Free Things to Do in Hamilton County
If you’re on a budget or looking for free fun, there’s plenty of events and activities in Hamilton County that won’t cost a penny. Here is a list of the top free things to do in Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield and the four northern towns.
Downtowns
Each community has a downtown district with plenty of things to do and see.
- Explore the Carmel Arts & Design District on Main Street in downtown Carmel.
- Eat your way through the new Fishers District east of 116th Street and I-69, with more than 15 local dining options.
- Walk around the Historic Noblesville Square and browse through the local boutiques and antique stores.
- Enjoy the weather at Midtown Plaza along the Monon Trail, featuring bench swings, ping pong tables and public gathering space.
- Wander through the Nickel Plate District in downtown Fishers, with local shopping and dining

Outdoors
Get some fresh air and explore the great outdoors.
- Walk or bike on 15+ miles of the Monon Trail and Monon Greenway through Carmel, Westfield and Sheridan.
- Stroll alongside the White River on the new White River Greenway trail in downtown Noblesville.
- Hit the trails on more than 600 miles of trail throughout the county, including Midland Trace Trail in Westfield.
- Connect with nature at one of 60+ parks county-wide. Popular parks include Central Park and Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers, Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville, Cool Creek Park in Westfield.

Art
Wander through a local art gallery or studio.
- Browse free art gallery exhibits and local artists’ studios at Nickel Plate Arts.
- Shop at local art galleries like CCA Gallery and Evan Lurie Gallery.
- Find all of the murals, sculptures and roundabout artwork using our interactive Public Art map.
- Get creative and make your own project at Ignite Art Studio.
- Connect with artists and art lovers at First Fridays and Meet Me on Main.
Music
Free concerts? That’s music to our ears.
- Find live local music nearly every night of the week in the summertime. Check the schedule for concert series at the Carmel Gazebo, Music on the Monon, Clay Terrace, Federal Hill Commons, Nickel Plate District, Red Bridge Park and more.
History + Heritage
Learn about the past to see how it shaped the present.
- Get inspired by the Songbook era of music at the Great American Songbook Foundation exhibit gallery inside The Center for the Performing Arts.
- Explore local history at the Monon Depot Museum, Arcadia Heritage Depot Museum and the Hamilton County Museum of History and Old Sheriff’s Residence & Jail.
- Step back in time at the Taylor Nature Center at Strawtown Koteewi Park, which includes Koteewi Trace, an archaeology site and Native American cultural experience.
- See model locomotives in action at Mr. Muffin’s Trains.
Farmers Markets
It isn’t summer without a weekend visit to stroll through the produce stands.
- Wake up early on Saturday mornings and browse fresh, local produce and artisan products at the farmers’ markets in Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield.
Festivals
Mark your calendars for these can’t-miss events and festivals with no admission fee.
- Celebrate Independence Day with Carmelfest, Spark!Fishers, Westfield Rocks the 4th, Lights Over Morse Lake and the Noblesville Fourth of July Parade.
- Feel the spirit of the holiday season at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt.
- Take advantage of free admission to Conner Prairie on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day and Smithsonian Museum Day.
- Celebrate art at Artomobilia, Carmel on Canvas, Carmel International Arts Festival, Nickel Plate Arts Maker Faire, Art Fair on the Square, Atlanta New Earth Festival and Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival.
- Enjoy live music and performing arts at Fishers Blues Fest, Noblesville Street Dance and Shakespeare in the Park.
- Cheer on the Indianapolis Colts at Colts Training Camp at Grand Park Sports.
- Soak in summer nights at Art of Wine and Greekfest.