Free Taylor-Swift themed events to check out

It is (almost) Eras tour time!

Taylor Swift is getting ready to take over downtown Indianapolis for three shows at Lucas Oil Stadium, bringing in a few hundred thousand people and a significant economic impact.

Tickets, if you can get them, are available in some cases costs a pretty penny. If you’re looking for budget-friendly ways to get in on the fun this weekend, several Indianapolis organizations have rounded up some free entertainment and experiences.

Here are a few free Swift-themed events happening downtown this weekend.

Hear it in the silence: a silent disco by Taylor Swift

5-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at The Garage Food Hall, 906 Carrollton Ave. More information: bit.ly/4cYztf2

It’s a party, but only in your headphones. A silent disco DJ will spin Taylor throughout the night with headphones available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis. While you wait your turn, check out the Taylor-themed drink specials in the dining room, make friendship bracelets, or take photos in front of a custom backdrop. And since it’s Halloween, you also have the chance to enter the Show Us Your Era costume contest. Show up dressed as your favorite Taylor era for a chance to win prizes.

Swift City Sessions: Indy Arts Council-sponsored pop-up performances

2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on November 1 and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on November 2 and 3 at various locations in the city center. More information: bit.ly/4hjWQmN

More than 100 musicians and spoken word artists will host free pop-up performances at 13 locations in downtown Indianapolis.

Bicentennial Unity Plaza, 117 S. Pennsylvania St., near Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Capitol Avenue underpass, near Capitol and Louisiana Street
East and west blocks of Georgia Street
Hudnut Commons, 50 S. Capitol Ave.
Indiana Convention Center east and west (the convention center is located at 100 S. Capitol Ave.)
Indiana Repertory Theater (140 W. Washington St.)
Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St., across the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets
Lugar Plaza, 200 E. Washington St., outside the City-County Building
Monument Circle
Starbucks Patio (30 S. Meridian St.)
The intersection of Washington Street and West Street

Swift City Sessions: Make & Take art stations

2-6pm November 1 and 1-6pm November 2-3 at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. More information: bit.ly/4hjWQmN

These art activities, also presented by the Indy Arts Council, will give fans led by ArtMix the opportunity to create their own Eras-themed sunglasses, flower crowns, guitar picks, friendship bracelets and other Eras-themed crafts.

Spark on the Circle friendship bracelet workshop

Several times. Nov. 1-2 at Monument Circle. More information: Circlespark.org

Stop by Spark, a downtown park and recreation space, to make your own friendship bracelets to wear or trade with fellow fans. Custom Taylor-themed postcards will also be available for attendees to color and send for free.

In our STEM era with Purdue University and eleven Cosmetics

Nov. 2-3 at Circle Center Mall, 49 W. Maryland St. More information: bit.ly/3A0qQDf

A partnership between Purdue University And elf Cosmetics brings together music, beauty products and the scientific fields behind their creation. Visitors can create friendship bracelets with hidden messages in binary code, design a custom digital photo background for social media, try products at the elf Cosmetics Lip Oil Change and learn about women in motorsports, print a souvenir tote bag and more. They will also have the opportunity to make keychains and participate in STEM-focused activities with university representatives Women in Technology Program. Admission is free. To find this pop-up makerspace, enter the mall near Maryland and Illinois Streets and head up the escalators.

Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at [email protected]. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.