Fall has hit the city with full force! Pumpkins, apples, festivals – there is so much to do this fun! Here is our round up of our favorite family events right here in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.
October 1
Pet-Tacular Weekend Event – Anderson – Hoosier Park Racing and Casino 11:00am – 3:00 pm
Hoosier Park Racing and Casino’s 4th Annual Pet-Tacular Weekend is a TWO DAY celebration to benefit The Animal Protection League. The FURlong – A Walk in the Park, is our main event and will be held Sunday, October 1, with registration beginning at 11:00 a.m. Sunday’s event is family friendly and will include fun for everyone!
Cost: FREE Website
October 5
ZooBoo – Indianapolis – Indianapolis Zoo 2:00am – 7:00 pm
Discover all the wild, new ways to celebrate fall — from spooktacular activities to amazing animals and pumpkins galore! ZooBoo presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers is bigger than ever before, including four extra days! This event runs through the end of the month.
Cost: FREE for Season Pass Holders Website
October 5-8
Riley Days – Greenfield – 312 E. Main Street
The Riley Festival invites you to enjoy one of the largest craft festivals in the state of Indiana, with designated areas for food, commercial and flea market booths and much more. The event follows years of traditions in the celebration of the birth date of James Whitcomb Riley, the “Hoosier Poet.” It begins every year on the first Thursday of October. Residents of Greenfield, Hancock County and the surrounding area join talent and resources annually to honor the memory of Greenfield’s noted native son.
Cost: FREE Admission Website
October 6
First Friday Food Truck Fest – Indianapolis – Old National Centre 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Gates open at 5:00 pm. There will be up to 30 Food Trucks on site. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. Kids 5 and under are free. ONC event ticket includes admission.
Cost: $8 per person, Free for 5 and up Website
October 7
Woofstock – Noblesville – Hamilton County Humane Society 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Woofstock is Indiana’s LARGEST pet and music festival. The event features dozens of merchandise, service, food and drink vendors including fashionable finds, puppy pedicures, activities for kids, K9 Cop and agility demos, and more! Dogs can cool off at the Cool Zone while you cool off in our Metazoa Brewing Company Beer Garden!
Cost: $5 a person, 10 and under FREE Website
October 7
Heartland Apple Festival – Danville – Beasley’s Orchard 10:00am – 6:00pm
Attractions include live music entertainment, a fun and challenging 8-acre Minions Corn Maze, Hayrides to the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch, Barnyard Bonanza family fun area, NEW Apple Cannons, pony rides by City Ranch, wine tastings featuring Indiana Wineries, a wide array of delicious food, and high quality arts and crafts vendors! Come enjoy the farm family fun!
Cost: $3 and up Website
October 11
Ikea Fishers Opening – Fishers
IKEA is coming to Fishers, Indiana. Join them October 11 for the Grand Opening!
Cost: FREE Website
October 12
Headless Horseman Opening Weekend – Fishers – Conner Prairie
Starting October 12, the Headless Horseman will once more ride through Conner Scairie during our annual fall festival! This year we’ll have longer hayrides, new activities, and even more fall fun for the whole family. Presale tickets are on sale online now. Members do not need to purchase presale tickets.
Cost: $17-$21 a person Website
October 13
Family Night Out:Spooky Science – Indianapolis – Indianapolis State Museum 6:00pm-8:00pm
Dress in your Halloween best for a night of Spooky Science at the Indiana State Museum! See a shocking demonstration on static electricity, shoot zombies as you test your wild surivial skills, make magic minerals glow in the dark and meet a mad scientist.
Cost: FREE Website
October 14
9th Annual German Fest – Indianapolis – The Athenaeum Foundation 12:00pm-8:00pm
Discover Your Inner-German and party at the Athenaeum, for the Athenaeum. All proceeds from this event benefit the maintenance and care of the Historic Athenaeum. Celebrate German-American Day with this unique family event.
Cost: $8-$12 Website
October 15
5th Annual Festival of Faith – Indianapolis – Veterans Memorial Plaza – 1:00pm-5:00pm
The event offers a wonderful opportunity for the greater Indianapolis community to learn about, share and celebrate its rich religious diversity. The Festival is open to the public, fun for the whole family, and free of charge.
Cost: FREE Website
October 20
Monster Mash Community Halloween Party – 100 Surina Way, Greenwood – 5:30pm-8:00pm
Time to get your costumes ready and join us for a night of Spooky Fun, Trick – or – Treating, Music, Dancing, Hotdog Dinner and a Hayride. This event is FREE to come to. If you would like to eat and ride the Hayride Tickets are just $2 per person.
Cost: FREE Website
October 21
Krannert Park Pumpkin Plunge – Indianapolis – Krannert Park – 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join us for the Krannert Park Pumpkin Plunge. Kids can jump in the pool and retrieve their pumpkin in our floating pumpkin patch! They can then take that pumpkin and decorate it, complete crafts, play festive games, eat snacks, watch scary movies, and more!
Cost: $8 first child, $6 each child after Website
October 21
Fireworks Night – Thornton – Dull’s Tree Farm 10:00am-7:30pm
Come out enjoy some magic, music and fireworks at Dull’s Pumpkin Harvest. With activities to keep your kids busy the whole day, food, and family fun – why not make it a whole day of adventure at Dull’s Tree Farm!
Cost: $10/Person, 2 and up Free Website
October 28
Boo ‘N’ Brew – Carmel – Clay Terrace 2:00pm-6:00pm
The adults can enjoy beer in our beer garden, and the kids can enjoy our annual Malloween – our mall-wide, safe trick-or-treating event.
Cost: FREE Website
October 28
Barktober – Westfield – Asa Bales Park
You will find pet-related vendors at the Mutt Mart, activities for humans and dogs at the Canine Cabana, a canine agility course inside of the Agility Arena, a silent auction under the Humane Society Hut, live entertainment from the Main Stage and a couple of fun contests for you and your dog to participate in! Of course, we will have food and beer vendors to celebrate the Fall season! All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Humane Society for Hamilton County.
Cost: $5/Person, 12 and Under FREE Website
October 28
Street Fair: 71st Annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival – Irvington – 10:00am-5:00pm
The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival is a week of events including a run, masquerade ball, contests, Halloween-themed movies, storytelling, ghost tours, live theater, bike rides, roller derby, a haunted puppet show and dozens of other events.
Cost: FREE Website
October 28
Day of the Dead – Indianapolis – Eiteljorg Museum 10:00am-5:00pm
Celebrate Day of the Dead (Día de lost Muertos) at the Eiteljorg Museum with partner Nopal Cultural, an Indianapolis Latino arts and culture organization. Watch performances, create art, shop at the Mercado (marketplace), enjoy a Catrina parade and so much more.
Cost: FREE Website