Summertime Fun in Carmel

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Summertime Fun in Carmel FESTIVALS & EVENTS

The City of Carmel hosts more than 100 public events throughout the year. When temperatures warm and the days are longer crowds gather for Carmel’s most popular outdoor festivals and events.

New to the roster of summer events, Brews on the Boulevard (July 30) brings nearly 20 local breweries, wineries and distilleries to Midtown Plaza for an evening of tasting and sampling some of central Indiana’s most unique and flavorful beers and wines. Visitors can stroll Monon Greenway and Monon Boulevard and enjoy all that Midtown has to offer including a newly turfed plaza, cornhole, ping-pong, water features and easy access on bike or on foot. The event is free and open to the public but sampling requires a ticket ranging from $30 (pre-event) to $35 (day of) and $40 (VIP).

The annual favorite event for carenthusiasts, Artomobilia (August 27) rolls back to the Arts & Design District in late August. One of the truly more unique events of the season, Artomobilia brings nearly 500 collectors and auto-devotees to one of Carmel’s premier locations. With the district closed to traffic for the event, visitors can take their time and stroll the car-lined streets while

ABOVE: Carmel on Canvas event. RIGHT: Dancing at Oktoberfest. also having access to art galleries, eclectic dining options and specialty retail stores.

When summer starts winding down, festivities continue into the fall. Carmel’s Arts & Design District, a designated Indiana Cultural District, is home to nine art galleries making it the ideal setting for art-focused events. Carmel on Canvas (September 16-18) runs for three days and includes a two-day plein air painting competition and more than $13,000 in prize money for the artists.

Cap off a weekend of art with music! As Carmel on Canvas wraps up on Sunday, locals and visitors can make their way to the Old Town neighborhood adjacent to the Arts & Design District. Since its first year in 2014, Carmel PorchFest (September 18) continues to grow; featuring local talent from many different genres playing from the porches of one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods. Maps with the bands and porches listed are handed out upon entry so plan on bringing chairs and friends and spending the day porch-hopping.

The Carmel International Arts Festival (September 24-25) brings more than 100 juried artists in an array of media to Carmel’s Main Street. In addition to incredible art, festival visitors can enjoy live performances throughout the day on two stages by local musicians and dancers from many different genres. The final festival before the city gears up for the holidays is Oktoberfest. (September 30) Carmel City Center is host to this family-friendly and music-filled event with a German theme.

CLOCKWISE: International Arts Festival Artomobilia Porchfest

Retail and restaurants open their doors and windows to serve food and drinks and be prepared to dance to polka until after the sun sets.

Let’s Bike!

Carmel continues to encourage the use of bicycles for not only leisure and sport but also as a mode of daily transportation. With more than 200 miles of trails and paths in the city and an ongoing commitment to providing and maintaining these multi-use trails, it is easy to see why Carmel has been designated a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists and Places for Bikes. Bike Carmel, presented by IU Health North, has programming throughout most of the year including events and activities for families and riders of all abilities. The inaugural Roundabout Ride kicked off in 2021 and will take place again this year on September 17. This event starts and ends in Midtown and features both 25- and 50- mile route options. At the conclusion of the ride a meal will be provided by Sun King Distillery in Midtown.

Visit Bike Carmel on the City’s website for all events and programming.