Everything Happening in Hendricks County This Memorial Day Weekend 2026
Everyone knows why May in Hendricks County is special. The Indianapolis 500 is the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and Memorial Day weekend here is the epicenter of motorsports culture for the entire planet. If you have tickets to Sunday’s race, you’re already doing the best thing happening in Indiana this weekend.
But here’s what a lot of people — including some locals — don’t fully realize: Hendricks County has its own extraordinary lineup of events running alongside the 500 all weekend long. Whether you’re in town for race week looking for something to fill Friday night, a local who’d rather skip the Speedway traffic, or a family searching for something beyond the race, this weekend has you completely covered.
Here is your complete guide to Memorial Day Weekend 2026 in Hendricks County — May 22 through May 25 — plus a bonus event the following Friday that’s too good to leave out.
The Weekend at a Glance
| Day | When | Event |
| Friday 5/22 | 3 PM – Late Night | Carb Night Classic & 73rd Hoosier Hundred — Lucas Oil IRP, Brownsburg |
| Saturday 5/23 | Opens seasonally | Murphy Aquatic Park opens for the 2026 season — Avon (wave pool!) |
| Saturday 5/23 | Opens seasonally | Splash Island Family Waterpark opens for 2026 season — Plainfield |
| Sunday 5/24 | All day | Indianapolis 500 — Indianapolis Motor Speedway (the big one!) |
| Monday 5/25 | All day | Memorial Day — County offices closed; parks open; water parks in full swing |
| Wed 5/27 | 4:30–6:30 PM | Summer Fun Run & Walk Series Kickoff — Hummel Park, Plainfield (bonus event) |
| Friday 5/29 | 8:00 PM | The Disco Circus at Hendricks Live! — Plainfield (bonus event) |
Friday, May 22 — Race Night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
| Carb Night Classic & 73rd Hoosier Hundred Friday, May 22, 2026 | Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Brownsburg, IN |
If you only catch one non-500 event this Memorial Day weekend, make it the Carb Night Classic. Held at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park right here in Brownsburg, this is one of the most beloved traditions on the entire Indy 500 race calendar — the official kickoff to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and a can’t-miss event for any serious race fan.
| 📍 Lucas Oil IRP, Brownsburg | Practice: 3 PM | Qualifying: 5:10 PM | Main Event: ~8:05 PM |
The Hoosier Hundred — A True American Racing Classic
The main event is the 73rd running of the legendary Hoosier Hundred — a 100-lap USAC Silver Crown Series race that is one of the most storied traditions in all of American motorsports. For over seven decades, some of the biggest names in racing history have won this event. It’s fast, raw, and genuinely historic — a direct link to the roots of open-wheel racing in Indiana.
The Carb Night Classic also features multiple other classes of open-wheel racing throughout the evening, so arriving early for qualifying gives you a full night of action under the lights before the Hoosier Hundred fires off.
- Practice session: 3:00 PM
- Qualifying session: 5:10 PM
- Hoosier Hundred (100-lap USAC Silver Crown main event): approximately 8:05 PM
| 🏁 Perfect for Out-of-Town Guests If you have friends or family visiting for race week, the Carb Night Classic is the ideal Friday-night warmup event — authentic American short-track racing at one of Indiana’s most storied venues, at a fraction of the cost of a Speedway ticket. It’s the kind of experience that makes people say ‘we need to come back every year.’ |
Saturday, May 23 — Water Parks Open for the Season!
Memorial Day weekend marks one of the most anticipated annual events in Hendricks County family life: the opening of the outdoor water parks. Both of the county’s major water destinations throw open their gates for the 2026 season this weekend, and the timing couldn’t be better — peak race week energy combined with the first splash of summer.
| Murphy Aquatic Park — 2026 Season Opening Opens Memorial Day Weekend | 753 S CR 625 East, Avon, IN |
Murphy Aquatic Park is home to Central Indiana’s only wave pool — and it opens for the 2026 season this Memorial Day weekend. Designed with inclusivity as a core value, Murphy is unlike any other water park in the region, offering world-class water fun for guests of all abilities.
| 🌊 Only Wave Pool in Central IN | ADA-Inclusive Design | Open Mem. Day – Labor Day |
- Central Indiana’s only wave pool
- ADA-accessible water playground with water wheelchairs available
- Multi-slide tower, water basketball hoops, and toddler shaded zone
- Six private cabanas available for rent
- Operating hours: 11 AM – 6 PM Sunday through Saturday
Resident pricing is available for Washington Township and Avon residents (and portions of Brownsburg, Danville, and Plainfield). If you pay property taxes to Washington Township, you qualify for the discounted rate.
| Splash Island Family Waterpark — 2026 Season Opening Opens Memorial Day Weekend | 651 Vestal Rd, Plainfield, IN | 317-839-6205 |
Splash Island’s Caribbean-themed 4.3-acre outdoor waterpark also kicks off its 2026 season this Memorial Day weekend in Plainfield. Fresh off a major expansion that added new waterslides, private cabanas, and a dedicated toddler splash area, this is one of the best water parks in central Indiana for families.
| 🏝️ 4.3 Acres, Tropical Theme | 900-ft Leisure River | Open Mem. Day – Labor Day |
- Three waterslides including new 2½-story-tall slides with giant bowl feature
- 900-foot leisure river for a relaxing float
- The Guppy Tank — zero-entry dedicated infant and toddler area
- Private cabanas with electricity available for daily rental
- Funbrella shaded seating throughout the park
- Members-only hour: weekdays 10–11 AM
| 💡 Insider Tip: Beat the Opening Weekend Crowds Opening weekend at both water parks is always busy — especially with race week visitors in town. At Splash Island, arrive when gates open to claim a shaded Funbrella spot before they’re gone. At Murphy, arrive early for the best cabana availability. Both parks fill up quickly on hot holiday weekend days. |
Sunday, May 25 — The Greatest Spectacle in Racing
| The Indianapolis 500 Sunday, May 25, 2026 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
You know this one. The Indianapolis 500 is the single largest single-day sporting event on the planet, drawing more than 250,000 fans to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — just minutes from Hendricks County’s eastern border. The race has run every year since 1911 (with exceptions for World War II), and it remains the crown jewel of American open-wheel racing.
| 🏁 500 Miles, 33 Cars | ~250,000 Fans at IMS | Broadcast Worldwide |
If you have tickets, you’re already set for the most iconic sporting event in Indiana. If you’re watching from home or a local bar and restaurant in Hendricks County, the race day atmosphere throughout the county — especially in Avon, Brownsburg, and Plainfield — is electric. Every sports bar, restaurant patio, and neighborhood backyard is tuned in.
| 🍽️ Race Day Dining in Hendricks County If you’re watching the 500 locally, Hendricks County’s restaurant scene is outstanding. From Brew Link Brewpub in Plainfield and The Side Door Pub & Stage to local favorites throughout Avon and Brownsburg, you won’t have trouble finding a great spot to watch the race with good food and cold drinks. Skip the parking hassle at IMS and enjoy the race from a comfortable seat in your own county. |
Monday, May 26 — Memorial Day
| Memorial Day in Hendricks County Monday, May 26, 2026 | County-wide |
Memorial Day in Hendricks County is a time to slow down, get outside, and enjoy the first true holiday of summer. County offices are closed, but parks and outdoor spaces are fully open — and after a weekend packed with racing and water parks, a relaxed Memorial Day in one of the county’s parks is a perfect way to close out the long weekend.
| 🇺🇸 County Offices Closed | Parks Open | Water Parks in Full Swing |
How to Spend Memorial Day in Hendricks County
- Head back to Murphy Aquatic Park or Splash Island for a second water park day — or try the other one if you already visited Saturday
- Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon at McCloud Nature Park, W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, or Ellis Park along White Lick Creek
- Take a family hike or bike ride on the Vandalia Trail or B&O Trail
- Fire up the grill at any of the county’s parks with picnic shelters — many allow reservations for the holiday
- Visit Beasley’s Orchard in Danville for fresh produce and a classic Indiana farm experience
| 🇺🇸 A Moment to Remember Memorial Day is also a time to pause and honor those who gave their lives in military service. Hendricks County has a strong tradition of community and service — take a moment this Monday to reflect on the meaning behind the holiday as you enjoy the long weekend. |
Bonus: Don’t Miss These Events the Week After
The fun doesn’t stop when Memorial Day ends. Two outstanding events kick off in the days immediately following the holiday weekend that are worth putting on your calendar right now.
| Summer Fun Run & Walk Series — Kickoff at Hummel Park Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 4:30–6:30 PM | Hummel Park, Plainfield, IN |
The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County launches its 2026 Summer Fun Run & Walk Series on Wednesday, May 27 at Hummel Park in Plainfield. This beloved annual series takes participants to a different Hendricks County park or trail each week from May through mid-August — and it’s one of the best ways to explore the county’s outdoor spaces with your community.
| 📅 May 27 – Aug 17, 2026 | Kickoff: Hummel Park, 4:30 PM | 12 Parks + T-shirt |
- Weekly marked courses at a different park or trail each week — run, walk, bike, or roll
- Join the group Wednesday evenings 4:30–6:30 PM, or go on your own schedule (Wednesday–Monday each week)
- Series includes 12 parks across the county including McCloud, W.S. Gibbs, Williams Park, Washington Township Park, and many more
- Registration: $35 individual, $100 for a family of four. Includes T-shirt and a kickoff party
- Proceeds benefit the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County, which awards grants to improve county parks
| 🌿 Great for New Residents If you’ve recently moved to Hendricks County — or you’re considering a move — the Summer Fun Run Series is one of the best ways to discover the county’s parks and meet your neighbors. You’ll see parts of the county most residents never explore, and you’ll understand quickly why outdoor quality of life is such a strong draw for families here. |
| The Disco Circus at Hendricks Live! Friday, May 29, 2026 | 8:00 PM | 200 W. Main St., Plainfield, IN |
If your Memorial Day weekend energy hasn’t quite run out by Friday, Hendricks Live! in Plainfield is serving up one of the most fun shows of the year: The Disco Circus, a high-energy, theatrical 1970s disco tribute act that combines the spectacle of a three-ring circus with the best dance music of the decade. This is the group’s debut performance at Hendricks Live!, and it’s part of the venue’s York Automotive Concert Series.
| 📅 Friday, May 29 | 🕗 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM | 🎟️ $30–$50 | hendrickslive.org |
Think platform shoes, bell bottoms, sparkles, and music that gets the entire room on its feet. The Disco Circus creates a next-level nostalgic experience by combining live 1970s hits with genuine theatrical production value. If you’re in town through the holiday weekend — or you’re a local looking for a great Friday night out — this is an easy yes.
- Tickets: $30–$50, available at hendrickslive.org
- Hendricks Live! is located at 200 W. Main St. in downtown Plainfield — a 600-seat venue that opened in 2024
- Plenty of dining options within walking distance in The Shops at Perry Crossing
Why This Weekend Captures Everything Special About Hendricks County
Memorial Day weekend in Hendricks County is a perfect snapshot of what makes this county worth living in — and worth knowing about. In a single long weekend, you get world-class motorsports heritage at Lucas Oil IRP, the world’s most famous race just down the road, the opening of two excellent family water parks, and a live entertainment venue delivering Broadway-quality programming right in downtown Plainfield.
This isn’t Indianapolis. This is a county that has built its own identity, its own events calendar, and its own quality of life that stands completely on its own — while still being close enough to the city to enjoy everything it has to offer.
If you’re visiting for the first time this race weekend, we hope you see what we see every day: a community that values outdoor life, local events, and the kind of authentic Hoosier hospitality that makes people stop passing through and start thinking about putting down roots.
| Thinking About Making Hendricks County Home? Race week has a way of making people fall in love with this area. If you find yourself thinking ‘I could live here’ while you’re enjoying the weekend — give us a call. We’d love to show you what’s available and what life in Hendricks County looks like the other 51 weekends of the year. We know this county. Let us help you find your place in it. THE HAMMEL TEAM Jeanette: 317-409-9280 | Doug: 317-903-4567 jhammel@callcarpenter.com | dhammel@callcarpenter.com https://jeanettehammel.callcarpenter.com |
Note: Event dates, times, and details are based on information available as of May 2026. Always verify current information with each venue before attending. Water park opening dates are subject to weather and operational conditions.
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