Family Friendly Festivals and Fairs Around Indianapolis

Immerse yourself in a world of mystery and seasonal thrills at the Headless Horseman Festival. Explore fall family traditions throughout the festival grounds, including fun activities and rides, seasonal treats, specialty drinks, and entertainment. The hayride will be waiting to take you out into the woods and into Sleepy Hollow that puts you into the story and the legend of the Headless Horseman.

Dawn Denning said:  Our family LOVES this fall event! Conner Prairie is not only home to one of the best corn mazes around Indianapolis, but this annual event also includes magicians, games, music and more. Take a daylight or night time hayride through a scary forest while being chased by the Headless Horseman! Great food, lots of laughs and a haunting great time for everyone!

5-10pm

Dawn R said:  Come out to the Earth Day festival for kids activities, local food vendors, over 125 exhibitors, live music, a beer garden, and a 5k run/1 mile walk. You are encouraged to bring your own reusable water bottle to the race and event to promote conservation!

Beth Wood said:  The Fall Harvest Festival at Waterman's Family Farm is an Indianapolis staple! Visitors can enjoy a tractor run hay ride to the pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkins, a mini market, an automated pumpkin eating dinosaur, kids playground, pony rides, food trucks and tents, a spinning pumpkin ride, corn maze and much more during their day at Waterman's. It's running at two different locations so check their website and see which spot is right for your family!

Beth Wood said:  Celebrate Broad Ripple at their annual Taste of Broad Ripple event. You'll find live entertainment, a Riley Kids play area with family-friendly fun, a Hot Box Kids Tasty Pizza Tent where kids can roll out their own pizza pies, a Kids ID station, the Colts Interactive Museum, bounce houses, face painting, cook-off tent, stilt walkers and loads more. Enjoy food and beverages from local Broad Ripple restaurants and breweries. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to Riley Children's Foundation. See website for parking info and event sponsors.

Festival 3pm-10pm, Kids Zone 3pm-6:30pm

Dawn Denning said:  Join a fun festival in Parke County to celebrate all things maple! Sample the end product of delicious sap with hot pancakes and sausage! There is more than syrup to enjoy, shop a wide selection of maple candy, maple syrup cookies, jams, jellies and more! After you try to sugary goodness, see the handmade and homegrown products by local craftsmen and artisans. Be sure to stop by the nearby antique shops and see the area beautiful covered bridges.

8am-4pm

Beth Wood said:  Anderson Orchard's Kid Friendly October Fest welcomes guests to take a hayride, jump in 5 inflatable bounce houses, take a turn on the double bungee trampoline, go for a train ride, pet your favorite animal at the petting zoo, pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, get a free balloon animal from Skippy the Clown, get your face painted and much more fun! Concessions available from Edwards Drive In.

Beth Wood said:  Stuckey Farm celebrates fall with their popular Harvest Festival each year. Visitors can pick apples in the orchard, take a hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkins, watch pig races, explore the corn maze, have fun in a kids area filled with games and more, shop in the market store and enjoy concessions of fall favorites like apple cider and freshly made on site pumpkin donuts!

Beth Wood said:  Bring the entire family out for an evening of fun at the Cornerstone Lutheran Church's annual Oktoberfest. There will be authentic German food, a beer garden, bingo, live music from the Johnny Wagner Band, polka music and dancing, bounce houses, balloons, face painting, children's games, a Bavarian-themed costume contests and more family fun. Tickets are required for food, drinks and some children's activities. Tickets are available at the event (cash only).

4pm-10pm

Beth Wood said:  Stop into Adrian Orchard for their annual Harvest Fest. Guests can take mini hay rides, select pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, enjoy arts, crafts, music, good food and more!

Saturday: 11am-6pm

Sunday: 12pm-5pm

Beth Wood said:  Celebrate the traditional Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), at the Garfield Park Arts Center. Día De los Muertos celebrates deceased family members through cultural music, ofrendas (altars), food and storytelling. Join in these traditions by creating Mexican-inspired crafts, tasting traditional food, listening to cultural music, stories and more. Add to the center's community wall by sharing a photo, story or drawing honoring your deceased love ones. Guests can wear traditional outfits and face paint. The celebration will end with a parade through Garfield Park.

5pm-8pm

Beth Wood said:  Dress up your furry friends and coordinate your family costumes and head over to Asa Bales Park in Westfield for their annual Barktoberfest event. There will be family-friendly activities for dogs and humans at the Canine Cabana, live entertainment, costume contests, agility course in the Agility Arena, pet-related vendors and more fun. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site to add to the fun! Proceeds from this event help the Humane Society of Hamilton County.

11am-3pm

Beth Wood said:  Celebrate different cultures from around the world at Indy's International Marketplace Coalition's annual Taste the Difference Festival! There will be live music and dancing performances, food samplings from over 25 restaurants representing different countries, exhibitors, free health fair, student art competition and a kid zone.

11am-3pm

Beth Wood said:  Travel the world at the Indianapolis International Festival held in the Elements Financial Blue Ribbon Pavilion located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Numerous cultures will be represented through traditional dress, music, food, drink, dance and displays. There will be live performances happening throughout the festival on the Main Stage. The festival focuses on children and students creating the "most concentrated cross-culture learning experiences available."

Thursday & Friday: 2pm-9pm

Saturday: 9am-9pm

Beth Wood said:  The Westfield Youth Assistance Program is hosting their Grand Fall Festival at the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield. The entire family can come support the WYAP and their work supporting at-risk youth throughout the community. There will be fall activities, including wagon rides for purchase, inflatables, games, vendor area and more family fun!

3pm-7pm

Beth Wood said:  Enjoy a day of pioneer fun at the historic red barn located at Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville. Staff from the park's Taylor Center of Natural History will be there to help guests make a corn husk doll, join a "quilting bee," churn fresh butter, learn about pioneer plants and have more fun exploring pioneer life. The Taylor Center of Natural History is located within the 800-acre Strawtown Koteewi Park and is a resource of artifacts, educational displays and archaeological discoveries that have been found at the park.

1pm-4pm