The whirlwind of pumpkin patches, fall festivals, sports, and Halloween is behind us. That means the magic of the holiday season is almost upon us. But there are so many things to do in Indianapolis in November. With the crisp fall weather and the changing color of the leaves, November is a great time for outdoor activities, bike rides, and hikes, quality family time, and cultural experiences not tied to a specific holiday or season.
Here’s a list of some of our top picks for Things to Do in Indy in November, including some awesome events for the family and some kids’ night out options! Be sure to check Indy With Kids regularly, as we’ll be adding all kinds of events to the calendar as they’re released.
20 Great Things to Do in Indianapolis in November
Day of the Dead Cultural Celebration
On November 1st, from 12 pm to 4 pm, head to The Day of the Dead cultural celebration at Noblesville Creates for music, face painting, spooky shows, a Texy Mexy food truck pop-up, an artisan market, crafts and activities, and an arts ofrenda.
Take a Swim at an Indoor Pool or Waterpark in Indy
There are so many indoor pools and waterparks in Indy. Grab your towel and get ready to swim.
Kids’ Night Out – Wright’s Gymnastics
Wright’s Gymnastics offers Kids’ Night Out at most of its locations. Parents can take their kids to a Wright’s location and leave them for up to three hours of fun and games. Kids have a blast, and parents can go see a movie, go on a date, or just get some things checked off of their list!
Sesame Street Live & Gabby’s Doll House
Both Sesame Street LIVE and Gabby’s Dollhouse are on stage this month at Old National Centre in November.
Christmas Nights of Lights at the Fairgrounds
The Indiana State Fairgrounds is all lit up for the holidays with Christmas Nights of Lights! Voted the best place to see Christmas lights, you can’t miss your chance! With new features added annually, it’s worth a visit at least once a year. The display opens on November 7th, and if you visit this month, you’ll skip all of the long lines, plus have plenty of time to visit next month too! Here’s a Christmas Nights of Lights coupon Code.
Newfields First Thursday Free Admission
Experience the Indianapolis Museum of Art and The Garden with live music, open studio hours, and gallery conversations. On First Thursdays, general admission is flexible; you choose how much (or how little) to pay; donations help fund First Thursday programming, care for the art collection and gardens, and community/education initiatives at Newfields.
Indy International Festival 2025
From November 13 – 15, head to the Johnson County Fairgrounds to experience the Indy International Festival. This three-day festival showcases Indiana’s vibrant international scene, with cultural and retail booths, specialty food vendors, and amazing performances from diverse groups. Admission and parking are FREE.
Holliday Park Playground Grand Opening
On November 2nd, from 1 pm to 4 pm, join the fun at the grand opening of the brand new Holliday Park playground.
Tot Time at Krannert Family Center
Bring your toddler to Tot Time at Krannert Family Center from 10 am to 12 pm every Tuesday and Friday to play on tumbling mats, foam shapes, and other toddler-friendly equipment.
Wee Wonders at Newfields
On Fridays in November, from 11 am to Noon, bring your little one to explore the galleries at Newfields, sing songs, read stories, go on an art hunt, and make art. Wee Wonders is specially designed for children ages 3 to 5.
Kids’ Night Out at Wright’s
Drop your children off at Kids’ Night Out at Wright’s Fundamentals and enjoy an adult night out. Kids will be entertained, fed, and wiped out by the time you pick them up. There are two themed KNOs per month, per studio, and your kids will be dying to attend both!
Enjoy a Free Kids Meal
Head out to a Restaurant Where Kids Eat Free this November! We’ve got a list sorted by day of the week for restaurant locations throughout Central Indiana.
Embark on a StoryWalk
Walk along community paths and trails while you enjoy a visual story with your family. Fall StoryWalks are set up in various places in Central Indiana. Fall into a great story this month!
Attend an Indy Fuel Game
The Indy Fuel play in Fishers at the Fishers Event Center all season long with a full schedule of games on weekends and weeknights. They have fun themed games and family nights, too!
All Aboard for Holiday Train Rides
It’s not too early to hop aboard a holiday train ride and get those holiday traditions underway. Many of these fun experiences book up fast and start up in the middle of November.
Family Open Swim at Goldfish Swim School
The fall and winter are great times to get your swim on, and Goldfish Swim School keeps the pool warm. They have weekly family open swim times, so bring everyone along and enjoy an evening or afternoon in their heated pool.
Visit the 100 Acres Art Park
Explore the grounds of the free art park at Newfields for a walk through art + nature. It’s great for families, there’s so much to see, and so many of the art pieces are interactive.
Check out a Free Indoor Playground
There are so many indoor play places and several free indoor playgrounds in Indy. Plus, the new free indoor playground in Fishers just opened up in the new Fishers Community Center.
Explore a Nature Center
Central Indiana has so many free nature centers that are open to the public and have a lot of fun spaces for kids to explore. One favorite is Habitat Hall at Holliday Park.
60+ Free Things to Do with Kids in Indianapolis This Fall
Where to See the Changing Leaves in Indiana
Do you have other ideas of Things to Do in Indianapolis in November? Did we miss something big? Share your comments and pictures of your favorite Things to Do in Indianapolis in November with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
