The Headless Horseman rides again this fall, beginning October 5 at Conner Prairie. General admission tickets go on sale August 31 for museum members and September 7 for the general public.
2023 Headless Horseman Festival Dates:
From October 5 through 29, Conner Prairie’s annual festival will offer 16 nights of spooktacular thrills. Explore the 11-acre haunted corn maze, family-fun entertainment, live performances, delicious themed food and drinks, including sweet treats from the Apple Store.
This year, adventure into the night with the brand-new Trail of Terror as you immerse yourself into the region’s ghost stories and mysterious legends.
Behold! The Legend!
Go in search of the Headless Horseman aboard a tractor-pulled, haunted hayride. Come face-to-face with the Legend as he chases guests through Conner Prairie’s grounds. This year, everyone’s favorite Headless tradition is more convenient than ever with online reservations allowing you to schedule your adventure at a specific time of your choosing. Special precautions have been made to ensure safety and comfort for all guests.
What is included in the admission price? Do I need extra spending money?
Your Festival Admission ticket covers the following activities:
- Short and Long Puzzle Corn Mazes (until dusk)
- Amsel Farms Haunted Corn Maze
- Barrel Train Rides
- Spinning Apples Carnival Ride
- Tubes of Terror Dry Tubing Hill
- Midway Games
- Live Shows: Sleepy Hollow One-man Show and Eerie-llusions Magic Show
- Spooky Shows and Storytelling
- Sleepy Hollow Marionette Show
- Barrel train ride for little ones
Headless Horseman Hayride Tickets
Hayride tickets are available for an additional fee. Purchasing hayride tickets in advance is strongly recommended as popular times sell out quickly. Other additional costs may include food and beverage, 1859 Balloon Voyage tickets (weather dependent), and items from our store. All locations accept and prefer credit/debit card payments. Conner Prairie does not have an ATM on the property.
Corn Maze Mania
At Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman Festival, the whole family can have a memorable time in the 22,160-foot corn maze. With three different adventure paths catering to all age groups, the corn maze offers everyone a fun and engaging challenge. The big maze covers 13.6 acres and takes over an hour to finish. The small maze is for younger explorers and can be done in about 30 minutes.
If you’re up for a spooky thrill during the festival, don’t miss the Trail of Terror maze, inspired by spine-chilling ghost stories and local legends. For the ultimate bird’s-eye view, you can also take a ride on the 1859 Balloon Voyage to admire the massive corn maze from above!
The 690,000-square foot maze features three unique adventure paths to appeal to guests of all ages:
- Puzzle Maze: Test your wits in our family-friendly puzzle maze
- Kids’ Maze: Bring the little ones along on our shorter kids’ maze
- Trail of Terror: Brave the spooky Haunted Maze after dark
Is the Headless Horseman Festival appropriate for small children?
Conner Prairie offers a family-friendly festival for both adults and children. Enjoy the Sleepy Hollow marionette show, magic show, storytelling, barrel train rides, games, and fall treats with your family.
Hayrides after 8 p.m. at Conner Prairie go through dark woods with scary surprises. Parents decide if kids are mature enough for the ride. No characters will touch wagons or attendees during the hayride, and no gory special effects or decorations exist.
The Trail of Terror is scarier than the hayride and is only for guests who can handle more intense scares. An adult must always accompany children ages 16 and younger.
Is the Headless Horseman hayride accessible and sensory-friendly?
Accessible hayride wagons are available. Please talk to the hayride ticket scanner to reserve your wagon. Conner Prairie suggests that guests who are hard of hearing, Deaf, Blind, or low vision to arrive early. Activities and hayrides are easier to navigate earlier in the evening before nightfall.
For guests who are sensitive to loud sounds bright lights or are scared easily, Conner Prairie recommends they arrive to earlier scheduled times. Sensory-friendly boxes at the ticket gates will be available for guests who may need them.
Access Pass
Indiana Access Pass participants may purchase tickets for $2 per eligible person. The hayride is not an additional cost, but the tickets are subject to availability. You can reserve Access Pass tickets in person at Conner Prairie or online at connerprairie.org.
