Indianapolis weekend events: All the fests
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Rocker Maciann gets metal on front steps during PorchFest 2024, and is slated to return for this year. Photo: Justin L. Mack/Axios
If you're on the search for suds and songs this weekend, the Indy area is overflowing with options.
Why it matters: The start of fall festival season has been invaded by summer temperatures, so finding a cool new band with an ice-cold beer is a fun way to beat lingering heat.
Driving the news: Here are four events that will bring live music and local brewers together this weekend.
🍻 Oktoberfest is in full swing at Guggman Haus Brewing Co. The free five-day celebration ends Sunday with live music on the menu from 6-9pm Friday; 1-4pm and 6-9pm Saturday; and 2-5pm Sunday.
🍺 Break out your best Lederhosen for Lagers in Lawrence Oktoberfest at Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 2-6pm Saturday. Along with more than 150 kinds of craft brews and live DJs, Dachshunds from around Central Indiana will face off in multiple heats of Weiner Dog Racing.
- Tickets start at $40.
🐶 Raise a glass in support of our furry friends during the Ales for Adoptable Tails fundraiser, noon-4pm Saturday at CoHatch Broad Ripple. Proceeds go to support Central Indiana animal welfare organizations.
- Tickets start at $50 for drinkers and $20 for non-drinkers.
🎸 If the porch is rocking, go knocking in Carmel during the free PorchFest music festival, noon-6pm Sunday. Nearly 60 local bands will rock out on about 20 porches as vendors like Bier Brewery and Peace Water Winery provide refreshments. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend.
More weekend picks:
🇮🇪 Celebrate Irish culture with a day of food and live music during the Circle City Irish Fest at Holy Rosary Church.
- 4-10pm Friday and noon-10pm Saturday.
- Tickets are $15 per day, or $25 for a weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are free.
🏁 Get your need for speed when the Tirerack.com Battle on the Bricks returns to IMS for an endurance race.
- Gates open at 8am Friday for practice, 7:30am Saturday for qualifiers and 9am Sunday for race day.
- General admission is $20 Friday, $50 Saturday and $60 Sunday.
- Three-day general admission is $120.
🎨 Make a masterpiece in a day during the free Art Squared, 10am-6pm Saturday in Fountain Square.
🎊 Appreciate local community and international culture at the free Global Fest event, 3-9pm Saturday at Northwood Christian Church.
✍️ Get some help writing that novel in your head during a free Indy Reads and Pen to Paper writing workshop, 4:30-6:30pm Saturday.
- RSVP here.
👗 Catch a free show from Art & Soul featured artist Monique Burts at Indianapolis Artsgarden, 3pm Sunday.
- RSVP here.
👻 Gear up for spooky season during the Spooky Sprint at White River State Park. Dress up in a Halloween costume to take part in either a half marathon, 10k, 5k, 1-Mile or Kid's Dash.
- Event fees range from $17 to $66.
⚽ Hit the pitch for Hispanic Heritage night at Carroll Stadium as the Indy Eleven host Birmingham Legion FC, 5pm Sunday.
- Tickets start at $13.