On April 8th, 2024, at 3:06 pm, a total solar eclipse will be completely visible throughout the continental United States, with Indiana being a perfect viewing area. The Sun, Moon, and Earth will align causing the sky to go into unforgettable temporary darkness. If you are into this sort of thing, buckle up because you won’t see it again until the year 2153!
There are a ton of great, family-friendly events taking place around Central Indiana centered on the total solar eclipse, and Indianapolis Moms has you covered with all the details. Some events are completely free, but some events require you purchase tickets, so make sure you plan ahead by visiting the websites, linked below. Check out our round up of the best places to watch the solar eclipse around Indianapolis!
Indiana State Museum
Event Link: Eclipse
About: Take a front-row seat alongside your fellow space and astronomy enthusiasts for an event that’s truly out of this world! Plan your visit to one of our locations across the state of Indiana. Solar viewing glasses are available at all locations.
Grand Park Sports Campus
Event Link: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse at Grand Park
About: Visit Westfield to enjoy solar eclipse-related activities at Grand Park Sports Complex. Starting at 10:00 am on April 8th, the event will include food trucks, a concert from the 1985 Band, attractions, inflatable bounce houses, and educational opportunities. Tickets must be purchased ahead for $100 per vehicle, including eclipse viewing glasses. Overnight RV and camper parking is also available.
Indianapolis Zoo
Event Link: 2024 Solar Eclipse
About: Come join in all the fun and learn more about the world around you with eclipse programming at the Zoo! The Zoo will be open during regular hours on April 8th. Explore the spring beauty of White River Gardens, visit animal exhibits and enjoy fun for all ages. Free protective eyewear will be available (while supplies last) for eclipse viewing during the afternoon.
Franklin Amphitheater
Event Link: Eclipse at the Franklin Amphitheater
About: Join the fun at the Franklin Amphitheater from April 6th-8th. The town will host a celebration, including live music, food trucks, hot air balloons, a 5K race, and more. There will be eclipse posters and glasses at the visitor center as well!
Conner Prairie
Event Link: Conner Prairie Total Eclipse 2024
About: Conner Prairie will host a festival including live performances from musical acts and dance companies, and enlightening talks from renowned experts who will shed light on the science behind the eclipse. The day will include talks from Hoosier astronaut Mark Brown, district scientist-in-residence at MSD Wayne Township Rick Crosslin, and music from Stella Luna & the Satellites. Check the website for ticket info.
Athenaeum Biergarten
Event Link: Blackout at the Biergarten
About: Head to the Biergarten for an unforgettable Great American Eclipse party! Enjoy live music, food, and drinks with a special beer crafted by Sun King Brewery. General Admission tickets include your own pair of eclipse glasses and a commemorative beer glass.
Fort Ben
Event Link: Total Eclipse – Fort Ben 2024
About: Fort Ben is hosting multiple events to celebrate the total solar eclipse – including an arts display, a pickleball tournament, and a music festival including music by Jai Baker 3, food trucks, a market, and fun eclipse activities!
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Event Link: Solar Eclipse 2024
About: In partnership with WTHR, the Indiana State Fairgrounds is hosting a fun eclipse festival with live music, drinks, and local food trucks with eclipse-themed offerings in all parking areas. All guests will receive a pair of complementary eclipse glasses. Check out the website for more details on the event as well as RV and camping information.
The Sycamore at Mallow Run
Event Link: Eclipse Fest
About: Experience the cosmic event of a lifetime at The Sycamore at Mallow Run! Spend the day celebrating the Great North American Eclipse with a stellar lineup of festivities at one of the best viewing locations in Johnson County. Event and ticket information is at on the website.
Civic Square in Carmel
Event Link: Eclipse 2024
About: Carmel’s official Eclipse viewing location is at Civic Square from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Attendees can enjoy a festival atmosphere featuring food and drink vendors, a variety of live music performers, educational information and live updates by eclipse experts, and a view of the eclipse. Multiple viewing screens will be provided to witness the eclipse experience from the sky above. This is a free, public event.
Newfields
Event Link: Total Eclipse of the Art
About: The event title says it all. Spend the day shining bright, celebrating this once in a lifetime experience with live music performances, multiple DJs, fire performers, food and beverage vendors, and festivities in a historic and memorable locale.
White River State Park
Event Link: LUNACY! Solar Eclipse Festival
About: The White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis is doing a free outdoor festival with 40 food trucks on the pedestrian bridge, vendors, art, and open green space for viewing the eclipse. Free solar eclipse glasses will be provided first come, first serve. Yoga and Tabata classes will be offered as well as a brass quintet performance by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra! Visit the website to learn more about booking a reservation with Frank’s Paddlesport Livery to view the eclipse from the water.
Children’s Museum
Event Link: Eclipse Extravaganza
About: Head to the Children’s Museum for giveaways, activities, and festivities to celebrate the historic event. These activities and programs will be located throughout the museum: Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®, Solar Eclipse Main Station, Art Activity Station, Humanities Activity Station, Corteva Agriscience STEMLab, Sunburst Atrium, infoZone Station, and the Indiana Astronomical Society Station. See the website for more information about each location!
Cool Creek Nature Center
Event Link: Total Solar Eclipse – Park Side of the Moon
About: Cool Creek Park will host an event around the viewing of the Total Solar Eclipse. Guests will park on-site and can tailgate around their vehicles and/or stroll the grounds of Cool Creek Park while listening to live music, completing crafts and activities, and enjoying food for purchase.
Sun King Brewery
Event Links: Carmel Viewing Party & Fishers Viewing Party
About: Spend the day with Sun King for a free Viewing Party. Sun King joined The Simons Foundation along with 12 other breweries to bring you a special beer is a celebration of this cosmic occurrence, The Path of Totality.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Event Link: Total Solar Eclipse Event at the IMS
About: Even if you aren’t a race fan, IMS is a great place to view the total solar eclipse. NASA will broadcast live from the track and the event will include a full day of programming and a celebration. Educational STEM opportunities, exclusive merchandise, and programming centered around racing and space discovery will be available throughout the day. General admission tickets include gate admission on April 8th, infield parking, and a pair of limited-edition solar eclipse glasses. For more information, visit the IMS website.
Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium
Event Link: Total Eclipse Indiana 2024
About: Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium is hosting a unique viewing party, including: access to more than a dozen telescopes, all equipped with solar filters for safe observation, free eclipse glasses (while supplies last), scientific experts on hand to answer your questions, engaging demonstrations showcasing various safe eclipse observation techniques, planetarium shows, and more! Check out the details on the website, and enjoy.
Clay Terrace
Event Link: Clay Terrace Total Solar Eclipse Watch Party
About: Not only will you get to experience the total solar eclipse at Clay Terrace, but they are also offering a fun moon bounce, live music by World’s Apart Band, face painters, food trucks, and more!
Mulberry Fields Park
Event Link: Total Eclipse of the Park
About: Grab your lawn chairs and join others in the field at Mulberry Fields Park for Total Eclipse of the Park! Starting at 1:00 pm, the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with other Zionsville community groups, will host a viewing party including STEAM activities, travel the accessible eclipse walk, create art experiments, listen to DJ music, food trucks, and more.
Share with us!
Where will you be watching the solar eclipse in Indianapolis?
