The actual race may be the main event at the Indianapolis 500, but that doesn’t mean the spectacle off the track lacks star power in its entertainment extras.
A collection of annual concerts are headed to Indianapolis Motor Speedway to soundtrack the 110th running of the Indy 500. The rocking Carb Day concert will cap the drivers’ final practice May 22 and officially kick off the 500 weekend, while the pulsing electro chaos of Snake Pit will see DJs spinning all throughout race day May 24.
The day before the race typically sees a country artist headline the Legends Day concert, but IMS announced Legends Day show will not take place this year.
This is your guide to the live music set for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing:
Carb Day: Tickets, headliners, set times and more
Sing “sha la la la la” and say hey to Mr. Jones with ’90s alternative favorites Counting Crows, who get top billing on this year’s Carb Day concert with a set scheduled for 5:45 p.m. The group joins past headliners like Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Poison’s Bret Michaels, who led the show last year. Fellow alt rockers Switchfoot will open at 4 p.m.
Before the music begins, catch the final Indy 500 practice at 1 p.m., the second annual Wienie 500 at 2 p.m. and the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge at 2:30 p.m.
When and where: 4-7 p.m. May 22. Concert gates open at 2 p.m. Inside Turn 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Find the full Carb Day schedule: tinyurl.com/46p7fbr7
Carb Day ticket prices
Carb Day general admission tickets: $50. Includes concert and track vantage points from IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to select grandstand access. Upgrade to concert pit wristband for $40.
Carb Day admission and concert pit wristband: $90.
VIP tickets: $285. Includes IMS admission, pit access, snacks, two complimentary drinks and dedicated bars and restroom trailers. Prices subject to increase the day of the event.
Snake Pit: Tickets, headliners, set times and more
Wake up with wub-wubs and subwoofers at one of the wildest parties in the sporting world. The Indy 500’s annual Snake Pit promises electronic music thumping from first thing in the morning all through the race.
German DJ Zedd, known for radio hits like “Clarity” and “The Middle,” is this year’s headliner with a set scheduled for 12:50 p.m. Electronic artists Wax Motif (8:15 a.m.), it’s murph (9:15 a.m.), Crankdat (10:30 a.m.) and Wooli (2:20 p.m.) will round out the lineup. Former NFL tight end and known party guy Rob Gronkowski will serve as grand marshal.
When and where: 8:15 a.m. May 14. Concert gates open at 7 a.m. Inside Turn 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Find the full Snake Pit music schedule: tinyurl.com/2urx6s83.
Snake Pit ticket prices
Snake Pit wristbands: $85 (does not include race day gate admission).
Race day general admission and Snake Pit wristband: $145.
Snake Pit VIP wristband: $220 (does not include race day gate admission).
Snake Pit VIP package: $280 (includes race day general admission, dedicated restrooms and dedicated bar and concessions service).
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: A guide to 2026 Indy 500 concerts: Carb Day, Snake Pit
Reporting by Heather Bushman, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
