Indy’s largest Independence day celebration

Location for CarmelFest at Carmel City Hall and Carter Green with a red outline map icon and blue text on a white background
Calendar icon with July 3rd and 4th highlighted, indicating a date for CarmelFest

CarmelFest is a beloved annual summer tradition for families and friends throughout Indiana. Enjoy live entertainment, delicious festival food, shopping at the unique marketplace, sitting together under the spectacular fireworks, and celebrating our country’s independence at our patriotic parade! Come make special memories!

Parade Info
Event Schedule

is made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors!

ALL SPONSORS
A parade on a street with participants carrying American flags, surrounded by spectators seated along the sidewalk on both sides, under green trees on a clear day.
Nighttime cityscape with lit buildings, streets, and a fireworks display in the sky.
An aerial view of a downtown street fair with tents, crowds, and parked cars, surrounded by multi-story buildings and trees.
Children sitting on a curb during a Fourth of July celebration, with one holding an American flag and others dressed in patriotic colors, surrounded by spectators.
A parade on a sunny day with a large crowd of spectators on both sides of the street, a police officer in uniform on the sidewalk, a cyclist riding down the street, and a helicopter flying overhead among green trees and a blue sky.
A parade with a float that has a large cartoon character dressed in red and white stripes, surrounded by flowers. People are lining the street, some sitting, some under umbrellas, watching the parade and taking photos.
A police officer in uniform is cooling off with water on his face under a faucet, with water splashing and dripping. He is wearing a police hat and badge, and is standing outside near a chain-link fence.
Group of uniformed firefighters participating in a parade, marching with flags in the rain, with spectators holding umbrellas on the sides.
Kids playing on an inflatable obstacle course with a warning sign, outdoors during the daytime, surrounded by spectators and trees.
Fireworks display over a cityscape at dusk, with a large illuminated building in the foreground and dark clouds in the sky.
Band performing on stage at outdoor concert, crowd sitting on grass and chairs in park.
A man at a food stand grilling skewers of meat and other food items, with a neon 'OPEN' sign and a bright pink sign advertising jumbo sausage on a bun for $8.50.
A large outdoor crowd gathered for a nighttime event with fireworks in the sky, a stage with live music, and booths or tents along the streets.
A parade on a city street with floats, including one with a large figure of Waldo from 'Where's Waldo?', and people lining the sidewalks, some holding umbrellas and balloons.
An aerial view of a community event in a downtown area with a large church-like building and a street lined with vendor booths and tents. There are children playing on inflatable rides and visitors walking around.
Group of young women marching and playing clarinets during a parade, with a large American flag hanging from a crane against a partly cloudy sky.
A lively outdoor festival with food vendors, seating areas, a performance stage, and a large water fountain in the center, surrounded by historic-style buildings and trees.
Crowd of people gathered at an outdoor concert stage with banners reading "NorthZone" in a parking lot, surrounded by food stands, colorful tents, and overhead utility poles.
A parade featuring people in yellow costumes carrying Chinese dragon flags and American flags. The parade takes place on a city street with multi-story buildings in the background and a bright, partly cloudy sky.
Crowd gathered on a grassy lawn for an outdoor event near a bandstand with a stage and band, under dark, cloudy skies, with trees surrounding the area.
Crowd gathered outdoors in a park during daytime, sitting on chairs and standing, watching a performance or event on a stage in front of trees and buildings under a blue sky with clouds.
A bustling outdoor festival in a town square with food stalls, tents, and a crowd of people late in the afternoon. There is a large historic building on the right, a pond with a fountain in the background, and lines of tents and booths along the stre
Crowd of spectators lining both sides of a street during a parade, with a helicopter flying overhead among tall green trees and a blue sky.

Parade

July 4 at 10:30 am

Bird's eye view of a lively outdoor event in a town square, with food trucks, tents, umbrellas, a stage, and a crowd of people, surrounded by multi-story buildings and a large government or cultural building, during sunset.

Festival

Entertainment | Food | Marketplace

Nighttime cityscape with fireworks display in the sky above downtown Carmel, featuring lit buildings, street lights, and a water tower with 'CARMEL' written on it.

Fireworks

July 4th 9:45 PM

Endless fun for all ages!

  • People lined up under a large tent at an outdoor event, with some waiting in line and others socializing.

    Beer & Wine & Cider

    Attention all beer and wine lovers! Sample a wide variety of the finest local and regional beers and wines. Our garden provides the perfect setting to sit back, relax, and enjoy the live music and festivities. We look forward to seeing you at our beer and wine garden!

  • Children playing on an inflatable obstacle course themed as a construction site with caution tape, on a sunny day in a park or festival setting.

    KidsZone

    Looking for a fun-filled day for your kids? Bring them to the KidsZone, where they can enjoy a wide range of exciting activities such as bungee jumping, obstacle courses, rock climbing, and rides! Your kids will have a blast and make new friends while enjoying the many attractions in a safe and supervised environment. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to give your children an unforgettable day of fun and adventure!

  • Stage with band performing at outdoor music festival, large crowd seated on lawn in front.

    Live Music

    Celebrate in style with live music on multiple stages throughout two days! Join us at CarmelFest and enjoy incredible performances from a wide range of musical genres. From classic rock to country and everything in between, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and appetite, and prepare to be blown away by the amazing talent on stage. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to enjoy great music and celebrate America's independence with your friends and family!

  • An artist is drawing caricatures of young girls at an outdoor booth, which is decorated with colorful caricature portraits and a prices list. Two girls sit nearby, smiling and holding a drawing plate.

    Local Artists

    Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness some amazing local artist’s demonstrations at CarmelFest! Come and be inspired by the creativity of the talented artists who call this community their home.

  • A man at a food stand grilling skewers of meat with other food items displayed on the table, an illuminated 'OPEN' sign, and a bright pink sign indicating the menu items and price.

    Delicious Food & Drinks

    Come and taste some amazing local cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your cravings. From sweet treats to savory bites and refreshing drinks, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Book a hotel room right next to CarmelFest

$250 discounted room rate in celebration of the 250th year. Availability: 7/2 - 7/5

 Turn your July 4th plans into a weekend getaway with special savings during CarmelFest. Perfect for families, couples, and anyone looking to celebrate in style.

Book Your Stay

faq

“Frequently Asked Questions”

  • Sunscreen, bug spray, water, coolers, chairs, and blankets. Food and drinks are permitted.

  • Tents and tarps are not permitted in concert areas. Do not fly drones above the parade or festival areas.

  • Carmel Fest instituted a no pet policy for both the parade and festival areas to protect animals from the extreme heat, as well as hot pavement and sidewalks.

    ADA Service Animals are allowed but should have protective footwear. Please provide water for your animal.

  • Carpool and ride-sharing are highly encouraged! Parking is tight, but available in the Veterans Way, Tarkington, and Midtown parking garages.

    Reserved ADA parking is available at the southwest corner of Main St and Rangeline Rd for the parade.

Want to be a Carmelfest Vendor?

Crowd of people walking through an outdoor fair with food stands and colorful flags under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Showcase your business to thousands of festival-goers! Apply now to become an official CarmelFest vendor.

Apply Here

We need Volunteers!

Man wearing glasses, a white cap, and a red t-shirt with a Carmel Festival logo, standing inside a booth at an outdoor event.

Whether you can donate a few hours or the entire day, your time and effort will make a difference. This festival is made possible by the incredible people who generously give their time to help us bring this event to life, and we want you to be a part of it too.

Learn More