Arts & Culture

Nickel Plate District Cultural District

About the Nickel Plate District

The Nickel Plate District (NPD), located in the heart of downtown Fishers, was designated as a Statewide Cultural District in 2018 by the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC). Featuring over 150 businesses including boutiques, galleries, design studios, restaurants, makerspaces, an award-winning performing arts venue, a public park, and 1,100+ apartment units, the Nickel Plate District is the one-stop place to live, work, shop, and play in central Indiana.

This dynamic community hub is connected to an extensive network of trails that stretch throughout Fishers, inviting residents to easily walk or bike to the district. Home to vibrant public artworks, music and community festivals, the Fishers Farmers’ Market, and the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP), the Nickel Plate District is truly the cultural epicenter of Fishers.

See the Nickel Plate Cultural Boundary Map.

Check out these vibrant events and places in the Nickel Plate District:

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP) is more than just a stage, it’s a community destination. In 2019, the venue welcomed 150,000 visitors for local and national performing acts to its stage in the heart of the downtown in the Nickel Plate District.

The NPD AMP is home to several vibrant and unique special events throughout the year. From family friendly summer concerts to festivals and community events, the NPD AMP offers something for everyone. Learn more.

npd amp

The Fishers Farmers’ Market

The Fishers Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from May through September at the NPD AMP in downtown Fishers and features your favorite local produce, baked goods, and prepared foods from more than 50 full- and part-time vendors.

Along with fresh, local, flavorful foods direct from farmers and producers, the market comes to life every week with live entertainment, kids’ activities from Fishers Parks, and festive specialty days. Meet the vendors and learn more on their website.

woman holding flower at farmers market

Spark!Fishers

The annual Spark!Fishers festival ignited by First Internet Bank takes place every year in the heart of the Nickel Plate District on the last weekend in June. The celebration is packed full of family-favorites and Independence Day traditions, and showcases local veterans, community spirit, and what it means to be uniquely Fishers.

Festivities include a 5K walk/run, community parade down the streets of downtown, evening concerts, a street fair, and a dazzling fireworks show. Learn more.

fireworks over city hall

History

The Nickel Plate District, in what is now downtown Fishers, has always been a hub for community activity. Originally known as Fishers Switch, Fishers was founded in 1872 along the Nickel Plate line. In those days, it was common for new communities to spring up along railroads and Fishers was no exception. The railroad quite naturally drew residents and businesses to the area, the first of which was a gristmill and sawmill located approximately where the Nickel Plate restaurant is today. From 1872 through the 1970’s, the town’s incorporated limits did not stretch much beyond today’s Nickel Plate District boundary. Over the years, Fishers has undergone significant change, progressing from a trading post, to rail switch, to burgeoning town, to a modern city with more than 90,000 residents.