There are few moments in Indianapolis that feel more like home than Parade Day.
This weekend, we had the opportunity to experience the 70th Annual Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade as media, and if there is one thing we were reminded of, it is this: Indy in May simply hits different.
Long before engines fire up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, downtown Indianapolis becomes its own celebration. Streets fill with families, race fans, marching bands, local pride, and the unmistakable energy that tells you Race Weekend has officially arrived. The 2026 parade celebrated its 70th anniversary with the theme “Racing Through History,”honoring decades of tradition connected to both the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500.
The Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade stepped off at noon on Saturday, May 23, with festivities beginning earlier in the morning throughout downtown Indianapolis. Thousands lined the streets to take in one of Indiana’s most beloved traditions.
And honestly?
No matter how many times you experience it, the feeling never gets old.
There is something nostalgic about watching downtown transform into a giant celebration of community and motorsports. Kids waving flags, fans wearing driver gear, music echoing through city blocks, and photographers trying to catch that perfect frame all became part of the experience.
As media, we spent the day moving through the crowds, capturing moments and soaking in the atmosphere that only Parade Day can create.
This year’s “Racing Through History” theme felt especially meaningful.
The parade’s floats paid tribute to racing history, Indianapolis traditions, and major milestones connected to both the city and the Indy 500 legacy. The 2026 parade featured creative float designs, giant balloons, performers, celebrities, and visual nods to the past and future of Indianapolis motorsports.
One of the highlights was seeing how each float carried its own story.
From racing heritage to innovation and community celebration, the visuals reflected why this parade continues to matter generation after generation.
It is not just about spectacle.
It is about identity.
For many Hoosiers, the 500 Festival Parade is woven into family memories and yearly traditions.
Of course, one of the biggest reasons fans gather each year is to see the 33 Indy 500 drivers before Race Day.
The parade once again featured all 33 competitors preparing for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, giving fans an opportunity to celebrate the drivers outside the speedway environment.
That connection between drivers and fans is something we always love seeing.
You could feel the excitement build every time a driver approached. People cheered, pointed, waved signs and tried to capture the moment on their phones.
It felt less like a formal event and more like a city-wide celebration.
And maybe that is exactly why the parade continues to resonate after seven decades.
Beyond racing, the parade continues to showcase something equally important: community.
Marching bands from across the country brought incredible energy to downtown, adding rhythm and movement to the experience while continuing one of the parade’s longest-standing traditions.
The performances, local groups and crowd interaction reminded us that the 500 Festival is larger than a single event.
It represents Indianapolis itself.
The people.
The culture.
The shared excitement that makes May feel unlike any other month in Indiana.
By the time the final floats rolled through downtown, one thing felt clear.
The 500 Festival Parade is not simply a lead-up to the Indianapolis 500.
It is part of the Indy 500 experience.
It marks the emotional beginning of Race Weekend.
For locals, it is tradition. For visitors, it is a glimpse into what makes Indianapolis special. And for us at We Like Indy, it was a reminder of why we love documenting this city in the first place.
The engines may roar tomorrow.
But today belonged to downtown.
And once again, Indy showed up. ❤️
Photos by We Like Indy Team.
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