Indianapolis is turning into Swift City with this weekend’s visit from superstar Taylor Swift. We’re sure that many locals are heading up the road for the short drive to Indy to see Swift so we wanted to make sure you had some of the deets about how the city is preparing to welcome Madame Swift.
This weekend is about the big show but even if you don’t get tickets for the shows, Indianapolis is going to make sure that every Swifty is satisfied.
Here are a few important details from our friends at Visit Indy:
Merchandise Details:
Hall I of the Indiana Convention Center (open to those with or without a ticket)
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. + Friday and Saturday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Merchandise will also be available on every level of Lucas Oil Stadium for concert attendees to purchase.
Ancillary Events:
More than 50 activations and events in addition to the nightly shows.
The Indy Arts Council is programming 13 prime Downtown locations, including SPARK on the Circle, Hudnut Commons, Georgia Street, Lugar Plaza, and Bicentennial Unity Plaza with pop-up performances.
Food truck zones will operate from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday on Maryland Street, adjacent to Hudnut Commons, and in the southwest quadrant of Monument Circle near SPARK.
Nearly 100 street team volunteers, identifiable by their pink Indy shirts and beanies, will be deployed across the city.
Citywide Installations:
A 34-story Taylor Swift decal is installed on the side of the JW Marriott.
32 city street signs were renamed in honor of Taylor Swift.
Welcome signage was deployed throughout Indy.
Dino-sized friendship bracelets at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.
Public Safety:
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) canceled scheduled days off for officers and adjusted staffing throughout the city.
Downtown Indy, Inc. will mobilize the Clean Team and Safety Ambassador team, working extended hours and assigned to high-visibility areas.
Rideshare:
A rideshare pickup zone on South Street between Missouri and West Streets will operate from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m., Friday through Sunday.
A parent pickup zone will be at a lot near Delaware and South Streets will be active from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
What is the economic impact of Taylor Swift’s performances?
The economic impact from Swift’s concert is expected to be in the 9-figure range. Hotels are nearly sold out, and all commanding nearly triple their daily rate as the same time last year. 89% of the tickets were purchased outside of Indy and 81% of them outside of the state of Indiana.
Short-term rental bookings and Airbnb search numbers have reached huge margins. Short-term bookings are up 207%, and Airbnb searches have seen a 7,000% uptick.
International Airport (IND) increased incoming flight seat capacity and added round-trip flights from key destinations.
Swifty or not, Tay-Tay packs a big punch when she puts on a performance in a city. That’s a lot of female power and we are here for it.
This article appears in Oct 23 – Nov 5, 2024.