The 5 Best Fall Festivals In Indiana For 2023 Will Put You In The Autumnal Spirit

Autumn in Indiana is such a magical time, don’t you think? Personally, it’s my favorite season, and I know I’m not alone. There’s just something so special about fall that makes us all long for it after a lengthy, very hot summer, and what better way to welcome it than by participating in one (or many) of the best fall festivals in Indiana? I think yes.

If you find yourself wondering “Is there a fall festival near me?”, or you’re simply wondering if there are any fall events near Indianapolis, I have good news.

J Swanstrom (Never enough time...)/Flickr

I've gone ahead and chosen five of the most unique autumn festivals in Indiana - ones you can't possibly say no to. Check them out:

Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA

Indianapolis Zoo/Facebook

ZooBoo is an awesome annual tradition put on by the world famous Indianapolis Zoo. From September 27th to October 31st, 2023, guests will enjoy events like a live DJ, magic shows, a mirror maze, and so much more. It's free for zoo members, and included in admission for non-members. On Fridays and Saturdays, there's a trick-or-treat trail just for the grown-ups from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be plenty more where all this came from, so come on out!

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369 E Greencastle Rd, Mooresville, IN 46158, USA

Anderson Orchard/Facebook

Join the fine folks at Anderson Orchard from September 30th thru October 1st. This year's event will host more than 100 unique vendors! Enjoy hand-picked apples from the orchard, a petting zoo, face painting, and so much more. There's even a straw climbing structure and a playground for the kids! Admission is free.

Newfields, 4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA

Newfields/Facebook

For the entire month of October - October 1st through October 30th - The Garden of Newfields puts on an amazing autumn array of fun, games, and more. Here you'll find a spooky ghost train, a glowing jack-o-lantern trail, food and drinks and, of course, plenty going on at Mischief Manor. This is one delightful fall festival in Indiana you won't want to miss. Ticket prices vary, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. each night.

Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038, USA

Conner Prairie/Facebook

This one's fun for the whole family, but probably a little more appropriate for families with older kids. Each and every autumn, Conner Prairie hosts its annual Headless Horseman Festival, where folks can step into the spooky world of the renowned horror story involving, well, a horseman with no head. Events and shenanigans abound from October 5th until October 29th, Thursday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be carnival rides, misfortune-telling, games, and more, so be ready for a great time!

Parke County, IN, USA

Parke County Indiana/Facebook

As the largest festival in Indiana, the wondrous Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is an amazing reminder of Indiana's past, present, and future. Celebrate all 31 covered bridges in Parke County at 10 separate festival sites, with plenty of food and shopping along the way. Autumn is never complete without the most famous covered bridge festival in the United States! You can space out your visits to each, as festivities run from October 13th to October 22nd.

So there you have it – five wondrous places where autumn is just a little better than it already is. Which ones are your favorites? Did your picks for the best fall festivals in Indiana make the list? Let me know in the comments! Need the perfect fall sweater? You might find it on Etsy – and it’ll be one-of-a-kind, too!