7 Best Fall Festivals in Indiana (2025) – Local Events, Food, and Family Fun

When the leaves start turning and the air grows crisp, Indiana comes alive with fall festivals that celebrate everything we love about the season—pumpkins, parades, apple cider, live music, local crafts, and yes, plenty of fried food. From small-town charm to massive street parties, the Hoosier State offers some of the best fall events in the Midwest.

Whether you’re a family looking for kid-friendly fun, a foodie in search of the perfect caramel apple, or a Halloween fanatic chasing haunted hayrides, there’s a festival for you.

In 2025, these seven standout events showcase the very best of Indiana’s autumn traditions—many of them free or affordable, deeply rooted in local history, and bursting with community spirit.

So grab your flannel, pack up the car, and explore the 7 best fall festivals in Indiana—where memories are made, cider is served hot, and the fun never falls short.

1. West Side Nut Club Fall Festival – Evansville

If you’re looking for the ultimate fall experience in the Midwest, Evansville’s West Side Nut Club Fall Festival should be at the top of your list.

Recognized by USA TODAY as the #1 fall festival in the United States, this week-long celebration transforms Franklin Street into a vibrant corridor of carnival magic, family fun, and culinary indulgence.

Attracting over 200,000 people annually, the festival is one of the largest street festivals in the country, offering a jam-packed schedule of free concerts, parades, rides, and games. A major draw is the 130+ food booths, mostly operated by local non-profits.

These booths serve up a mix of Midwestern favorites and eccentric eats—think deep-fried everything, brain sandwiches, and walking tacos.

The festival’s most talked-about feature might just be the “Half Pot” raffle. In 2024, a lucky attendee walked away with over $1 million, making it one of the most exciting raffle drawings in the country.

Thousands try their luck every year, with half the pot going to the winner and the other half supporting community improvement projects through the Nut Club’s charitable work.

Events throughout the week include daily themed contests, a Lighthouse Parade, a Youth of the Day celebration, and the Main Parade that caps off the festival on Saturday.

There’s also a Family Day (Sunday, Oct. 5) with scaled-down crowds and activities tailored to young kids.

2. Parke County Covered Bridge Festival – Rockville & Surrounding Areas

If you’re craving scenic fall drives, small-town charm, and a heavy dose of nostalgia, the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is your dream destination.

Often referred to as Indiana’s most scenic fall celebration, this 10-day event honors the county’s 31 historic covered bridges—the most of any county in the U.S.—and welcomes visitors from all over the Midwest.

Centered in Rockville, but spreading across nine different communities, including Bridgeton, Mansfield, Bloomingdale, and Rosedale, each location offers a unique flavor of Hoosier hospitality. You’ll find quaint towns brimming with handmade crafts, antiques, home goods, and one-of-a-kind finds.

This festival is a shopper’s paradise, with hundreds of vendors lining the streets, barns, and fairgrounds.

But the real showstopper? The bridges themselves. Set among rolling hills and flame-colored foliage, the self-guided driving tours offer postcard-worthy photo ops at every turn.

Many visitors make a weekend out of exploring the backroads, stopping at local pie stands, produce markets, and food tents along the way.

Speaking of food—this is Indiana comfort food heaven. From apple dumplings and roasted sweet corn to tenderloin sandwiches, kettle corn, and pumpkin bread, you’ll want to arrive hungry and leave full. Don’t skip the homemade jams, local honey, or fresh fudge either.

3. Headless Horseman Festival – Fishers (Conner Prairie)

If you’re looking for Halloween fun that’s spooky but not too scary, Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman Festival is the perfect autumn escape. This beloved family-friendly event blends historical storytelling, immersive attractions, and seasonal charm into one of Central Indiana’s most magical fall traditions.

The festival’s signature experience is the Haunted Hayride, where brave riders are taken through the woods by tractor as fog creeps in, strange sounds emerge, and finally, yes, the legendary Headless Horseman appears, galloping beside the wagon in an unforgettable climax.

It’s spooky enough to thrill, but still safe for school-aged children and fun-loving adults alike.

Throughout the evening, the historic grounds of Conner Prairie are transformed into a fall carnival bursting with activities. Guests can explore the Haunted Maze, visit “Pumpkin Town”, and test their skills with carnival games.

Barrel train rides for little ones, spooky storytelling, and interactive character encounters make this event feel like you’re stepping into a Halloween fairytale.

Live DJs keep the atmosphere festive, while food trucks and seasonal treats like apple cider, kettle corn, and pumpkin donuts keep your belly full. And don’t forget to visit the Fortune Teller’s Tent, where the mysterious Carl Voyant offers up just the right mix of predictions and theatrics.

For those who love dressing up, costumes are encouraged, and the venue makes a perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy fall photos—whether it’s in front of jack-o-lantern displays or alongside the haunted hayride path.

Tickets often sell out for prime nights, so advance purchase is highly recommended—especially if you’re aiming to ride the hayride at sunset. Discounts are available for members and Access Pass holders, making this an affordable fall tradition for many Hoosier families.

4. Zionsville Fall Festival – Zionsville

Tucked into one of Indiana’s most charming small towns, the Zionsville Fall Festival is the perfect blend of community pride, family fun, and classic autumn entertainment. Celebrating its 72nd year, this long-standing tradition is hosted by the Zionsville Lions Club and has grown into one of the most beloved fall events in Central Indiana.

The festival takes place in Lions Park, just steps away from Zionsville’s picturesque brick Main Street, and kicks off with a bang on Friday evening with live music and local food vendors.

But the heart of the weekend is Saturday’s Fall Festival Parade—a colorful procession of marching bands, floats, youth organizations, and costumed characters that winds its way through town beginning at 10 a.m. Families line the streets, kids scramble for candy, and the whole town turns out to cheer.

After the parade, the park transforms into a festival wonderland featuring bounce houses, amusement rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and dozens of arts and crafts booths.

There’s also a classic car show, where you can admire vintage rides while snacking on elephant ears, popcorn, ribs, tenderloins, and pulled pork sandwiches from the food trucks and booths scattered across the park.

Admission to the festival is completely free, though there is an $8 parking fee if you want the convenience of parking on-site. That said, many visitors enjoy strolling in from nearby neighborhoods or grabbing a coffee from one of the town’s many boutique cafes along Main Street before heading into the park.

5. GermanFest – Indianapolis (Athenaeum, Mass Ave)

If you’re craving brats, bier, and Bavarian flair, look no further than GermanFest, one of downtown Indy’s most spirited fall traditions.

Hosted at the historic Athenaeum building—a stunning example of German Renaissance Revival architecture, this one-day festival turns the Mass Ave Cultural District into a vibrant, lederhosen-filled celebration of German heritage, food, music, and fun.

At GermanFest, you’ll find two stages of live music, with everything from authentic German oompah bands to modern folk and cover bands that keep the crowd dancing. The scent of grilled bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut, soft pretzels, and strudel fills the air, and the biergarten offers plenty of local and imported brews to wash it all down—including traditional German lagers and festbiers.

But what really sets GermanFest apart are its quirky and competitive events. Chief among them: the famous wiener dog races, where dozens of dachshunds in costume sprint across the finish line to the delight of the cheering crowd. You’ll also find a brat-eating contest, stein-holding challenges, and other festive games that add to the party atmosphere.

The event is family-friendly, with a dedicated KinderZone offering crafts, inflatables, and kid-safe activities. Arts and crafts vendors set up shop along the festival perimeter, offering handmade items, themed gifts, and German imports.

Advanced general admission tickets are available for a discounted price ($18 adults / $10 children), while day-of tickets at the gate are slightly higher, so it pays to plan ahead. Proceeds support the Athenaeum Foundation, which maintains one of Indiana’s most important cultural landmarks.

6. Apple Festival & Craft Fair – Mooresville (Anderson Orchard)

If your idea of fall includes the crunch of apples underfoot, the scent of hot cider in the air, and homemade cobbler on your plate, then a trip to the Apple Festival & Craft Fair at Anderson Orchard is a must.

Set on a hilltop overlooking southern Morgan County, Anderson Orchard is a family-owned gem that’s been welcoming autumn lovers for decades. For one special weekend each September, the orchard hosts its annual Apple Festival & Craft Fair, drawing families from all over central Indiana for a down-home celebration of all things fall.

The event is free to attend and packed with rustic charm. Visitors can wander through over 80 craft booths, filled with handmade goods, seasonal décor, clothing, candles, jewelry, and unique artisan gifts—perfect for early holiday shopping or sprucing up your fall display at home.

Of course, the stars of the show are the apples. You can pick your own from the orchard’s sprawling rows, or stop by the Apple Barn to choose from a wide variety of already picked apples and Indiana-grown produce. While you’re there, grab a jug of fresh-pressed apple cider, a slice of homemade apple cobbler, or the famous fried apple pies that have become a festival staple.

Kids will love the petting zoo, face painting, and climbing on the giant straw pile—a simple but joyful tradition for little ones. The pumpkin patch also opens up during the festival, offering pre-picked and U-pick pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

Concession stands serve classic festival fare like hot dogs, grilled sandwiches, and homemade breads, but the real treats are the apple-themed goodies—think cider slushies, caramel apples, and anything baked, fried, or spiced with cinnamon.

7. Historic Irvington Halloween Festival – Indianapolis

When it comes to Halloween spirit, Irvington transforms.

Home to one of the oldest and largest Halloween festivals in the U.S., the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival is a week-long celebration of costumes, creativity, and community in one of Indy’s most artsy, eclectic neighborhoods.

Founded in 1947, this iconic event has grown into a full-blown cultural phenomenon, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year.

The festival’s goal is to celebrate the spirit of Halloween while supporting local arts, businesses, and organizations—and it does just that with a lineup of events as impressive as its history.

You’ll also find pop-up performances, trick-or-treat booths, food trucks, and live music throughout the neighborhood. Streets are lined with vendors selling handmade crafts, spooky goods, vintage finds, and seasonal treats—many from local artists and small businesses.

The highlight of the entire week is Saturday’s Historic Irvington Halloween Festival Parade, a must-see spectacle that shuts down Washington Street and brings out the entire city.

Summary

Fall in Indiana brings people together in ways that feel authentic, familiar, and full of life. Festivals across the state offer local flavor, seasonal traditions, and moments that stay with you long after the leaves have dropped.

Crisp October air pairs perfectly with kettle corn, hayrides, live music, and the buzz of small towns celebrating something bigger than themselves.

Families, friends, and visitors gather not just for entertainment, but for connection—to food, to culture, and to community. Indiana’s fall festivals continue to grow not because of trends, but because people come back year after year for something that feels real.