Indianapolis Fall Festivals 2024 – Fall IN Events
Celebration Crossing - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Jan 5, 2025
Indiana State Museum. Santa arrives via helicopter on opening day. Hop on the Snowfall Express, the must-ride experience of the holiday season, to discover a forest populated by charming, whimsical characters celebrating the coming winter and the first snowfall. Many favorites are back this year, including visits with Santa, activities in Santa’s Front Yard, the 92 County Tree, Santa’s Holiday Breakfasts, Winter Wonderland Workshops, the Reindeer Barn and more.
Festival of Trees at Lanthier Winery - Madison, IN - Nov 29 to Dec 24, 2024
Over 100 decorated trees highlight the holiday season.
Host of Angels - Madison, IN - Nov 29 to Dec 30, 2024
Lanthier Winery. Splendid gathering of traditional holiday angels, celestial creatures and cherubs
Circle of Lights - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Nov 29, 2024
Monument Circle. Indy tradition for 50+ years. Join thousands of spectators at Monument Circle downtown for this holiday lighting spectacular event, presented by IBEW.
A Beef & Boards Christmas - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Jan 4, 2025
For 2024, “A Christmas Story: A Musical” and “A Christmas Carol” (and in the past – A Beef & Boards Christmas, and Irving Berlin’s A White Christmas, among others) treats guests to an array of all their holiday favorites.
Winterfaire at the Children’s Museum - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 29 to Jan 5, 2025
From the arrival of Santa to Countdown to Noon and all things in between, the museum’s calendar is a Nice List full of indoor holiday events
A Merry Prairie Holiday - Fishers, IN - Nov 29 to Dec 22, 2024
A 3D projection mapping holiday show will blanket the William Conner House with “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” A sock skating rink, the Reynolds lights and lessons about holidays around the world are among more activities.
Drumstick Dash - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
4.6 mile “Full Gobbler,” and 2.75 mile “Mini Gobbler.” 100% of the proceeds helps Wheeler Mission serve those experiencing homelessness in the community.
Turkey Day 5k - Greenfield, IN - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
The course starts and finishes in front of the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Building. The route includes a run through historic downtown as well as along the beautiful Pennsy Trail. Walkers, you have up to 90 minutes to complete the 5K. Costumes welcome and encouraged
Christmas at the Zoo - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 23 to Jan 5, 2025
Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo continues to grow.
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 16 to Jan 21, 2025
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure is a G-scale model train wonderland containing nine working model trains that wind through a stunning miniature landscape. The exhibit features miniature versions of local treasures of downtown Indianapolis, including the Eiteljorg Museum, Monument Circle, Union Station and Lucas Oil Stadium. The trains then head through the national parks of the American West, passing legendary sites, including grand railway lodges, Northwest Coast Native villages, and wonders both natural and human-made—Mt. Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Falls, Old Faithful, San Francisco, the Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam and much more.
Festival of Trees at Indiana Historical Society - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 15 to Jan 4, 2025
This year’s extravaganza will feature a winter wonderland of over 75 elaborately decorated trees representing individuals, families and organizations from around Indiana. Each guest will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tree. Visitors can also take part in scavenger hunts for The Elf on the Shelf throughout the building & watch IHS’s social media channels for hints on its locations!
Indy International Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 14 to Nov 16, 2024
Held at the Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and features the opportunity to travel the world in just a few steps! Different cultures are represented with colorful displays, traditional dress, music, dance, and food!
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 9 to Nov 9, 2024
The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is one of the 15 largest marathons in the US and typically sells out. The marathon, half marathon, and 5K courses were designed to wind through historical Indianapolis neighborhoods, past some of the most notable monuments and landmarks including the Indiana State Capitol building, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and the Indiana War Memorial.
Christmas Nights of Lights at the Indiana State Fairgrounds - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 8 to Dec 31, 2024
Come see over 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show and begin a new Christmas tradition with us.
Spirit and Place Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 1 to Nov 10, 2024
Over 35 events in over 30 venues across the city, including art exhibitions, dance performances, family events, lectures and more! The festival aims to open minds, touch hearts, and build bridges to help citizens move forward in new ways, both individually and collectively
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 19 to Oct 26, 2024
Tons of Halloween fun including pumpkin carving contest, masquerade ball, zombie bike ride, costume party and street fair. Runners can enjoy a 5 mile Vampire run, 3 mile walk, or kids dash. Also features art shows, exhibit on ghouls, seances, organ concert, puppet show, movie nights, coffin race, ghost tour and more!
Hoosier Fall Fest - Franklin, IN - Oct 19 to Oct 20, 2024
A unique fall festival with live entertainment, children activities, vendors from handmade to commercially available items.
Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 12 to Oct 12, 2024
Celtic music, face painting, royal court, Celtic dance, highland athletics, whisky tasting and more.
Heartland Film Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 10 to Oct 20, 2024
Since the inaugural Festival in 1992, Heartland has grown from a four-day event with less than 20 films to an 11-day celebration featuring more than 100 independent films, 200 visiting filmmakers and 300 film screenings.
Indy Pagan Pride Day - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2024
Rituals, workshops, dancing, drumming, art, food, action and more! Admission is canned or dry food/toiletries for the Damien Center
Germanfest - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2024
Annual celebration of German-American Day. German food, beer, strong man competition, 5k Lederhosen Run/Walk, Wiener Dog Races. ZwergenLand for Kids ($2) has play area, arts & crafts, bounce house, fishing pond, face painting and other activities. Two stages of entertainment, beer games for teams of five members 21+ includes contests such as beer stein holding, cow toss, stein relay and grape stompede. Proceeds benefit Historic Athenaeum. Location: 401 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
IHM Oktoberfest - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2024
Live music, beer, and more
Franklin Fall Vintage Festival - Franklin, IN - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2024
1 mile dance, street fair with kids zone and entertainment, food vendors, fish fry, baking contest, parade, dachsund derby, and fireworks
Carmel Octoberfest - Carmel, IN - Oct 4 to Oct 4, 2024
An annual event celebrating fall. Festival is free to the public and open to all age ranges. There will also be food, drink and biergarten of course.
Metamora Canal Days Festival - Metamora, IN - Oct 4 to Oct 6, 2024
For over 50 years, Metamora has been enjoying Canal Days, with vendor booths all over town with treasures and bargains.
Seymour Oktoberfest - Seymour, IN - Oct 3 to Oct 5, 2024
This festival has been happening for more than 40 years. Bier Garten, carnival and flea market at First Methodist Church. There are a number of contests over the weekend, including the 5K walk/run, baking contest, horseshoe tournament, cornhole tournament, prince & princess, window & booth decorating, baby contest, polka & chicken dance, talent contest, brat eating and coloring contest. When the weather cooperates, there is also a hot air balloon race. Three stages of free entertainment nightly, including bluegrass festival, dancers, cloggers and German band. There are also carnival rides, arts & crafts, pumpkin painting, dumpster decorating, sand art booth and cake walk for kids in the One Kids Square. Admission is free. Pets are not allowed. Location: 2nd and Walnut, Seymour
Herron Morton Place Oktoberfest - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 28 to Sep 28, 2024
Annual event from 3-9 PM. Will have food trucks, restaurant vendors, live music and beer. Located at historic Herron-Morton Place Park in downtown Indianapolis. Kids are welcome (those under 12 are free) and dogs are allowed! Event proceeds benefit the park.
Rocky Ripple Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 28 to Sep 28, 2024
Held annually on the last Saturday in September, this festival focuses on the arts – over 70 artists, live entertainment, beer and wine, food vendors, and more
Carmel International Arts Festival - Carmel, IN - Sep 28 to Sep 29, 2024
Over 130 juried artists exhibiting in watercolor, oil, 2D, jewelry, photography, 3D, wood, sculpture, pottery and more.
Atlanta New Earth Festival - Atlanta, IN - Sep 28 to Sep 29, 2024
This small town draws crowds of 80,000 for the 600 vendors offering fine art, crafts, antiques, and food.
Madison Chautauqua Arts & Crafts Show - Madison, IN - Sep 28 to Sep 29, 2024
An outdoor juried fine art and craft show in the tree-lined streets of this National Landmark Historic District.
Monument Circle Oktoberfest - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 27 to Sep 27, 2024
Annual Indianapolis Oktoberfest hosted by the Columbia Club with German & American food, live music and biergarten. Portion of proceeds goes to local organizations. Admission is free and open to the public.
The Rathskeller Oktoberfest - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 27 to Sep 27, 2024
Live music by Polkaboy as part of their Oktoberfest celebration. Location: 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Festival of the Turning Leaves - Thorntown, IN - Sep 27 to Sep 29, 2024
Over the last full weekend in September, visitors from all over come to enjoy a variety of activities, entertainers, craft and food vendors, a parade, a children’s area, museum tours, and much, much more
James Dean Festival - Fairmount, IN - Sep 27 to Sep 29, 2024
Fans of the actor descend on Fairmount to celebrate the life and work of one of the most enduring legacies in Hollywood, with attractions such as the Annual Museum Days and Annual James Dean Run.
Versailles Pumpkin Show - Versailles, IN - Sep 25 to Sep 28, 2024
Annual event that began in 1899 and celebrated prize pumpkins, and has grown to include various contests, parades, commercial carnival rides, a dance, Punkin Chunkin’, an annual art show, and more
Heritage Days Festival - Frankton, IN - Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2024
Celebrate the local community with great food, live entertainment, exciting activities, arts, crafts, parades and more.
Canaan Fall Festival and Pony Express Mail Run - Canaan, IN - Sep 20 to Sep 21, 2024
Enjoy a Pony Express mail run between Canaan and Madison, plus food, live entertainment, kid’s games, exhibits, arts & crafts and more! Free admission
Indy Jazz Fest - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 16 to Sep 28, 2024
Now celebrating more than 20 years as a mainstay in the Indianapolis arts and culture scene, the annual Indy Jazz Fest returns with a lineup celebrating the legacy of jazz, modern masters and the discovery of new jazz stars.
Festival of Faiths - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 15 to Sep 15, 2024
The Center for Interfaith Cooperation presents the annual Indy Festival of Faiths at Military Park at White River State Park. This one-day celebration of religious diversity features a drumming circle, procession of faiths, sacred art, kids activities, youth forums and more. More than a hundred congregations and community groups will display how they live the FestivalÂ’s theme: “Embracing Diversity.” ItÂ’’s a unique chance to learn about religious traditions you may never have heard of. Children can spend the afternoon exploring the Play Zone, learning about how kids around the world have fun. On the Sacred Arts Stage, see and hear performances of Indian dance, music by undocumented youth, and a choir of homeless persons. Enjoy food from around the world.
Fiesta de la Familia: A Celebration of Latino Cultures - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 15 to Sep 15, 2024
Families and children will enjoy special music, art and culture including mariachi, Latin rock, metal art, worrydolls, paper flowers and more! Held at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which is open with FREE admission all day for this event, so you can check out the other exhibits as well!
Mask-Fest - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 13 to Sep 15, 2024
Midwest’s premier monster art mask and makeup festival.
Back to the Fifties Festival - Lebanon, IN - Sep 13 to Sep 14, 2024
Celebrate the 1950s with classic car show, street dance, live music and children’s fun park.
Penrod Arts Fair - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 7 to Sep 7, 2024
One of the nation’s largest single day art fairs, one of the biggest fundraisers for the Penrod Society. Held at Newfields campus. Since 1967.
Scottish Festival - Columbus, IN - Sep 7 to Sep 8, 2024
A weekend of Scottish entertainment, competition, history and more.
Zionsville Lions Fall Festival - Zionsville, IN - Sep 6 to Sep 8, 2024
Parade, live entertainment, carnival, food court, commercial spaces, arts and crafts, kids corner and more.
German Park Oktoberfest - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 5 to Sep 7, 2024
The German American Club and Edelweiss Restaurant host this Oktoberfest. Live music and entertainment. Members of any German organization get in free if they show their membership card at the gate. Pets, except for service animals, are not allowed. Location: 8600 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis
Tipton County Pork Festival - Tipton, IN - Sep 5 to Sep 7, 2024
Come see, smell and taste ten tons of great pork!
Metamora Music Festival - Metamora, IN - Aug 31 to Sep 1, 2024
Two day celebration of traditional American music along the Whitewater Canal, Sat & Sun of Labor Day weekend in Metamora, IN
Paragon Homecoming Festival - Paragon, IN - Aug 30 to Sep 1, 2024
A festival for the whole family, since 1924, over Labor Day weekend.
Indy LaborFest - Indianapolis, IN - Aug 24 to Aug 24, 2024
Free admission to this street festival featuring music, food, beverages and a kid’s zone
Southern Indiana Blues Fest - Morgantown, IN - Aug 22 to Aug 24, 2024
Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground plays host to this annual music festival
Richmond Oktoberfest - Richmond, IN - Sep 30 to Sep 30, 2023
Annual Oktoberfest includes locally made beer, brats, games, live music, trike race and crafts. This is a huge street fair with lots of local crafts and artisans. The beer garden features brews by the New Boswell Brewing Company. Do not miss Ullery’s Ice Cream.
Noblesville Brewfest and Wine Garden - Noblesville, IN - Sep 16 to Sep 16, 2023
21+ event – beer tasting, live band, silent auction, and commemorative sampling glass for all. Designated drivers admitted at no charge – so don’t drink and drive!
Indianapolis Chinese Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Sep 9 to Sep 9, 2023
Held during September, the month of the Chinese Moon Festival, the second largest Chinese festival and a celebration of the harvest with family and friends. A collaboration between several Chinese organizations, visitors can expect dragon and lion dancers, tai chi and martial arts demonstrations, dancers, singers, musicians, games, moon cakes, food, kids activities and more.
Winterlights - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 20 to Jan 8, 2023
Experience the wonder of over a million and a half lights glittering in The Garden this holiday season at Winterlights presented by Bank of America. Just over the river and through the woods Winterlights transforms Newfields into a winter wonderland.
Magic of Lights – Noblesville - Noblesville, IN - Nov 18 to Jan 1, 2023
Drive through light experience at Ruoff Music Center
The Holy Name Oktoberfest - Beech Grove, IN - Sep 30 to Oct 1, 2022
A two day community event hosted by Holy Name Parish of Beech Grove that is attended by more than 1,000 people. Authentic German food, biergarten, live music and kids zone with games. The festival raises funds to support the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.
Peewinkle’s Christmas Puppet Show - Indianapolis., IN - Dec 4 to Dec 4, 2021
50 min puppet show at Arts for Lawrence inside the Theater at the Fort. This fun filled, high spirited, holiday entertainment is a perfect event for the whole family. Mozart and Ludmilla, the ritzy rodents, will host this variety show of holiday marionettes, music and audience participation.
A Christmas Carol at Beef and Boards - Indianapolis, IN - Dec 3 to Dec 31, 2021
From the pages of Dickens comes this delightful musical adaptation of the holiday classic with traditional carols. Experience the transformation of the miserly Scrooge into someone who understands the true meaning of kindness and love, accomplished with the help of three spirits from the past, present, and future.
AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration - Indianapolis, IN - Dec 3 to Dec 23, 2021
Your favorite holiday music will once again be brought to life with Broadway-style showstoppers, the famous tap-dancing Santas, and more.
Holiday Sounds - Indianapolis, IN - Dec 1 to Dec 17, 2021
Indiana State Museum. Delight in the sounds of the season from school and community choirs, bands, ensembles, and soloists as they perform holiday music daily in the museum’s Great Hall.
Santa’s Holiday Breakfast - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 28 to Dec 19, 2021
Enjoy a delicious and festive buffet breakfast with Santa amidst the holiday splendor of Celebration Crossing featuring holiday music, decorations and Santa’s helpers in the Great Hall. After breakfast, visit Santa in his house, explore Santa’s Front Yard and Reindeer Barn and take a ride on the Snowfall Express
Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble - Pendleton, IN - Nov 25 to Nov 25, 2021
The 5K course will start at the Pendleton YMCA and continue into downtown Pendleton. All registration proceeds benefit the YMCA of Madison County’s Annual Campaign, which provides scholarships to kids and families in need. The Gobble Wobble is the perfect way to kick start your family’s Thanksgiving Day activities!
Gobble Til You Wobble at the Indianapolis Zoo - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 25 to Nov 25, 2021
Virtual for 2021. Fifth annual Gobble Til You Wobble 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2! Lace up those running shoes and get wobbling! They’re donating at least 20% of each registration to Feeding America, which is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to connect people with food and end hunger.
Thanksgiving Eve at Howl at the Moon Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 24 to Nov 24, 2021
Turkey is good, but booze is better! Celebrate the long holiday weekend with some live music, dancing and drinks, with featured drinks, games, dancing and a great night out!
CANvitational - Indianapolis, IN - Nov 2 to Nov 2, 2019
The midwest’s largest canned craft beer festival with over 40 breweries from across America.
Hat City On Tap Craft Beer Festival - Indianapolis, IN - Oct 12 to Oct 12, 2019
The Hat City On Tap Craft Beer Festival is returning to the Danbury Arena this October 12th from 4-8pm or upgrade to VIP from 3pm-8PM. Sample over 120 releases from some of America’s best craft breweries! DD tickets are $10 at the door, day of, for 21+ and will not sell out