500 Festival

The mission of the 500 Festival is to produce life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana.

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit community organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 60+ years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation. Each year, 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in festival activities throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini-Marathon, fourth-grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state’s largest festival for kids, or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation’s premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.

No other singular sporting event in the world has a legacy like the Indianapolis 500. No other event has shaped and defined a city and state and its people like the Indianapolis 500.