The Month of May | 500 Festival Events
May 1, 2018
Month of May schedule of events
Indianapolis is all about finishing first, and the arrival of May is the green flag for all events that lead to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. In May, we start a month-long celebration of the Indianapolis 500. From the 500 Festival Kickoff to May to the Keybank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball, each event is of Victory Circle proportions!
The month of May starts today;
oval racing and Mini-Marathon pacing,
a Parade for all and the Snakepit Ball
black and white, looking right.
green flag waving, let’s go racing!
Wednesday, May 2 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Monument Circle | #MayKickoff | FREE
The Month of May will be officially welcomed to Indianapolis as the 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway team up for the opening ceremonies. The 2018 #FestivalCars, Mayor Joe Hogsett, and 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway executives will give a short presentation before the Wonder Wheels BMX Stunt Team helps us SPIN, JUMP and FLIP into May!
500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo
Indiana Convention Center Halls D & E | FREE
Day One - Thursday, May 3 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Day Two - Friday, May 4 | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Among a host of interactive activities and exhibitors, it’s the place for race material pick up! From a Champions Panel of Olympic Athletes to informational sessions, the Expo cultivates race energy for the approaching Mini-Marathon weekend!
Saturday, May 5 | 7:00 AM | Downtown Indianapolis | $45 at the Expo
Held on the same day as the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the 500 Festival 5K offers a shorter Mini-Marathon experience. Participants can will run or walk 3.1 miles and enjoy course entertainment and infectious energy along the way!
OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Saturday, May 5 | 7:30 AM | Downtown Indianapolis | #IndyMini | $100 at the Expo
The 42nd running of one of the nation’s largest half marathon starts in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The 13.1-mile course weaves between prominent landmarks, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Nearly 30,000 Mini-Marathon and 5K participants will conquer "The Greatest Spectacle in Running."
Saturday, May 5 | Military Park | FREE
The 500 Festival Post Race Party is the ultimate gathering spot for both participants and spectators after the Mini-Marathon. Whether it’s for an ice cold beverage or to relax while enjoying the live music, the Post Race Party has everything to celebrate a 13.1-mile accomplishment.
Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day
Saturday, May 12 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Monument Circle | #500KidsDay | FREE
The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day is Indiana’s largest free outdoor festival just for kids! With interactive, educational displays in a carnival-like atmosphere, Kids’ Day gives children the opportunity to stretch their minds and their muscles.
Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run
Saturday, May 12 | 12:30 – 3:00 PM | Ohio & Meridian Streets | #500RookieRun | $5 to run, $5 for shirt
Part of Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day, this non-competitive fun run is designed just for children ages 3 – 10. It is a great way to introduce kids to the basics of running and enjoy the excitement of a race – including the start and finish line production, a massive cheering section, a trip through runner’s service and the occasional celebrity sighting!
500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard presented by Midwestern Engineers
Saturday, May 19 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Indianapolis Motor Speedway Plaza Pavilion | #BrickyardBreakfast | GET TICKETS
Racing fans, business leaders, Indiana mayors and the 33 500 Festival Princesses gather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for an action-packed, Hoosier tradition. The morning’s festivities kick off by honoring Indiana’s mayors as guests enjoy a traditional Hoosier breakfast and hear from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 500 Festival executives. At the conclusion, we'll announce the 500 Festival Queen Scholar.
500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce
Friday, May 25 | 12:00 PM | Indiana War Memorial | #500MemService | FREE
The 500 Festival embraces a very important holiday in the midst of its festivities – Memorial Day and a weekend to remember the sacrifices made by Indiana men and women who perished while serving in the armed forces.
Saturday, May 26 | 11:45 AM | Downtown Indianapolis | #IPL500Parade | GET TICKETS!
One of the nation’s premier parades, 300,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of downtown Indianapolis to witness the pageantry and tradition of the signature event. Catch the balloons, floats, bands, celebrities, and all 33 drivers in the 2018 Indianapolis 500!
Saturday, May 26 | 6:00 PM | Indiana Roof Ballroom | #SnakepitBall | GET TICKETS!
With an eclectic mix of celebrities, civic and business leaders and VIPs walking the televised red carpet, the Snakepit Ball experience is unmatched. Indy’s desire for speed will be harnessed into a futuristic landscape amid one of Indy’s most high-profile, red carpet occasions.