Every year, the Indianapolis 500 transforms Indy into the epicenter of speed, tradition, and energy. The race draws over 300,000 fans from across the globe, making it the largest single-day sporting event on the planet. But the real magic? It’s the lead-up. Locals know the entire Month of May is basically a holiday. In May, Indianapolis is packed with concerts, parades, family fun and a whole lot of horsepower. 🏎️
To ensure that you get the most out of your May, here’s your guide to the events that make this time of year so iconic:
WEEK 1: May 1–4
🏁 May 1 – Indy 500 Fan Fest at Bottleworks
Kick things off at Bottleworks with food, music, driver appearances and even a close-up look at the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Bonus: it’s totally free and open to all ages.
🔥 May 2–3 – Cleetus & Cars + the Indy 800
Expect monster trucks, drag racing, and burnout competitions at Lucas Oil Raceway. This adrenaline-filled weekend is hosted by YouTuber Cleetus McFarland and is a wild ride from start to finish.
🍽️ May 3 – Rev at the Speedway
One of the most glamorous nights of the year, Rev combines fine dining and dancing with a fundraising mission, all on the famous Yard of Bricks. Tickets sell out fast for this one (and yep, they’re already gone for 2025!).
👟 May 3 – Mini-Marathon + 5K
Lace up for one of the largest half-marathons in the country! Bonus points: both races run you right through IMS. The 5K offers a shorter loop but the same big-race feel.
WEEK 2: May 5–11
🏎️ May 9–10 – Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS
Watch top drivers take on the 14-turn road course inside IMS. Practice and qualifying happen on Friday, with the race set for Saturday.
🎈 May 10 – Kids’ Day + Rookie Run
Monument Circle transforms into a carnival of games, crafts and STEM fun. Kids can even race like the pros in the Rookie Run for ages 3–10 (complete with bibs and medals)!
🚲 May 11 – Indy Pride Hoosier 250
Sun King Downtown plays host to this spirited tricycle race and community celebration. Free to attend, full of joy and will 100% be a good time!
WEEK 3: May 12–18
🧑🔧 May 13–16 + May 19 – Indy 500 Practice
Drivers hit the track to dial in their cars. Practices are open to the public and a great way to get up close without the Race Day crowd.
🥞 May 17 – Breakfast at the Brickyard
A mix of tradition and Hoosier hospitality. Enjoy breakfast, meet community leaders and take a lap around the track in your own car. (Already sold out—but worth adding to your 2026 list!)
🎖️ May 17–18 – Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend
Feel the intensity as drivers race at over 230 mph to earn their shot at Race Day glory. It’s edge-of-your-seat action.
WEEK 4: May 19–24
🍔 May 19 – Burger Bash (Delivered by ClusterTruck)
Fuel up with burgers, driver appearances and a live taping of Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin. All happening just outside Gate 1 at IMS.
🇺🇸 May 23 – The American Legion Memorial Service
A moving tribute to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. This long-standing Indy 500 tradition is a powerful pause in a month full of celebration.
🎸 May 23 – Miller Lite Carb Day
Final practice + a full-blown concert = the unofficial start of race weekend. Bret Michaels and The All-American Rejects are this year’s headliners.
🎉 May 24 – AES 500 Festival Parade
One of the biggest parades in the country! Catch the 33 drivers, giant balloons and community performances in this can’t-miss spectacle.
🏁 May 24 – Legends Day at IMS
Collect autographs, attend the public drivers’ meeting and celebrate the legends of racing. Plus, snag a seat at the Legends Day Concert at White River State Park, Midland headlines this year!
RACE DAY: Sunday, May 25
🚴♀️ Bike to the 500
Skip traffic and roll straight into the action with a police-escorted bike ride to IMS. Secure bike parking included. Just don’t forget your race ticket!
🎶 Snake Pit
If you like your race day with a side of EDM, the Coors Light Snake Pit is your scene. This year’s lineup includes Illenium, Two Friends, Kayzo, and more. (Must have a Race Day ticket to enter.)
🏎️ The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Every year, the Indianapolis 500 transforms Indy into the epicenter of speed, tradition, and energy. The race draws over 300,000 fans from across the globe, making it the largest single-day sporting event on the planet. But the real magic? It’s the lead-up. Locals know the entire Month of May is basically a holiday. In May, Indianapolis is packed with concerts, parades, family fun and a whole lot of horsepower. 🏎️
To ensure that you get the most out of your May, here’s your guide to the events that make this time of year so iconic:
WEEK 1: May 1–4
🏁 May 1 – Indy 500 Fan Fest at Bottleworks
Kick things off at Bottleworks with food, music, driver appearances and even a close-up look at the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Bonus: it’s totally free and open to all ages.
🔥 May 2–3 – Cleetus & Cars + the Indy 800
Expect monster trucks, drag racing, and burnout competitions at Lucas Oil Raceway. This adrenaline-filled weekend is hosted by YouTuber Cleetus McFarland and is a wild ride from start to finish.
🍽️ May 3 – Rev at the Speedway
One of the most glamorous nights of the year, Rev combines fine dining and dancing with a fundraising mission, all on the famous Yard of Bricks. Tickets sell out fast for this one (and yep, they’re already gone for 2025!).
👟 May 3 – Mini-Marathon + 5K
Lace up for one of the largest half-marathons in the country! Bonus points: both races run you right through IMS. The 5K offers a shorter loop but the same big-race feel.
WEEK 2: May 5–11
🏎️ May 9–10 – Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS
Watch top drivers take on the 14-turn road course inside IMS. Practice and qualifying happen on Friday, with the race set for Saturday.
🎈 May 10 – Kids’ Day + Rookie Run
Monument Circle transforms into a carnival of games, crafts and STEM fun. Kids can even race like the pros in the Rookie Run for ages 3–10 (complete with bibs and medals)!
🚲 May 11 – Indy Pride Hoosier 250
Sun King Downtown plays host to this spirited tricycle race and community celebration. Free to attend, full of joy and will 100% be a good time!
WEEK 3: May 12–18
🧑🔧 May 13–16 + May 19 – Indy 500 Practice
Drivers hit the track to dial in their cars. Practices are open to the public and a great way to get up close without the Race Day crowd.
🥞 May 17 – Breakfast at the Brickyard
A mix of tradition and Hoosier hospitality. Enjoy breakfast, meet community leaders and take a lap around the track in your own car. (Already sold out—but worth adding to your 2026 list!)
🎖️ May 17–18 – Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend
Feel the intensity as drivers race at over 230 mph to earn their shot at Race Day glory. It’s edge-of-your-seat action.
WEEK 4: May 19–24
🍔 May 19 – Burger Bash (Delivered by ClusterTruck)
Fuel up with burgers, driver appearances and a live taping of Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin. All happening just outside Gate 1 at IMS.
🇺🇸 May 23 – The American Legion Memorial Service
A moving tribute to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. This long-standing Indy 500 tradition is a powerful pause in a month full of celebration.
🎸 May 23 – Miller Lite Carb Day
Final practice + a full-blown concert = the unofficial start of race weekend. Bret Michaels and The All-American Rejects are this year’s headliners.
🎉 May 24 – AES 500 Festival Parade
One of the biggest parades in the country! Catch the 33 drivers, giant balloons and community performances in this can’t-miss spectacle.
🏁 May 24 – Legends Day at IMS
Collect autographs, attend the public drivers’ meeting and celebrate the legends of racing. Plus, snag a seat at the Legends Day Concert at White River State Park, Midland headlines this year!
RACE DAY: Sunday, May 25
🚴♀️ Bike to the 500
Skip traffic and roll straight into the action with a police-escorted bike ride to IMS. Secure bike parking included. Just don’t forget your race ticket!
🎶 Snake Pit
If you like your race day with a side of EDM, the Coors Light Snake Pit is your scene. This year’s lineup includes Illenium, Two Friends, Kayzo, and more. (Must have a Race Day ticket to enter.)
🏎️ The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Every year, the Indianapolis 500 transforms Indy into the epicenter of speed, tradition, and energy. The race draws over 300,000 fans from across the globe, making it the largest single-day sporting event on the planet. But the real magic? It’s the lead-up. Locals know the entire Month of May is basically a holiday. In May, Indianapolis is packed with concerts, parades, family fun and a whole lot of horsepower. 🏎️
To ensure that you get the most out of your May, here’s your guide to the events that make this time of year so iconic:
WEEK 1: May 1–4
🏁 May 1 – Indy 500 Fan Fest at Bottleworks
Kick things off at Bottleworks with food, music, driver appearances and even a close-up look at the Borg-Warner Trophy.
Bonus: it’s totally free and open to all ages.
🔥 May 2–3 – Cleetus & Cars + the Indy 800
Expect monster trucks, drag racing, and burnout competitions at Lucas Oil Raceway. This adrenaline-filled weekend is hosted by YouTuber Cleetus McFarland and is a wild ride from start to finish.
🍽️ May 3 – Rev at the Speedway
One of the most glamorous nights of the year, Rev combines fine dining and dancing with a fundraising mission, all on the famous Yard of Bricks. Tickets sell out fast for this one (and yep, they’re already gone for 2025!).
👟 May 3 – Mini-Marathon + 5K
Lace up for one of the largest half-marathons in the country! Bonus points: both races run you right through IMS. The 5K offers a shorter loop but the same big-race feel.
WEEK 2: May 5–11
🏎️ May 9–10 – Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS
Watch top drivers take on the 14-turn road course inside IMS. Practice and qualifying happen on Friday, with the race set for Saturday.
🎈 May 10 – Kids’ Day + Rookie Run
Monument Circle transforms into a carnival of games, crafts and STEM fun. Kids can even race like the pros in the Rookie Run for ages 3–10 (complete with bibs and medals)!
🚲 May 11 – Indy Pride Hoosier 250
Sun King Downtown plays host to this spirited tricycle race and community celebration. Free to attend, full of joy and will 100% be a good time!
WEEK 3: May 12–18
🧑🔧 May 13–16 + May 19 – Indy 500 Practice
Drivers hit the track to dial in their cars. Practices are open to the public and a great way to get up close without the Race Day crowd.
🥞 May 17 – Breakfast at the Brickyard
A mix of tradition and Hoosier hospitality. Enjoy breakfast, meet community leaders and take a lap around the track in your own car. (Already sold out—but worth adding to your 2026 list!)
🎖️ May 17–18 – Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend
Feel the intensity as drivers race at over 230 mph to earn their shot at Race Day glory. It’s edge-of-your-seat action.
WEEK 4: May 19–24
🍔 May 19 – Burger Bash (Delivered by ClusterTruck)
Fuel up with burgers, driver appearances and a live taping of Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin. All happening just outside Gate 1 at IMS.
🇺🇸 May 23 – The American Legion Memorial Service
A moving tribute to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. This long-standing Indy 500 tradition is a powerful pause in a month full of celebration.
🎸 May 23 – Miller Lite Carb Day
Final practice + a full-blown concert = the unofficial start of race weekend. Bret Michaels and The All-American Rejects are this year’s headliners.
🎉 May 24 – AES 500 Festival Parade
One of the biggest parades in the country! Catch the 33 drivers, giant balloons and community performances in this can’t-miss spectacle.
🏁 May 24 – Legends Day at IMS
Collect autographs, attend the public drivers’ meeting and celebrate the legends of racing. Plus, snag a seat at the Legends Day Concert at White River State Park, Midland headlines this year!
RACE DAY: Sunday, May 25
🚴♀️ Bike to the 500
Skip traffic and roll straight into the action with a police-escorted bike ride to IMS. Secure bike parking included. Just don’t forget your race ticket!
🎶 Snake Pit
If you like your race day with a side of EDM, the Coors Light Snake Pit is your scene. This year’s lineup includes Illenium, Two Friends, Kayzo, and more. (Must have a Race Day ticket to enter.)
🏎️ The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Written By:
Carson Whiteman
Written By:
Shelby Zellmer
Shelby Zellmer
