First timer’s guide: Symphony on the Prairie
Summertime is a great time to take in live music. For our family, summer is synonymous with Symphony on the Prairie – an outdoor concert event held at Conner Prairie in June, July, and August. I used to work at Conner Prairie managing the organization’s social media – including during concert season – and so our whole crew became well-acquainted with the ins and outs of these concerts.
If you’ve never been, Symphony on the Prairie is a fun event for the entire family but can be overwhelming.
Here are a few quick need-to-knows before your first concert:
1. Know how to get tickets.
The concert is managed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and although they take place outside on the massive lawn behind Conner Prairie’s Welcome Center, tickets are NOT sold by Conner Prairie.
You can purchase them online on the ISO’s website or at Kroger. Tickets are date-specific, so you’ll be buying only for the particular show you want. If you need to exchange your tickets, you’ll need to contact the ISO box office prior to the show start time by emailing iso@IndianapolisSymphony.org or by exchanging at the box office in person. Keep in mind - they play even in the rain if at all possible, but you can watch their Twitter or other social media for any cancellations due to weather.
Conner Prairie does not sell tickets on-site.
Every attendee over age three has to have a ticket to enter – and yes, they check – while children two and younger are free.
2. Understand how the seating works.
The lawn is open seating (or general admission), meaning you’ve gotta stake out a place to sit and claim your spot. You can bring chairs, blankets, whatever you’d like – just nothing that can obstruct the view of people behind you (like a large umbrella).
Pro tip: If it’s been raining, bring a tarp to put underneath blankets to avoid getting wet.
If the idea of laying claim to seating space is stress-inducing, there is the option to rent a table. Each table seats ten, but it’s important to know that the cost of a table is on top of the cost of tickets.
They’ve also recently added an option to purchase seats in the Huntington Bank Sunset Lounge. This is a covered area with its own bar and bathrooms – a definite perk at the more crowded concerts, especially on a kid-free date night!
3. Expect crazy parking.
I’m not gonna lie: Parking at Symphony at the Prairie is not great. It can take a long time to get out after a crowded show. However, I’ve found it helps if you go in knowing that and planning for it. You could put your kids in their PJs before they get into the car seats, or pack some pre-bedtime snacks to keep them occupied when you’re waiting to leave. For our family, we often leave before the final song – especially on the Fourth of July – to avoid the crowds.
They do offer Reserved Parking which will get you in and out quicker than the free parking would. Personally, I think the paid parking is totally worth it…but I also absolutely hate waiting in traffic. The call is yours!
4. Bring your own food.
There will be food, drinks, and even alcohol available for purchase – but honestly, I think half the fun is bringing your own. You can pack a cooler with your family’s favorite snacks, picnic food, beer, wine, soda – whatever you like. Don’t forget the plates, cups, and utensils, as well as a trash bag to throw it all away when you’re done.
Some of our favorites to bring have been bruschetta and cheese with bread, homemade popcorn, frozen berries or grapes (great when it’s hot!), chips and dip – plus a whole bunch of Sun King Cream Ale or chilled white wine. Yum!
5. Know that some shows are more crowded than others.
Some of the shows are going to get crowded. The Star-Spangled Symphony shows are especially packed. However, in my opinion, these are also the coolest shows. Who doesn’t love spectacular fireworks displays along with the music?!
If you’re worried about the crowds, you can get there early - like an hour early - to claim a parking spot and a good spot on the lawn. When I worked at Conner Prairie, some people would show up hours in advance (which was a little intense), but they knew where they wanted to be and got it. Again, knowing what to expect can help with planning, especially if you have younger kiddos.
