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    Kroger Symphony on the Prairie

    4.3 (63 reviews)

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    ABBAMANIA-the dance floor filled quickly
    Lien K.

    A favorite summer night out activity! Arrive early to get a good spot, especially if it's hot and you're hoping for some shade before the sun goes down. You can pack in any and all food and drinks. There are also on site vendors. If you park out in the field it can be quite a walk but in the past, there has been a shuttle available and the Boy Scouts also offer help carrying your stuff for a donation. Note that snything with a flame is prohibites-tiki torched, grills and candles. The time before the show starts goes fast when you're eating and enjoying your company. The venue itself has a fun atmosphere. It does get crowded but I've always had great neighbors at this event-a few times we have shared food or forgotten items!

    Niki B.

    Nothing says summer more than Symphony on the Prairie! Buy a summer ticket package to save money and so you can go to multiple shows! Invite all your friends, pack a picnic and bring a blanket -- then arrive early so you can sprawl out, snag a space and enjoy a nice bottle of wine or snacks. The concert line-up is always amazing and family-friendly. Some of my upcoming favorites include: Queen, Elton John, and Broadway hits. So excited! We went to a Michael Jackson Symphony on the Prairie last year, and everyone was dancing around in the grass, having a great time. Every concert is always packed, but you'll always at least find a little chunk of grass. There's also local snack and drink options including Sun King, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and much more. Everyone definitely needs to attend at least one of these fun concerts! The tickets are reasonably priced too!

    Reserved seating area

    Not tons of food options (aside from the usual Connor Prairie concessions and lots of alcohol) when I went for Cody Fry. It was a fantastic show, though, and I recommend these seats if you're looking to hear the orchestra as acoustically as possible, as long as you're willing to splurge a little.

    Symphony on the Prairie
    Shelly B.

    We love Symphony on the Prairie as a date night or fun family night out. Here are my tips: Ride Your Bike- If you're close enough and have good safety lights/reflectors on your bike you should consider riding to the concert. You will be able to easily bypass parking traffic on entering and exiting the venue. We were able to pile all of our necessities in the bike trailer with our daughter and it made for a special little spot for her to play with toys when she got restless.  Get up close- It's often intimidating to get up close to the orchestra members during a performance at the Hilbert Theater. At Conner Prairie you have the chance to show your children the performers in action by getting close to the stage. Check out the Teddy Bear series for preschoolers as well as Community Concerts (free) where families can learn more about playing in the orchestra.  BYOT- Bring your own treats! Although Conner Prairie has concessions at the event, there's nothing like packing your own picnic for an outdoor concert. I've seen everything from people bringing in Jimmy John's to people setting up a table with candles, linens and place settings for a gourmet meal! Our favorite treats are chicken salad on croissants, potato salad, frozen grapes and chocolate covered strawberries. Bring the fun- Symphony on the Prairie is a great chance to introduce young children to the arts. It's a wide open area for children to be able to dance and sing as they wish. We like to bring light up toys like Lite Brite or Crayola Light Up Drawing Pad. If we know we're in a kid zone or it's an especially kid friendly event, we'll break out the light up balloons and glow necklaces. Let your family choose- Check the Symphony on the Prairie series lineup and ask your family which ones they want to attend. The ISO performs their top concerts each year (John Williams and Beatles) so if you aren't able to attend multiple you won't miss out. The Star Spangled Symphony is an awesome event. Very kid friendly and they have an amazing firework show.

    Karley C.

    I think going to Symphony on the Prairie is a "must-do" for all Indy residents--it is such a unique experience! Pros: You will see some of the most impressive picnic spreads at this event. People pull out all the stops--some even brining table decor and candles. After attending two shoes, I can also promise you that the music will always be good. This is a great place to come together with family and friends to enjoy all that summer has to offer: warm weather, picnics, and outdoor concerts. Cons: Really, the only con is if you don't bring a lawn chair (trust me, you'll want one) and the parking situation.

    Brady R.

    SOTP is a staple summer event for many in the central Indiana area. I mean, c'mon, what can be better: BYO drinks, eats, chairs, blankets, etc. all while listening to the ISO play tunes, enjoying the summer weather, with the sunset in the background and hanging with friends/family. I've been a handful of times and every time I have sat in the grassy hilly area with friends where we're able to make a picnic out of the event. Everyone brings wines, drinks, local eats, and more. You're able to hangout and create an experience out of the event. I most recently came for the 2019 season opener, the Broadway Rock of Ages. Honestly, I had no idea the ISO wasn't going to be performing, and instead, it was a karaoke-like rockband. I wasn't a fan. New for the 2019 season, they have offered front-row, assigned seating for front-row experiences. This also includes private, VIP, A/C'd bathrooms and it seemed like the bar staff were coming around and serving drinks as well. In theory, this setup sounds amazing, and if you're a die-hard fan for whomever is performing, it's totally for you. Sadly, I was there more for the experience of hanging with fellow Yelpers, sharing local wines and foods, and seeing the sunset in the background. The front-row experience doesn't allow for that, sadly at all. While there seems to be good intentions, I'm not sure I'm a fan. It takes away from the whole SOTP experience that we've all come to love and enjoy. Again, that was my personal experience - others seemed to love the opportunity to be front-row.

    Star Spangled Symphony night
    Lakisha C.

    I've always brought my own food or eaten before coming to Symphony on the Prairie, but since before my last visit there was no time to get food, it was my first time actually paying attention to food available at the venue. Leaving this brief review on food vendors since I couldn't find anything online about what types of concessions were available. The Prairie Grille is the main option for a meal at Symphony on the Prairie. They sell hot dogs and fries for about $3 each. There are also burgers, chicken fingers and tenderloin sandwiches for $7 each, vanilla or chocolate ice cream for $3 and water/soft drinks for $2.50. They also have cheese fries and chili cheese fries. Adjoining vendors have pretzels, popcorn, kettle corn, Dippin Dots and elephant ears. The Apple Store, to the right of the entry gates, has a variety of snacks and apple-based treats. A brief walk to the right, after the entry gates and past the Prairie Grill and restrooms is a tent where you can purchase alchoholic drinks. I had the tenderloin sandwhich and a limited-time option, loaded potato wedges, and thought both were pretty good. The size of each of those was very large and could be easily split between two people. I also got the kettle corn, which is amazing! More often than not, your order will be hot out of the kettle they have on-site, and available in small ($2), medium ($6) and large ($9) sizes.

    Got an extra ticket for the husband's bday!
    Libby B.

    ROCK ON! I wish weather hadn't cut things short because I was having the best time! The reserved seating section up front is brand new, and if you want to be front and center, that's the way to go! It looks like you can bring small coolers in as well so you don't sacrifice some of the comforts of the lawn, but you are assigned seats so you don't have the luxury of spreading out and making your own way here. Also, the events aren't just the symphony! We got to watch the Broadway band of Rock of Ages! It was just the perfect way to celebrate my husband's bday because he loves this music! I had a lot of fun too. Can we do it again?? This was a full on replay of the Rock of Ages songs so it's not always pure symphonic music! I loved the reserved seating, but the lawn looks like so much fun! The reserved seating also comes with private bathrooms and a personal bartender. Now that I have been to this event once, I'm going to have to go again!

    That's me on the far right, chomping on some grapes :)
    Brian M.

    I love a great summer night at the Symphony on the Prairie! The theater is set at the bottom of a slight hill. This works great - come, set up a spot on the grass and because of the hill, it is hard to find a bad spot. I love that you can bring all sorts of food and drinks - alcohol included. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets (leave your video cameras at home though - not allowed). Some people go all out on the food and others keep it simple. And, for an extra charge, you can reserve an up front table for your group. I have heard various bands and orchestras here. As I write this, I am in an intermission for the band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, swinging hits from the roaring '20s. And this year (2017) the kids can earn a free ticket thru the Indy Library summer reading program. Free tickets or not, buy your "non-free" tickets in advance (available at Kroger or the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra box office - early tickets save $13 on an adult ticket. It is a hit with our family!

    Our picnic area
    Samantha K.

    We always have a great time here, the music is always great and the vendors are even better. I got a wine slushee at the jack Daniels tent, we saw the temptations preform (so good) my parents got there at 6:15 (show started at 8) to get a good spot. Which can be annoying but with everything the night comes with I think it's worth it. You can bring a cooler with food and drinks, blankets, tables, chairs, a candle. Just a super good time all around

    General seating
    Cara S.

    This is such a nice venue and concert series, plus the workers are all happy and friendly. I loved being able to bring a picnic and some wine to enjoy an outdoor concert with friends. We all had a great time, and the bands (Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, with Seratones as openers) REALLY ROCKED!

    VIP seating near the stage. This is Joel Hoekstra who gave one of the best guitar performances I've ever seen live.
    Jacob D.

    (I mistakenly left my review at Connor Prairie Events, so reposting here!) Coming for Symphony on the Prairie is always a blast, and now that I've been three times I feel confident in saying it's one of the best ways to celebrate warm weather and a love of music. There are several ways to plan a trip, so you can pick your favorite. The standard ticket prices are low, and allow you to make camp out on the grass. This is actually my favorite way to go with a group of people. Bring all of your picnic/tailgate stuff and enjoy an evening on the lawn with friends, family, and music. Conversely, if you want a table or chair provided for you, there's a small up charge, but it's great if you don't have or don't want to bring any blankets and furniture. Finally, the VIP tickets get you a seat right next to the stage with your own bathrooms and a bartender who will bring your drink orders to you. I did this just recently when I came solo, and it was an excellent experience to be right next to the stage and the music. No matter how you do it, you can't go wrong. Just go, you're going to have a blast.

    Jen K.

    I went to see Broadway's rock of the ages band and they killed it! I loved their energy! The venue allows you to bring your own cooler and most people bring chairs to sit on the lawn. The concert was cut short a bit because severe weather was moving in, but the venue management were very good at informing us on the status. And they made sure we all got out in time before the storm rolled in. It was a super cool experience, got reserved seats and it was great! I would definitely recommend bringing your own food&drinks as it can be quite pricey to buy here.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kroger Symphony on the Prairie

    Is there room in the Sunset Lounge seating to bring your own picnic food?

    Yes you can but get there early or you won't be under the lounge roof. If not you'll be in one of the Adirondack chairs on the surrounding lawn area.

    FIRST TIMER AT THIS VENUE!! Is it worth upgrading to the Sunset Lounge or reserved seating, if so which is better!! I prefer not to wast my money if not worth it?

    Personally, the normal seating is just fine for me! But it's all very subjective so I'd go one time and scope out the seating for yourself!

    Has anyone ever purchased a table for one of these events? We are trying to avoid having to be there super early to stake out a spot for a group of 8

    Yes the tables are nice! We've done it twice.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Kroger Symphony on the Prairie

    Perfect for a picnic with the whole family or just an easy relaxing night on the lawn with your loved one.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Nickel Plate District Amphitheater

    Nickel Plate District Amphitheater

    3.8
    (36 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $

    Had some amazing food from food trucks & Toy Factory out on a great show! Ambiance was perfect for…read morea Great summer night

    What a venue, what a show, what a night. I was at Nickel Plate District Amphitheater for the Built…read moreto Spill / Yo La Tengo concert, and it was amazing. Live music feeds the soul, and this concert fed me well. I've been listening to Yo La Tengo since high school, and Built to Spill since several years ago, and never did I anticipate that I'd see them in real life. They just lived in my mind and in my headphones as soul-nourishing entities. And yet, I got to see them play live! In Fishers, Indiana, of all places! I love that Nickel Plate District Amphitheater has been able to bring in some top-notch musical artists lately. It's so great to see bands that I consider elite playing so close to home. I don't even know if I should mention this. But, at one point, I left the venue proper, and was standing outside of the barriers. I could hear and see the concert as clear as if I were in the venue! One of the advantages of an outdoor concert venue. So, I don't know: If you happened to walk up to the venue and didn't have a ticket, but you were a big fan of the artist playing, you would get a satisfactory experience even just standing near this outdoor venue. I'm just saying! Nickel Plate makes it easy on its guests to get through the gates. You do not need a clear bag -- any bag will do, but they will check it. You're allowed to bring your own chairs and blankets. They say no outside food and beverages, but I had an unopened bottle of water in my bag, and they didn't say anything about it. Basically, this is a chill venue at which to see music. They don't allow you to bring alcohol, but if you wanted such a thing, there are two tents available with drinks for sale like canned cocktails, beer, sparkling wine and TCH/CBD-infused beverages. They will make you a gin and tonic, if you want. (Ask me how I know! Actually, don't.) There are also food trucks, with some very tasty food options. There's lots of room in the grassy general seating area to spread out. Everyone I came in contact with was super respectful of space. No one stood in front of me and blocked my view like I thought might happen. (This happens to me a lot -- it's all a part of being a shawty.) Overall, Nickel Plate was a great place to see two bands I love in an outdoor space on a perfect-weather day.

    Photos
    Fishers Blues Fest
    Fishers Blues Fest
    Nickel Plate District Amphitheater
    Nickel Plate District Amphitheater
    Two nights of great blues music!

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    Two nights of great blues music!
    Ruoff Music Center

    Ruoff Music Center

    3.3
    (250 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$$

    Went to see Sammy Hagar at this amphitheater. We needed a cheaper option than the auditorium…read moreseating and I have some mobility challenges that make it difficult for me to sit on the ground or use beach style camp chairs. We asked for ADA seating to accommodate my needs. I noticed all areas were clean and in good repair. Walking in, there was a large courtyard area with many options for food and drinks as well as merch sales. There are also plentiful, clean restrooms. An attendant showed us to the ADA area when asked. She took the time to wipe off our seats with a towel to dry the rain off of them. There was a supply of folding chairs at the pavilion where we were seated as well as ample space for wheelchairs. It was a good view of the stage as well. The quality of sound of both the opening and headlining acts was excellent. The large video screens are nice to see a closer view in real time. The one closest to us had a big section blacked out but there were several others to look at and it did not decrease enjoyment. My only issue were the ridiculously high prices for drinks. We spent almost as much on drinks as we did on tickets and we did not drink that much. Pricing was comparable to a big music festival. That was disappointing, but not that surprising. One more note, it's worth it to pay for priority parking. However, parking, entering and exiting were pretty fast and well organized. We really enjoyed our experience here and as it is a close enough drive to Louisville that we could comfortably come home that same night, we will be on the lookout for other artists we would like to see at this venue.

    First show here this weekend (DMB). The sound and layout are great, the staff I interacted with…read morewere friendly, and the amenities (e.g. food options etc.) are fine. I'll be back for a show in a couple of months and see how that compares. The biggest knock against it is that it is a s**tshow once you get out of a concert. No signage, no layouts, not enough lights along the paths to the different parking lots. Whether you parked or need a rideshare, you're in for a haul. No cell signals. Getting into the show at the start of the night was a bit chaotic too-- we parked in a lot and walked where we were told to when we asked for directions to the west gate (though the staff member had no idea what "west gate" meant, he took his best guess-- and once we got there it read "west gate" in marker along the entryway). This led us into an area near the gate entry bypassing security until someone eventually ushered all of us who had ended up there out to a longer line at a different gate. As fan club members for the band we were supposed to have early entry and our own line, which we eventually did at the last minute as they combed through the GA line to redirect folks. I won't downgrade them for the drink prices though they are predictably outrageous-- $20 a beer and up. I simply stick to the water refill stations in these bigger venues because I never need a beer that bad, and not paying those prices should in time lower them to a reasonable level. Parking is fairly priced ($20 in advance, $25 day of). Plenty of porta potties and some bathrooms. We drove and parked this time, I'm doing rideshare next time--though that looks haphazard because though internet research tells me gate 2A is for rideshare, it's not labelled when the show ends to tell you how to get to that or any gate and you're forced to walk along with the flow of traffic. And getting an uber out of here would be impossible without a cell signal, but I hear there's a walkway to get you out of the general area and into a more populated business area so that's what I will try. TL:DR-- for a mid-sized outdoor venue this one is good to solid, great sound/acoustics. The organization and entrance/exit leave a lot to be desired.

    Photos
    Let's go!
    Let's go!
    Hozier!
    Hozier!
    Seating can be somewhat different for shows, but got a great seat.

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    Seating can be somewhat different for shows, but got a great seat.
    Fishers Nickle Plate District

    Fishers Nickle Plate District

    3.6
    (7 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $

    It is an interesting, happening area. You can walk the trail and swing on the different types…read more(singles, couples, opposites, nearby, and at a distance) of chair swings. Stairs to climb if you want more exercise. I like the amphitheatre for the free concerts. On the same grounds are the summer Saturdays Farmers Market, which you can see my reviews on their Yelp page. I am currently expecting to see the fireworks after dark; I saw the terrific drone show accompany songs this past Tuesday. Tomorrow is the 2-9 pm festival with again ferris wheel with waiver and $5 for 5 kids activities,parade, community vendors, Hamilton East Public Library, etc. I was intrigued by Bay Area Bistro food special for this Friday night of 2 for $5 or $3 each of a pancit (chicken, rice noodles, carrots and cabbage) or mac-N-cheese egg rolls. I ate 2 pancits with the sweet mango sauce. Now I feel stuff and need to walk more around the district. A recommendation is to have filter water from new sensored bottle water fountains by the center restrooms and actually near each restroom area. I prefer more and clearly labeled recycling containers.

    Fishers has done a great job building up the NPD into a "one stop shop" for everyone's needs…read more Necessities like the library & post office to really fun things like weekly farmers markets , the fishers amphitheater & countless delicious restaurants & shops are all scattered throughout. Not to mention everything is easily walkable, including the nearby Nickel Plate trail!

    Photos
    Inside chicken, rice noodles, cabbage and carrots with sweet mango sauce.  Wonderful!
    Inside chicken, rice noodles, cabbage and carrots with sweet mango sauce. Wonderful!
    My pancits egg rolls
    My pancits egg rolls
    These were fun

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    These were fun

    Kroger Symphony on the Prairie - theater - Updated July 2026

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