, Indiana and the surrounding areas. All vendors are local, offering locally grown produce and locally made products.

Stop by the Anderson Farmers Market to meet adoptable dogs from The Animal Protection League. You can also browse local vendors, enjoy crafts, and listen to music during the Saturday morning event.

Enjoy an outdoor playdate at Forest Park Noblesville with time to connect with NPCP friends in a relaxed setting. The gathering is open to all. If you plan to bring a snack or lunch, please choose nut free options.

Discover a potential new companion. If you have a specific animal in mind, please complete an application beforehand, as some animals are in foster homes and can only be brought on site once an application is approved.

Head to Dr. James A. Dillon Park for a playful creek outing open to anyone who wants to splash and explore with the pack. Meet near the skatepark by the bridge, and if you park by the playground, expect a short walk along the path to reach the group. Dress for creek time with water shoes, since Crocs can get stuck and go missing, and wear a swimsuit and sunscreen. Bring lunch or a snack, beverages, and lawn chairs for relaxing. Buckets and nets are great for exploring, and towels plus a change of clothes will come in handy... or plan to head home a bit wet.

Celebrate the start of a new school season with an evening that blends pottery painting with rounds of Back to School Bingo. The event welcomes students, families, homeschoolers, teachers, and anyone who enjoys fresh planners and pens. Expect a warm atmosphere, lighthearted competition, and prizes that make getting organized a little easier. Bingo winners can take home items such as backpacks, journals, planner supplies, calendars, teacher goodies, and study and organizational essentials. A $100 Visa gift card is the grand prize, which can be used toward a Skylight Calendar, school supplies, or anything that helps kick off the season on the right foot. Tickets are $20 and include bingo cards for every game, a $5 credit to paint pottery during the event, and chances to win prizes throughout the evening. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Enjoy a hip hop themed skating session designed for families. A $60 family package includes four admissions and four skate rentals plus a large cheese pizza and a pitcher, offering a savings of more than $40. Standard admission is $14 at the door, or save $1 by purchasing admission online for $13. Skate rental is $5. Non skating chaperones are $3. Passes are not accepted. Drop offs are not allowed, and a parent or guardian must remain inside for the entire session. Guests under 17 must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 25 and presents valid ID, with one chaperone able to supervise up to four skaters.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and enjoy a live performance by the duo Frank Bradford and Tim Fuller at the Plaza on Main stage. The event is presented by Live Music Indiana with sponsorship from Speedway Parks & Rec.

At Bier Brewery in Noblesville, this event welcomes kids and dogs and features food and beer.

Enjoy an evening of classic 80s rock and pop with The Heart of Rock & Roll, the highly regarded Huey Lewis and the News tribute. Expect energetic performances of the band’s best-known hits, all in the outdoor symphony setting at Conner Prairie.

Settle in for an unlimited breakfast buffet at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Harvest Market Carmel, featuring a rotating spread of morning favorites. Look for hearty breakfast meats, classic egg dishes, pancakes, waffles and more, crispy potatoes, scratch-made biscuits with gravy, fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, and a full salad bar. The menu highlights local products and from-scratch recipes that reflect the flavors of Niemann Harvest Market. It is a comfortable way to catch up with friends, enjoy a relaxed family meal, or start the day with plenty of choices.

Every Sunday features a family-friendly offer where children 12 and under receive a complimentary kids entrée, valued up to $15, with the purchase of an adult entrée. The promotion is limited to one free kids entrée for each adult entrée purchased and cannot be combined with other offers, specials, or dip certificates. It is not available on holidays.

This fundraiser supporting suicide awareness and prevention takes place at Indianapolis Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 416. Enjoy food, a silent auction, family-friendly fun, and live entertainment. Off The Hook performs a full-band set, pauses for the Silly Safari show, then returns with an acoustic UnHOOKed performance.

Spend time with pets available for adoption at the Irvington Farmers Market. Visitors can enjoy some furry companionship, consider whether welcoming a new pet into the family is the right fit, and learn how to support ARPO.

Enjoy a hands on pottery wheel session for a parent and child or another VIP. An instructor will guide first timers through throwing on the wheel with the aim of creating a small bowl. Clay can be tricky, so outcomes may vary, but the focus is on having fun together. The price is $90 for two participants. If your piece survives, you can return in 30 days to glaze it. If it does not, a small prize to take home will be provided. Classes are non refundable and non transferable. Recommended for ages 10 and up, with caregivers deciding what is best for their child.

The first season of a Gym Leader Challenge league invites players to test their skills as aspiring gym leaders and work toward earning badges in a rapidly growing format. Entry is $5 at the door and includes a promo pack. If you are new to the format, a guide is available.

This all-ages event has a $10 entry fee and features approximately 12 rounds of group match play, followed by a finals for up to eight players depending on turnout. Games will be on free play, and the lineup leans toward more devious titles to give the competition a ruder vibe.

Get ready for some hands-on fun at Kiln Creations with Mommy and Me Pottery Wheels. This beginner-friendly class is all about throwing on the pottery wheel and creating a small bowl while you and your mini me make messy memories together. An instructor will guide you through the process, and you can also return in about 30 days to glaze what you make. Cost is $90 for two people, and participants should plan for a non-refundable, non-transferable class experience.

Explore the core of Circle City on a guided stroll through Indianapolis’s signature historic district. Over about a half mile and roughly 60 minutes, an Indiana Landmarks guide shares stories and little known history that show how art, architecture, and the blend of public and private spaces have shaped the character of the state capital. See notable exteriors from different eras, including the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Christ Church Cathedral, Circle Theatre, and other landmarks. This outdoor tour departs from the lawn of Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for Indiana Landmarks members, $5 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and under.

Brownsburg Band, Guard & Orchestra Day brings baseball and community support together at Victory Field as the Indianapolis Indians face the Iowa Cubs. Buying tickets through the special link directs $4 from each seat to programs that benefit more than 1,500 Brownsburg Band, Guard, and Orchestra students. Families can take advantage of Kids Eat Free Sunday, which provides a hot dog, chips, and Prairie Farms milk to children age 14 and under with admission. The ballpark also features Good Witch, Bad Witch Day, encouraging pink or green attire along with themed entertainment and magical surprises. It combines a day at the ballpark with direct support for local music students.

Shape a hanging wall pocket from wet clay in a hands-on class that walks you through rolling, cutting, and assembling your piece. After the initial build, a return visit is included so you can paint your creation in the studio. A $25 ticket includes all tools and supplies to craft a pocket about 6 to 8 inches, guided instruction, and dedicated studio time for finishing. When complete, this functional holder can organize plants, mail, small plush toys, a cell phone, or other everyday items. The class is open to all ages but is somewhat advanced, so VIPs for participants under 13 should be ready to help during the making portion. Personalization is encouraged since the project uses wet clay. Tickets cannot be refunded or transferred.

Bring your little one to a preschool-friendly nature adventure. After a short lesson, you’ll head outside to explore the woods at a pace made for preschoolers, while parents join in to help spark curiosity. Activities and topics are designed especially for young explorers.

Bring your little one for Nature Preschool Explorers, a nature-based program designed for preschoolers. After a short lesson, families will head outside to explore the woods at a pace that works well for young children. Parents are encouraged to join in and help spark curiosity, with activities and topics planned specifically for these early explorers.

Step into the air conditioned Big Top at the Indiana State Fair for a family friendly circus packed with breathtaking acrobatics, daring stunts, high energy performances, and laugh out loud comedy. New acts debut to keep the spectacle fresh. Entry to the show is included with paid Fair admission, and box seats or reserved seating are available for an upgraded experience.

Bring your preschooler for a nature-inspired storytime featuring a story, songs, and a fun kid’s craft. This session is themed around frogs, with activities running as a single hour-long program. Registration is required.

Children ages 5-12 can bring a favorite stuffed friend for a Reading Buddies adventure at the Lapel Branch Library. This session goes beneath the surface with stories and hands-on fun such as making a geode, creating a volcano, and exploring the layers of the earth. If a child does not have a Buddy, one will be provided to keep. The program is free and open to everyone, and no library card is required. Reading Buddies events are offered at Anderson Public Library and Lapel Branch Library, with each session exploring a different theme from ancient worlds to outer space.

Players gather for a weekly Play! Pokemon League focused on friendly matches, learning the game, and connecting with other fans. Beginners can receive instruction on how to play, while experienced participants are welcome to battle, trade cards, or simply talk Pokemon in a welcoming setting.

The Friends of the Library book sale takes place on the third floor of Anderson Public Library and recurs each month. Browse a wide selection of pre-owned materials for all ages, including children's and adult fiction and nonfiction, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and magazines, all available at sale prices. Admission is free, all are welcome, and no library card is needed to visit or attend. For more information, call (765) 641-2456.

Serenade Jazz Orchestra brings the sound of a classic 16-piece big band, taking inspiration from the great ensembles of the 1940s and 50s. The group features many of Indiana’s top jazz musicians and has performed at venues, festivals, and private events for more than 33 years, including regular appearances at The Jazz Kitchen. Their repertoire ranges from timeless big band favorites to music from today’s modern jazz bands. Support for the 2026 Summer Concert Series is provided by Speedway Lions Club, Wessler Engineering, Fundae’s Ice Cream & Sweets, and the Curtis & Jennifer Miller Family. Sponsored by Speedway Lions Club.