The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields · Indianapolis
Newfields' 100-acre art and nature park is free every day from dawn to dusk, with no tickets needed. Walk woodlands, wetlands and a 35-acre lake past large outdoor artworks. Free parking off West 38th Street; the park also connects to the Central Canal Towpath. The visitor pavilion and its restrooms are closed November 1 to April 1.
Monday–Friday, hourly 9am–3pm (closed state holidays)
Indiana Statehouse · Indianapolis
See the Indiana Statehouse's rotunda and legislative chambers on a free 30–45 minute guided tour. Tours run every hour on the hour, 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday. The tour office is closed on state holidays, including Nov 3, Nov 11, Nov 26–27, Dec 24 and Dec 25, 2026. Call the tour office at 317-233-0589 to check the day's schedule.
The Indiana State Police Museum on the east side tells the story of the state police with free admission, Tuesday through Thursday, 10am to 3pm. Donations are appreciated; groups of up to 30 can schedule visits.
Park daily dawn to dusk; Nature Center Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm
Holliday Park Nature Center · Indianapolis
Holliday Park on the White River has 95 acres of woods, two miles of trails, gardens, an arboretum, a playground and a Nature Center with hands-on exhibits like the White River Water Table and an elevated forest-canopy viewing area. The park is open dawn to dusk; the Nature Center Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm. No admission price is listed.
Carmel United Methodist Church runs a food pantry on Rangeline Road, open Tuesdays 1–7pm and Wednesdays and Saturdays 9am–1pm. It closes when Carmel Clay Schools close for weather, and on Saturdays December 26 and January 2. Call the pantry at 317-848-8799 before your first visit to ask what to bring.
The Indy Art Center's exhibitions are always free and open to the public. Through December 13, 2026, see a collection exhibition from the International Photography Hall of Fame. Open Monday–Friday 9am–10pm, Saturday 9am–6pm and Sunday noon–6pm.
Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art & The Garden)
Anyone enrolled in a college course or degree program in Indiana gets free general admission to Newfields (the Indianapolis Museum of Art and The Garden) by showing a student ID or proof of enrollment at the Info Desk. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm; regular adult admission is $23.
Verified Oct 28 · discovernewfields.org
Catch: Only for: students enrolled at an Indiana college (student ID or proof of enrollment)
Wednesday–Saturday, noon–5pm (closed major holidays)
Herron Galleries at Eskenazi Hall · Indianapolis
IU Indianapolis' Herron School of Art and Design galleries are free and open to the public. Now showing: ÆNIGMATA in the Basile Gallery through December 5, and Son Lux's video installation 'Out Into Us (Slow Down)' November 4–7, 2026. The galleries at Eskenazi Hall are open Wednesday–Saturday, noon to 5pm (closed Thanksgiving), with free parking in the adjacent Sports Complex Garage (validate at the gallery). Check the exhibitions page for what's next after December 5.
Wednesday–Sunday, 9am–5pm (closed most holidays; open Veterans Day)
Indiana War Memorial · Indianapolis
The Indiana War Memorial Museum downtown is free for military members, veterans and children under 5 (adults otherwise pay $10). A ticket also covers same-day entry to the Soldiers & Sailors Monument. Open Wednesday–Sunday, 9am to 5pm; enter at 55 E. Michigan Street.
Verified Oct 28 · in.gov
Catch: Only for: military members, veterans and children under 5
Fishers residents can safely drop off electronics and household hazardous waste for free at the city's fall Recycling Day, Saturday, November 7, 2026, 8am to 1pm at Billericay Park. Check the city's recycling page for the list of accepted items before you load the car.
Verified Oct 28 · fishersin.gov
Catch: Only for: Fishers residents · Accepted items only (list at FishersIN.gov/Recycling)
St. Vincent de Paul Boulevard Place Food Pantry · Indianapolis
St. Vincent de Paul Indianapolis' Boulevard Place pantry lets income-eligible households shop for free food once a week: Wednesday 10am–noon, Thursday 10am–4pm and Saturday 9am–noon.
Verified Oct 28 · svdpindy.org
Catch: Only for: households within the State of Indiana's income guidelines · Once per calendar week
St. Vincent de Paul Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry · Indianapolis
Income-eligible households can shop for free food once a week at St. Vincent de Paul's Love Your Neighbor pantry on Churchman Avenue: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 to 11am.
Verified Oct 28 · svdpindy.org
Catch: Only for: households within the State of Indiana's income guidelines · Once per calendar week
Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $10)Happening now
Sundays 1–5pm, Nov 1, 2026–Mar 28, 2027 (not Dec 20 or 27)
Fishers Junior High School (Door 12)
Fishers Parks opens the Fishers Junior High gym for free drop-in basketball, pickleball, volleyball and more every Sunday, 1 to 5pm, November 1 through March 28. Park in the north lot and use Door 12. Everyone signs a waiver; kids in 8th grade or younger need a parent with them. No Open Gym on December 20 or 27.
Verified Oct 28 · fishersin.gov
Catch: Signed liability waiver required (a parent signs for under-18s) · Kids in 8th grade or younger must be supervised by a parent or guardian
Carmel Clay Public Library, Main Library (Meeting Room B)
Adults learning English can practice speaking in a relaxed group at Carmel Clay Public Library's Main Library on Monday, November 9, 2026, 6 to 7:30pm in Meeting Room B. The group mostly meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays; check the library calendar for other dates.
Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art & The Garden)
On Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, military veterans and active-duty service members get free general admission to Newfields, 10am to 5pm. Show an Indiana ID with the veteran designation or other proof of service at the Information Desk. Special exhibitions and ticketed shows aren't included.
Verified Oct 28 · discovernewfields.org
Catch: Only for: military veterans and active-duty service members (proof of service required)
Fishers' Maker Playground holds a free open house on Saturday, November 14, 2026, noon to 5pm. Makers of all ages get hands-on time with 3D printers and guided activities, plus demos of the CNC router and laser cutters. No registration needed.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt lights its 2026 Christmas tree on opening day, Saturday, November 21, from 6 to 6:45pm, with performances and a countdown. The market's opening ceremony with alphorn music and the Christkind is earlier that day, 11:30am to noon. Free market admission.
Kids can hear the story of Saint Martin, told with an illustrated book and plenty of audience participation, at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 4 to 6pm. Sessions start every 15 minutes. Market admission is free.
Indianapolis lights up the Soldiers and Sailors Monument for Circle of Lights on Friday, November 27, 2026, celebrating 64 years of the tradition. Live music, vendors, Santa and food trucks run 5 to 8pm on Monument Circle, and a child flips the switch before 7pm. Free to attend; food and vendor goods cost extra.
Carmel Clay Public Library, Main Library (Meeting Room B)
Adults learning English can practice speaking in a relaxed group at Carmel Clay Public Library's Main Library on Monday, November 30, 2026, 6 to 7:30pm in Meeting Room B. The group mostly meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays; check the library calendar for other dates.
Sankt Nikolaus and Knecht Ruprecht arrive at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt on Saturday, December 5, 2026, 5:30 to 7:30pm. Watch their entrance and presentation in the Winter Pavilion, then meet them at the Spielhaus, where kids who recite a poem or sing a song get a small gift. Market admission is free.
From December 6, 2026, Greenwood Parks lights a walking trail through Amphitheater Park with 85 lit trees, arches, a candy-cane tunnel and more than 42,000 lights, on from dusk to dawn. Some evenings in December bring entertainment on the amphitheater stage. No price is listed and no end date is posted.
The Fishers Arts Council opens its Art of the Emerging Artist show with a free reception on Friday, December 11, 2026, 6 to 8pm, at the Art Gallery at City Hall. Meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and stay for the 6:45pm artist talk. All ages; an ASL interpreter will be there. The wine bar is cash.
Carmel Clay Public Library, Main Library (Meeting Room B)
Adults learning English can practice speaking in a relaxed group at Carmel Clay Public Library's Main Library on Monday, December 14, 2026, 6 to 7:30pm in Meeting Room B. The group mostly meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays; check the library calendar for other dates.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt honors active-duty service members and veterans on Sunday, December 20, 2026, with a ceremony in the Winter Pavilion from noon to 12:30pm and more activities around the free market until 8pm.
Get free one-on-one help with a resume, an online job search or a job application at the Indianapolis Public Library's Haughville Branch: Wednesdays 10:30am to noon and Mondays 1 to 2:30pm, through December 21, 2026.
Wednesdays 9–10am, Nov 4–Dec 30, 2026 (indoors at Billericay Park)
Billericay Park community building · Fishers
Fishers Parks and Roots & Wings Yoga run a free one-hour drop-in yoga class every Wednesday, open to all levels including complete beginners. In November and December it meets indoors at the Billericay Park community building, 9 to 10am. No registration needed; bring your own yoga mat.
Indianapolis Public Library, Martindale-Brightwood Branch
The Indianapolis Public Library's Martindale-Brightwood Branch offers free one-on-one help creating a resume, searching for jobs online or filling out applications, Thursdays 2 to 3pm through December 17, 2026 (not Thanksgiving).
Nov 21–Dec 24: Wed–Thu 4–9pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm, Sun noon–8pm; also Wed Nov 25 and Mon–Wed Dec 21–23 noon–9pm, Thu Dec 24 noon–4pm; closed Nov 26
Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Carter Green
Carmel's German-style Christmas market fills Carter Green with festive huts, live music, artisans, a kids' craft corner and play house, from November 21 to December 24, 2026. Admission is free; food, gifts and ice skating cost extra. Open Wed–Thu 4–9pm, Fri–Sat noon–9pm, Sun noon–8pm; closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
During library hours; passes check out for one week
Carmel Clay Public Library, Main Library (Adult Services, 2nd floor)
Carmel Clay Public Library lends Experience Passes for a week at a time: free admission for a group at the Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, Indiana Historical Society and Kurt Vonnegut Museum, plus an Indiana State Parks carload pass. Ask at Adult Services on the Main Library's second floor or place a hold in the catalog.
Verified Oct 28 · carmelclaylibrary.org
Catch: Carmel Clay Public Library card required · Limited passes: place a hold or check availability
During library hours; passes check out for one week
Johnson County Public Library (all branches) · Indianapolis
Johnson County Public Library lends passes for free admission to Conner Prairie (four daytime general admission tickets), the Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, Indiana Historical Society, Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Indiana Medical History Museum (by appointment), plus an Indiana State Parks vehicle pass. Museum and park passes check out for a week; every branch has them, first come, first served.
Verified Oct 28 · pageafterpage.org
Catch: Johnson County Public Library card required
Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art & The Garden)
On the first Thursday of every month, general admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and The Garden at Newfields is pay what you wish, and $0 is accepted, from 10am to 5pm (next: Nov 5 and Dec 3, 2026). Regular adult admission is $23. Special exhibitions may cost extra.
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library on Indiana Avenue is free on the first Monday of every month, 10am to 6pm (regular adult admission is $12). No reservation needed, and self-guided audio tours cost nothing extra; the noon guided tour is a $5 upcharge. Free parking in the museum lot.
Verified Oct 28 · vonnegutlibrary.org
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