Local Events

Note: Don’t forget to apply for the Access Pass! The Access Pass Program allows families that meet the specific requirements listed below to visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and all participating locations for $5 per family member per visit for up to two adults and all dependent youths living in the household. You qualify if you receive:

• Hoosier Healthwise Insurance (Indiana’s health care program for low-income families, pregnant women and children)

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

• Apply here: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/hours/ access-pass.

Museums

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Museum My Way An adaptive museum experience

 July 15, Oct. 14, Dec. 9, 

This special event is an opportunity for visitors with disabilities and/or sensory sensitivities to experience the museum in a new way. Families and groups of all abilities are welcome to play and learn together!

Limited capacity

Quiet area with sensory items.

Some music is turned down or off.

Edited lighting effects in some areas.

Tickets go on sale 6 weeks before events  https://www.childrensmuseum.org/museum-my-way

First Thursday Night- First Thursday every monthMay 1, 4:00 pm

On the first Thursday of every month, we open our doors from 4–8 p.m. for just $6 admission per person! Why should you visit?

Admission is just $6 per person for the entire museum. That’s a savings of more than 75% per ticket!

It’s the ONLY time the museum is open to the public in the evening, so it’s a perfect after-hours night for your family.

It’s not as crowded as you might think! We have limited capacity on First Thursday Nights.

Parking is always free!

Our Food Court is open, so you can grab a quick and easy dinner for the whole family. Low cost. Low crowds. Late night play! https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/calendar/event/273

Various Events

May 1- May 31, Opens at 10 AM  

3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, 317-334-4000

https://www.childrensmuseum.org

Conner Prairie — Indiana’s Living History Museum

ROSÉ AND ROSES

May 9, 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm in Bayt Pavilion

Join us for Rosé and Roses, a Mother's Day Ladies Night Out! This 21+ event includes a wine tasting with Oliver Winery. Enjoy a fun selection of desserts throughout the evening. Cash bar available with Moscato flights and frozen wine slushies. Other activities include mindfulness meditation, nature walks, yoga sessions and a photo backdrop to share with your following! Additionally, you can create your own flower arrangement that you can take home with you! Finish the night enjoying the beautiful sunset view over the prairie.

CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY WITH AN AMAZING BRUNCH!

May 11, 10:00 am -1:00 pm in Featherston Barn

Celebrate that special person in your life by joining us for our Mother's Day brunch. Relax, let us do the cooking, and make the day special with a delicious variety of items to choose from.

For tickets: https://www.connerprairie.org/explore/things-to-do/mothers-day/#rose-and-roses

Sensory-Friendly Hours

The second Sunday of every month, from 10 AM to noon, are sensory-friendly hours at Conner Prairie! Enjoy a calm environment.

Check-in with Guest Relations, stating that you are here for sensory-friendly hours. You will get free admission and may stay as long as you wish.

Various events

May 1 -May 31, 10:00 am- 10:00 pm

13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038. Phone: 317-776-6000 or 800-966-1836  https://www.connerprairie.org/events/list

Indiana State Museum 

Sensory Friendly Afternoon 

May 18, 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm

650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Experience the Indiana State Museum in a sensory-friendly way! Each month, we’ll lower the lights and reduce distractions to give children and adults with sensory processing differences a chance to enjoy an interactive learning experience in a comfortable and accepting environment. Social narratives will be available at the ticket counter and sensory–based activities will be spaced throughout the museum. Plus, check out a Sensory Bag to make your experience even more enjoyable. Check calendar for dates https://www.indianamuseum.org/calendar/

Various events

May 1- May 31, check website for events and times.

https://www.indianamuseum.org/calendar/

Family Fun

Tangram Social Clubs

5155 Pennwood Drive,Indianapolis, IN

Tangram offers a variety of social clubs for everyone to enjoy! Whether you're into games, books, or advocacy, there's something for everyone—and it’s all free!Bingo - 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 6PM: Play a classic game of bingo and connect with friends!Self Advocates - 3rd Thursday @ 6-7PM: Discuss self-advocacy topics and empower yourself with like-minded peers.Game Night - 3rd Tuesday @ 6PM: Card games, board games, and more! Feel free to bring your favorites too!Book Club - 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 6PM: Read and discuss books with a fresh pick each quarter!Check out the schedule below and join us for some fun, learning, and great conversations. We can’t wait to see you there! For more information about Tangram's clubs, please email jrice@thetangramway.org.#TangramClubs #CommunityConnection #InclusiveFun #JoinUs #TheTangramWay 

Sensory Friendly Play at Urban Air Noblesville

May 4, 9:00 am- 11:00 am

14450 Mundy Dr, Noblesville, IN 46060

Urban Air’s Sensory Friendly Play day is typically held on the first Sunday of the month. Check the Noblesville calendar for the latest info. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=hi8j9brk94jgnc71kmslc13js8@group.calendar.google.com

Sky Zone South Sensory Play

May 5, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm  Every month first Monday of the month

Sensory Fun Fridays runs every Friday from 9:00am-10:00am.

4150 Kildeer Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46237

Jump and socialize in a comfortable, friendly environment.  Enjoy the freedom of jumping. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs.

https://www.skyzone.com/programs/sensory-hours/

Indianapolis Zoo

JOIN US FOR THE 45TH ANNUAL ZOOPOLIS 500!

May 21, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

This unique annual event and race-fan favorite includes a morning of family-friendly festivities leading up to the “Greatest Spectacle in Tortoise Racing.”

As you come in, meet 500 Festival Princesses and snap photos with a 500 Festival pace car and the giant milk jug, then head to the Bicentennial Pavilion for the pre-race festivities. Plus, the American Dairy Association Indiana, Inc. will be handing out free TruMoo chocolate milk (while supplies last). Make sure to arrive early to meet a snake at the Snake Pit.

For tickets: https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/zoo-events/zoopolis-500/Various events scheduled daily.

May 1 through May 31 

1200 West Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46222

https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/

AMC Theatres

Check website for location, date and times.

AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.

Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly. https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

The Arts

Adaptive Dance

May 1, 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm Every first Thursday through May 2025 

the Arc of Hancock County, 8535 N Clearview Dr, McCordsville, IN 46055

We are proud to announce that we received a mini-grant from the Community Foundation of Hancock County to turn our Adaptive Dance (Body Rock) classes from March and April into a regular monthly program. These classes will be held at Hancock Wellness Center - McCordsville in the Community Room every first Thursday of the month from August 2024 through May 2025 from 5:00-6:00pm. This class is free, but you must be registered. Parents of participants under 18 years old must be present.  We cannot wait to see you there! Please use the link to register: https://arcofhcadaptivedance.eventbrite.com

Beef and Boards

Church Basement Ladies

Apr. 17- May 18

The Little Mermaid

May 22- July 13

9301 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268

https://beefandboards.com/Online/default.asp

Sensory-Friendly Performance of "Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical"

May 11, 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

122 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47404

8-year-old Lily Polkadot just moved to the small, “Squares Only” town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected friendship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson that reminds us that our individual differences are what make us cool. Fun for all ages!

Constellation offers select sensory-friendly performances for our Constellation for Kids series. This special performance is designed to create a theater experience that is welcoming to all families with children with autism or other sensory sensitivities. Tickets to Constellation’s Sensory-Friendly performances are Pay What You Will, meaning you get to choose your own ticket price (from $5-$75). For Tickets: https://seeconstellation.org/kids/polkadots/

Jubilate Choir

Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133

Wednesdays, 6:45-7:30 PM

The Jubilate Choir is for singers with special needs in grades 3-9. Singers with varying abilities meet each week to grow musically. This tuition-free choir focuses on proper singing techniques, music theory and sight-reading, part-singing, and social skills involved in being a member of a musical ensemble.

Though Jubilate has, at its core, the same goals as other choirs in the Indianapolis Children's Choir (ICC), singers in Jubilate engage in additional activities like visual and tactile experiences that are catered specifically to the current members of the choir.

Director: Lauren Southard

For more information, contact Lauren Southard at 

317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir.org.   https://icchoir.org/special-needs/

Gigi’s Playhouse 

Various classes during the week.

5909 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250  317-288-8235

indy@gigisplayhouse.org   https://gigisplayhouse.org/indianapolis/sfcalendar/

Events

Uniquely You - Special Needs Moms & Caregivers Weekend Retreat

May 2-4

Teter Organic Farms & Retreat Center, 10980 E 221st St, Noblesville, IN

Moms and caregivers of special needs individuals, this weekend is just for YOU!  Escape the daily hustle and treat yourself to a transformative retreat designed to refresh your body, mind, and soul.

What to Expect: Healing and mindfulness workshops Art activities Make-and-take flower arrangements Nature hikes Campfire gatherings Music and yoga sessions… and so much more!

Choose how to spend your time—engage in all the activities or simply relax and recharge. 

What’s Included: Two nights at our beautiful retreat center (Fri & Sat). Meals: Dinner (Fri), breakfast, lunch & dinner (Sat), breakfast (Sun). All activities, workshops, and your own flower arrangement. Cozy accommodations: 4 rooms with private showers, each holding 6 ladies (bunk bed style).

Special Offer: Pre-registration: $229 per ticket (ends March 30th) Regular price: $279

Group Option: Have a group of 6? Reserve a room together for an even more memorable experience! 

Important: Space is limited to 24 ladies. No childcare will be provided, so please make prior arrangements.

 This is your time to fill your cup, connect with other amazing moms and caregivers, and nurture yourself. You deserve it!

 Register Now: https://buytickets.at/uniquelyyou/1540455

Center Stage: Fort Wayne's Premier Talent Show

May 3, 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm

1808 Bluffton Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809

Back by popular demand for its fourth year, “Center Stage: Fort Wayne’s Premier Talent Show” at the Clyde Theatre, will feature local performing artists of all talents and abilities. Turnstone Center believes in a people-first approach to empowerment and celebrating talent-first opportunities. “Center Stage” is a first-of-its-kind talent experience in our community, elevating talent and performing arts for all people with and without disabilities.

All proceeds from this event go towards Turnstone's mission of empowering people with disabilities.

https://turnstone.org/about/events/center-stage-fort-waynes-premier-talent-show

Thrive 85- Family Fun and Resources in Wabash

May 4, 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm

Wabash County Fairgrounds, Gillen Ave, Wabash, In 46992

Thrive 85 is a FREE community event designed to help connect individuals and families in need to resources in the community. Thrive 85 was designed to meet some of the immediate needs of those in our community and to help connect individuals and families to available resources so that they can begin their journey towards Thriving in Wabash County.It will be a fun-filled, impactful evening and we are so excited to be able to offer this event completely FREE to those in our community! Please help us spread the word by sharing this information with anyone you feel could benefit from this event. There will be activities, giveaways, and food trucks.

Ask The Arc Webinars Series

May 8, 6:00pm- 7:00 pm

Our Ask The Arc webinar series will provide information and discussion on timely topics relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their support systems.

Webinars take place on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. EST. Past webinars will be recorded and posted to view on your own schedule in The Arc of Indiana Academy and on our YouTube channel.

Registration is for the complete webinar series. You can pick and choose which ones you want to attend without having to register each time. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hTnwxka_S--MknIpiQoNrA#/registration

2025 Disabilities Expo- Fort Wayne

May 10, 10:00 am- 3:00 pm

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805

We look forward to seeing you at the 14th annual Disabilities Expo! This day has been planned just for you with more than 138 exhibitors to make this event a one-stop resource for all types of disability services and products. We hope that you find what you need, and even more importantly, discover new resources to enhance your quality of life. Whether you are an individual with a disability, a family member, friend, caregiver or professional, the Disabilities Expo exists to support your needs.The Expo is also filled with fun and entertaining activities, spectacular adaptive sports exhibitions, musical groups, and special guests making a difference in the disability world. It’s a welcoming environment with so much to see, learn and do. You are sure to be glad you attended.Helping you explore opportunities, expand possibilities and experience everything is what the Disabilities Expo is all about. Spend a few hours or the entire day…everyone will be glad you are here! For more information: https://disabilitiesexpoindiana.org/