Lucky you. You just found INDYtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Indy each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, and text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Spooky season fun
Haunted History Tour | Friday, Oct. 3 | 7-9 p.m. | Monument Circle | $18 | From unsolved murders to tragic accidents, you’ll hear the true stories that led to Indy’s reported hauntings.
Practical Magic Event | Saturday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 5 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Oak & Amethyst, Greenwood | $37 | Don your best witch attire for charcuterie, mocktails, and witchy crafting.
Haunted Cookie House Decorating Class | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 2-4 p.m. | Draft Day Pub, Greenwood | $10 | Get into the Halloween spirit one sprinkle at a time as you build the mansion of your nightmares.
The Witching Hour | Friday, Oct. 10, Sunday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site | $15+ | Discover sorcerers, spirits, and more on a spooky journey through the historic home.
“Ghostbusters” | Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Schrott Center for the Arts | Free | Who ya gonna call to attend this free screening with you?
Festivals
Corks in Carmel | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 1-5 p.m. | Carmel Arts and Design District | Free admission | Sip, savor, shop, and celebrate the season at this fall tasting event.
The Arts in Autumn | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 1-5 p.m. | Carmel MidTown Plaza | Free admission | Join an afternoon filled with creativity, community, and crisp autumn air.
Indy’s Global Village Diwali Celebration | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 3 p.m. | Indy’s Global Village Welcome Center | Free | Celebrate the Hindu New Year with music and dance performances, activities, and delicious Indian food.
Whether you made it to a playoffs game, joined a local watch party, or just spectated from your couch, we hope your experience cheering on the Pacers in the NBA Finals was just as unforgettable as ours.
Photo by @aaron.creates
Sports
IU Indianapolis Jaguars Women’s Soccer | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7 p.m. | Carroll Stadium | $7 | Cheer on the Jaguars as they prove to the competition that they’re the biggest cat in the jungle.
USA Lacrosse Experience | Saturday, Oct. 11-Monday, Oct. 13 | Times vary | IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium | $25+ | Cheer on U.S. National Teams as they compete against top rivals from around the globe in Olympic Sixes.
NBA Preseason: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | $18+ | Support the Blue and Gold as they face off against OKC in an epic NBA Finals rematch.
Active
Bourbon + Birdies | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 3 p.m. | Back 9 Golf | $60+ | Sip smooth bourbon, savor chef-inspired bites, and tee off alongside your favorite Indianapolis radio personalities.
Women’s Self Defense Class | Monday, Oct. 13 | 7:30-9 p.m. | 75 Whittington Dr., Brownsburg | Free | Wear comfy clothes to learn how to defend yourself in dangerous situations.
Dance Walk Indy | Thursday, Oct. 16 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Broad Ripple Avenue | Free | Join your neighbors in turning sidewalks into dance floors on this joyful walk.
Aruna 5K Run for Freedom | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 8 a.m. | Fowling Warehouse | $45+ | Lace up your shoes for this run that uses 100% of registration fees and other donations to help free trafficked women.
Outpacing the Stigma 5K Run/Walk | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 8:30-11 a.m. | Overdose Lifeline | $46 | Race along the canal to support Heart Rock Justus Family Recovery Center, one of the few sober living communities where moms in recovery can live and heal with their children.
Shows + concerts
Choir! Choir! Choir!: We Will Choir! You - An Epic Queen Sing-Along | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel | $25+ | You’ll be having a good time at this hilarious sing-along show that’s guaranteed to blow your mind.
FOX59 Presents: MasterChef All-Stars Live! | Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 7 p.m. | Old National Centre | $41+ | Witness epic head-to-head cooking battles as chefs create jaw-dropping culinary creations.
Decades: 175 Years of American Music | Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | McGowan Hall | $17+ | Enjoy a nostalgic trip through musical Americana at this live cabaret musical.
“Batman” In Concert | Friday, Oct. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall | $52+ | Dress up as your favorite DC character for this 35th anniversary screening, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Seether + Daughtry | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | $49+ | Rock out with this pair of nostalgic bands.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven X Beyonce | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Hilbert Circle Theatre | $15+ | The queen of pop meets the king of classical music.
Daniel Habif: Ascender World Tour 2025 | Thursday, Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall | $55+ | Get inspired by one of the most prominent and influential Spanish-speaking motivational speakers in the world.
ICO Presents: “Ben-Hur” (1925) Silent Film with Live Orchestral Score | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Schrott Center for the Arts | $50+ | Experience this epic cinematic masterpiece as the ICO performs Carl Davis’ grand score.
Stardew Valley: Symphony Of Seasons | Sunday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | Clowes Memorial Hall | $51+ | Hear a 35-piece orchestra perform the most memorable music from the beloved game.
Theater
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” | Thursday, Oct. 2-Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park | Free | Something wicked this way comes — experience the gothic intensity of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy under the stars.
“Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 7 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall | $32+ | Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends.
“The Gathering” | Thursday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Oct. 25 | Times vary | The Athenaeum | $28+ | Experience a theatrical recreation of a 1920s seance as you travel through rarely-seen corridors of the historic Athenaeum.
Classes
Sushi + Sake Cooking Class | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 6 p.m. | A Cut Above, Carmel | $135 | Learn to roll sushi and discover the secret to crispy rice tuna.
Couples + Money: Building Wealth Together | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | 13085 Hamilton Crossing Blvd., Carmel | $23 | Learn how to navigate finances with your partner, build wealth together, and strengthen your relationship.
Rye Bread Class | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Carmel Clay Public Library | Free | Learn how to make a delicious loaf of rye bread with Frank the Bread Guy.
Genealogy Marathon | Friday, Oct. 17 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Carmel Clay Public Library, | Free | Join 80+ other libraries across the country to celebrate Family History Day with genealogy lectures.
Wheel Throwing Four Week Course | Thursday, Oct. 23-Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Arts for Lawrence Visual Arts Center | $165 | Learn basic throwing techniques and how to create work on the wheel from start to finish over four classes.
Get social
Gossip Curl Brunch | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 3 p.m. | Kurlykoils | $29 | Enjoy delicious food and engaging conversations about all things curly hair — oh, and did we mention bottomless mimosas?
MARCON Indy 2025 | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Indiana State Fairgrounds | $105+ | AMA Indy members can join 150+ local marketing leaders, agency pros, and brand strategists for a full day of insights, panels, and meaningful connection.
Stan Society Presents “The Life of a Showgirl Tour” | Friday, Oct. 10 | 8 p.m. | Old National Centre | $28+ | Celebrate Taylor’s new album and discover the fate of Ophelia at this dance party.
Howl and Wine | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Biltwell Event Center | $75+ | Sip a signature cocktail, savor tasty bites, customize a dog tag for your pet, and cheer for adoptable dogs as they strut their stuff in a Halloween costume runway show.
For the fam
“The Cat Who Walked By Himself” | Wednesday, Oct. 8-Sunday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Lilly Hall Studio Theatre | $25 | Explore the journey of cats from wild animals to household pets, featuring enduring themes like kindness, independence, and compromise.
Teen Kindness Crew: Pumpkins for Pups | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 5-6 p.m. | Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library Whitestown Branch | Free | Students in grades 7-12 can paint pumpkins for the animals + humans at the Humane Society of Boone County to enjoy this fall.
Dinos + Fossils | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 2-3 p.m. | Overley Worman Park, Zionsville | $5+ | Kids age 3 and up will dig discovering the amazing world of dinosaurs through fun stories and hands-on adventures.
Twilight Tales: Strange Encounters (ages 6+) | Wednesday, Oct. 22, Friday, Oct. 24 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Indiana State Museum | $25 | Decorate a candy bag and help solve a family-friendly mystery as you explore the museum by flashlight.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.