Don’t worry, the Headless Horseman Festival isn’t too spooky and is appropriate for all ages. | Photo by Conner Prairie
Don’t sweat the fall stuff. Whether you love sipping on PSLs, getting lost in corn mazes, or shopping ‘til the temps drop, these festivals are sure to make you fall in love with autumn.
Beech Grove Fall Festival | Wednesday, Sept. 13-Saturday, Sept. 16 | Various times | 600 Main St., Beech Grove | This year’s theme, “History of the Grove,” promises to give visitors a little insight into the town’s history as they enjoy rides, games, music, and even a Saturday parade.
Beasley’s Orchard Fall Festival | Saturday, Sept. 16-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | Various times | 2304 E. Main St., Danville | 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.
Harvest Nights | Every Tuesday-Sunday from Thursday, Sept. 28-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | Various times | The Garden at Newfields | Wander through thousands of glowing jack-o-lanterns and the spookily decorated Lilly House as you sip on hot drinks or munch on fall-flavored treats.
Franklin Fall Vintage Fest | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Franklin | Celebrate all things fall with 100+ antique dealers, live music, and food trucks. While you’re there, don’t miss the neighboring Ethos Celebration of the Arts on the same day.
Headless Horseman Festival | Every Thurs.-Sun from Thurs., Oct. 5-Sun., Oct. 29 | Various times | 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.
Fishers Agripark Fall Festival | Tuesday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 14 | 4-7 p.m. | 11171 Florida Rd., Fishers | Register before arriving to explore the scarecrow trail and corn maze and enjoy fall activities like pumpkin carving, carnival games, crafts, and campfires with s’mores.
Covered Bridge Festival | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Various times | 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.
Locally Made: Indy’s Fall Fest | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 12-5 p.m. | Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. | ARTSPARK will come alive in this free event featuring interactive activities, food for purchase, artwork, wares, and artisanal goods from 25 local and regional artists.
Autumntidings Fall Fest | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 1-6 p.m. | The Cradle at Monon 30, 1118 E. 30th St. | Celebrate the season with this second annual festival hosted by Ash & Elm Cider Co., featuring several other Indiana-based cideries, breweries, and distilleries.
77th Annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival | Saturday, Oct. 21-Saturday, Oct. 28 | Various times | Irvington neighborhood | Visit this Halloween-loving town for several events like the Masquerade Ball, Spooky Organ Concert, Zombie Bike Ride, Vampire Run, and costume contests.
Use the links below to share this free newsletter with you fall-loving family and friends.
Pumpkin Spice Pottery Painting Class | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | uPaint Pottery Studio, Multiple locations | $29 | Grab a friend and join this fun instructor-led class to paint a plate that will jazz up your fall decor. 🖌️
Friday
Indy Night Market | Fri., Sept. 23-Sat., Sept. 24 | 4-10 p.m. | Indianapolis City Market | Cost of purchase | Check out this food, arts + culture festival that brings to life Indy’s food scene, including farmers, restaurants, chefs, and food entrepreneurs in the heart of downtown. 🌃
Pints and Paddles | Fri., Sept. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Stephens Park, 605 Stephen Dr., Brownsburg | Free | Enjoy time on the courts while socializing with fellow pickleball lovers. 🏓
Saturday
26th Annual Indy Irish Fest | Sat., Sept. 24 | 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. | Garfield Park | $5+ | Join this family-friendly celebration showcasing music, dance, arts, culture, language, and history. ☘️
Sunday
Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Sun., Sept. 25 | 1 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $62+ | Cheer on the Colts during the team’s first home game of the season. 🏈
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
This 3-minute online allergy quiz was designed by allergists to give you the best recommendation for treating your unique allergy symptoms. | Photo provided by Picnic
At INDYtoday, we love everything about fall. Almost everything — cozy sweaters are great, but we could do without the inevitable spike in allergies. (And no, it’s not just you — allergies are much worse these days.)
But you don’t have to suffer in sneezy, itchy silence. Picnic is a one-stop shop for allergy treatment, with individually customized plans that combine over-the-counter and prescription med solutions so you can live your best Indianapolis life unbothered.
$7 million. That’s about how much money it’ll cost to repair the crumbling steps leading to the Soldiers & Sailors Monument on the Circle. The project is expected to take just under two years to complete + the museum inside of the memorial is closed until at least 2024. 🚧 (WISH)
Opening
A new Total Wine & More location is opening in Carmel on Wed., Sept. 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that will include local music, beer, and wine tastings. The liquor store has one other location in Indy + recently opened up a location in Greenwood. 🍷 (Indianapolis Monthly)
Nearly three years after Carmel Clay Library’s main location closed for renovations, it’s planning a grand reopening of the space on Sat., Oct 1. The $40 million revamp is bringing more community gathering space, a Java House coffee shop, digital media lab, expanded teen area, and a new parking garage with a skybridge. 📚 (IndyStar)
Closed
Have you seen the new mural outside of Baby’s?It’s part of the burger + shake joint’s remodel. The restaurant located at 2147 N. Talbott St. is temporarily closed for about the next two weeks. Keep an eye on its social media for the reopening date. 🍔
Edu
Butler University received a $908,000 grant, which it plans to use to create Butler BOOST — a youth camp program to get kids ready for college and their futures. So far, three different camps have been announced + Butler expects it will take about three years to get the camps up and running. 🎒(WISH)
Sports
The Indianapolis-based Horizon League announced it will continue playing men’s + women’s basketball championships at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum through 2026. The Horizon League is an 11-school collegiate athletic conference in NCAA Division I that includes IUPUI and Purdue University. 🏀 (IBJ)
Try This
Kick off spooky season with an Addams Family–themed pop-up inside Scarlet Lane Brewing Company at 4601 N. College Ave. Expect to have a bone-chilling time while snacking on Fester’s Fingertraps stuffed jalapeños, Morticia’s Garden of Torment mixed greens, or We Dance the Mamushka beer-marinated chicken. 💀 (Indianapolis Monthly)
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Trending
Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” broke records for new Prime memberships last week, with more sign-ups over a three hour periodto view the Chiefs-Chargers game than on Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday. Tonight’s game? Steelers vs. Browns. Join the party with a 30-day free Prime Video trial. 🏈 (CNBC)*
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It’s not even October yet and skeletons are already creeping around Indianapolis. | Photo by u/Kernel_Pie via Reddit
Nothing says the return of spooky season like spotting a 12-foot skeleton towering over a coffin on the streets of Indianapolis.
This bone-chilling sight was spotted by a Reddit user on East Washington Street — and if you know anything about that side of town, it makes sense that this would be making its way toward Indy’s unofficial Halloweentown.
Walking around Irvington in the fall is an experience, with homes decked out in cobwebs and skulls. The neighborhood is infamous for its house decorating, costume contests + other Halloween festivities.
Are you in spooky spirits yet? We want to see your Halloween decor. Tag us in your photos on Instagram + use the hashtag #SpookyINDYtoday. The best submission will be in for a trick-or-treat.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Nicole.
Editor’s pick: Here’s another fall activity to add to your bucket list. The Children’s Museum’s Haunted House: Game Night Fright opens on Wed., Oct. 12 and runs through Sun., Oct. 30. You’ll make your way through a maze of giant game pieces + navigate through the Delusional Dominos to battle the Wretched Rooks. Get tickets. ♟️
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