Indiana State Museum offering free admission and festivities on Aug. 23
INDIANAPOLIS – A vibrant celebration of culture and tradition awaits visitors for the Indianapolis Mariachi and Folklore Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Indiana State Museum.
Presented by Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos in collaboration with the Indiana State Museum, this free event invites community members to experience a day filled with live music, dance performances, food, vendor booths and family-friendly activities.
Performers from across the Midwest will come together during this festival to highlight the signature sounds and artistic rhythms of Mexican heritage. Visitors can enjoy the music of Florelis Jimenez, Mariachi Internacional de Bloomington, Mariachi Son de Mi Tierra and Mariachi Band Zelaya as well as dance performances by Indy Folklore Academy, Grupo Folklorico Macehuani, Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos and Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos.
“Mariachi and Mexican folkloric dances are not just music and dance,” said Eduardo Luna, executive director of Arte Mexicano en Indiana. “They offer a way to connect with family, celebrate traditions, foster community, and identity.”
While visitors take in the performances, they can also savor delicious Mexican street food favorites like tacos, quesadilla and elotes. Plus, there will be around 30 booths featuring local vendors and community organizations, offering attendees a chance to explore handmade items and connect with area businesses and resource providers.
Afterwards, visitors can discover all three floors of museum galleries, including seasonal experiences like Museum Marvels and Amazing Pollinators presented by Corteva Agriscience. Families can also learn about animal adaptations, geodes, Ice Age creatures and more with special activities.
The Indianapolis Mariachi and Folklore Festival is free and open to the public. Visitors can go to IndianaMuseum.org to find more information.
About the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is a museum system with 12 locations across the state, offering immersive experiences that resonate long after each visit ends. Each one-of-a-kind destination reveals stories that shaped Indiana’s past and present, helping visitors learn how today’s actions can influence the future. The museum, located in White River State Park in Indianapolis, serves as a central hub where curiosity is inspired and wonder is ignited for visitors of every age and interest — art and architecture, history and culture, science and nature. The historic sites create connections stretching from Rome City in northeastern Indiana to Evansville in the southwest. Learn more at IndianaMuseum.org.
