The Indianapolis 500 Festival officially begins Friday, May 1, and is packed with events and activities leading up to the running of the Indy 500 on race day, May 24. Following is a calendar of events from the balloon festival to the Indy 500 parade and everything in between, plus practice and qualification dates at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to make sure you don't miss out on any of this year's action!
April 30-May 2: OneAmerica Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Thursday-Friday, April 30-May 1:
500 Mini-Marathon Expo
Admission: Free
Where: Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis
Friday, May 1:
Marsh Mini-Marinarathon, buffet-style pasta, salad, and desserts; live music; 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mini-Marathon Expo
Saturday, May 2:
- Mini-Marathon, downtown Indianapolis
- Post-Race Party until 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Where: Military Park, 100 N. West St., Indianapolis
May 1-3: Centennial Era Balloon Festival
Friday, May 1:
- Casey Jamerson live on the Coke Zero stage, 7:30 p.m.
- Evening Balloon Glow, 8-9 p.m.
Saturday, May 2:
- Founders Race, 7:30 a.m.
- Oliver Winery Wine Tasting, 6 p.m.
- Matt the Balloon Guy, 6 p.m.
- AT&T Yellow Pages Collectible Pin Distribution, 6 p.m.
- Josh Kelley, Ryan Cabrera, The Kin, and Brandon Whyde live on the Coke Zero stage, 6:30 p.m.
- Evening Balloon Glow, 8-9 p.m.
- Fireworks, following Balloon Glow
Sunday, May 3:
100 Years Race, 7:30 a.m.
Admission to all Balloon Festival events: Free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Gate 2
Tuesday, May 5:
- Firestone Indy Lights Practice, 9 a.m.
- Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Wednesday, May 6: Indianapolis 500 Opening Day
- Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program, 9 a.m.
- Indy 500 Practice, 2-6 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Thursday, May 7:
Indy 500 Practice
Admission*: $5; ages 5 and under free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Friday, May 8: Fast Friday
- Indy 500 Practice, 12-6 p.m.
- Indianapolis 500 Pole Day Qualifying Draw, 6 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Saturday, May 9: Pole Day
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 10
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Thursday, May 14:
Indy 500 Practice, 12-6 p.m.
Admission*: $5; ages 5 and under free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Friday, May 15
Indy 500 Practice, 12-6 p.m.
Admission*: $5; ages 5 and under free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Saturday, May 16:
500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard (Mayors Breakfast), including the crowning of the 2009 500 Festival Queen, 9:30 a.m.
Admission*: $60 per person; preferred corporate and community tables, $750 per table, 10 tickets per table or 8 tickets per table if you choose to sponsor an Indiana mayor and guest at your corporate table.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Day 3 Qualifications/Coke Zero Music Fest
- Indy 500 Practice, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
- Indianapolis 500 Qualifications for Positions 23-33, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 17
Armed Forces Day/Bump Day, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission*: $10; ages 5 and under free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Chase 500 Kids' Day Festival, 12-4 p.m
Admission: Free
Where: Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis
Wednesday, May 20
American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission*: $7; ages 6 and under free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Thursday, May 21
- Firestone Indy Lights Practice, 9-9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying, 3-4 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Friday, May 22
Miller Lite Carb Day
- Indy 500 Practice, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Firestone Freedom 100 Pre-Race, 12:15 p.m.
- Firestone Freedom 100 Race, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, 1:30-3 p.m.
- Miller Lite Carb Day Concert, with a live performance by 3 Doors Down on the Miller Lite Stage, 3:30 p.m.
- Vintage Car Laps, time TBA
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Memorial Service honoring Indiana's fallen soldiers, 12:00 p.m.
Admission: Free (free metered parking downtown 7 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Where: North steps of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis
Saturday, May 23
At the track:
- Indianapolis 500 Starting Field Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza, 9-10 a.m.
- Public Drivers' Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
500 Festival Character Breakfast, featuring
SpongeBob SquarePants, The Wiggles, Pablo and Tyrone from The Backyardigans, and more, 9:30-11 a.m.
Admission*: $25; ages 2 and under free; limited seating available
Where: Jillian's, 141 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis
IPL 500 Festival Parade, 12 p.m.
Admission*: TV/VIP reserved seats, $30; reserved chair seats, $17; reserved bleacher seats, $13.50; standing room along parade route, free
Where: Downtown Indianapolis
Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball, 6 p.m.
Admission: Call (317) 269-0420 for information
Where: Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Sunday, May 24: Indianapolis 500 Race
Admission*: Reserved seat tickets, $40-$150, depending on location; general admission tickets, $20, admission to grounds only, ages 5 and under free
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
*Tickets may be purchased in advance.