Country Living named it one of the 30 best Halloween festivals in the country — and it just so happens to be on the near east side of Indianapolis.
The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival — one of the largest + longest-running Halloween festivals nationwide — is back this year with more offerings than ever. Named after Washington Irving, author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” it makes sense that the neighborhood would maintain such terrifying traditions.
This Irvington house is a Monster House if we’ve ever seen one.
Photo by @findalottolove
The full 2024 events schedule includes:
Saturday, Oct. 19
- Wellness Fair | Irvington Presbyterian Church | 9 a.m-1 p.m. | Taking control of your health shouldn’t be scary. Get the resources you need with blood drive screenings, HIV testing, drug take back, and flu vaccinations.
- Halloween Ball| Our Lady of Lourdes | 8-11 p.m. | Keep calm and Carrie on with a nostalgic evening of dancing, eerily elegant attire, and a bit of telekinetic mayhem.
Sunday, Oct. 20
- Spooky Organ Concert | Our Lady of Lourdes | 6 p.m. | Hear tunes from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Sweeney Todd,” and many other spooky classics.
Monday, Oct. 21
- Art Auction | Benton House | 7-9 p.m. | Bid on the 2024 festival poster contest entries at this live silent auction, complete with charcuterie + beverages.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
- A Night of Spirits | Irvington Lodge | Times vary | Mediums and psychic readers will communicate with spirits from beyond and impart their messages.
- Horror Shorts Movie Night | Kan-Kan Cinema | 7:30 p.m. | These seven new short films will send chills down your spine. Pro tip: While they aren’t rated by the MPAA, the content will be similar to that of rated-R films.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
- Family Movie Night | Crystal Creek Farm | Dusk | Bring your own chairs or blanket for an outdoor screening of 2003’s “Haunted Mansion” — make sure you save time for the haunted maze and bonfire too.
Thursday, Oct. 24
- A Night Out in Sleepy Hollow | Irving Circle Park | 7 p.m. | Hear haunted tales from writing contest winners, enjoy spooky delicious beverages from Snug, and watch a special performance from the witches of Irvington.
Friday, Oct. 25
- Zombie Bike Ride | Irvington Branch Public Library | 6:30 p.m. | Put on your best living dead wear and ride from the library to Irving Circle while neighbors cheer you on.
Saturday, Oct. 26
- Vampire Run | 9:30 a.m. | Register to walk a mile or run a 5K through South Irvington.
- Street Fair + Parade | Downtown Irvington | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Shop wares from hundreds of unique vendors, enjoy local food and drinks, listen to live bands, and watch or participate in costume contests, cackling contests, pumpkin carving contests, and more.
- Official After Party | Playground Productions Studios | 6:30-11 ap.m. | Dress in your best alien-inspired or homecoming attire to participate in costume contests, get psychic readings, enjoy delicious food + drinks, and dance to music from former Colts player Tony Walker & The 2nd Half Band.
Dates vary
- Frightseeing | Irvington Branch Public Library | Times vary | Take an adults-only bus tour to witness the creativity and passion of Irvington’s residents as they compete for the title of the scariest house.
Pro tip: Washington Street will be shut down starting at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, so if you’re passing through, make sure to reroute around the festivities.
Visit the festival’s official site for more details on each event and to secure your spot for ticketed events, which usually sell out quickly. We’re dying to see you there.
