March Madness Tips Off in Circle City
Big Ten hoops, Grammy-winning jazz, ballet magic, and big laughs take over Indy this weekend
Circle City is going all the way up this weekend. The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament takes over Gainbridge Fieldhouse for three days of wall-to-wall hoops, while Grammy-winning trumpet, world-class ballet, razor-sharp comedy, and a legendary musical tribute fill out the rest of the card across the 317. Here’s how to run it.
🏀 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament
Friday, Mar 6 – Sunday, Mar 8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
The biggest event of the weekend takes over Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament reaches its climax. This is the 27th time Circle City has hosted this tournament, and the quarterfinals tip off Friday with two sessions at 12:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Saturday’s semifinals bring the intensity at 2:00 PM on Big Ten Network, and Sunday’s championship game airs live on CBS at 2:15 PM. With 15 Big Ten schools battling it out, the energy inside the Fieldhouse — home of the Indiana Fever — will be absolutely electric. Single-session tickets start at $23.50, and all-session reserved seats are available for $170. This one’s all ages and stretches across three full days of tournament basketball.
The Move: Fuel up before the games at Hotboys Indy on Virginia Avenue (1004 Virginia Ave), just a quick 5-minute drive from Gainbridge Fieldhouse — grab a spicy chicken sandwich to match the tournament energy.
📍 Get tickets on Ticketmaster
🎺 Chris Botti
Friday, Mar 6 @ 8:00 PM at The Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts
Grammy Award-winning master trumpeter Chris Botti brings his legendary live show to Carmel’s stunning Palladium on Friday night. Known as the nation’s biggest-selling instrumental artist, Botti has mesmerized audiences alongside icons like Sting, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Yo-Yo Ma, and Andrea Bocelli. His performances blend jazz, pop, and classical influences into something truly unforgettable. Tickets start at just $26, with VIP packages available including meet-and-greet experiences and private green room access for the ultimate night out. This one’s all ages.
The Move: The Hotboys North Indy location in Carmel (4335 W 106th St) is just minutes from The Palladium — perfect for a pre-show dinner of Nashville hot chicken before the smooth jazz vibes.
📍 Get tickets at The Center Presents
🩰 The Sleeping Beauty — Indianapolis Ballet & Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Friday, Mar 6 @ 7:30 PM at Clowes Memorial Hall (also Saturday Mar 7 @ 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM)
Indianapolis Ballet and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra reunite for their third consecutive year of collaboration, this time presenting the timeless elegance of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty at Clowes Memorial Hall on the Butler University campus. Maestro Jack Everly conducts the ISO performing Tchaikovsky’s glorious 1889 score live while dancers bring the classic fairy tale to life with lavish costumes and stunning sets. The production runs approximately 2.5 hours and is recommended for ages 10 and up — three performances across Friday evening and two Saturday shows give you plenty of chances to catch this magical production.
The Move: Head to Hotboys Indy on Virginia Avenue (1004 Virginia Ave) before or after the show — it’s a short drive from Butler University, and the spicy chicken will wake up your senses for an evening of world-class ballet.
📍 Get tickets at Butler Arts Center
😂 Mark Normand — Live at Helium Comedy Club
Friday, Mar 6 & Saturday, Mar 7 at Helium Comedy Club
Dubbed by Jerry Seinfeld as “the best young up and coming comic,” Mark Normand brings his razor-sharp stand-up to downtown Indy’s Helium Comedy Club for a run of shows across Friday and Saturday. Fresh off the success of his 2023 Netflix special Soup to Nuts, which dominated the streamer’s Top Ten for weeks, Normand is one of the hottest names in comedy right now. Four showtimes are scheduled: Friday at 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM and Saturday at 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM. Shows are sold out or nearly sold out — check the Helium website for last-minute ticket releases or waitlist options. This intimate club setting means every seat is a good one, and tickets were priced at $62+. Note: this is an 18+ venue.
The Move: Helium Comedy Club is right downtown on Georgia Street — swing by Hotboys Indy on Virginia Avenue (1004 Virginia Ave) for Nashville hot chicken before or after the show, just a quick 5-minute drive south through Fountain Square.
📍 Get tickets at Helium Comedy Club
🎶 The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Sunday, Mar 8 @ 7:00 PM at Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Close out the weekend on a nostalgic note at the gorgeous Murat Theatre at Old National Centre with The Simon & Garfunkel Story. This internationally acclaimed touring production traces the journey of the most successful duo in pop music history — from their childhoods in Queens through their meteoric rise, breakup, and legendary 1981 Concert in Central Park reunion. Featuring a full live band performing all the hits alongside state-of-the-art video projections and archival footage, it’s an immersive theatrical experience that brings Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Sound of Silence, and Mrs. Robinson to vivid life. Tickets start at $46 and this one’s all ages.
The Move: Old National Centre is right in the heart of downtown Indy — stop by Hotboys Indy on Virginia Avenue (1004 Virginia Ave) for dinner before the show, it’s barely a 5-minute drive south and you’ll still make curtain with time to spare.
The Hotboys Connection
From Big Ten tournament madness at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to Grammy-winning jazz in Carmel, Tchaikovsky at Clowes, Mark Normand keeping it real at Helium, and a Simon & Garfunkel tribute closing it all out at the Murat — this weekend in Circle City has something for everybody. We’ve got the fuel to match.
- Indianapolis: 1004 Virginia Avenue — open in Fountain Square for the hoops fans, the comedy lovers, the ballet crowd, and everyone in between (11am – 9pm Sun – Thurs).
- Carmel: 4335 W 106th St, Suite 1300 — the move for North Indy and anyone heading to The Palladium for Chris Botti (11am – 9pm Sun – Thurs).
Hit the Fieldhouse, hit the Palladium, hit the hot chicken. See you in Naptown. 🔥