Key Takeaways:
- Indianapolis has a wide range of entertainment options available from January 12 to March 20, including concerts, plays, and comedy shows.
- Some of the notable events include the musical "MJ the Musical", the Indy Dance Film Fest, and performances by Rascal Flatts, Nate Bargatze, and Cardi B.
- The city’s theaters will host various productions, such as "St. Sebastian", "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone", and "Ado", showcasing local and national talent.
- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform several times, including a production of "The Sleeping Beauty" and Mahler’s "Resurrection" Symphony.
- Comedy fans can look forward to shows by Nate Bargatze and the "Dancing with the Stars" live tour.
Introduction to Indianapolis’ Winter Entertainment Scene
Indianapolis is gearing up to provide a diverse range of entertainment options to its residents and visitors, despite the cold winter weather. From January 12 to March 20, the city will host a variety of concerts, plays, and comedy shows that cater to different tastes and preferences. The events will take place in various venues across the city, including the Murat Theatre, The Basile Theatre, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With a mix of local and national talent, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Indianapolis this winter.
Upcoming Musical Performances
The city’s music scene will be thriving, with several notable performances scheduled. Rascal Flatts will bring their Life is a Highway Tour to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 7, while Cardi B will perform at the same venue on March 14 as part of her Little Miss Drama Tour. Zara Larsson will headline The Egyptian Room on March 18, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform Mahler’s "Resurrection" Symphony on February 13-14. Additionally, the New Edition Way Tour, featuring New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton, will stop at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 19.
Theater Productions
Indianapolis’ theaters will host a range of productions, including the musical "MJ the Musical", which tells the story of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The Basile Theatre will present "St. Sebastian", a dark comedy that explores themes of prejudice and good intentions. The Indiana Repertory Theatre will produce August Wilson’s "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone", a drama set in 1911 that follows the story of Herald Loomis and his search for his wife. The Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre will host the Indianapolis Shakespeare Co.’s production of "Ado", a feminist response to William Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing".
Comedy and Dance Events
Comedy fans will have plenty to look forward to, with Nate Bargatze’s Big Dumb Eyes tour stopping at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 14. The "Dancing with the Stars" live tour will also visit the city, with a performance at the Old National Centre on February 25. The Indy Dance Film Fest will take place on January 27, featuring ten short dance films by local and national performers, choreographers, and directors. The Dance Kaleidoscope program will include "Train", a piece by guest choreographer Robert Battle, as well as world premieres by Artistic Director Joshua Blake Carter and the 2025/26 Jaffee and Hall Emerging Choreographer Christa Smutek.
Other Notable Events
The Indianapolis Black Theater Co. will present the Indy Black Solo Fest, a celebration of Black artists’ stories through theater, music, and storytelling. The festival will feature six shows, including "Marvin 4 Error", "Songs in the Key of Grenadine!", and "Black Thread: Songs that Nina Taught Me". The Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts will host the production "Lucky Stiff", a comedy about a man who must travel from England to Monte Carlo with his late uncle’s corpse in tow. The Indianapolis Ballet, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Clowes Memorial Hall will partner for a production of the classic fairy tale "The Sleeping Beauty", set to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s score.
