Family events in Marion County, IN

This performance at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre runs about two and a half hours and includes one intermission. A ticket is required for every attendee, regardless of age, and the show is recommended for guests 6 and older. Please be aware that flashing strobe lights are used during the production.

Step away from the screen and spend three immersive hours shaping raw Indiana limestone in a hands-on workshop created for teens ages 13 to 17. Participants explore the geologic story of this 300-million-year-old rock, then practice with professional hammers and chisels to design and carve a piece to take home. No prior experience is required, as all tools and expert guidance are provided. The session encourages thinking in three dimensions, seeing the finished form within the block and bringing it out through steady, precise strikes. It is physical and dusty, with the satisfying ring of hammer on steel and a vibration that travels up the arm. Along the way, teens connect their own work to the legacy of master carvers who shaped landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Pentagon, and the Soldiers & Sailors Monument using the same Indiana stone. Everyone leaves with a tangible piece of history they created themselves.

ABC Health & Fitness Expo Indianapolis turns Indiana Convention Center Hall A into a lively, family friendly destination for wellness and community. Attendees can explore a wide variety of health and fitness vendors, enjoy live stage performances throughout the day, and take part in a free door prize giveaway. More than a typical expo, it brings community, health, and fun together under one roof. Tickets will be available soon on Eventbrite.

Experience a doll show featuring a life-size Barbie box photo booth and a Barbie exhibit. Browse a selection of vendors and enjoy plenty of space to move while you explore and take photos.

Set out on a gentle walk through the arboretum at Crown Hill to discover how trees survive and thrive. Along the way, hear stories about their unexpected adaptations and impressive traits, spotlighting the hidden superpowers that make trees heroes of the natural world. This experience takes place outdoors and on foot, so please dress appropriately. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children 12 and under attend for free.

This fall celebration offers pumpkin painting for children and adults. Registration for the painting activity is $15.99 through Eventbrite. Complimentary hayrides around the facilities are also available.

A concert pairs with family-friendly fun, all organized to support Riley Kids. The focus is on music, togetherness, and a cause centered on kids.

A neighborhood block party in Indianapolis returns with food trucks, activities for kids, artist vendors, beer and wine, and live music across two stages. The festivities proceed regardless of weather. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Donations are welcomed, with a suggested $5 per person, and can be made at the gates with cash or card or through electronic options. On the Community Space Stage, Red Diane appears for the first time with an eclectic soul and pop sound shaped by jazz influences, built around vocals, piano, and guitar with touches of saxophone, bass, and programmed elements, mixing original music and covers. The Dog Moms & Jeff return with sing-along favorites from the 1990s. Beatty & The Bayonets make their debut with funk and soul grooves. Highway 9 Blues Band, also new to the party, brings the blues to close this stage. On the Dorman Street Stage, JusTwo returns with an intimate blend of blues and jazz. Bigfoot Yancey returns with original songs rooted in Americana, folk, and rock. Tavonne with The Sutherland Collective makes a first appearance with original R&B, soul, and funk. Chick Grizzly returns to wrap up that stage with high-energy hits spanning decades. Set times are approximate and may shift slightly during the evening. Refreshments feature beer from Pax Verum Brewing, Guggman Haus Brewing Co., and Mashcraft Brewing, along with selections from Four Finger Distillery, Hi & Mighty Distillery, Ash & Elm Cider, 8th Day Distillery, and Solely Wine. Food options include Sakura Japanese Restaurant, Gordon's Milkshake Bar, Black Leaf Vegan, Pronto Taco, Fresko, Gips got Tips, Gomez BBQ, King Dough, Daisy Bar, Salamat Cookies, and Chicago Beef & Dog Company. The event’s signature garbage-bag ghosts are back as well.

ComedySportz offers an all ages improv showdown where two teams compete for laughs, points, and a trophy. A Referee keeps the match moving, gathers suggestions from the audience, and calls any fouls on the field. It blends quick-thinking comedy with a light sports twist, much like Whose Line Is It Anyway, and is designed for everyone.

Disney Presents The Lion King (Touring) takes the stage at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre with a performance lasting about two and a half hours, including one intermission. Every guest, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter. The production is recommended for ages 6 and older. Please note that flashing strobe lights are used during the show.

Set in White River State Park, this family-friendly run welcomes every pace and fitness level. The day features packet pickup, a kids dash that meets at the start line before participants are escorted to the starting area, the National Anthem, and the main race. Live results and awards are available at the registration tent as participants finish. Free race photos and complimentary snacks await at the finish. 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon entries include a custom bib, a designer shirt, a finisher medal, and chip timing with live results. The 1 Mile option is untimed and includes a custom bib, a designer shirt, and a finisher medal. The kids dash is an untimed sprint for ages 10 and under, and registration provides a mini bib, a youth-sized shirt, and a medal created just for this event. Children who prefer to skip the swag may participate in the kids dash at no cost. Youth pricing is available for the 5K and 10K, with entry for ages 12 and under set at $17. Whether aiming for a personal best or enjoying an easygoing outing, this inclusive experience encourages everyone to run in the way that works best.

The touring production of Disney’s The Lion King takes the stage at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre in Indianapolis. The performance lasts about two and a half hours and includes one intermission. A ticket is required for every attendee, regardless of age, and the show is best suited for ages 6 and older. Please note that strobe lighting effects are used during the performance.

See the 1984 film Ghostbusters presented on a large HD screen while an orchestra performs the score live on stage. The music by Academy Award-winning composer Elmer Bernstein is carefully synchronized to the movie, creating a true film-with-orchestra experience.

Test your knowledge at DJ Trivia at 5th Ave Grill and Bar. There is no entry fee, and the top three teams take home prizes. Families are welcome, and phones are not permitted during the game. Ask the host about the DJ Trivia league, and check the DJ Trivia website for the daily clue to snag bonus points.

This event offers visitors with disabilities or sensory sensitivities a Haunted House experience with thoughtful adjustments. At the Fright Academy, music is kept quiet, lighting is brighter with no flashing effects, and all haunters wear friendly costumes. Each participant receives a sensory toy and a goody bag. In addition to the Haunted House, exhibits open for the occasion include Dinosphere and the Dinosphere Art Lab, the newly reimagined All Aboard, National Geographic Treasures of the Earth, Beyond Spaceship Earth, the Schaefer Planetarium and Space Object Theater, and Fireworks of Glass. Presented by Riley Children's Foundation and Prana Play: A Sensory Haven.

Disney Presents The Lion King brings its touring production to the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. The performance includes one intermission. A ticket is required for every attendee, regardless of age. It is recommended for ages 6 and older. The show features flashing strobe lighting.

Great Oak Church hosts a free Food Pantry and Clothing Bank offering groceries, children’s items, and clothing in a wide range of sizes for individuals and families. Anyone in need is welcome, with no requirement to sign up or show ID, and there is no preaching. Prayer is available on request, and volunteers are available to answer questions. First-time visitors complete a short form with basic information so organizers can report the number of new and returning guests to Midwest Food Pantry, which supplies part of the donations. Personal details are kept private and are not shared. Guests may pick up items for family members or children even if they are not present, and may come with friends or relatives to select what they need.

Presented at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, this performance includes one intermission. All attendees must have their own ticket for entry, and it is recommended for ages 6 and up. Please be aware that flashing strobe lights will be used. Ticket access includes Disney Visa and Disney presales, along with a public onsale.

The World Food Championships returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center for the third straight year, bringing elite culinary champions from around the world to Indianapolis. Recognized as a global leader in Food Sport, WFC presents four days of competition, culinary culture, and championship moments. The event features more Golden Ticket opportunities than ever before as competitors pursue top honors.

United Skates Indy hosts a special skate night that honors National Roller Skating Month together with National Bully Prevention Month. The evening spotlights respect, kindness, and inclusion, reinforcing the message that kindness wins and that every child deserves to feel they belong. Families and friends are welcome. Admission is $10 and includes skate rental.

Presented at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, this live performance runs about two and a half hours with one intermission. Every attendee must have a ticket, and it is recommended for ages 6 and up. Be aware that flashing strobe lights are used during the show. Tickets are available through a public onsale as well as select presales, including Disney Visa and Disney presale options.