25 Best September Festivals near Indianapolis

August 15, 2022

September brings with it cooler temperatures, changing leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything…and a whole lot of festivals! From cultural celebrations and fall festivals to art fairs, the month is packed with family-friendly events that are perfect for getting out and enjoying the glorious autumn weather.

Cuisine Connect Culture festival on September 10, 2022

September Festivals around Indianapolis:

Stuckey Farm Sunflower Festival

Where: September 2-5 & 9-11
Where: Stuckey Farm Orchard and Cider Mill

The Stuckey Farm Sunflower Festival will be bigger and better than ever! Imagine walking through acres of sunflowers of all shapes and varieties. You will see a dazzling array of over 20 different varieties of sunflowers. There is a forest of giant Skyscraper and Mammoth sunflowers that can grow to 15 feet tall, all the way down to Dwarf Teddy Bear sunflowers in Tiny Town.

Farmers Pike Festival

Where: September 2-5
Where: The Gloryland Lighthouse Chapel

Walk on soft grass and look at over 400 spaces of “Beautiful Antiques and Better Collectibles” Great Art and Unique Crafts from coast to coast and border to border, also exciting clothes and all types of jewelry and unique items of best quality around.

Indianapolis Labor Fest

Where: September 3
Where: Monument Circle

Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis will transform into Indy LaborFest, a free-admission street festival featuring music, food, beverages and a kid’s zone. Each year, more than 20,000 people attend this premier Labor Day weekend event.

Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest

Where: September 8-10
Where: Monroe County Fairgrounds

The 10th Annual Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana Balloon Fest will be held September 8-10 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, IN. Adults and kids of all ages will love seeing the impressive display of Hot Air Balloons, some in fun shapes.

ParkFest 2022

Where: September 8
Where: Falls Park in Pendleton

ParkFest 2022, featuring Stella Luna and the Satellites, is an outdoor concert at Barnhart Field in Pendleton’s Falls Park. It’s the second year for this event, a fundraiser for Falls Park.

Zionsville Lions Fall Festival

Where: September 9-11
Where: Lions Park

Bounce houses, carnival rides, cotton candy and much more can be found at the Zionsville Lions Fall Festival. The theme for this year’s 68th edition is Welcome to the Jungle.

Oktoberfest

Where: September 8-10
Where: German Park- Greenwood

A true Oktoberfest experience in Indianapolis! Music, entertainment, beirgarten and more.

Hoosier Hardwood Festival

Where: September 9-11
Where: Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds

The Hoosier Hardwood Festival is full of fun, features and entertainment for; not only industry pros & hobbyists, but the whole family! Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect to find.

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

Where: September 9-11
Where: Conner Prairie

Celebrate innovation and feel filled with wonder at the 2022 Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie. On Friday and Saturday evenings, enjoy live music, food, bounce houses and a balloon race to kick off a spectacular balloon glow featuring special shapes. On Saturday and Sunday at dawn, cheer on your favorite balloons as pilots fill the sky in exciting competitions, with a grand champion announced after Sunday’s final race!

Penrod Arts Fair

Where: September 10
Where: German Park- Greenwood

Indiana’s Nicest Day returns to the campus of the Newfields on September 10. This year’s fair features over three hundred artists, six stages of entertainment, approximately 75 arts-related non-profit organizations, and an extensive children’s area.

Blues in the ‘Burg

Where: September 9-10
Where: Arbuckle Acres Park

Blues in the ‘Burg is an absolutely can’t miss event for the whole family! Award-winning musical acts from around the country will perform during this two-day festival. In addition, we will have some of the best local food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a Kid’s Zone, and activities for all ages.

Cuisine Connect Culture

Where: September 10
Where: Grand Junction Plaza
Explore diverse arts, entertainment, traditions and food from all over the world at our 2nd annual Cuisine Connect Culture festival. In addition to enjoying performances and sampling diverse cuisines, you’ll be able to discover the traditions, crafts, products and games from other countries. We hope you will plan to bring your family and enjoy this wonderful multi-cultural event!

St. Joan of Arc French Market

Where: September 10
Where: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
The St. Joan of Arc FRENCH MARKET is a one-day, free-admission outdoor festival featuring authentic French dishes prepared on-site, French wine, live music all day, an artisan craft fair, a raffle, a children’s area and Mass said in the 100 year-old church at 5:30.

Carmel Chines Mooncake Festival

Where: September 10
Where: Midtown Plaza Carmel

Dragon Parade, Music, Dancing, and Mooncakes. There will be a dragon parade, traditional Chinese dancing and music, and of course Chinese Mooncakes. So bring the whole family out to experience the culture and traditions of China.

Beech Grove Fall Festival

Where: September 14-17
Where: Main Street, Beech Grove, IN

Enjoy rides, games, food booths and a craft fair on Saturday!

St. George Festival

Where: September 16-18
Where: St. George Orthodox Christian Church

This family-oriented festival includes Middle Eastern foods, live music, dancing, and a children’s carnival.

Carmel on Canvas

Where: September 16-18
Where: Indiana Design Center

Enjoy an open-air painting exhibition and competition, quick paint and art fair on the sidewalks throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District and Midtown.

Back to the Fifties Festival

Where: September 16-17
Where: Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds

Enjoy fifties style fun! There will be food, arts & crafts vendors, children’s activities; a street dance on Friday night, & huge car show on Saturday!

Global Fest Indy

Where: September 17
Where: Northwood Christian Church

Think global and fest local at Global Fest 2022 presented by Good Living Indy. Join the Center for Inquiry 70 to share traditions, honor heritage and learn about cultures through food, music, art and play.

Hunter’s Honey Harvest Celebration

Where: September 17
Where: Hunter’s Honey Farm

Be sure to come out to the Honey Farm and celebrate 112 years of beekeeping in Indiana with the Honey Cafe, a beekeeper hard at work, mini tours, and helicopter rides (weather permitting).

Irish Fest

Where: September 23
Where: Garfield Park

Indy’s long-running celebration of Irish culture! Enjoy live music, Irish dancers, cultural exhibits, sheep, Irish dogs, fun food and beverage options will be part of the Fest!

Carmel International Arts Festival

Where: September 24-25
Where: Carmel Arts and Design District

Each year, at Main Street and Rangeline Road we line the streets with Artists from all over the country.

Rocky Ripple Festival

Where: September 24
Where: Hohlt Park

This festival offers 70+ local artisans, live music, kids interactive area, great food with local beers and wine. Come spend the day enjoying Rocky Ripple and all the family friendly activities for all ages! Free.

St. Malachy Country Fair and Hog Roast

Where: September 30-Oct. 1
Where: St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg

A community weekend of food and fun. Stop by for a pork burger, listen to some live entertainment, and take a ride on the Ferris wheel.