Looking for things to do this weekend in Indianapolis with kids? Sept. 18–20, 2026, is a good weekend to leave some room in the family calendar. A free LEGO Friends café is popping up on Monument Circle, Beasley’s Orchard and Piney Acres kick off their fall seasons, and Tinkerfest gives curious kids a whole museum’s worth of things to try. Add a dragon parade, miniature train rides and nearly 60 bands playing on Carmel porches, and choosing might be the hardest part. Here are our weekend picks, with more options on the full Indy family events calendar.
Things to Do This Weekend in Indianapolis with Kids | September 18–20, 2026
All Weekend
LEGO Friends Interactive Road Trip | Sept. 19–20 | SPARK on Monument Circle, Indianapolis | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | FREE
The LEGO Friends Unicorn Café is coming to Monument Circle, complete with colorful play spaces, building tables and a mini-doll and cake mini build for participating kids to take home. The roughly 30-minute experience is designed for ages 4–10; children under 4 can color but cannot join the building activities. Reserve a spot ahead of time, since reservations get priority over walk-ins. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.
Beech Grove Fall Festival | Sept. 18–19 | Main Street, Beech Grove | Friday 6–11 p.m.; Saturday 12:30–11 p.m.
Main Street fills with carnival rides, games, food booths and live entertainment for the final two days of Beech Grove’s fall festival. Saturday’s parade starts at noon, followed by an afternoon and evening of festival fun. A Saturday craft fair adds handmade finds to the mix, so there’s something to browse between rides.
Full festival dates: Sept. 16–19.
Beech Grove Fall Festival | Sept. 18–19 | Main Street, Beech Grove | Friday 6–11 p.m.; Saturday 12:30–11 p.m.
Main Street fills with carnival rides, games, food booths and live entertainment for the final two days of Beech Grove’s fall festival. Saturday’s parade starts at noon, followed by an afternoon and evening of festival fun. A Saturday craft fair adds handmade finds to the mix, so there’s something to browse between rides.
Full festival dates: Sept. 16–19.
Beasley’s Orchard Fall Festival: Opening Weekend | Sept. 19–20 | Beasley’s Orchard, Danville | Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 12–6 p.m. | $14, ages 2 and under free
Apple cannons, a corn maze and a jumbo jumping pillow are back for fall at Beasley’s. Opening-weekend admission includes five apple cannon shots, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, Straw Mountain and the Barnyard Bonanza play area. Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins cost extra, and admission sales end at 5 p.m. each day.
Fall attractions run Sept. 19–Nov. 1, with themed festival weekends throughout the season.
Piney Acres Farm’s Fall Fun: Opening Weekend | Sept. 19–20 | Piney Acres Farm, Fortville | Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday 12–7 p.m. | All-access admission: kids $20, adults $18
Piney Acres opens for fall with corn mazes, hayrides, barnyard animals and plenty of places to climb, bounce and play. The Piney Express train and dual 150-foot slide are big draws; riders must be at least 42 inches tall for the slide. A separate 1-acre kids’ maze gives younger explorers a smaller challenge. Other admission options, including tot pricing and adult general admission, are listed on the farm’s pricing page.
Fall fun runs daily Sept. 19–Oct. 25.
Festival of the Arts | Sept. 19–20 | Arbuckle Acres Park, Brownsburg | Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | FREE
Browse artwork and handmade goods, listen to live music and make time for interactive workshops and creative activities at Arbuckle Acres Park. The festival brings local and regional artists together for two days, with food vendors on-site when everyone needs a lunch break. It’s a good pick for kids who would rather make something than stand in a ride line.
Friday, September 18
Monumental Concert Series: Pavel & the Direct Contact | Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre at Riverside Park, Indianapolis | 7 p.m. | FREE
Start the weekend with an outdoor concert at Riverside Park. Pavel & the Direct Contact take the stage at Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre for this Friday’s installment of the free Indy Parks concert series. It’s an easy option for families looking for a Friday-night outing without buying tickets.
Saturday, September 19
Tinkerfest | Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Included with Admission
For the kid who wants to know how everything works, Tinkerfest brings more than 30 hands-on activities to the Indiana State Museum. Families can try robotics, woodworking, art and engineering projects, then head outside to watch pumpkins launch more than 300 feet from a giant slingshot. The museum’s public event is Saturday; Friday’s session is for school visitors.
Hunter’s Honey Harvest Celebration | Hunter’s Honey Farm, Martinsville | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | $1 or one canned good per vehicle
See what happens between the beehive and the honey jar at Hunter’s Honey Farm. Families can watch honey extraction, explore the farm and taste fresh local honey, with food and honey drinks available for purchase. The vehicle cover charge benefits Stability First, which helps families in Morgan County.
Touch-A-Truck at Johnson County Park | Johnson County Park Shelter Area, Nineveh | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | FREE
Truck-loving kids can get close to vehicles and equipment of all sizes, then visit a children’s zone with inflatable bounce houses. The first hour is sensory-friendly, with no lights or sirens. The event takes place at the park’s shelter area, 7248 S. Picnic Drive. Check the parks department’s event page before heading out.
Indiana Live Steamers Public Rides | Johnson County Park, Nineveh | 12–4 p.m. | $4/person
Pair Touch-A-Truck with a ride on a miniature railroad, or make the trains your main event. Indiana Live Steamers carries passengers through wooded parkland, over bridges and past creeks on ride-on trains. Board at McClain Station near the historic cabin, and enjoy a little time when everyone can sit down and watch the scenery go by.
Westfield International Festival | Grand Junction Plaza, Westfield | 12–4 p.m. | FREE
Watch Chinese folk and lion dances, Irish dancing and other performances, then try interactive dance activities featuring K-pop, Bollywood and Bhangra. Food vendors, crafts and games fill out the afternoon, with an optional Savor & Snack Pass offering five tastings from participating vendors. Free parking and a free shuttle are available at the Westfield Washington Public Library.
Back to the Fifties Festival | Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, Lebanon | FREE
Classic cars, vintage bicycles and rock ’n’ roll give this Lebanon festival its throwback feel. Families can check out the vehicles, browse craft and merchandise booths, and listen to live entertainment. This year’s festival takes place on Saturday only.
Carmel Chinese Mooncake Festival | Midtown Plaza, Carmel | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | FREE
Finish Saturday with a dragon parade, traditional Chinese music and dancing, and a chance to try mooncakes at Midtown Plaza. The evening celebration introduces families to Chinese culture and traditions in a compact, two-hour outing. It’s a particularly fun pick for kids who love watching a parade up close.
Sunday, September 20
Carmel PorchFest | Carmel Arts & Design District | 12–6 p.m. | FREE
Nearly 60 bands turn about 20 neighborhood porches into stages for an afternoon of live music. Stroll between performances, stop when you hear something you like, and grab food from festival vendors along the way. With acoustic acts, solo musicians and full bands in the lineup, families can sample a little of everything without committing to one long concert.
Sensory Friendly Afternoon | Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis | 3–5 p.m. | Included with Admission
The Indiana State Museum offers an afternoon designed for visitors with sensory processing needs. Families can pick up social narratives at the ticket counter, borrow a sensory bag and explore sensory-based activities throughout the museum. It’s another way to plan a museum visit around what works for your child.
Want more choices? Browse the full calendar of Indianapolis family events, find more free things to do this month, or start planning your next orchard or pumpkin-patch trip with our Fall Fun Guide.
Things to do near Indianapolis this weekend (September 18–20, 2026):
