What is the IndyFringe Festival Presented by Everwise Credit Union?
The IndyFringe Festival presented by Everwise Credit Union is the key annual program of IF Theatre, a professional theatre organization in Indianapolis. It is a celebration of all performing art forms, featuring an eclectic mix of both free and ticketed entertainment in the heart of Indy’s cultural district between August 13 and August 23.
Fringe started as a rebellion:
In 1947, 8 theater groups were denied entry to perform in the Edinburgh International Festival. Instead of backing down, these artists performed outside on the “Fringe” of the event, launching a global movement of “Fringe” festivals taking place all around the world from Calgary, to Melbourne, and right here in Indianapolis!
What to expect from the IndyFringe Festival
The 2026 IndyFringe Festival presented by Everwise Credit Union will present 63 unique shows across 6 different stages all within a half-mile of each other. There are a total of nearly 250 ticketed performances, plus a selection of free, public entertainment and thousands of new friends to meet!
The IndyFringe Festival is a place where you can find:
Who is Fringe For?
Everyone. Seriously.
The IndyFringe Festival is for veteran theatregoers, first-timers, families, and anyone who has a love of the arts. You don’t need to have previously attended, have any background knowledge in theatre, or be local to Indy – just come as you are with an open mind.
When?!
Thursday, August 13 - Sunday, August 23
Shows take place every day Thursday, August 13 – Sunday, August 23.
Week-night shows typically run between 6:30PM & 10:30PM and weekend shows may run between 11:00AM – 11:00PM. Shows are all 45-60 minutes long and they all start on the same 90-minute intervals across each of the festival venues.
Shows always take place in the same location, but they may have different start times from day-to-day.
There are 2 ways to read the show schedule, but both are separated by the shows’ venue. Every show has a show #, so you can look at a grid depicting each shows’ number, or you view an expanded schedule with the titles written out in full.
Remember… it won’t be possible to see everything so plan to take breaks, explore the area, take-in the free street performances, and hang with your new friends at the Curtain Call Cantina
Where?!
The IndyFringe Festival takes place on 6 stages (venues), all within walking distance of each other in Downtown Indy.
Venues 1 + 2
Venue 1 is The Basile Theatre at IF, and Venue 2 is The Barnes & Thornburg Blackbox. Both venues are located at 719 E. St. Clair Street, which is also home to the Festival’s main box office, as well as the Curtain Call Cantina.
Venues 3 + 4
Venue 3 is The District Mainstage and Venue 4 is The District Cabaret. Both venues are located at 627 Mass Ave next to Ralston’s Drafthouse. This building was formerly known as Theatre on the Square.
Venue 5
Venue 5 is The Athenaeum Basile Theatre… Yup! It’s one of many Basile theatres in Indy (thank you Frank and Katrina!), and that’s part of why we use a venue # system. This theatre is on the second floor of The Athenaeum at 401 E. Michigan Street.
Venue 6
Venue 6 is located in the Arabian Room at the Murat. This mixed cabaret and proscenium theatre has been home to many popular acts over the years, and features a full bar and restaurant. Enter on the north side of The Murat and take the elevator or stairs up. 504 N. New Jersey St.
How to Fringe
There are over 65 shows listed in the festival program. It won’t be possible to see all of them, so plan around the ones that speak to you most!
Shows are all given a 3-digit show #. The first digit of that number is the venue that show is performing in. (Show 101 is in The Basile Theatre at IF, Show 301 is at The District mainstage, etc.)
Each show has multiple performances – some may only run for 3 performances, while others perform 6 times! Shows will always be at the same venue but may be at different times each day, so pay close attention to the time on your ticket.
Individual Ticket Pricing
- Adult Tickets are $22 (including fees)
- Student, Senior, and Child Tickets are $16 (including fees)
Some performances are Pay What You Can with a $12 minimum (simply write in a new price to change what you pay where applicable)
Individual tickets for performances can be purchased here.
Purchase online or by phone
email Max@iftheatre.org or Call (317) 210-4639 for assistance or to purchase tickets via phone.
Advance ticket sales are strongly encouraged.
Online sales will be available until each show’s start time.
Purchase Tickets In-Person
In person tickets will be available 30-minutes prior to each show, or at any time at Fringe HQ outside of Venues 1 & 2
Thinking about seeing multiple shows? Consider buying a Flex Pass. You can learn more about this opportunity below.
Everyone in a seat needs a ticket! An infant 2 or younger does not require a ticket if they are being held for the whole show.
If you have any issues with ticketing or need assistance with audience services, visit Fringe HQ outside of Venues 1 & 2
A flex pass is a subscription package of 6-tickets for $99. Individually, 6 tickets would cost $132 including fees. They can be purchased online, over the phone, or at Fringe HQ.
Your Flex Pass will appear as a single QR code with a 10 character code written underneath it. You can redeem that one of two ways:
- Online in advance: Put tickets to whichever shows you want to see in your cart. Input your 10-character subscription code as if it was a discount. Below your cart, you’ll see new checkboxes that you can select to apply tickets in your cart to your subscription.
- In person, at the door: You can also download your QR code to a mobile wallet (or print it out) and bring that to the theatre of the show you would like to see. If there are seats available, the ushers can scan it, and you will automatically be checked in and a pass removed from your subscription.
Sharing with friends?! – Also totally fine! Your subscription is yours to use. Send tickets to whomever you wish, or use them all for yourself.
Subscribe it forward – Buying a flex pass? You’ll also receive a flex pass to gift to a first-time festival attendee. It’s the perfect way to experience the IndyFringe Festival with friends, because your artistic horizons just got a whole lot broader!
Our program has a list of “fringe-preferred” lots, which are high-density and close to one or multiple festival venues. All of our venues are walking distance from each othe. In fact, you can walk from Venue 1 to Venue 6 in under 20 minutes! Ideally, this means you only have to park once, but do plan to pay $5-$15 for parking, as free parking in the area is scarce, except on Sundays.
Don’t panic! Just let your theatre captains know and they will do their best to assist you. Please note that late seating may not be possible as artists may fill any empty seats at curtain, even if there is a ticket sold.
Plan to arrive 10 minutes early to make sure you are seated in time.
If you miss curtain and can’t be late seated, our team will gladly exchange your ticket for another performance in the Festival. You may not be able to see the same show that day, but we’ll do our best to make sure you still have a fabulous experience.
The Festival allows for people to connect with Indy and others! Make an effort to chat to the people around you and make friends. Schedule a stop at the Curtain Call Cantina at IF Theatre (an all-ages tent) to talk to other audience members and artists of performances, and grab a refreshing drink! Mass Ave offers a variety of restaurants, shops, bars, and things to do. Stroll around the neighborhood in between performances and get a taste of everything Indy has to offer.
