From stadium-sized country takeovers to intimate indie shows, Indianapolis has a stacked spring concert season in 2026.

Why it matters: Some of the hottest names in entertainment are making stops in the Circle City soon, but an active local music scene makes it hard to keep track of every show.

Driving the news: Among the mainstream acts and arena-fillers, country star Morgan Wallen will return to Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time since his record-setting visit in 2024.

• Megan Moroney is hitting the stage twice: once for free as an NCAA March Madness Music Festival headliner during the Final Four in April, and again for her "Cloud 9 Tour" at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in May.
• In June, Post Malone and Jelly Roll bring their BIG ASS Stadium Tour to Lucas Oil Stadium, and Kid Cudi hits Ruoff Music Center.

Zoom in: To help you plan, we've compiled 100 concerts, tribute shows and festivals worth checking out between now and summer's arrival.

Plus: We're including a massive five-and-a-half-hour Spotify playlist that features tracks from the headlining artists listed below.

The Magical Music of Harry Potter

• March 25 at The Palladium at Allied Solutions Center.
• Tickets start at $50.

They Might Be Giants (3 nights)

• April 24–26 at The Vogue.
• Tickets start at $46.

Between the Buried and Me w/ Imperial Triumphant & Fallujah

• May 26 at The Vogue.
• Tickets start at $46.

Kid Cudi

• June 10 at Ruoff Music Center.
• Tickets start at $35.

See the full list

Thousands of Marion County students have been accepted to IU's Indianapolis campus through its expanded seamless admissions program.

Why it matters: The program aims to pave the way to college for underrepresented populations, key to upward mobility and achieving the state's workforce goals.

• "Seamless admissions is about removing unnecessary barriers and making college feel attainable," Jordan Stevenson, vice chancellor for enrollment management at IU Indianapolis, said. "When students receive an admission offer, it changes how they see themselves and their future."

State of play: More than 30 Indianapolis-area schools now participate in the program, which grants automatic admission for IU Indianapolis to students who achieve a 3.0 GPA or higher.

• What started as a pilot with Indianapolis Public Schools' four high schools has expanded to include the IPS Innovation Network, Marion County township schools and neighboring districts.
• More than two dozen schools outside the area have also signed on, for a total of 59 participating schools.
• Nearly 3,500 students now qualify for seamless admissions for fall 2026.

How it works: Qualifying seniors at these high schools don't have to complete a traditional application or pay a fee; instead, they fill out a short online form.

Zoom in: From 2024 to 2025, enrollment at the campus from IPS' four high schools grew from 81 to 117 students.

• "The rising numbers are a strong indicator that higher education is becoming a true and attainable choice for IPS students," Courtney Thomas, IPS' 3E (education, employment, enlistment) coordinator, said. "More students see college not as a dream, but as an option within reach."

The latest

🏀 The Purdue men's basketball team has advanced to its third straight Sweet 16 after taking down Miami 79-69 yesterday. (Associated Press)

• Notre Dame's women compete for their own trip to the Sweet 16 when they take on Ohio State at 4pm today.

🪧 Demonstrators marched from Monument Circle to the Statehouse over the weekend to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. (WTHR)

🕳️ The intersection at 65th Street and Cornell Avenue in Broad Ripple is expected to be closed for several weeks while a sink hole is repaired. (FOX59)

🏞️ The city is contracting with several nonprofits to reimagine several public spaces, including its newest park, Lugar Plaza. The goal, officials say, is to address public safety concerns and make it a more welcoming area. (IBJ)

👋 Arika here!

One of the best parts of writing this regular feature is the push to try new places.

Driving the news: It's been just over a year since Fox Restaurants opened neighboring eateries in Nora Plaza with two different concepts.

• There's Flower Child, the health food spot, and Culinary Dropout is the cool one.

Where to go: Culinary Dropout, which "breaks all the rules with its uniform-free staff and relaxed ambiance," according to the website.

• Right. I found the uniform-free staff thing a little confusing, TBH. Who works here that I can ask for help? Is that an employee or a rando dropping off drinks at our table?
• Not a deal breaker, but a little jarring if you're not accustomed to it.

Anyhow, onto the food.

What to order: If you start with the whipped feta and tahini dip (which you should — it's delicious), then one of their hearty salads is the perfect balance — feels healthy, still tastes great.

• The butternut squash and kale is packed with grains and veggies, tied together by the maple tahini vinaigrette, but the best part are the dates — sweet, chewy — and the toasted mulberries.
• I've had countless restaurant salads, grain bowls, etc. and never have I ever had a toasted mulberry. What a mistake — they are addictively crunchy.

If you go

Last week on 317 Day, we asked what y'all love most about life in Indianapolis.

Zoom in: Here are a few things that make the Circle City special, according to Axios Indy readers.

• "I love hanging out and colliding with really fun entrepreneurial people at Polk Stables," said Greg E.
• "I love the skateboard parks (Arsenal DIY and Major Taylor) and Minus Skateboard Shop on 54th Street. Always a good vibe there!! Nick (who runs Minus) is the best," said Jacky H. "Definitely a solid Indy spot. And the public library rocks."
• "I love Cafe Patachou!!!" said Ellie D.
• "For downtown options: Don't forget John's Famous Stew, the Indians and the zoo," said Aaron A.