We know it doesn’t quite feel like it yet, but fall is just around the corner. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to apple picking and German beer celebrations, fall is one of our favorite seasons in the Circle City.
Get ready to come alive — or play dead at a fall-tastic haunted house like Indy Scream Park — with this guide featuring 16 fall events happening now through November.
Arts festivals
Penrod Arts Fair, Sept. 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Newfields
Visit one of the nation’s largest single-day arts fairs with more than 350 artists, hundreds of performers across five stages of entertainment, 50+ arts-related non-profit organizations, a children’s area, and local food and beverages for all to enjoy.
Indy Jazz Fest, Sept. 17-18
Catch music “All Around Town” with an exciting line-up of nighttime concerts in intimate jazz and cabaret venues. Listen to world-class performers and Indy-based creators in an up-close experience.
Heartland International Film Festival, Oct. 10-20
Heartland Film has hosted the annual film festival in Indianapolis since 1992. It’s grown from a four-day event with fewer than 20 films to what is now an 11-day celebration that typically showcases 300+ feature film screenings and 100+ filmmakers.
As you can see, this patio is baby-friendly.
Photo via @guggmanhausbrewing
Oktoberfest
Guggman Oktoberfest, Sept. 19-22, Guggman Haus Brewing Co.
Raise a stein and join Guggman for its four-day annual celebration of Oktoberfest with German beer releases, live music, and a celebratory atmosphere in the Taproom, Festhall, and Beer Garden.
Mashcraft Oktoberfest Party, Friday, Sept. 20, Mashcraft on Delaware
Celebrate Oktoberfest with live music from Polka Bob, authentic German food, and German-style beers on tap. Bonus: Greenwood and Fishers locations are also hosting their own Oktoberfest events on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 12 respectively.
Oktoberfest at The Quarter, Friday, Sept. 20-Saturday, Sept. 21, The Quarter
Broad Ripple’s 21+ tent party includes food and drink specials (we see you, $2.50 German beers during happy hour), a stein holding competition, a costume contest, and pretzel throwing.
14th Annual Indianapolis Oktoberfest, Friday, Sept. 27, Monument Circle
The north half of Monument Circle will close to traffic for a night to celebrate all things German. Street food vendors will be serving up brats + pretzels, while the biergarten will be pouring domestic, imported, and local craft beers and wine.
16th Annual GermanFest, Saturday, Oct. 5, Athenaeum
This all-ages celebration will be filled with food, drinks, music, and games, plus fest favorites: A brat eating contest + a dachshund dash.
Seasonal
Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, Sept. 6-8, Conner Prairie
Make your fall glow with 40+ hot air balloons in the sky, plus enjoy live music, food, bounce houses, and more. New this year: The VIP experience includes a tented location with reserved seating at the Sun Set Lounge and a private bar with one free drink ticket.
Fall Festival, Sept. 14-Oct. 31, Beasley’s Orchard
This multi-week festival has unique themes and offerings for each weekend, such as Dogs Days at the Maze and Halloweekend, with activities including apple cannons, corn mazes, and a straw mountain available every day.
Fall Fest, Sept. 21, 5-10 p.m., Digs Garden Center
Join a family-friendly festival celebrating the beginning of fall with live music, food, drinks, activities, and cozy vibes. Plus, bring along your fur babies and enjoy Dog Henge, the free dog park — 20% of ticket sales will be donated to F.A.C.E. Low Cost Animal Clinic.
GermanFest, Oct. 5, 12-6 p.m., Athenaeum
Brat summer, meet brat fall. Join the Athenaeum’s 16th annual GermanFest, an all-ages celebration with bier, brats, and wiener dogs.
Autumntidings Fall Festival, Oct. 19, 1-6 p.m., Monon 30
This cider festival by Ash & Elm Cider Co. has quickly become a fall favorite and is returning for its third year. It’s a celebration of the changing of the season featuring Ash & Elm’s popular fall seasonal, Autumntide, as well as four other fall-forward ciders. Plus try samples from other popular Indiana cideries, breweries, and distilleries.
Covered Bridge Festival, Oct. 11-20, Parke County
Visit Indiana’s largest fall festival to discover the county’s 31 historic covered bridges + authentic arts and crafts, food, and beautiful fall foliage.
Halloween happenings
ZooBoo, Sept. 25-Oct. 31, Indianapolis Zoo
Come to the zoo for Halloween activities, animals, and pumpkins galore. Plus enjoy hands-free activities, spooktacular costumes, and trick-or-treating for an unforgettable family tradition. ZooBoo is free for zoo members + included with regular admission.
Harvest Nights, Sept. 29-Nov. 2, Newfields
Spooky, not scary, fun for the family is back. Be delightfully frightened on Pumpkin Path of Peril, feel the Ghost Train rumble beneath your feet, and watch the grand finale at Mischief Manor.
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, Oct. 19-26, Irvington
Each year, this historic neighborhood welcomes 80,000+ guests for week-long Halloween celebrations with special events and fun for everyone.
Headless Horseman, Oct. 3-27, Conner Prairie
Take the iconic haunted hayride to encounter the headless horseman, then decompress with spooky shows and storytelling, festive rides and games, and the monster museum.
Haunted houses
Piney Acres Scream Farm, Fortville
Brave Piney Acres Scream Farm, featuring three horrifying attractions and up to 72 acres of terror. Get lost in the 6-acre haunted trail or strap yourself in and experience the end of the world via zombie apocalypse on the haunted hayride.
Indy Scream Park, Sept. 6-Nov. 2, Anderson
Discover not one but six of your worst nightmare scenarios in these super detailed, immersive mazes.
