IndyFringe Festival Turns 21

Turning 21 is a significant milestone and this one will be unforgettable. The 21st annual IndyFringe Festival, presented by Everwise Credit Union, returns to Indianapolis August 13–23, 2026. Featuring 63 shows by more than 500 artists from around the world and right here in Indianapolis, this year’s festival offers a bold mix of drama, comedy, dance, puppetry, music, poetry, storytelling, magic, drag and LGBTQ+ theatre.

New in 2026

Busking Stage: Each Thursday through Sunday, enjoy free, live street performances. Meet the “Love Detectives,” interact with puppets, jam to live music, marvel at close-up magic, and more at the Aerofab Busking Stage on Mass Ave. 

The KidZone at IF Theatre will feature free performances, crafts, and games for children and their families. New programs start every 90 minutes. 

Subscribe-it-Forward: When you order a six-ticket flex pass, receive a second flex pass to give to someone else. 

Curated Adventures: Use your flex pass and choose one of 12 “curated adventures,” collections of six shows in genres such as dance, comedy or new plays, as well as themes like "Global Perspective" and "Fierce Fab Femmes."  

WHEN: Daily performances on Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 23, 2026. For schedule and showtimes, visit IndyFringe.org 

WHERE: IndyFringe Festival takes place on six stages, all within a three-block radius along the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District in Downtown Indianapolis.

Venue 1: The Basile Theatre at IF, 719 E St. Clair St.

Venue 2: The Barnes & Thornburg Blackbox, 719 E St. Clair St., also home to the outdoor Curtain Call Cantina. Come grab a drink between shows!

Venue 3: The District Theatre Mainstage, 627 Mass Ave.

Venue 4: The District Theatre Cabaret, 627 Mass Ave.

Venue 5: The Athenaeum Basile Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St.

Venue 6: The Arabian Room at the Murat, 504 N. New Jersey St., use entrance closest to North St. and take the elevator or stairs up to the second floor.

COST: Tickets: $12-22, with flex passes, rush ticketing discounts, and pay-what-you-can shows available. Buy at the door or online at IndyFringe.org

Festival Highlights

Since its founding in 2005, IndyFringe has brought more than 234,000 visitors to the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District and returned over $2.6 million to artists. That makes it the fourth most attended fringe festival in the country. It’s in the top five in the country and top 15 in the world for the number of artists served. Thanks to Everwise Credit Union’s sponsorship, 70% of all box office revenue goes directly to participating artists. This year, 60% of the acts are from Indiana, with 33% produced by BIPOC creatives and nearly half from first-time producers.

Fun Fact: Fringe started as a rebellion

In 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival denied entry to eight theatre groups. Instead of backing down, the artists performed outside on the “fringe” of the event space, launching a global movement of “Fringe” festivals around the world from Calgary to Melbourne, and here in Indianapolis.