INDIANAPOLIS (March 18, 2025) – Secure your spot at the AES 500 Festival Parade – tickets are on sale starting today! Tickets may be purchased for as low as $25. To buy, visit 500festival.com/tickets. Proceeds from all 500 Festival ticketed events help support the organization’s free education, health, and fitness initiatives for Indiana youth. 

The AES 500 Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, May 24, in downtown Indianapolis, kicking off at 11:45 a.m. with the Parade starting at noon. This beloved race-weekend tradition will showcase spectacular floats, giant balloons, marching bands from across the nation, celebrities, local heroes, and the 33 INDYCAR drivers gearing up for the Indy 500 the next day.  

This year’s theme, Connected Through May, celebrates how the 500 Festival unites with local organizations and community members through its diverse events and programs, especially in May. The parade will bring this year’s theme to life through the 500 Festival float, which will feature the Grand Marshal, whose identity will be announced soon. Local marching bands and organizations will also make appearances throughout the parade route, each representing the strong community ties that make May so special in Indianapolis. From the vibrant floats to the energetic performances, every element of the parade will highlight how the 500 Festival connects people of all backgrounds, celebrating the spirit of togetherness that defines the month of May.  

“The AES 500 Festival Parade is one of the 500 Festival’s founding events and one of the nation’s largest and most respected parades,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We’re excited to celebrate how this iconic event brings Hoosiers together, highlighting the sense of community that ‘Connected Through May’ is all about.” 

The Parade will be televised live for the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. You can also catch a rebroadcast at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, on WTHR+.

Support of the AES 500 Festival Parade is provided by: AES, American Dairy Association of Indiana, Anthem, Central Indiana Chevy Dealers, dormakaba, Eli Lilly, Forty5 Presents, Franciscan Health, Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyHumane, KeyBank, KSM CPAs & Advisors, Meijer, OneAmerica, Pacers Sports & Entertaiment, Purdue University, Regions Bank, Republic Airways, Sullivan Hardware & Garden, and WTHR-13,.