Fall around Indianapolis brings plenty of big-name attractions, but some of the best community events happen away from the largest crowds. These local fall festivals near Indianapolis cover everything from carnival rides and parades to honey harvesting, pioneer crafts, dachshund races and streets lined with jack-o-lanterns.
Use this list to find a few fall festivals that may not already be on the family calendar. Dates, schedules and activities can change, so check the linked event page before heading out.
August Fall Festivals
St. Joseph Fall Festival
Dates: Aug. 28–30, 2026
Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1401 S. Mickley Ave., Indianapolis
The St. Joseph Fall Festival takes place during the final weekend of August. The westside church festival includes carnival rides, a kids tent, games, a silent auction, community sale, bingo, blackjack, poker and a Saturday Texas Hold’em tournament. Food choices include American, Mexican, Vietnamese, African and Italian dishes. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
September Fall Festivals
Zionsville Lions Club Fall Festival
Dates: Sept. 11–13, 2026
Location: Lions Park, 115 S. Elm St., Zionsville
The Zionsville Lions Club Fall Festival fills Lions Park with Poor Jack’s carnival rides, bounce houses, food vendors, live entertainment, arts and crafts booths and children’s activities. The Saturday parade begins at 10 a.m., and Sunday includes the American Dream Car Show and carnival wristband day. Festival admission is free, although parking inside Lions Park is $8 per vehicle.
Beech Grove Fall Festival
Dates: Sept. 16–19, 2026
Location: Main Street between 3rd and 6th avenues, Beech Grove
The Beech Grove Fall Festival brings rides, games, food booths and entertainment to Main Street. The festival runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 12:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Saturday’s schedule includes a noon parade and an expanded craft fair.
Back to the Fifties Festival
Date: Sept. 19, 2026, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1300 E. 100 S., Lebanon
The Back to the Fifties Festival turns the Boone County Fairgrounds into a one-day celebration of classic cars, antique bicycles, rock ‘n’ roll and retro style. Families can browse vendor booths, visit the children’s fun park, watch live entertainment and check out large-scale railroad and miniature tractor displays. Admission is free.
Hunter’s Honey Farm Honey Harvest Festival
Date: Sept. 19, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Hunter’s Honey Farm, 6501 W. Honey Lane, Martinsville
The Honey Harvest Festival at Hunter’s Honey Farm gives families a look at how honey travels from the hive to the jar. Visitors can watch live honey extraction, explore the farm, take part in family activities and sample locally harvested honey.
Global Fest Indy
Date: Sept. 19, 2026, 4–8 p.m.
Location: 510 E. 46th St., Indianapolis
Global Fest Indy brings families together to learn about traditions and cultures through food, music, art and play. The festival includes cultural performances and children’s activities, with additional food, merchandise and select activities available for purchase. Proceeds support Indianapolis Public Schools’ Center for Inquiry School 70.
Festival of the Turning Leaves
Dates: Sept. 25–27, 2026
Location: Main Street, Thorntown
The Festival of the Turning Leaves fills downtown Thorntown with food vendors, live music and activities for several age groups, including a kids zone, street fair and Saturday parade down Main Street.
Rocky Ripple Festival
Date: Sept. 26, 2026, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Hohlt Park, 840 W. 53rd St., Indianapolis
The Rocky Ripple Festival takes place in a small Indianapolis neighborhood across the Central Canal from Butler University. More than 80 regional artists set up booths around Hohlt Park, while local bands perform throughout the day. Families will also find food vendors and children’s activities around the playground. Admission is free, making it another option for families looking for free things to do around Indianapolis.
October Fall Festivals
Riley Festival
Dates: Oct. 1–4, 2026
Location: Downtown Greenfield
The Riley Festival stretches the definition of under-the-radar, but Indianapolis families who rarely travel east of the city may overlook it. The four-day downtown festival honors Greenfield native James Whitcomb Riley with arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, parades, contests and other community traditions.
Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival
Date: Oct. 3, 2026, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Potter’s Bridge Park, 19401 N. Allisonville Road, Noblesville
A covered bridge and October leaves do most of the decorating at the Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival. Families can listen to live music, shop arts and crafts booths, visit food vendors and walk along the White River Greenway. The festival is free to attend.
GermanFest
Date: Oct. 3, 2026
Location: The Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis
GermanFest returns to the Athenaeum for its 18th year with live music, German food, beer, vendors and the festival’s popular dachshund races. The all-ages celebration also includes plenty of pretzels, brats and steins, with the full event schedule and festival map expected in early September.
Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival
Dates: Oct. 8–11, 2026
Location: Morgan County Fairgrounds, 1749 Hospital Drive, Martinsville
The Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival includes carnival rides, vendor booths, a car show, children’s activities, a 5K and free-stage entertainment. The festival is held at the Morgan County Fairgrounds while construction continues at its usual downtown location. The weekend ends with the festival parade at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Harvest Hayrides Festival
Date: Oct. 10, 2026, 4–8 p.m.
Location: Blue Heron Park, 6570 E. U.S. Highway 36, Avon
The Harvest Hayrides Festival includes free wagon rides around the lake, an extended ride through a less-traveled section of the park, bounce houses, food trucks, a beer garden, vendors and horseback trail rides. Families can also visit Pumpkin Hill for a pumpkin drop, photo trail and pumpkin patch.
Pioneer Fall Fest
Date: Oct. 17, 2026
Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, 12308 Strawtown Ave., Noblesville
The Pioneer Fall Fest opens the historic Morris red barn for an afternoon of hands-on pioneer activities. Families can join a quilting bee, make a corn husk doll, churn fresh butter and learn about pioneer plants with community herbalist Greg Monzel. Registration is not required.
Festival of Jack-o-Lanterns
Location: Riley Home Gardens, 250 W. Main St., Greenfield
The Festival of Jack-o-Lanterns invites community members to enter carved pumpkins in a contest before the jack-o-lanterns are displayed throughout the Riley Home Gardens. Families can walk through the gardens after dark and vote for their favorite creations.
2026 dates and entry information have not been released. This section will be updated when details are announced.
Looking for even more fall events? Browse our full guide to fall festivals near Indianapolis.
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