Make wishtv.com your home page

Bacon, holiday shopping, music among Top 8 things to do in Indy this weekend

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Food, holiday festivities and music highlight the Top 8 things to do in Indy this week, Nov. 17-19.

Indy Bacon Week

Next week’s culinary focus might be turkey, but this week belongs to all things BACON in Indy! Through Sunday, stop by at one of over 30 participating local restaurants that are offering $5 bacon dishes. View a full list of participants and their offers!

13th annual Mass Ave Midnight Shopper

We’re still a week away from Thanksgiving, which means stores have already skipped the last full week of November to get a jump on the Christmas holiday shopping craze. This Friday, beat next week’s Black Friday rush by heading to Mass Ave between 6 p.m. and midnight to get the good deals. After you’re done shopping, head to one of the many other typical late-night spots for food and drinks!

16th Tonic Ball

This year’s music festival in Fountain Square is Friday the 17th, featuring over 70 bands at five different venues, all to support Second Helpings Food Rescue, Hunger Relief and Job Training programs. It’s recommended that you get to your venue and parking spots early with huge crowds and limited capacity at many of the shows.

Holiday craft shows

Holiday craft show season ramps up this weekend and the Irvington community as well as Westfield and Greenwood high schools are all hosting local, festive goods.

Irvington Historical Society Holiday Fair doors open at 7 p.m. Friday for a ticketed event again on Saturday free to the public. The show is at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave.

In Hamilton County, Westfield High School will be home to Westfield Band Boosters annual Holiday Craft Show, billed as one of central Indiana’s largest craft show events featuring live music, concessions, a bake sale, visits with Santa and over 150 all-handmade craft vendors. Check it out from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for just $3. Children younger than 13 are admitted free.

In Johnson County, Greenwood High School will host The Social of Greenwood Holiday Gift & Craft Show on Saturday featuring homemade gifts, home decor, baked goods, jewelry, Scentsy, LulaRoe and more. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with $1 admission.  Children younger than 13 are admitted free.

Art events

80th annual Student Art Show and 10th annual Autumn Art Fair

This year marks the 80th annual Student Art Show at the Indianapolis Art Center. Students and adults will compete for a chance at over $5,000 in awards with the ceremony taking place at 6:45 p.m. The show is open 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the center, 820 E. 67th St.

The Garfield Park Arts Center 10th annual Autumn Art Fair is a FREE two-day event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It will feature crafts and art from Indiana artisans. Check out the work and get a jump on holiday shopping.

‘Lights at the Brickyard’

The holiday light display at Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for its second season this weekend and runs until Dec. 30. This year’s display features over 2.5 million lights and a two-mile route. Tickets will run from $25 to $50 depending on the day you go and if you’re driving a bus of people to see the lights. A speedy pass runs a bit more, but could be worth it on a weekend to cut the line. Hours vary by day.WATCH: ‘Lights at the Brickyard’ returns to IMS for holiday season

Junior League Holiday Mart

Holiday Mart takes place at the Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Over 10,000 shoppers are expected this year with roughly 150 merchants showcasing their holiday shopping goods. This event runs thorough Sunday with different hours each day. Ticket cost from $10 in advance online to $15 at the door.

Music roundup

If your favorite music event at the Tonic Ball is already sold out, here are some other acts this Saturday you might be interested in seeing.

Jack and Jack will be performing at the Old National Centre at 7:30 p.m. with tickets running from $20-30. All ages are welcome.

If you’re a bluegrass fan, head over the Vogue Theatre at 8 p.m. for the 2017 Bluegrass Can Jam. Indy’s best bluegrass bands — Flatland Harmony Experiment, Midwest Rhythm Exchange, The Hammer and The Hatchet and The Stampede String Band — will jam out for a great cause. Tickets will run you $5 or you can get in for free with a donation of three or more nonperishable canned food items. Donations go straight to Gleaner’s Food Bank.

The Hi-Fi will host Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket with Steelism with doors opening at 8 p.m. It’s a 21-and-older crowd. Ticket go for $15.