First Friday Art Openings and International Women’s Day Highlights in Indy Today

Celebrate First Friday and Community Connections

Indianapolis is buzzing this Friday, March 6, 2026, with a rich array of cultural gatherings, gallery openings, and community celebrations. Whether you are looking to explore the local art scene, participate in a global movement for women, or catch a theatrical performance, the city has a full itinerary for residents and visitors alike.

First Friday Art Gallery Receptions

The first Friday of the month brings its signature series of gallery openings and artist receptions across the city's creative hubs. Tonight’s highlights include:

• The Harrison Center: From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the center hosts several new exhibitions. Look for "Understories" by Meg Lagodzki in the Harrison Gallery, which explores forest textures through oil and collage. Other openings include the "Collage Culture" group show in the Gallery Annex and "Family Ties" in the Speck Gallery, featuring the creative bond of siblings Melanie Millis Wissel and Mark Millis.
• Athenaeum Art Space: Visit from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the opening of "Fieldnotes" by Deonna Craig. This exhibition features a body of work inspired by travel and return, with visible layers and rhythmic shifts in color.
• Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi): Join the CAMi campus from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the opening of "Crossroads," an exhibit curated by artist-in-residence India Hines.

International Women’s Day Celebration

Start your day early at the Indiana Government Center South (Auditorium) for the Indiana Commission for Women’s 2026 International Women’s Day event. Running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., this free public event features inspiring talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities focused on the achievements and resilience of women worldwide.

Theater and Live Performances

The stage lights are bright tonight with several major productions taking place across the city:

• The Sleeping Beauty: The Indianapolis Ballet and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra present this classic masterpiece at Clowes Memorial Hall starting at 7:30 p.m.
• Puffs: For those seeking a more comedic night, the "One Act for Young Wizards"—a parody of a certain famous wizarding school—takes the stage at Hendricks Live at 7:30 p.m.
• Latin Dance Party: The Jazz Kitchen celebrates Women's History Month with a Latin Dance Party beginning at 6 p.m., featuring free dance lessons and sets from local DJs.

Community Meetups

For a more tactile experience, head to The Stutz for the "March Scrap Social" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hosted by the Connection Club, this creative pop-up invites participants to slow down and create vision boards or personalized zines in a communal setting. Meanwhile, the Old National Centre hosts "Bingo Loco" at 8 p.m., a high-energy evening of bingo mixed with music and stage performances.