New Fan Experiences Enhance Lights at the Brickyard
October 17, 2019 | By Zach Horrall, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Tickets On Sale Now for Popular Holiday Attraction Presented By Fifth Third Bank
Exciting new out-of-car experiences in and around the iconic IMS Pagoda, as well as a new presenting sponsor in Fifth Third Bank and a new philanthropic partnership with Riley Children’s Foundation, have been added to Lights at the Brickyard this holiday season, giving fans, families and friends rare opportunities and memorable nights at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this holiday season.
The popular 2-mile Lights course returns for a fourth year with more glistening lights than ever before! The course will feature over 3 million lights and dozens of colorful displays, and it will run through the IMS infield and historic oval, including the front stretch and world-famous “Yard of Bricks” start-finish line. On select nights in December, after fans take in the beautiful lights and displays, they can exit their car and visit three new experiences that will create a fun evening at IMS.
Plaza Village: Dec. 13-24
The iconic IMS Plaza will be dressed up with seasonal décor and decorated trees, transforming IMS into an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy winter wonderland that visitors will be excited to share with family, friends and social media. The Plaza Village Experience is open to all ticket holders at no additional expense and is the perfect chance for groups of friends and families to sit next to cozy fire pits as they admire the famed IMS Pagoda lit up for the holidays. S’mores kits, seasonal food and beverages, and retail opportunities will be available.
Pagoda Experience: Dec. 13-24
Two new experiences in and around the IMS Pagoda are now available, exclusively for Speedy Pass ticket holders: The Pagoda Lookout Experience and a Santa Claus meet and greet.
The Pagoda Lookout Experience will give fans and friends a rare opportunity to go where few have gone before: inside the iconic IMS Pagoda! This experience will take fans to the holiday-themed eighth floor of the Pagoda for a one-of-a-kind #IMSLights view, with the glowing 3 million holiday lights just below and the distant Indianapolis skyline.
Pagoda Lookout Experience guests of all ages can meet Santa Claus and take photos trackside at the base of the Pagoda. Santa will be decked out in a custom racing suit as he gears up for the 2020 racing season.
Fans who purchased Standard Lane tickets can upgrade to the Speedy Pass on-site to gain access to the Pagoda Experience.
“Each year we continue to grow Lights at the Brickyard presented by Fifth Third Bank for the fans and families that visit IMS during the holidays, and this year’s new fan experiences are just the latest reason that Lights at the Brickyard is a must-see holiday event,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Between the 2-mile Lights course, the opportunity to hang out in the new Plaza Village and the rare chance to see Indy like never before from inside our famed Pagoda, this will be an experience fans won’t soon forget. Plus, getting to spread some holiday joy by supporting Riley Kids and the Riley Children’s Foundation makes this event so much more meaningful.”
Riley Children’s Foundation Partnership
IMS is also proud to announce Riley Children’s Foundation as its philanthropic partner during Lights at the Brickyard presented by Fifth Third Bank. This partnership will include several opportunities for fans to support Riley and spread holiday cheer. For starters, fans can take part in a “Give 10%, Save 10%” promotion. When fans buy tickets in advance at IMS.com/Riley 10% of the cost of their ticket will be donated to Riley Children’s Foundation, and they will save 10% on their Lights at the Brickyard presented by Fifth Third Bank Speedy Pass ticket.
Also, IMS will host “Toy Tuesday” each Tuesday during Lights at the Brickyard presented by Fifth Third Bank. When fans bring toys to donate to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, they will receive $5 off their Standard Lane ticket. Toys must be brand new, unwrapped, latex free and non-toxic, and toys cannot be handmade or contain glitter.
Lights at the Brickyard presented by Fifth Third Bank is open Nov. 27-Jan. 5. Operating hours are 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. The Plaza Village and Pagoda Experience will be available Dec. 13-24 during normal hours of operation.
Admission prices are unchanged from last year. Standard Lane admission will be $25 per car on Mondays-Wednesdays and $30 per car Thursdays-Sundays at the gate. Vehicles with 15 or more passengers will be charged $50 at the gate, with Standard Lane access. Standard Lane admission can be purchased only at the gate, with each admission valid for one drive through the displays per vehicle.
The popular Speedy Pass can be purchased at its lowest price now at IMS.com for $40 per car until Nov. 26. Starting Nov. 27, online and on-site prices will be $50 Monday-Wednesday and $60 Thursday-Sunday. Speedy Pass not only gives fans exclusive access to the Pagoda Experience, but it gives participants the quickest access to the course by skipping the longer lines and arriving through a special entry near the IMS golf course.
Fans are encouraged to share their experience on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #IMSLights.
Fans can visit IMS.com for more information on Lights at the Brickyard presented by Fifth Third Bank, and IMS.com/Riley for more information on Toy Tuesday and how to support the Riley Children’s Foundation at IMS.