FALL is here and OCTOBER has arrived. Here is our round up of October family events and fun activities happening in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. October is jam-packed with events and activities to enjoy as we head into the Halloween season. Grab your jackets – let’s go!
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St. Richard’s Episcopal School provides a timeless, challenging curriculum that embraces diversity while developing global citizens socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually. Located at the corner of 33rd and Meridian Street in Indianapolis, we provide a rigorous academic curriculum that incorporates three world languages, public speaking and leadership opportunities, a strong fine arts program, organized athletics, and city-wide experiences that bring learning to life.
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Ongoing fun activities you and your family can enjoy this month:
Events Around Our City:
September 25th-October 31st
Indianapolis Zoo presents ZooBoo
Is regular October too humdrum, but haunted houses to creepy-crawly? One of our favorite October family events to experience is ZooBoo, with super-duper Halloween activities, amazing animals and pumpkins galore! ZooBoo is always a fun family experience for itty-bitty ghouls and goblins, as well as the bigger kids. October weather means active animals, colorful foliage and a new season to explore. Combine that with engaging activities, spooktacular costumes and trick-or-treating — plus the chance to boogie-woogie to a live DJ — and you’ve got an unforgettable family tradition. Woo-hoo! Check out more information on the hours as well as the new Leeward Manor Pumpkintown experience.
September 27th-October 27th
PumpkinTown at Sullivan Hardware & Garden
One of our favorite October family events is PumpkinTown! The Sullivan Express is heading to PumpkinTown at the Allisonville location, and you can get your tickets here before they sell out. The train runs every Thursday through Sunday during the month of October, and you can also enjoy food and drinks, entertainment, and more. Don’t forget to decorate a pumpkin and take family photos!
September 29th-November 2nd
Harvest Nights at Newfields
This “spook-tacular spectacle” returns to Newfields for the month of October! Harvest Nights is family friendly and not scary for the little ones. From the Newfields website, “Once again, expect to journey through fog-filled forests along The Pumpkin Path of Peril and feel the Ghost Train Rumble beneath your feet, all the while taking in tens of thousands of gourdgeous pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Don’t miss the inside of Mischief Manor witch is always open for guests to explore, no additional ticket required.” You also get to enjoy Campfire Cocoa made with Hotel Tango’s savory and sweet Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon, and snack on some caramel corn from Just Pop In!, or some Cinnamon Bavarian Créme Churros.
October (Dates vary based on YMCA location)
Kids Night Out at YMCA
Head to your local YMCA for their KIDS NIGHT OUT EVENT. Parents, this event is perfect to allow yourself a night out on the town and the kids will be having fun too! Program activities include swimming, gym play, arts and crafts, and kid friendly movies. Dinner and snacks provided. Prices and details vary with each YMCA. Call your local YMCA for more details and date information, or click the link here.
October 2nd
LEGO Challenge Club at the Avon-Washington Township Public Library
You can register here for the Lego Challenge Club at 5:00 pm at the Avon-Washington Township Public Library. For kids in the 1st-4th grades, this fun club offers a new challenge every week. They supply the LEGOs and you bring your imagination. They also have a raffle every month for a LEGO prize! To see all the events happening at the Avon Library this month, click here.
October 3rd
First Thursday Night at The Children’s Museum
On First Thursday Nights, you can pay $6 per person to visit all of the museum’s five floors of fun or the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience (before they close for the season). This is only between the hours of 4 and 8 pm, the perfect after-hours time for families! Get your First Thursday tickets here.
October 3rd
First Free Thursdays at Newfields
Newfields offers special FREE admission on the first Thursday of every month. Head over from 11am-5pm to explore the grounds and enjoy all that the Indianapolis Museum of Art has to offer. Keep an eye out for additional free admission days throughout the year.
October 3rd-27th
Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie
Every Thursday through Sunday at Conner Prairie, you can have spooktacular family fun at the Headless Horseman festival, another coveted October family event. This year, there are new fire art performances to check out. Make sure you also experience their updated midway experience, with all new activities and two carnival rides, and their barrell train ride through a pumpkin patch with singing jack o’lanterns. Click here for ticket prices and information.
October 5th
Indy Eleven Marvel Super Hero™ Night
Unleash your inner hero at the Indy Eleven Marvel Super Hero™ Night! At Carroll Stadium, put your heroic knowledge to the test during pregame trivia. Spider-Man will be in attendance to meet fans, as well. Secure your tickets now for an epic showdown between Indy Eleven and Louisville City FC!
October 5th
For the Boo! Colt’s Halloween Party
From 6:00 to 10:00 pm, head to Lucas Oil Stadium for trick-or-treating, special appearances, performances by Colts Cheer, and more! For the Boo! tickets are $5 for adults and kids 17 and under are free.
October 5th
Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival
Free to the public, the Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival is from 11:00 am-5:00 pm and a great October family event to kick off your month. From the event page, “Listen to live music, visit the more than 100 arts, crafts, and food booths, or simply take in the natural beauty of Noblesville’s most scenic park on the White River Greenway Trail.”
October 5th
Monument Circle Art Fair
You can teach your child how to appreciate good art during the Monument Circle Art Fair on October 5th. Local and regional artists will showcase their work around the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in downtown Indianapolis. You can enjoy delicious food from food trucks while listening to live music. And a bonus – it’s free to the public.
October 5th
16th Annual GermanFest
Join the Haus Party at the Athenaeum! You and your family can experience the tradition and culture of your German ancestors while you eat delicious food, enjoy drinks and live music, and play games. Kids can enjoy arts & crafts at this family-friendly event, and children 3 years old and younger are free. You can purchase tickets on their website.
October 5th-6th
Fall Festival at Urban Vines
Urban Vines, located in Westfield, is hosting a fun Fall Festival and you don’t want to miss it! From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, come enjoy live music, delicious food, and of course, win. Check out their website for more info.
October 10th
Fiddler on the Roof at Beef & Boards Begins
Get your tickets today for Fiddler on the Roof at Beef & Boards, beginning October 10th! “Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and encourage traditional values in a changing world.”
October 11th
Night at the Boo Bash at the Indiana State Museum
Get ready for a Night at the Boo Bash at the Indiana State Museum! “Fred the Mastodon and his friends are hosting their annual Halloween party at the museum and you’re invited! Bring your family and friends and dress in your most creative costume for a chance to win a grand prize. Gear up for a spooktacular night of dancing, candy and fun activities for all ages.” And to see the whole lineup of fun Spooky Season activities at the ISM, click here.
October 12th
Celebrate Science Indiana at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Celebrate Science Indiana is Indiana’s Premier Science Festival, and they will be at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Exposition Hall from 9:30 am-5:00 pm. This event is a public event that “demonstrates the importance of studying science and the joy of discovery, the economic value of science, and its significance to society.”
October 12th
Twilight Fright at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum
From 6:30-9:00 pm, bring your older kiddos (ages 7-14) to play outside the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® to enjoy Halloween fun. There will be a DJ, outdoor games, sports challenges, arcade games, and prizes. Get your tickets here.
October 17th
Little Haunt on the Prairie at Cool Creek Nature Center
For just $5 a person (2 years and younger are free), you can join in during Little Haunt on the Prairie at “Ghoul Creek Park” on October 17th from 5:00-8:30 pm. For preschool aged children and up, the Halloween activities include a hayride, trick-or-treating, craft stations, and even live owls with a wildlife educator! And don’t forget to come in your costume.
October 19th
Rowdie’s Pumpkin Patch at Victory Field
Rowdie’s Pumpkin Patch is back, thanks to the Indians’ mischievous mascot! Head to Victory Field from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 19th. From the event website, “After another memorable summer of baseball, the fun-loving bear has been hard at work to deliver another treat to his fans and followers – Rowdie’s Pumpkin Patch at Victory Field. With 500 pumpkins spread across the outfield and a full slate of other Halloween festivities on tap, bring your family and friends to enjoy the fall season at The Vic.” Get your tickets and more information on the website.
October 19th
Boo ‘n Brew at Clay Terrace
Clay Terrace’s 12th annual Boo ‘n Brew Fall Festival will put you in the Halloween spirit! Little ones are invited to trick-or-treat at participating retailers and along Clay Terrace Boulevard. Guests are encouraged to show up in their best Halloween Costume (your fur-friends too). Enjoy face painting, balloon artists, Silly Safari Animal Shows, a pumpkin patch, horse-drawn hayrides, and more! Adults over 21 years old also get to enjoy brews from the large beer garden while listening to live music.
October 20th
Indianapolis Colts versus Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium
Who doesn’t love a midday Colts football game at Lucas Oil Stadium? Our beloved Indianapolis Colts are playing the Miami Dolphins at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 20th. Click here to get your tickets.
October 26th
Día de Muertos Community Celebration at the Eiteljorg Museum
From 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on October 26th, head to the Eiteljorg Museum for the Día de Muertos Community Celebration. At this free event, you can “learn the history behind the holiday, watch performances, meet artists and watch demonstrations, explore artwork, support local artists and create art. Also, take the chance to explore beautiful community-created altars, or ofrendas, as they take center stage in the Día de Muertos Community Art and Altar exhibit.”
October 26th
Sensory Friendly Trick-or-Treat at River Heritage Park
October 19th-26th
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
For over 70 years, the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival has brought together thousands of residents, dozens of neighborhood organizations, and countless Eastside businesses in a fun-filled celebration of our heritage and community. The festival and its associated events are designed to bring awareness to the community, to bring commerce to local business and sponsors, and to provide fun for the children of Irvington and Indianapolis. The celebration now encompasses a week of events including a Halloween Masquerade Ball, a street fair, a wellness fair, a family movie night, the Irvington Vampire Run, and a festival after party! There is so much more, and you don’t want to miss it. Click here for more information and to see a schedule of events.
October 24th-26th
Hauntless Halloween at Holliday Park
Join the staff of Holliday Park and actors from Booth Tarkington Civic Theater for an enchantingly fun fall evening! Families hike along candlelit trails and meet magical talking forest creatures, then return to the backyard of the Nature Center for a campfire, refreshments, and activities. Registration for your time slot required. Click HERE for more info.
Looking to get your event featured on our monthly round up? Submit all community events here to our Community Calendar!
