I’ve gone to three Candlelight shows in Indy so far. Two date nights, one aunt night. Strings. Warm light. A little hush in the room. I’ll be real—some parts made me tear up. Some parts bugged me. Here’s how it went.
If you’re just starting to dive into the series, this authoritative overview of Candlelight Concerts in Indianapolis covers formats, themes, and ticket tips in one place.
If you’re hunting for a blow-by-blow of my very first outing, check out my full Candlelight Concerts Indianapolis review where I nerd out on every detail.
Night 1: Taylor Swift at The Cyrus Place (August 2024)
The Cyrus Place looks like a small church turned event space. It’s on East Street, near Lockerbie. We parked on the street and fed the meter. It was a Friday, so it took a minute. Doors opened early. We lined up with folks in cute coats and sneaky sneakers. Very Indy chic.
The room had hundreds of LED candles—no smell, just soft glow. Seats were simple folding chairs in neat rows. I had Category B tickets. We checked in with a QR code on my phone. Easy.
The Listeso String Quartet played a Taylor Swift set. Love Story, Anti-Hero, Wildest Dreams, and a mashup that surprised me. No vocals, just strings. You know what? It worked. The melodies felt big in that space. The sound was clear, but a little echo-y in the back rows. I got goosebumps during All Too Well. My boyfriend grabbed my hand like a movie moment. I know. Cheesy. But sweet.
If you’re curious how strings can heat up a room in a totally different genre, my night with Billy Strings in Indianapolis shows just how rowdy bow work can get.
Downsides? A tall guy sat in front of me, so I leaned a bit to see. The chairs were tight on the hips. Also, it ran about an hour. I wanted ten more minutes. Maybe one encore.
After, we walked over to Mass Ave for late-night tacos at Bakersfield. Good plan, because food and live strings make a night feel full.
Night 2: Vivaldi at Scottish Rite Cathedral (March 2025)
This hall is grand. Like “wedding photos” grand. You step in and smell wood polish and old stone. It’s downtown, so we used a nearby paid garage. Worth it, because it was raining.
The quartet did The Four Seasons. You’ve heard Spring a thousand times, but live strings with all that glow? It hits. I watched the violist’s bow hairs fray, which sounds odd, but it showed how hard they played. The room carried the sound better here. Warm and rich. No echo issues where we sat (mid-right, Category A).
The ushers were kind and fast. Seats had more space than The Cyrus Place. Bring a sweater, though. The AC ran a little cold. I tucked my scarf around my knees like a grandma, and I’m not sorry.
Night 3: Movie Scores with My Niece (June 2025)
I brought my 10-year-old niece to a film score night at The Cyrus Place. Kids need to be at least 8, and teens with an adult. She’s a piano kid, so this felt big for her. They played themes from Hans Zimmer and more—Interstellar, Pirates, Gladiator. She watched the cellist the whole time. After, she said, “The low notes felt like thunder,” which is pretty spot-on. We grabbed milkshakes on the way home and ranked our favorites. Hers was Interstellar. Mine too.
What I loved
- The vibe. The candles aren’t real, but it still feels cozy and kind of magic.
- The sets make sense. Big songs, a few slow ones, then a bold finish.
- The musicians. Tight ensemble work, clean starts, lovely tone. You can tell they care.
- Staff is friendly, and the QR check-in is quick.
- It starts on time. I like that a lot.
What bugged me a bit
- Chairs at The Cyrus Place can feel cramped. Not great for long legs or bad backs.
- Sightlines can be tricky if you sit behind a tall guest. Sit closer to the center aisle if you can.
- One hour feels short when you’re really into it.
- Parking near downtown can cost more than you think, and rain makes it worse.
Prefer something wilder, louder, and drenched in lasers? My recap of Post Malone’s Indianapolis stop might be the energy boost you’re after.
Little things I wish I knew sooner
- Arrive 30–40 minutes early if you’re in Category B or C. You’ll get a better seat.
- Bring a light sweater, even in summer. AC does what it wants.
- Eat before the show. There’s no snack break, and the music deserves your full brain.
- Restrooms get a little line right before the music. Go first.
- Check the program themes. If you go often, you might repeat a set list.
Before you pick your seats, you can skim ALCO’s comprehensive guide to Indy performance venues for up-to-date notes on parking, accessibility, and seating charts.
Who should go?
- Date night folks who want something calm and pretty.
- Teens in music programs. They’ll see good bow work and phrasing up close.
- Friends who love Taylor, Queen, or movie scores but don’t need loud amps.
- Parents with artsy kids 8 and up. It’s calm, but not stuffy.
Still single and hoping to find someone who’s as into string quartets as you are? You might appreciate this candid Luxy review—it walks you through the luxury dating app’s costs, screening process, and insider tips so you can decide if it’s the right place to meet a fellow classical-music lover.
Travel a lot for shows or work trips? When your itinerary drops you in South Texas and you’d rather keep things light and casual, the Weslaco hookup guide is packed with vetted bars, app recommendations, and safety pointers so you can line up an easygoing meet-up without cutting into your concert time.
If a high-flying pop spectacle is more your speed, you might vibe with my notes on the P!nk concert in Indianapolis—complete with acrobatics and pink confetti.
If you hate sitting still or you need super soft chairs, you may not love The Cyrus Place setup. Try the Scottish Rite venue instead.
Quick compare: Cyrus Place vs. Scottish Rite
- Cyrus Place: Intimate, close to the players, but tighter seats and more echo in the back.
- Scottish Rite: Grand room, better sightlines, more space, usually better sound balance.
Still weighing venue options? This handy guide to Candlelight venues around Indianapolis breaks down seating charts, acoustics, and parking by location.
Craving a theatrical night instead of music? My evening with Wicked at the Murat is proof that a big Broadway tour can still feel personal in Indy.
My bottom line
I keep going back because it feels gentle and special. The music is well played. The glow calms my racing brain. I do wish the shows ran a bit longer, and I pick my seats more carefully now. Still, for the price and the feel, it’s a yes from me.
Score: 4.5 out of 5. Bring a sweater. Get there early. Let the strings wash over you. And maybe plan a dessert stop—because a little sugar after Vivaldi just makes sense.