Indiana is one of 13 states that the “Great North American Eclipse” will cover in the path of totality, bringing complete darkness in the middle of the day on April 8th, 2024. For those who live in the continental United States, 20 years will pass before another total solar eclipse is visible from home, so you definitely don’t want to miss this unique experience.
Whether you’re a local to the Hoosier state or are looking to visit, we’ve got you covered with the ultimate lists of festivals and watch parties across the state to experience this natural phenomenon.
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Don't forget staring directly at an eclipse can cause personal damage in less than a minute, so make sure to purchase your American Astronomical Society-approved glasses before your viewing party.
Please note that all free solar viewing glasses mentioned for the events below are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and limited quantities will be available. If you don't plan on arriving early to your event, we suggest purchasing a pair to bring with you.
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Search Eclipse Event by City:
Northern Indiana
Fort Wayne -
Free Activities
Make your own sundial or create eclipse chalk art from 10 - 5 pm on Monday, April 8th, at the Fort Wayne Science Central. All activities outside are weather-dependent and free of charge. Food vendors, additional educational presentations, and indoor activities, including pre-and post-party tickets, will be available for additional purchases. For a full schedule of events, visit here.
Bring a blanket or chair and lounge in the grassy Science Mall at Purdue Fort Wayne from 1 - 4:30 pm on Monday, April 8th. Free solar viewing glasses will be available while supplies last, and educational activities will occur throughout the afternoon.
View the 45 seconds of totality visible in Fort Wayne through lensed telescopes and makeshift solar viewers at the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. The event is free to the public.
Additional Activities and Events
Grab some friends and enjoy eclipse-themed food and drinks at Moontower Tavern. Outdoor seating will be available for guests 21 and up, and you can catch totality just after 3 pm on Monday, April 8th. Solar viewing glasses and eclipse gear will be available for purchase.
Get up on your feet and join the Huntington Parks and Rec Dept. for a 1-Mile Fun Walk/Run on Sunday, April 7th, at 3 pm. Bring your furry friend, and remember to register to receive a solar eclipse t-shirt for this unique experience.
Public Viewing Parties
LC Nature Park
Science Central
Markle "Total Eclipse of the Park"
Central Indiana
Indianapolis -
Free Activities
White River State Park will host "Lunacy," a free festival from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday, April 8th, jam-packed with interactive activities and live music. Free solar viewing glasses will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Make sure to bring not only your family and friends but also your taste buds! Twenty food vendors on the Old Washington Street Bridge will offer signature dishes catered specifically for the astronomical experience. Don't forget to vote on your favorite before you leave. For the full list of vendors available, visit here.
Free yoga classes will be held in White River State Park at 12 pm and 12:30 pm on Monday, April 8th, hosted by the National Institute for Fitness and Sports.
Enjoy free live music leading right up into the eclipse on the east bank of the White River in White River State Park on Monday, April 8th. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes you to spend your afternoon enjoying a beautiful brass quintet in Celebration Plaza.
Experience the eclipse through the filtered lenses of more than a dozen telescopes for safe viewing at the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium on the campus of Butler University. Educational events will be held leading up to the event, and scientists will be available throughout the event to answer all your questions. Find the entire Eclipse Viewing Experience program here.
Additional Activities and Events
Visit the Indiana State Museum for the "Total Solar Eclipse Festival" for a day packed full of educational hands-on activities that both young and old minds will enjoy, featuring real moon rock and space-themed activities! Free solar viewing glasses will be offered in limited supply. Outdoor viewing space will be available, along with indoor viewings, at the IMAX theatre. Ticket prices vary, and visitors are encouraged to register.
If you'd much rather be on the water than land, Frank's Paddlesport Livery has the perfect unique eclipse experience for you. Paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes will be available for rent for $40 and up. They are located in the heart of downtown on the White River, where you can view the spectacular from the water. Register to reserve yours here.
Are you hoping to catch a baseball game or try Sun King's "Path of Totality" beer over the weekend? Visit Victory Field to watch the Indianapolis Indians take on the Memphis Redbirds. The first 1,000 visitors on Saturday, April 6th, will receive a free glow-in-the-dark limited edition Indianapolis Eclipse t-shirt. On Sunday, April 6th, the first 1,000 fans under 14 will receive a free Earth Moon and Sun Juggling set. All fans will receive free solar viewing glasses upon entry to the field on both days. Get your tickets here before they're sold out!
Get your popcorn ready for a special viewing of "Gravity" in IMAX 3D on Sunday, April 7th, at 7 pm. Tickets are available for $18 here. Or, tune in for "Star Wars: a New Hope" dubbed in Navajo with English subtitles for free at 2 pm on April 7th at the Eiteljorg Museum.
Metazoa Brewing Company will be hosting a "Total Ale-clipse" party from 1 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, April 8th. Beer specials will be available all day long, and free solar viewing glasses will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Furry friends are welcome!
Decorate your bicycle for the chance to win a free t-shirt and join in on the Family Fun Ride leading from Zionsville Town Hall at noon and then head over to Mulberry Fields Park for an afternoon of educational activities, a live DJ, and get a photo with your favorite Star Wars character. Free glowsticks and solar viewing glasses will be available while supplies last. The event will run from 1- 5 pm on Monday, April 8th, and the schedule can be viewed here.
Public Viewing Parties
White River State Park
Free admission
Solar viewing glasses available
Local food vendors
Live music
"Naptown" - Tranquil viewing with hammocks, chairs and games
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Newfields
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indianapolis Childrens Museum
Lawrence Community Park - Fort Ben
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway
Conner Prarie
Muncie - "Magic in Muncie"
Free Activities
Interested in learning more about the grand astronomical event before the viewing and what makes it so unique in Indiana's largest planetarium? Ball State University's Charles W. Brown Planetarium will be hosting free educational programs and workshops leading up to the event on March 5th, 6th, and 7th for all ages.
Minnetrista Musem and Gardens has organized a weekend full of activities, including crafting, sensory bins, and live performances. Complete your intergalactic passport as you travel down the historic boulevard or visit the Bob Ross exhibit. Outdoor events are free of charge, while indoor exhibits may have an additional fee. For a complete list of activities, read more here.
Presented by Orchestra Indiana, Eclipsed: A Magical Night of Music is a free orchestra concert on the east lawn of Minitrista on April 7th from 5 pm to 7 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a lovely night of music, including an instrument petting zoo.
Additional Activities and Events
Cornerstone Center for the Arts invites you to Magic City Music Fest, an indoor music festival on Saturday, April 6th, from 4 pm to midnight. The festival is open to all ages. You can purchase presale tickets for $10 at the common market or $20 at the door on the day of the show.
Enjoy live music, craft beer, wine, and lots of art at the Magic City Brewfest, which will be held from 2 pm to 6 pm on Saturday, April 6th, at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Tickets are $40 and up and include entry into the Magic City Music Fest. This is a 21-and-up event.
Meg's Country Celebrations will offer multiple workshops on Saturday, April 6th, including—but not limited to—creating your own solar eclipse cookies, solar glasses, jewelry, yoga, line dancing, and more. You can find the individual workshop cost and daily itinerary here.
Public Viewing Parties
Delaware County Indiana Fairgrounds
Solar viewing glasses available
Local food vendors available for additional purchase
Live music
Official eclipse merchandise
Accessible bathrooms
Camping and RV sites available for booking
Prarie Creek Reserve
Cannon Common
Academy of Model Aeronautics
Minnetrista
Meg's Country Celebration
Southern Indiana
Bloomington-
Free Activities
Join scientists and science lovers alike during a special Eclipse Edition of Indiana University's Science Fest on Saturday, April 6th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Learn how to view the eclipse safely and learn about the impact that eclipses have on our solar system.
Switchyard Park will be hosting "Celestial Spectacular," a weekend packed full of free events, including local beers, arts and crafts, educational activities, food vendors, live music, and more! Free parking is available around the park, but due to the increased traffic, guests are encouraged to walk or carpool if possible.
Additional Activities and Events
Indiana University will host a Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at IU Memorial Stadium starting at 1 pm Monday, April 8th. Ten-time Grammy award-nominated singer Janelle Monáe will perform alongside guest appearances from William Shatner and Mae Jemison, America's first woman of color to travel to space. Tickets start at $15.
Put your astronomical knowledge to the test in "Total Eclipse of the Brain," Friday, April 5th, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Switchyard Park pavilion. Registration is open to teams of 6 for $30, and food and drink vendors will be available for purchase. Register your team here.
Hook up your RV or pitch a tent for a weekend of fun at Lake Lemon. You'll enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and a "solar" lake plunge. You can also purchase a single-day or two-day ticket. Telescopes will be available for personal use. Register to camp here.
Witness the solar eclipse in the countryside away from artificial lighting at Fowler Pumpkin Patch. Live music, food vendors, yard games, and plenty of space to explore the farm will keep you busy throughout the afternoon. Admission is $10, and weekend camping passes are available.
Get a group of friends together for some friendly competition at "Lunar Links," a glow-in-the-dark putt-putt course put on by Cascades Golf Course on Saturday, April 7th, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Registration isn't required, and tickets are $10 per player.
Public Viewing Parties
Oliver Winery
$25 per person or $100 per car
Accessible bathrooms
Food vendors
Dogs permitted
Live DJ
Wonderlab
Starlite Drive-In
Switchyard Park
Evansville-
Free Activities
Old National Event presents "Solarbration" with live music, karaoke, bingo, and more! Dinner and bar services will be offered throughout the weekend for an additional fee; however, admission to the event is free.
Meet Astronaut Joan Higginbotham, the third African American woman to travel in space, and hear her inspiring stories about her career at NASA. "Breaking Barriers: An Astronaut’s Inspiring & Winding Road to Space" will be presented for free at the University of Southern Illinois on Saturday, April 7th, at 7 pm. For additional information, read more here.
Williard Public Library will host "Pages of Darkness," a solar eclipse watch party on Monday, April 8th, from 11 am to 3 pm. During the watch party, you can purchase eclipse-themed merchandise, grab a tasty lunch from local food trucks, and watch various eclipse-themed movies. The festival is free and open to the public, but you can reserve a parking spot for $10 here.
Starting at 8 am Monday, April 8th, the University of Southern Indiana will be hosting "Solarplaza". Live music and food trucks will be present, alongside hands-on educational activities and presentations led by field experts to better understand this unique event. There will also be time for questions and answers. Solar viewing glasses will be available until supplies last. More Information.
Additional Activities and Events
After the eclipse, spend your evening at the "After the Dark" concert featuring country music artists Darryl Worley and Anthony Smith. Doors open directly after the eclipse, and the show begins at 5 pm on Monday, April 8th, at the Vanderburgh 4-H center.
Check out the new eclipse exhibition at the Evansville Museum any day leading up to the astronomical phenomenon for hands-on activities, photographs, and the history of how eclipses have been perceived throughout time. The last day to view the exhibit before it moves is Saturday, April 7th. Find additional information and purchase your $12 ticket here.
Grab your friends and hang out at 7 Mile Lounge on Saturday, April 6th, for a glow-in-the-dark paint party! All painting supplies will be provided; a glass of wine or beer is included with your $30 ticket purchase. Dance the evening away starting at 7 pm and enjoy drink specials, charcuterie boards, and more!
Watch the eclipse from the Ship! (USS LST 325,) the only operational Landing Ship Tank in WWII configuration afloat in US waters! The event starts at 11 am Monday, April 8th, is $50 for nonmembers and includes lunch, solar viewing glasses, and a guided tour of the ship—more information.
Public Viewing Parties
Downtown Evansville
Azalea Path
Holiday World
Hadi Shrine
Ellis Park
University of Southern Indiana
Terre Haute- "Total Eclipse of the Haute"
Free Activities
Spend your afternoon listening to live music at the Downtown Terre Haute Eclipse Festival. Alongside food trucks, there will be activities for kids, beer gardens, and local craft vendors. The festival is free to enter and will run from 11 am to 4 pm on Monday, April 8th.
Grab your bike and hit the trails for Griffin Park's 8th Total Eclipse of the Haute “Daytime Night Ride.” Free group rides will be held throughout the day and vary depending on the experience level. After the eclipse, visit Fowler Park for food vendors, children's science activities, or a stroll through Pioneer Village.
Vigo County Public Library will host multiple educational events and workshops leading up to and following the eclipse. All events are free of charge, but registration is required. Solar Science: Detecting UV Light and Touchdown: Satellite Engineer Workshop are sure to spark young minds from ages 6-11 while The Traveling Space Suit Show is open to all ages.
Bring a blanket and a lawn chair and enjoy a glass of wine and lots of open space to witness the natural spectacular at the Sycamore Winery. The event will feature local food vendors, eclipse-themed drinks, free solar viewing glasses, and camping for an additional registration fee. Entry into the winery will open at 12 pm, and the event will last until 5 pm Monday, April 8th. For additional information and camping registration, visit here.
Additional Activities and Events
Visit the Terre Haute Children's Museum's new exhibit to learn about the science behind the eclipse leading up to the event. Tickets are available for $9 to enter the museum, and the exhibit is free to members and children under two.
If you're an animal lover at heart and curious to know how this kind of astronomical phenomenon affects our furry friends, visit St. Marry College of the Woods for "Total Eclipse of the Herd: An Alpaca Encounter." From 1 pm to 4 pm on Sunday, April 7th, meet the alpacas and chickens at White Violet Farms and chat with local staff regarding any questions you may have. Click here for additional information and to purchase your $6 ticket.
Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra presents "Music of the Heavens," featuring a wide variety of space-inspired musical stylings including but not limited to E.T., Star Wars, Star Trek, and Apollo 13. Tickets start at $19 for adults and $5 for students and children. Mckee Family Heritage Ballroom will also be hosting "Super at the Symphony", a three-course meal for an additional $25 ticet prior to the music. Free parking is included.
Public Viewing Parties
Downtown Terre Haute
Central Christian Church
The Sycamore Winery
Fairbanks Park
Dobbs Memorial Park
Maple Avenue Nature Park
For additional eclipse events, go to Visit Indiana.
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Make sure to pack your Eclipse glasses and share this post with a friend you want to experience the "Great North American Eclipse" with!
Sending love from Indiana,
Kaitlyn
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