Indianapolis eclipse events guide
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Central Indiana is ready to host a big crowd for the historic solar eclipse. Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios
We're just one week away from the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event that doubles as one of Indianapolis' biggest tourist attractions of 2024.
Why it matters: Indy's location in the path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse has made it a top destination for travelers, prompting traffic warnings from local public safety leaders.
How it works: Next Monday, the moon's shadow will enter the state at 3:01pm and exit at 3:12pm, per GreatAmericanEclipse.com.
- Totality in Indianapolis will begin at 3:06pm and last for roughly 3 minutes and 50 seconds.
- Bloomington will get more than 4 minutes of totality, and Terre Haute and Evansville get about 3 minutes.
By the numbers: Tourism officials estimate Indiana getting more than 500,000 visitors for the eclipse.
- In addition to the out-of-towners, there are more than 3.9 million Indiana residents living in the path.
Zoom in: All those people are going to need somewhere to go when the eclipse arrives.
- Luckily for them, there are dozens of viewing events for eclipse chasers of all ages throughout Marion and its surrounding counties.
Here are 12 options to get you started.
🌘 White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., will host the LUNACY! Event starting from 10am-5pm.
- The free gathering features more than 20 food trucks, yoga classes, an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performance and more.
🏁 Indianapolis Motor Speedway is partnering with NASA for an event presented by Purdue University that combines a STEM symposium with IndyCar demo laps.
- Tickets start at $20. Gates open at 9am.
🔭 Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., is hosting a free eclipse experience from noon-4:30pm.
- It will feature more than a dozen telescopes equipped with solar filters for safe observation.
🎵 Lawrence Community Park, 5301 N. Franklin Road in Lawrence, will host the Total Eclipse Fort Ben music festival featuring Queen Delphine & The Crown Jewels from noon-6pm.
- The event is free and open to the public.
🦕 The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St., opens at 10am for a family-friendly day of eclipse events.
- Tickets are $33 for adults and $28 for children between the ages of 2 and 17.
🎨 Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road, will host Total Eclipse of the Art starting at 11am.
- Tickets start at $34 for adults and $25 for children between the ages of 6 and 17.
🎥 Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., will throw a celebration that gives viewers the chance to watch an eclipse stream on IMAX from 10am-7pm.
- Tickets are $20 for adults and $14 for children.
🧑🚀 Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers, will feature a talk from Hoosier astronaut Mark Brown during an event that begins at 10am.
- Tickets start at $40.
🥙 Carmel Civic Square, 1 Civic Square in Carmel, will have food vendors, music and live updates from eclipse experts from 10am-5pm.
- The event is free and open to the public.
⛺ The Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., will open at 9am for a day of live music, eclipse-themed food trucks and camping opportunities at Solar Eclipse Campout 2024.
- Tickets start at $10 if you don't need parking and $25 if you do.
🎸 Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville, presents Total Eclipse Tailgate from 10am-5pm featuring a NASA speaker and a dance party.
- Tickets are $121.50 per vehicle.
🛝 Indy Parks and Recreation has designated 12 Indianapolis parks as official eclipse viewing sites, requiring visitors to register in advance.
- The parks are Eagle Creek, Garfield, Riverside, Brookside, Christian, Holliday, Indianapolis World Sports Park, Krannert, Perry, Southeastway, Thatcher and Washington Park.
- Eagle Creek is the only watch site with a registration fee. It costs $6 per vehicle.