Fall has always been my favorite time of year. There’s something about cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, and all the festivals that makes me want to spend every weekend exploring somewhere new.
Autumn in Indiana means apple orchards, pumpkin patches, craft fairs, harvest celebrations, live music, cultural festivals, Halloween events, and plenty of opportunities to get outside with the kids.
Whether your perfect fall day includes a small-town festival, a pumpkin patch, free museum admission, a hot air balloon glow, or a slightly spooky Halloween adventure, you’ll find plenty of ideas on this list.
This guide has been updated with 2026 dates and information. Festival details can change, so always check with the event organizer before you go.
September Fall Festivals in Indiana
Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest
August 28-29, 2026 (date change to August)
West Boggs Park, Loogootee
The Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest has a new location for 2026. The festival moves from Bedford to West Boggs Park & Lake in Loogootee.
Look for hot air balloons, balloon glows, food vendors, family activities, and other entertainment. The festival runs Friday from 4-11 pm and Saturday from 6 am-11 pm. Admission is charged by vehicle, with advance and gate pricing available. Balloon activities are weather dependent.
14th Annual Fishers Blues Fest
September 5-6, 2026
Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, Fishers
Celebrate the end of summer with two nights of blues music at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.
The 14th Annual Fishers Blues Fest is a free, ticketless festival featuring blues musicians and a laid-back outdoor concert atmosphere. Families are welcome, and the festival takes place over Labor Day weekend.
North Salem Old Fashion Days
September 5-7, 2026
Downtown North Salem
North Salem celebrates Labor Day weekend with one of Hendricks County’s longtime community traditions.
Old Fashion Days fills the small town with food, vendors, entertainment, children’s activities, competitions, and community events. The festival’s signature parade takes place Saturday morning.
Indianapolis Oktoberfest
September 10-12, 2026
German Park, Indianapolis
The German American Klub of Indianapolis brings Oktoberfest back to German Park for three days of German and German-American food, music, dancing, entertainment, and bier.
Kids can enjoy the park and family-friendly festival atmosphere while adults can sample German food and drinks. The 2026 festival takes place Thursday through Saturday, September 10-12.
Zionsville Fall Festival
September 11-13, 2026
Lions Park, Zionsville
The 73rd Annual Zionsville Fall Festival returns to Lions Park September 11-13.
Families can expect amusement rides, food vendors, entertainment, arts and crafts, community activities, and the popular Saturday parade. The 2026 festival has a cartoon-inspired theme.
Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival
September 11-13, 2026
Conner Prairie, Fishers
Watch the sky fill with colorful balloons during Conner Prairie’s Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival.
Indiana’s largest balloon festival features balloon competitions throughout the weekend along with evening balloon glows, pilots, family activities, food, and entertainment.
Balloon launches and glows depend on appropriate weather conditions.
Caramel Apple Festival
September 12 & 19, 2026, 10 am-5 pm
Tuttle Orchards, Greenfield
For two Saturdays in September, Tuttle Orchards celebrates one of fall’s greatest treats.
Build your own caramel apple, search for hidden coupons for free caramel apples, pick apples, and explore the FarmYard activity area. U-pick apple bags and FarmYard admission are available for an additional cost.
Blues in the ‘Burg
September 12, 2026, 4-10 pm
Arbuckle Acres Park, Brownsburg
Blues in the ‘Burg brings award-winning musicians to Arbuckle Acres Park for an evening of live music.
Families will also find food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a kids’ zone, and activities for all ages.
Admission is free.
Penrod Arts Fair
September 12, 2026, 9 am-5 pm
Newfields, Indianapolis
Known as “Indiana’s Nicest Day,” the Penrod Arts Fair is one of Indianapolis’ biggest annual arts events.
More than 350 artists are expected, along with performers on multiple stages, arts organizations, food and beverages, and a large children’s area.
General admission is $20, and children 10 and younger are free.
Fair on the Square
September 12-13, 2026
Downtown Danville
The Danville Tri Kappa Fair on the Square fills the historic courthouse square with more than 100 booths.
Shop for handmade items, browse vendors, grab something to eat, and enjoy live entertainment during this longtime community festival.
Glow in the Park Family Hours
September 26, 2026, 6-8 pm
Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, Fishers
Get ready to glow!
Fishers transforms the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater with black lights, lasers, fog machines, DJs, a neon splash zone, foam, and other glow-in-the-dark activities at Fishers’ Glow in the Park.
Family Hours run from 6-8 pm and cost $5 per person. An adults-only 21+ session follows from 9-11 pm.
Garfield Park Art & Music Festival
September 26, 2026, 4-9 pm
Garfield Park, Indianapolis
Celebrate Indianapolis artists and musicians at this free outdoor festival at Garfield Park’s MacAllister Amphitheater.
The festival highlights local musicians and visual artists and includes more than 50 artist booths. Families can visit the Kids Zone for free activities and crafts.
Hometown Heroes at Beasley’s Orchard
September 26-27, 2026
Beasley’s Orchard, Danville
Beasley’s Orchard celebrates first responders during its Hometown Heroes weekend.
Police officers, firefighters, military members, and EMTs receive free admission, while immediate family members receive 50% off admission.
It’s a great weekend to combine Beasley’s fall attractions with a celebration of local hometown heroes.
Apple Festival & Craft Fair
September 26-27, 2026
Anderson Orchard, Mooresville
Anderson Orchard’s annual Apple Festival & Craft Fair is one of our favorite ways to celebrate apple season.
Shop more than 90 vendors, enjoy concessions, and pick your own apples while they are available. The orchard traditionally adds family activities and festival fun throughout the weekend.
Admission and parking are free.
Franklin Fall Festival
September 26, 2026, 10 am-10 pm
Downtown Franklin
Spend the day in Franklin enjoying a parade, live music, food trucks, vendors, community activities, and the popular Dachshund Derby.
The festival runs from morning through evening and admission is free.
Carmel International Arts Festival
September 26-27, 2026
Carmel Arts & Design District
The 29th Annual Carmel International Arts Festival fills Main Street and Rangeline Road with artwork from juried artists.
Families can browse paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, glass, woodwork, and other art while enjoying entertainment and food.
Festival hours are 10 am-6 pm Saturday and 10 am-5 pm Sunday. Admission is free.
ZooBoo
September 23-November 1, 2026, Wednesday-Sunday
Indianapolis Zoo
ZooBoo returns with Halloween fun throughout the Indianapolis Zoo.
Wear costumes, trick-or-treat, enjoy Halloween-themed entertainment, encounter fun twists on zoo rides, and explore special seasonal areas throughout the grounds.
ZooBoo is free for Indianapolis Zoo members and included with regular zoo admission.
Semi-Annual Saraga International Food Festival
TBA
The Saraga International Food Festival is back again! For the past few years, this popular event has been held once in the spring and again in the fall. From 11 am until 7 pm each day, taste cuisine from around the world at this two-day event with free admission. In addition to food, the store promises live music, a beer garden, exhibits, vendors, and family-friendly fun.
October Fall Festivals in Indiana
Headless Horseman Festival
October 1-25, 2026, Thursdays-Sundays, 5-10 pm
Conner Prairie, Fishers
The Headless Horseman rides again at Conner Prairie.
This longtime Indianapolis-area Halloween tradition includes mazes, games, live entertainment, fall food, spooky storytelling, and plenty of family activities.
Of course, the signature experience is the haunted hayride where you might encounter the Headless Horseman himself.
Festival admission is free for members and $26 for nonmembers. Access Pass admission is $10. The haunted hayride costs an additional $10 for members and nonmembers.
Hendricks County International Festival
October 3, 2026, 11 am-4 pm
Hobbs Station, Plainfield
Take your family around the world without leaving Hendricks County.
The 7th Annual Hendricks County International Festival features cultural displays and traditional attire representing more than 20 countries, live music and dance performances, international food, interactive booths, giveaways, and family activities.
Admission is free.
GermanFest
October 3, 2026, 11:30 am-6:30 pm
The Athenaeum, Indianapolis
The Athenaeum’s 18th Annual GermanFest brings bier, brats, music, games, and wiener dogs to Mass Ave.
This all-ages celebration includes live music, German-inspired food, vendors, entertainment, and the always-popular dachshund races.
Advance admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and younger are free but require a ticket.
Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival
October 3, 2026, 11 am-5 pm
Potter’s Bridge Park, Noblesville
Stroll across Indiana’s only remaining covered bridge in Hamilton County while enjoying a classic fall festival.
The Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival features more than 100 arts and crafts booths, vendors, food, live music, and children’s activities.
Admission is free.
Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival
October 8-11, 2026
Martinsville
The Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival celebrates autumn with four days of community activities.
Expect carnival rides, food, entertainment, vendors, contests, community events, and plenty of fall fun. The traditional festival parade takes place Sunday at 1 pm.
The Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House: Fright Academy
October 9-31, 2026
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
School is back in session, but this is one class that might give you goosebumps.
The Children’s Museum Guild celebrates the 62nd Annual Haunted House in 2026 with a brand-new theme: Fright Academy.
The museum traditionally offers experiences at different scare levels so families can select the version that works best for their children.
Tickets go on sale September 8.
Parke County Covered Bridge Festival
October 9-18, 2026
Multiple locations throughout Parke County
Indiana’s largest festival returns for ten days in October.
The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival celebrates the county’s 31 historic covered bridges with arts and crafts, food, shopping, entertainment, and gorgeous Indiana fall scenery.
Nine festival communities offer different experiences, making this an event you can visit more than once and still see something new.
Harvest Hayrides Festival
October 10, 2026, 4-8 pm
Blue Heron Park, Avon
Avon’s fall festival has a new location for 2026 at Blue Heron Park.
Families can enjoy free wagon rides around the lake, bounce houses, a pumpkin patch, vendors, food trucks, a photo trail, horseback trail rides, and more.
The festival is free to attend, although some activities may have an additional fee.
Monster Mash
October 16, 2026, 6-8:30 pm
Craig Park, Greenwood
Dress up the kids and head to Craig Park for Greenwood’s Monster Mash.
The free community event includes trick-or-treating, music, food, and other Halloween activities. Optional VIP experiences may be available for an additional fee.
Hoosier Fall Festival
October 17-18, 2026, 9 am-4 pm
Johnson County Fairgrounds, Franklin
The Hoosier Fall Festival brings hundreds of vendors and plenty of family-friendly fun to the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
Browse vendors, grab something to eat from food trucks, enjoy entertainment and children’s activities, and look for special Sunday trick-or-treating.
Admission is free.
Owl Fest
October 17-18, 2026
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center
Celebrate some of Indiana’s most fascinating birds during Owl Fest at Eagle Creek Park.
The weekend traditionally includes wildlife programs, educational activities, crafts, games, and opportunities to learn about the Ornithology Center‘s raptor ambassadors.
Activities are included with Eagle Creek Park admission.
Arts in Autumn
October 17, 2026, 2-5 pm
Midtown Plaza, Carmel
Celebrate the season with art and family fun at Midtown Plaza.
Arts in Autumn is a free festival featuring creative activities, entertainment, local art, and fall festivities in the heart of Carmel.
Fall Colors Festival
October 24, 2026, 10 am-3 pm
McCloud Nature Park, North Salem
McCloud Nature Park is one of our favorite places to enjoy Indiana fall color, and this annual festival gives families even more reasons to visit.
Explore the park, enjoy family activities, vendors, and seasonal fun surrounded by 232 acres of nature and miles of trails.
Admission to the festival is free.
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
October 24-31, 2026
Historic Irvington, Indianapolis
The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival celebrates its 80th year in 2026.
A full week of Halloween events culminates with the massive Street Fair on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.
Festival week traditionally includes community events, contests, spooky entertainment, family activities, and plenty of costumes. The Street Fair runs from 10 am-4 pm and fills Irvington with vendors, food, entertainment, and Halloween fun.
Sat-Terror Day
October 24, 2026, 11 am-1:30 pm
Talon Stream Park, Plainfield
Plainfield’s Sat-Terror Day is a free Halloween celebration for all ages.
Families can wear costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating, hayrides, seasonal activities, photo opportunities, and other kid-friendly Halloween fun.
Greenwood Halloween Fest & Parade
October 24, 2026, Noon-5:30 pm
Downtown Greenwood and Greenwood Amphitheater
Wear your costumes and line the streets of downtown Greenwood for a Halloween parade followed by a festival at the Greenwood Amphitheater.
The parade festivities begin at noon, with the parade kicking off at 1 pm. Afterward, families can enjoy Halloween activities, entertainment, food, and more at the amphitheater.
Trail & Treat
October 24, 2026, 5-7 pm
Williams Park, Brownsburg
Walk the paved trail at Williams Park and collect candy and giveaways from local businesses and organizations.
Trail & Treat also includes face painting, games, and food trucks.
Admission is free.
Harvest Nights
TBA
Harvest Nights returns to Newfields for the month of October. Kids and adults alike love the ghost train, the trail of glowing jack-o-lanterns, and the show projected onto the Lilly House. Experience the Ghost Train that will shake the ground beneath your feet and witness The Three Graces come to life in the party of the century at Mischief Manor.
There will be food and drinks from local vendors. Guests are also invited inside the Lilly House to join in the frightful festivities of Mischief Manor. Discounts are available for members. Children 5 and under are free, and Access Pass tickets are $5 per person.
Rowdie’s Pumpkin Patch
2026 Dates TBA
The Indianapolis Indians would like to welcome you to Victory Field for their fall event. Tickets are $5 per person, and children 2 and under are free, as well as members of the Knot Hole Kids Club. Each child gets to select a pumpkin from the “pumpkin patch” on the baseball field! Come in costume for Halloween photos with Rowdie and trick-or-treating around the concourse.
Dia de Muertos
2026 TBA
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art will be offering free admission to celebrate Dia de Muertos. The museum will also host performances, art-making, Mercado vendors, community groups, and a community-curated art and altar display. Activities will be both indoors and outdoors. An outdoor stage will have performances throughout the day.
Boo Bash
2026 Date TBA
From 10 am-2 pm, the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater will be hosting Fisher’s Boo Bash with more than 60 local vendors offering safe trick-or-treating around the Fishers Municipal Complex. Teal Pumpkin Project booths will provide non-food items for children with food allergies and special needs. Families can also enjoy food, drink, and treat trucks, games, and more. Costumes are strongly encouraged!
Trick or Treat on the Rails
2026 TBA
Nickel Plate Express will be offering 65-minute adventure train rides that will include the Nickel Plate Express Halloween costume contest. On board, costumed characters will hand out tricks or treats. While you wait to board the train, enjoy the fall décor and photo ops at Hobbs Station. Standard adult tickets for ages 13 and up are $30 and tickets for ages 3 to 12 are $23. Children under 3 ride for free on a parent’s lap. Ride times are at 1 pm and 3 pm. Each ticket includes a fall-themed snack and beverage.
Nobody celebrates fall quite like the Midwest, and Central Indiana gives families an incredible number of ways to enjoy the season. You can spend one weekend picking apples and wandering an orchard, the next watching hot air balloons light up the sky, and another wearing costumes and collecting candy.
Pick a favorite tradition to return to every year, or choose a few places you’ve never visited before and make some new fall memories.
Looking forward to a classic fall day on the farm? So are we! Check out our favorite pumpkin patches here!
Let the kids show off their costumes at these local trunk-or-treats.
