Mass Ave Indy – 2025 Annual Report
Mass Ave Indy continues to thrive as a vibrant cultural arts district in downtown Indianapolis. In 2025, we deepened our commitment to arts, placemaking, historic preservation, walkability, equity, and community engagement. This report highlights key events, initiatives, and impacts from the past year.
Clean & Green Activities
Mass Ave’s beauty is powered by community. Over 110 volunteers and flowerbed sponsors help maintain 52 flowerbeds through year-round weeding, mulching, and planting. Despite drought challenges in 2025, their efforts help brighten the district and enhance walkability.
Looking ahead, we plan to reformat the program in 2026 to create a more sustainable model to ensure Mass Ave remains a welcoming streetscape that reflects the spirit of the neighborhood.
Rooftop Community Socials
Held twice a year, Rooftop Community Socials are vibrant evenings of connection and celebration. Residents, donors, volunteers, and local business owners come together to mix and mingle while enjoying complimentary bites and drinks, live music, and breathtaking views of Mass Ave from the Marietta Building rooftop. In 2025, Mass Ave welcomed over 85 community members to these memorable gatherings!
Scenes from Mass Ave Summerfest, 2025
Summerfest: A day of festivities on Saturday, July 19
Summerfest was a celebration of community, creativity, and local pride! Attendees explored the Mass Ave Mile sidewalk sale, joined a History Walking Tour, enjoyed live outdoor music, and browsed over 35 local maker booths at the Summerfest Block Party—making it the perfect event for families visiting for the WNBBA All-Star Game.
While thunderstorms brought the festivities to an early close, the turnout was still fantastic! Thanks to the Firefighters Union for generously loaning their stage, and to Cunningham Restaurant Group for sponsoring an incredible music lineup produced by Ear Candi Group. Volunteers kept the energy flowing with a free golf-cart shuttle, which was a hit with sidewalk shoppers. Many local makers were able to take home extra revenue, despite the weather. More about Summerfest here: Summerfest Wrap-Up
Mass Ave Indy Phone App Launched in 2025
2025: A Digital Debut at Mass Ave Summerfest
The app offers an interactive district map and real-time details about events. Since its debut, Mass Ave has continued to update the app’s events and news sections, keeping the community informed and engaged. Another treasure hunt is already scheduled for the Late Nite Shopper event in November, promising more fun and local exploration. Download the Mass Ave Phone App
Scooter Parking Demonstration Program on Mass Ave
The city is using Mass Ave as a demonstration project to test the effectiveness of geofenced scooter parking areas. Scooter parking companies are required to designate the painted areas as the only place you can park a scooter on Mass Ave, otherwise the scooter meter will not turn off. This will apply on Mass Ave two-blocks wide from New York Street to Bellefontaine Street.
The Benefits of Scooter Parking
Safe and designated parking encourages more users to choose micro-mobility options, improving access to businesses, residences, the Cultural Trail, bus stops and parking garages along Mass Ave
Scooter parking minimizes sidewalk clutter, making the sidewalks safer, maintaining ADA access and pedestrian safety
This demonstration project allows the City to collect usage data, helping it optimize parking locations, capacity, and policies for future expansion.
Holiday Marketing to Support Mass Ave Businesses
Mass Ave Indy is celebrating the season with three festive programs:
Late Nite Shopper
Formerly Midnight Shopper, this beloved event invites night owl shoppers to enjoy deals, treats, and live music while strolling the avenue. Participating businesses stay open late, offer discounts, and donate a portion of proceeds to local charities. Guests can warm up with hot cider or cocoa and join a Virtual Treasure Hunt by scanning QR codes at checkout for a chance to win a stay at Bottleworks Hotel. Bonus: coordinated with Downtown Indy’s Winter Wanderland.
Small Business Saturday
To thank shoppers for their year-round support, participating merchants will hand out free “Shop Small” swag bags to the first 10 customers of the day—one lucky bag includes a “Super Swag” gift! Bonus: also part of Winter Wanderland.
Windows of Wonder
Launching the same night as Late Nite Shopper (Friday, Nov. 21), storefronts will light up with festive window displays and holiday lights. The program runs through January 2 and adds a magical touch to the district’s seasonal charm.
Safety and Security
The Mass Ave Safety and Security Committee works closely with IMPD to address crime, homelessness, and public safety throughout the district.
The committee develops and supports crime reduction strategies, promotes safety awareness among residents, businesses, and visitors, and leads initiatives to foster a secure and welcoming environment.
It also partners with Horizon House to support programs for individuals experiencing homelessness, including the Streets to Home initiative, which connects unsheltered individuals with housing and support services.
History Tours on Mass Ave
Mass Ave’s History Tours offer a fascinating look into one of Indianapolis’s most vibrant and storied districts. Led by board member Jeff Stroebel, these walking tours take participants on a journey through time—highlighting the avenue’s evolution from a 19th-century commercial corridor to a modern hub of arts, culture, and innovation.
Jeff has provided at least four tours this season!
Perfect for history buffs, curious locals, and out-of-town guests, the tours are offered during special events like Summerfest and Late Nite Shopper, and can also be scheduled for private groups.
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Mass Ave Indy fundraises and keeps donors engaged through a mix of creative events, community partnerships, and ongoing initiatives that highlight its cultural and economic impact:
Fundraising Strategies
- Annual Events: The Mass Ave Indy Fall Cabaret Show is a signature fundraiser featuring performances, immersive tours, raffles, and themed experiences. Proceeds support streetscape improvements, cultural programming, and district vitality. [givebutter.com]
- Direct Donations: Donors can contribute through one-time or monthly gifts via the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District website. Options include giving in honor or memory of someone, and donors can add personal notes to their contributions. [massaveindy.org]
- Flowerbed Sponsorships: Community members and businesses sponsor flowerbeds as part of the district’s beautification efforts, combining fundraising with visible impact. [massaveindy.org]
Donor Engagement
- Exclusive Experiences: Events like the Cabaret Show include behind-the-scenes tours, artist meet-and-greets, and speakeasy-style afterparties to create memorable donor experiences. [givebutter.com]
- Raffles and Incentives: Fundraisers often feature raffles and “Golden Ticket” prizes such as overnight stays at Bottleworks Hotel, dining packages, and entertainment bundles.
- Community Integration: Programs are often tied to broader city initiatives like Downtown Indy’s Winter Wanderland or Sports Events, increasing visibility and shared impact.
- Communication: Donors are invited to stay connected through newsletters and updates, reinforcing their role in Mass Ave’s sustainability.