Fall is here, well almost, but the month of September has arrived. Here is our round up of September family events happening this month in and around Indianapolis!
Ongoing fun activities you and your family can still enjoy this month:
- Local summer concerts
- Farmers’ markets
- Parks and playgrounds
- Splash pads & water fun – until Labor Day!
- Guide to Sunflower Farms
Events Around Our City
August 31st-September 2nd, 7th-8th
Sunflower Festival at Stuckey Farms
Stuckey Farms is hosting their popular Sunflower Festival again this year, starting on August 31st. The “first bloom” is from August 31st to September 2nd and the “second bloom” is the 7th-8th and you won’t want to miss it. They have seven acres and over 165,000 sunflowers to explore!
September 1st
Sensory Friendly Play at Urban Air
Urban Air Adventure Park in Noblesville hosts weekly activities, including Sensory Friendly Play, an event specifically designed for children with special needs to enjoy time at the park without loud music or flashing lights. Parents are free!
September 2nd
Labor Day Fun at the Farm at Tuttle Orchards
Another fun way to say hello to the beginning of all things Fall is Labor Day Fun at the Farm at Tuttle Orchards. There are a lot of fun activities to enjoy as a family, and new this year – the Tuttles FarmYard! There will be 30+ activities for families, including wagon rides, a corn maze, and so much more. The cost is $10/person for ages two and older (child and adult). Ages one and under are free.
September 3rd
Paws to Read at West Perry Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library
Paws to Read is perfect for your child if they are a reluctant reader who needs to improve their reading skills and self-confidence. You can sign up for a 15-minute reading session and read to a certified therapy dog. Visit the link or call 317.275.4390 to sign-up! And to see all Indianapolis Public Library events, click here.
September 4th
Indiana Fever versus Los Angeles Sparks
Our Indiana Fever are taking on the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, September 4th and tip off is at 7:00pm. Head to the Indiana Fever website for ticket information and their full schedule.
September 5th
First Free Thursdays at Newfields
To kick off our list of September family events, 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 summer.
September 5th
First Thursday Night at the Children’s Museum
On First Thursday Nights, you can pay $6 per person to visit either the museum with their amazing new Dinosphere exhibit or the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. And your ticket also includes access to Ask the Experts Night. This is only between the hours of 4 and 8 pm, the perfect after-hours time for families! Get your First Thursday tickets here.
September 6th
Nickel Plate Express Forest Park Rail Adventure
Experience the enchanting beauty of nature on the Forest Park Rail Adventure, a 7-mile rail bike ride that winds through woodlands and farmland in Northern Hamilton County. There are available times on all Fridays in September, with some availability on Saturdays and Sundays, and make sure to check out their “A few things to know” section before you book!
September 6th
Movies in the Park at Federal Hill Commons
Take advantage of the nice weather before it gets cold! You and your family should pack up a picnic and watch Elemental at Federal Hill Commons on September 6th during the 17th annual Movies in the Park Series before summer ends.
September 6th-8th
Zionsville Fall Festival
The 71st annual Zionsville Fall Festival is from September 6th-8th, and you’ll love the theme – At the Movies! They promise to have entertainment for the whole family, with bounce houses, amusement rides, and interactive shows for the kids. For the adults, there will be vendors, a car show, live music, and adult beverages. For everyone, delicious food of course. The parade is on Saturday the 7th at 10:00 am, and we look forward to it again this year!
September 7th
Penrod Arts Fair
The Penrod Arts Fair is back for its 57th year! Head over to Newfields from 9:00 am-5:00 pm to explore. According to their event website, there will be over 350 artists booths, multiple stages of entertainment, more than 50 arts-related non-profit organizations, and an extensive children’s area. Also, food and beverages for all!
September 7th-8th
Columbus Scottish Festival
Check out the Columbus Scottish Festival for “a weekend of Scottish entertainment, competition, history, and much more.” You can expect to see Highland Games, a sheepdog demonstration, and adults can enjoy a whiskey tasting. Make sure you take your wee bairns to enjoy the Children’s Area, which is free!
September 8th
Indianapolis Colts versus Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium
Who doesn’t love a midday Colts football game at Lucas Oil Stadium? Our beloved Indianapolis Colts are playing in the first home game of the season against the Houston Texans at 1:00 pm on September 8th. Click here to get your tickets and to see their full schedule.
September 14th
Eagle Creek Folk Fest
Another fun festival to enjoy as a family is the Eagle Creek Folk Fest. In its 49th year and organized by the Central Indiana Folk Music & Mountain Dulcimer Society, there will be live music, jam sessions, and a variety of workshops. Food and beverages will be available at this free family-friendly event.
September 14th
Indy Eleven versus El Paso Locomotive FC
Our local professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven, are playing against El Paso at 7:00 pm on September 14th. To check out their full schedule and get tickets for you and your family, click here.
September 17th-28th
Indy Jazz Fest at Garfield Park
Head to Garfield Park for the Indy Jazz Fest, Indianapolis’ celebration of jazz featuring the best in world-renowned jazz superstars to Indy’s local jazz heroes! Musical guests include Aymée Nuviola, Naptown Sound, the Indianapolis Jazz Collective, and more.
September 19th
Children’s Garden Tour at Coxhall Gardens
A fun little spot to explore, you can take your kids on a tour of the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens on September 19th from 11:00 am-12:00 pm.
September 20th-22nd
Suburban Indy Home & Outdoor Living Show at Grand Park
Thinking of doing some Fall landscaping, remodeling, or even design/build projects? Check out the Suburban Indy Home & Outdoor Living Show at Grand Park in Westfield. You can connect with local business to help with your outdoor projects, and you can also check out their Marketplace to purchase products from local businesses.
September 21st
Russell Farms Country Fall Festival
Starting September 21st, you and your family can enjoy a fall country festival packed with fun activities for all ages at the Russell Farms Country Fall Festival. The admission charge (the standard admission is $15) includes every activity except the pumpkins, food, and country store items. “Enjoy activities such as a great petting zoo, hay wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, two scavenger hunt corn mazes, miniature golf, Mt. Russell slides, huge blow up slide, whizzer and tumbleweed rides, jump pillow, toddler town bounce area, bounce house, basketball shooting games, straw maze race, train ride for younger children, bluegrass music, several playground areas, lasso a bull, and many more activities!”
September 21st
FIESTA Indianapolis at La Plaza
La Plaza’s FIESTA Indianapolis is the premier Latino cultural celebration in Indiana since 1980, and is held in September in downtown Indianapolis. Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month and the Latino community in Indiana, you can enjoy a day of music, dancing, food, children’s activities, a health and wellness fair, and community service booths, according to their event website.
September 21st
Tinkerfest at the Indiana State Museum
Dubbed a “daylong celebration of curiosity and creativity,” Tinkerfest is from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on September 21st. There will be 25+ hands on interactive activity stations to explore. This event is free with museum admission.
September 25th
ZooBoo Begins at the Indianapolis Zoo
One of our favorite activities in the fall is to experience ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo. Starting September 25th and going through October 31st, families can experience 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. Fall weather means active animals, colorful foliage and a new season to explore. And you get the chance to boogie-woogie to a live DJ!
September 28th
Westfield Pride
The second annual Westfield Pride celebration will take place at Asa Bales Park on Saturday, September 28th from 1:00-6:00 pm. They will feature pride merchandise, multiple drag shows, live music, artist performances, and so much more! There’s also a fun kid zone where your kids can participate in a service project. You have a chance to win free merch by RSVPing on their Facebook event page.
September 28th
Circle City Classic Parade
The Circle City Classic Parade will weave through downtown Indianapolis on September 28th from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Beginning at the intersection of North and Pennsylvania Streets, the parade will feature “performances from groups across the country and offers competitive opportunities for participating bands, drill teams, and Greek units.” To learn more about the Circle City Classic and the full event line-up, visit their events page.
September 29th
Harvest Nights at Newfields Begins
Harvest Nights begins on September 29th at Newfields! The spooky, not scary, spectacle returns to The Garden at Newfields for the fifth season of fall fun. Get ready to experience a revitalized spectacle at Mischief Manor featuring glowing gourds galore, alongside your favorite friendly spirits, The Three Graces. Get more event information and grab your tickets at the Newfields website.
Looking to get your event featured on our monthly round up of family events? Submit all community events here to our Community Calendar!
