INDIANAPOLIS (March 10, 2026) – Secure your spot at the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade – tickets are on sale starting today! Tickets are available starting at just $25 at 500festival.com/tickets. This year, all tickets will be delivered digitally, with the option to purchase a printed commemorative ticket for an additional $10. Proceeds from all 500 Festival ticketed events support the [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (March 4, 2026) - After a successful first year, the 500 Festival and Indiana Sports Corp will once again host the USA Track & Field 5 KM Championships during the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K on May 2, 2026. This marks the second year Indianapolis has been selected to stage the national championship, welcoming the sport’s [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (February 23, 2026) - The 500 Festival is proud to announce that the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has been nominated for Best Half Marathon and the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K has been nominated for Best 5K in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.  Voting begins today, February 23, and ends on Monday, March 23 at 11:59am EDT. You can cast your vote daily for both races.   Voting for the Mini-Marathon can [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (February 19, 2026) - Registration is now open for the 2026 500 Festival Rookie Run, presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, which will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in downtown Indianapolis.   The Rookie Run, held during the JPMorganChase 500 Festival Kids’ Day, offers a fun and welcoming introduction to running for children ages 3–10, creating a race day experience [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (February 18, 2026) – The 500 Festival is honored to announce the 33 remarkable Indiana women selected to serve as 500 Festival Princesses throughout the 2026 season. The Princesses represent 19 Indiana colleges and universities, 21 cities across the state, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75. This year’s class was selected from hundreds of applicants for their academic [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (February 5, 2026) – The 500 Festival is proud to announce Lucas Oil as the new title partner of the 500 Festival Parade, one of the nation’s most prominent parades. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the Festival’s history, leveraging Lucas Oil’s commitment to serving people and communities, improving and impacting lives, and giving back through meaningful civic involvement. Together, the two organizations aim to elevate one of the state’s most beloved traditions and create [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb 4, 2026) – Registration is now open for Course Entertainment groups to apply to volunteer as performers at the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Selected groups will inspire and energize over 20,000+ participants along the 13.1-mile course. Musicians, dance groups, bands, and family-friendly entertainers of all genres are [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (January 6, 2026) -  The 500 Festival announces “Racing Through History” as their 2026 annual theme, which will be the focus for the 500 Festival Parade. “Racing Through History” celebrates the legacy, milestones, and meaningful moments that have shaped the 500 Festival into one of Indiana’s most cherished traditions. In 2026, the 500 Festival proudly honors two landmark anniversaries, the 50th running of the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and [...]

INDIANAPOLIS (December 15, 2025) – The 500 Festival has appointed Dave Neff as its new President and CEO, marking an exciting milestone for the organization as it continues to elevate its programs and events that positively impact communities across Indiana and celebrate the Indianapolis 500.   Neff will officially begin his role on January [...]