Crisp air, colorful leaves and a calendar full of festivities all make fall one of the best times to explore Indianapolis. From haunted houses and pumpkin patches to cozy coffee shops and scenic sights, there is no shortage of ways to embrace the season around our city. Whether you’re planning a girls’ day, date night or family outing, here are 50 activities in and around Indianapolis to add to your autumn bucket list.
Festivals and Events
- Bring your friends, family and even your pup to The Bier Brewery’s Pumpkin Ale release party at its 65th Street location, featuring live music, a pumpkin carver and more. (Sept. 4)
- Grab your stein and lederhosen and head to the German American Klub’s Oktoberfest for bier, wein, German fare and more. (Sept. 10-12)
- Celebrate an “Out of This World” fall at Zionsville’s Fall Festival with bounce houses, amusement rides, fair favorites like elephant ears and shaved ice, plus a parade featuring marching bands, floats, and more. (Sept. 11-13)
- Visit Newfields for the Penrod Arts Fair, where you can browse paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography and more from more than 350 artists. (Sept. 12)
- Savor authentic French flavors at the St. Joan of Arc French Market with everything from savory quiches and escargots to sweet éclairs and madeleines. (Sept. 12)
- Request your favorite songs and sing along during Dueling Pianos presented by Brittany Brumfield & Baby Grand Entertainment at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael. (Sept. 18)
- If one Oktoberfest isn’t enough, get your fill of bratwurst and schnitzel at the 14th Annual Indianapolis Oktoberfest. (Sept. 25)
- Watch hot air balloons take to the sky or walk among their flickering burners at Conner Prairie’s Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival. (Sept. 11-13)
- Snack on a caramel apple covered in your favorite sweet toppings, from sprinkles to marshmallows, at Tuttle Orchards’ Caramel Apple Festival. (Sept. 12 and 19)
- Feel the rhythm of Indianapolis’ rich jazz heritage at Indy Jazz Fest. (Sept 22-26)
- Dance the night away beneath black lights, fog and lasers at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater’s Glow in the Park Family Night. (Sept. 26)
- Put your green thumb to work by volunteering with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail to help care for its landscape. Tools and beverages are provided. (Tuesdays 5-7 p.m. through October)
- Take in the cool fall weather on We Walk Indy’s one-hour walk along the downtown Canal, then stick around to make new friends during lunch at The Stutz. (10:45 a.m. Saturdays through October)
- Get into the Halloween spirit at Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman Festival with carnival games, a thrilling hayride through the woods, corn mazes, a haunted trail, magic shows and more. (Thursdays-Sundays Oct. 1-25)
- Join fellow book lovers at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest at the Harrison Center, where local booksellers and authors come together for readings, panel conversations, workshops, an open mic and more. (Oct. 3)
- Soak up the sights and sounds of fall at Noblesville’s annual Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival, featuring live music, arts and crafts vendors, food booths and scenic views along the White River Greenway. (Oct. 3)\Savor a soft pretzel while cheering on adorable dachshunds at The Athenaeum’s Germanfest celebrating German-American Day. (Oct.3)
- Catch the latest films from around the world at the Heartland International Film Festival, featuring independent films, documentaries and stories from emerging filmmakers. (Oct. 8-18).
- Head west to the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, Indiana’s largest festival, where you can explore 31 historic covered bridges surrounded by colorful fall foliage. (Oct. 9-18)
Taste up to 10, 5 ounce samples of ciders from popular Indiana cideries, breweries and distilleries and purchase your favorites to take home at the fifth annual Autumntidings Fall Fest at the Indianapolis Art Center. (Oct. 17)- Pack your binoculars and head to Eagle Creek Park for its annual Owl Fest for birding hikes, educational programs, crafts and more. (Mid to late October)
- Get into the Halloween spirit at the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, the second-oldest and largest Halloween festival in the U.S. The festivities include a vendor-filled street festival, costume contests, a 5-mile run, blood drive, family movie night, parade and more. (Oct. 18-25)
- Lace up your tennis shoes for the Indiana Women’s Running Festival, where you can cross the finish line and celebrate with free food, sweet treats, and refreshing beverages. (Oct. 17)
- Try your hand at archery and axe throwing, roast hot dogs or marshmallows around the fire or find your way through a prairie maze at McCloud Park’s Fall Colors Festival. (Oct. 24)
- Step into the vibrant traditions of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Eiteljorg Museum, where you can enjoy performances, meet artists, create your own artwork, and explore a community altar exhibit filled with ofrendas honoring loved ones. (Oct. 25)
- Make your voice heard at the ballot box and vote on Election Day. (Nov. 3)
Spooky Activities
- Face your fears at Indy Scream Park’s five haunted houses, plus additional attractions like zombie paintball. (Sept. 4 through Nov. 7)
- If five haunted houses aren’t enough, head Hanna Haunted Acres for five more and a mile-long haunted hayride. (Sept. 11 through Nov. 7)
- For a family-friendly haunted house, visit The Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House, which offers Friendly Hours with brighter lights and upbeat music or Frightening Hours with dimmed lights and jump scares. (Oct. 9-31)
- Check out ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo for a frightfully fun experience featuring a trick-or-treat trail, elephant pumpkin smash, mirror maze and more. (Sept. 23-Nov. 1)
Wander fog-filled paths through Newfields during Harvest Nights, where tens of thousands of glowing gourds and jack-o’-lanterns create an enchanting spooky spectacle. (Sept. 25-Nov. 1)- Sip and sample local craft beers, ciders and spirits at the Indianapolis Zoo’s Brewfari to help fundraise for the zoo’s animal care and conservation programs. (Oct. 3)
- Put your detective skills to the test at The Dinner Detective, where true crime, comedy and dinner come together for a live, immersive murder mystery experience.
- Or, work with your team to question suspects, uncover clues and solve the murder at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Murder at Millfields. (Oct. 9–10, 25)
- Explore Indianapolis after dark on a one-hour walking ghost tour featuring chilling stories, local legends and the city’s haunted history during the Wicked Wraiths of White River: Indianapolis Ghost Tour.
- dressed up in your Halloween costumes and fill your treat bags at a local school or church trunk-or-treat.
Other Fall Bucket List Items
- Root for your home team at an Indianapolis Colts game and try one of Lucas Oil’s new concession items for the 2026 season, like loaded tater tots or a dirty soda.
- Find some yarn-spiration for your next cozy crochet or knitting project at your local craft store, like Mass Ave Knit Shop or Zionsville’s Village Yarn Company.
- Discover your next cozy fall read while browsing the shelves at independent bookstores like The Whispering Shelf, Loudmouth Books and Tomorrow Bookstore.
- Treat yourself to an apple cider slushy drizzled with classic caramel sauce or topped with strawberry purée from Beasley’s Orchard.
- Or, try a seasonal drink from a local brewery, like Ash & Elm’s Apple Butter Dreams cider or Upland Brewing Company’s Campside pale ale.
- For an alcohol-free option, start your day with a seasonal latte from a local coffee shop, like Blue Mind Coffee Roasting, Bovaconti Coffee or Quills Coffee.
- Warm up with a Croissant Cinnamon Roll drizzled with vanilla buttermilk icing from Amelia’s Bread.
- Or, make the most of the crisp fall weather with a hearty bowl of chili from Nick’s Chili Parlor.
- After carving your jack o’ lanterns for Halloween, save your seeds to roast them in the oven with cinnamon sugar for a tasty treat.
Grab your sweetheart and go leaf-peeping at Eagle Creek Park for the perfect Pinterest-worthy fall date.- Have a fall date night or girls’ day at Penn & Beech Candle Co., where you can mix seasonal fragrances to create your own custom soy wax candles.
- Visit a local garden center or nursery to purchase tulip bulbs to plant this fall to bloom in the spring.
- Take one last trip to your local farmers market before the season ends and grab fresh fruit for a homemade pie or cobbler.
- Cozy up under a blanket with some popcorn at Tibbs Drive-In before its season ends late October.
Nicole Thomas is a writer and digital marketer who can’t wait to step on every crunchy leaf she comes across this fall. You can follow her on LinkedIn.