The summer months provide great opportunities to celebrate when you visit Indy. We kick things off with Memorial Day weekend and don’t really look back until the bell rings for the new school year. But one particular weekend in June is all about one special guy. Whether you call him Dad, Daddy, Papa, Grandpa, Grandad, Papaw, or as my husband would like to one day be referred to when he reaches grandfather status “The Captain” (um, don’t get me started on the fact that he has no military or nautical background), you probably want to be intentional about thanking the special fella in your life (even if he’s not a blood relative) who helped you to grow into the person you are. And for the love of all, don’t hit him up for $20 after you do.
Father’s Day weekend in Indianapolis gives you oh-so-many options to display your love this year. From the racing enthusiast to the music lover, from super hero fanatics to sports fans, every unique father figure can be honored this year. Here’s a round-up of gift ideas and special events for your dad.
BMW Championship Ticket Package
Is golfing your dad’s passion? Then you definitely want to pick up this special Father’s Day Package Deal for the BMW Championship which will be played by world renowned golfers this September 6-11. The penultimate event in the PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs, the BMW Championship brings golfers like Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy right to Indianapolis backyard at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, IN. From now until June 9, you can snag a special exclusive package deal for $156 that includes:
- Two Day-Specific Tournament Round Tickets
- One Souvenir BMW Championship Pin Flag
- One Voucher to Recive 10% Off Merchandise at the Tournament
- Waived Processing Fee ($10 Savings)
Purchase the package by visiting the “Tickets” page at BMW Championship’s site. Your order confirmation will include a certificate that you can give to your dad on Father’s Day, too!
Irvington Folk Festival
Does your dad love folk music? Why not take him to the final day of the Irvington Folk Festival on Saturday, June 18 for an early Father’s Day celebration? The Festival’s Finale includes a full day in Ellenberger Park. Check out the Children’s Festival from 11 am to 1 pm, the Alternative Gift Fair (the perfect place to pick up a little gift!) from noon to 8 pm, and then live music on the Main Stage from 1 pm until dusk.
Warbird Expo
Just in time for Father’s Day weekend, the Indiana Wing of the Commemorative Air Force presents the 4th Annual CAF Warbird Expo on Friday June 17th and Saturday June 18th. You can find the full schedule here, but it’s jam packed with special speakers and forums, including a keynote from Col. Charles McGee, a Tuskegee Pilot. There are also special experiences for kids, a Warbird static display, and of course fly-overs and formation flights. You might even be able to take dad up for a ride in a Warbird, too.
Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational
We just celebrated the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 but the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is about to go old school. Treat dad to a day at the track for the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational. The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association returns to IMS just in time for Father’s Day weekend. There are 16 races throughout the weekend and the cost is as little as $5 per ticket.
Summer Nights Film Series at the IMA
A cinema buff dad wouldn’t want to miss this month’s Summer Nights Film Series, featuring the classic James Dean flick Rebel Without a Cause. Treat him to a night in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s amphitheater on Friday, June 17, beginning at 6 pm. While you’re there don’t forget to check out the 18-hole putt-putt course new at the IMA this summer.
Indy PopCon
Geek out with your dad this year at Indy PopCon on Father’s Day weekend. Amazing cosplayers, speakers, actors, authors, YouTubers, illustrators, and more will fill the Circle City with fun. Check out celebrity panels, pop into a workshop or two, play some board or video games, shop for a Father’s Day gift in a marketplace filled with one-of-a-kind artwork, toys, and collectibles. For details on who will be there and when, hit the Visit Indy event page.
IHSAA High School State Baseball Finals
He taught you how to play catch, so why not take him out for a night at Victory Field to watch championship high school baseball. The home of the Indianapolis Indians opens its gates to the Class 1A Championship Finals on Friday, June 17 at 7 pm.
There’s so much more that you could do Father’s Day weekend (hello, Symphony on the Prairie, Dead & Company at Klipsch, International Festival, Brew Ha Ha, and the Color Run), that we can’t even highlight it all. Your dad will love a Visit Indy weekend and most of all spending time with you.