Festival season is a good excuse to explore Indiana for the day, especially when the destination involves strawberry shortcake, hydroplane racing, circus performers or a pickle-eating contest. Here are eight small-town Indiana festivals worth putting on the family calendar in 2026.

8 Small-Town Indiana Festivals Worth the Drive
Rosedale Strawberry Festival
Location: Rosedale, Ind.
Dates: Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7
Rosedale’s strawberry weekend keeps things simple: homemade strawberry shortcake, local vendors, live music, a tractor show, car show, parade, pet parade, pageants, a bake-off, a shortcake-eating contest and kid-friendly extras like bounce houses and face painting. The festival takes place in Rosedale, about 70 miles west of Indianapolis.

Madison Regatta and Roostertail Music Fest
Location: Madison Riverfront and Bicentennial Park, Madison, Ind.
Dates: Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5
The Madison Regatta brings hydroplane racing to the Ohio River, with the Roostertail Music Festival running alongside the race weekend at Bicentennial Park. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free, and the festival notes that food trucks are on site and city street parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Plan extra drive time, because Madison is not right off the interstate.

Peru Circus City Festival
Location: 154 N. Broadway, Peru, Ind.
Dates: Monday, July 13 through Saturday, July 18
Peru’s circus history is the center of this weeklong festival, with youth circus performances, rides, food, vendors and games downtown. The festival ends Saturday with the Circus City Parade, which the festival describes as the longest-running annual circus parade in the world. If the circus show is the main reason you are going, check the performance schedule before driving up.

Famous Pickle Festival
Location: St. Joe, Ind.
Dates: Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Famous Pickle Festival in St. Joe returns for its 30th annual event with food, craft vendors, bands and contests. The full event schedule is still listed as coming soon, but this is usually the one to watch for pickle-themed contests, a parade, kids activities and small-town festival food. Pets are not allowed on the festival grounds.

Pierogi Fest
Location: Downtown Whiting, Ind.
Dates: Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Pierogi Fest takes over downtown Whiting with food vendors, beer garden areas, music, the Polka Parade and the pierogi toss and pierogi-eating contests. The Polka Parade starts at 7 p.m. Friday along 119th Street, beginning at Forsythe Park and ending at Atchison Avenue. Sunday’s pierogi contests are scheduled for 3:30 to 5 p.m., with registration at the Chamber of Commerce during the festival.

Jasper Strassenfest
Location: Downtown Jasper, Ind.
Dates: Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, Aug. 2
Jasper Strassenfest is a German-inspired street festival with live entertainment, food, games, contests, carnival rides and a parade. Families can also look for German music and dancing around downtown. The official schedule is still filling in, so check closer to festival week if you are planning around a specific parade, ride time or performance.

Marshall County Blueberry Festival
Location: Centennial Park, 1660 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Ind.
Dates: Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival fills Centennial Park with food, craft vendors, carnival rides, entertainment, sports competitions and plenty of blueberry treats. Some vendors are open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, but tram service is not offered that night. Official festival parking is at Plymouth High School and costs $10 per car or $20 for a weekend pass, with free round-trip tram service included. Accessible parking is also at the high school.

Valparaiso Popcorn Festival
Location: Downtown Valparaiso, Ind.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; parade at 10 a.m.
The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival returns downtown with the Popcorn Parade, more than 280 arts and crafts booths, 50 food booths, the Ultimate Poppin’ Play Zone, Popcorn Panic races, live music and a beer tent. Admission is free. The festival is a busy downtown event, so this is one where arriving before the 10 a.m. parade is the difference between a decent parking spot and a long walk with snack demands.

Upcoming Small-Town Indiana Festivals
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