Penrod Arts Fair

View on map
Arts & CultureIndianapolis
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsPenrod began in 1967 as a fundraiser for
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Penrod Arts Fair in Indianapolis

A single-day juried art fair held the first Saturday of September on the Newfields museum campus in Indianapolis. Founded in 1967 to help fund the city's art museum, it now features hundreds of artists across five entertainment stages. Proceeds fund an ongoing arts grant program for area schools and nonprofits.

In 1967, a group of Indianapolis civic volunteers organized a fundraising art fair to help support the museum campus that would eventually become Newfields, home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Penrod began in 1967 as a fundraiser for what would become the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and its name honors Penrod Schofield, the title character of an Indianapolis-set novel by local author Booth Tarkington, giving the fair a distinctly literary local identity

02

The mystery stays covered

Run entirely by volunteers through the nonprofit Penrod Society, it remains a single-day event rather than a weekend-long fair, concentrating hundreds of artists and five stages of entertainment into one high-energy Saturday that funds an ongoing arts grant program for local schools and nonprofits

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The single-day

Water and renewal

Living ritual

five-stage format has remained Penrod's structural signature since its founding

The sacred route

Living ritual

distinguishing it from multi-day art fairs elsewhere in the city

The local code

Living ritual

A companion Evening with Penrod preview event

Tradition 5

Living ritual

launched in 2013

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and an Easel by Penrod studio-tour event

Tradition 7

Living ritual

launched in 2019

Tradition 8

Living ritual

have extended the organization's programming beyond the single fair day itself

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Penrod Arts Fair, plan transport around the exact Indianapolis venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to early-September Indianapolis weather, which can be warm and humid with a chance of thunderstorms; sun protection and rain awareness are both worth planning...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Penrod Arts Fair, stay near the part of Indianapolis you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.77 N, 86.16 WOpen in Google Maps

Indianapolis, IN

Nearest airportIND — Indianapolis
TransportFor Penrod Arts Fair, plan transport around the exact Indianapolis venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Penrod Arts Fair, stay near the part of Indianapolis you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Indianapolis via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Indianapolis, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to early-September Indianapolis weather, which can be warm and humid with a chance of thunderstorms; sun protection and rain awareness are both worth planning for.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Penrod Arts Fair?

Penrod Arts Fair is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Penrod Arts Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Indianapolis, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Indianapolis, IN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLpenrod.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →