Opportunities From: City Of Carmel

Carmel on Canvas transforms the city into an open-air studio as acclaimed artists from across the region gather to paint live on-site. Over the course of two exciting days, artists will set up their easels at Carmel's most iconic destinations—including the Arts & Design District, Midtown, Carmel City Center, and the Japanese Gardens—to capture our community's beauty, energy, and character in real time.

We have a variety of unique roles available, allowing you to choose how you want to make a difference. Select the impact that matches your style:

Perks: Every volunteer receives an official event T-shirt, snacks/refreshments during your shift, and our endless gratitude!

We are looking for a creative, visually-driven volunteer to help tell our story. As a Photographer & Social Media Ambassador, you will be the "eyes and ears" of our organization, capturing high-quality imagery and translating our mission into engaging digital content. Your work will directly increase our visibility and help us connect with donors, volunteers, and the community.

Capture the Mission: Attend events, programs, or daily operations to take high-quality photos and short-form videos (Reels/TikToks).

Content Creation: Draft engaging captions and stories that highlight our impact, following our brand voice.

Platform Engagement: Help manage and grow our presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Trend Spotting: Stay up-to-date with social media trends and suggest creative ways to apply them to our cause.

Asset Management: Organize and upload edited photos to our shared digital library for future marketing use.

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

Volunteer Badges available for pick up at City Hall (1 Civic Square, Carmel IN) during normal business hours of 8am - 4:30pm.

Event Overview

The Chinese Mooncake Festival is a vibrant celebration of culture, gratitude, and community togetherness. The round shape of the traditional mooncake represents the full autumn moon, symbolizing unity and completeness.

As a volunteer, you are the face of this beautiful community tradition! Your support helps us host close to 3,000 attendees enjoying a spectacular dragon parade, traditional dance and music performances, craft stations, and regional culinary treats.

Choose Your Impact

Event Set Up (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Set-up volunteers will prepare the festival venue by arranging tables, chairs, and tents, installing directional signage, arranging festive autumn decor, and greeting arriving vendors to assist them with booth placement and unloading.

Parade Support (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) - Parade support volunteers will ensure a spectacular and safe procession through Midtown Plaza by assisting dragon parade performers with staging, guiding the route, and managing crowd flow.

Event Support (5:30 PM - 8:30 PM) - Serving as the "on-call" backbone of the event, support volunteers will keep operations running smoothly by acting as friendly festival greeters for the City of Carmel, guiding guests, managing crowd lines, distribution of Mooncakes, assisting the stage coordinator, delivering event supplies, picking up trash, and quickly resolving miscellaneous logistics tasks as they arise.

Post Event Crew (8:00 PM - 9:30 PM) - Tear-down volunteers will restore the venue by systematically collecting signage, assisting vendors with folding tables and collapsing chairs, loading materials into transport vehicles, and clearing debris to ensure the festival grounds are tidy, safe, and ready for public use the following morning.

Volunteer Perks

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

Get ready to trade your everyday wear for some lederhosen and a volunteer t-shirt at Carmel's Oktoberfest! It’s the ultimate chance to serve up community spirit, vibe to live polka music, and help us throw the best autumn bash in the city—all while keeping Carmel's festive energy rolling smoothly. You will work alongside City Staff to ensure every tent, table, and sign is perfectly in place before the first guest arrives.

Set Up (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Welcome arriving vendors, assist them with locating and unloading at their booth spaces, help set a festive atmosphere, and assist with placing tables, chairs, and pop-up tents according to the event site map

Wristband Checker (5:45 PM - 9:15 PM): MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD Verify wristbands.

Event General Support (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Serve as a friendly face for the City of Carmel by directing guests, managing event lines, and providing logistical and operational support to ensure our events run smoothly

Post Event (8:30 PM - 10:30PM) : Assist with post-event breakdown by helping vendors pack up, clearing debris to restore the festival grounds, and gathering signage, decorations, and equipment for transport and storage.

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

As the Hydration Station Coordinator, you play a vital role in ensuring the safety and comfort of all Oktoberfest attendees. While the festival is known for its traditional fare, your mission is to provide easy access to water, helping guests stay refreshed and energized as they enjoy the music, polka dancing, and community festivities.

Attentive Service: Someone who is quick to refill supplies and anticipates the needs of a thirsty crowd.

Organizational Prowess: You’ll be managing high-volume traffic; keeping your station orderly and stocked is key.

A Welcoming Presence: As a point of contact for the public, your friendly demeanor helps set the tone for a positive guest experience.

Safety Consciousness: A commitment to maintaining a clean, slip-free area and ensuring water remains fresh and accessible.

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

Event Overview

The Diwali Festival of Lights is just around the corner, and we need your energy, warmth, and helping hands to make this celebration unforgettable!

Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and community coming together. By volunteering, you aren't just helping run an event—you’re creating joy, spreading warmth, and helping our community shine bright. Whether you can give a couple of hours or stay for the whole day, we have a spot for you!

Please verify times of shift you are signing up for. 

Choose Your Impact

Event Set-Up: Lay the foundation before the gates open! Perfect for those who love hands-on work.
(11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Vendor Assistant : Guide vendors to their assigned booths, help unload.
(1:00PM – 2:30 PM, 2:30 PM -  4:00 PM)

Event Runner/General Support: Fast-paced and dynamic! You’ll step in where needed most. Assist with various stations.
(3:30 PM – 5:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

Event Specific:  Tasks Assigned Based on Need

Swagat Committee : Greet attendees, set a joyful, hospitable tone from the moment guests arrive.

Laddoo Distribution: Help hand out delicious laddoos to festival-goers as a traditional token of joy.

Rangoli Crew: Bring your creativity to life using traditional powders, flower petals, and lamps!

Back Stage: Assist with back stage program and production

Diya Distribution: Help prep, light, and hand out traditional lamps.
(4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 5:30 PM –6:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM, 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM)

Tear Down & Clean Up: Help us wrap up the festival smoothly!
( 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM)

Volunteer Perks

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

We are looking for a creative, visually-driven volunteer to help tell our story. As a Photographer & Social Media Ambassador, you will be the "eyes and ears" of our organization, capturing high-quality imagery and translating our mission into engaging digital content. Your work will directly increase our visibility and help us connect with donors, volunteers, and the community.

Capture the Mission: Attend events, programs, or daily operations to take high-quality photos and short-form videos (Reels/TikToks).

Content Creation: Draft engaging captions and stories that highlight our impact, following our brand voice.

Platform Engagement: Help manage and grow our presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Trend Spotting: Stay up-to-date with social media trends and suggest creative ways to apply them to our cause.

Asset Management: Organize and upload edited photos to our shared digital library for future marketing use.

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.

Volunteer Badges available for pick up at City Hall (1 Civic Square, Carmel IN) during normal business hours of 8am - 4:30pm.

Arts in Autumn brings the Carmel community together for a vibrant day of art vendors, fall festivities, family activities, and seasonal fun along Midtown Plaza and the Monon Greenway.

Volunteers are the heart of this event! Whether you love early morning organizing, engaging with the public during peak festival hours, or keeping operations seamless through the finish line, there is a high-impact role for you.

Set Up (10:00 AM -12:00 PM, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Be part of the crew that transforms Midtown Plaza into a welcoming festival space before the gates open.

Event Support (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Keep the festival friendly, smooth, and fun while serving as the welcoming face of Carmel.

Tear Down (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Ensure the festival concludes safely and leaves Midtown Plaza in pristine condition.

Official City of Carmel Volunteer T-shirt.

Community service hours (verification available upon request).

Behind-the-scenes access to Carmel’s premier festivals and events.