Top fall festivals in Indianapolis :: A complete 2017 guide
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Fall - we can feel you hiding around the corner. The cool air, the infusion of pumpkin-and-sage-everything on menus, the longing to pull on cute boots with every outfit. What else does it mean? That Fall festival season has officially arrived.
To help you plan, here's our theCityMoms complete guide to 2017 Fall festivals in Indianapolis.
Published with thanks to sponsor Hamilton Town Center, we encourage you to bookmark, share and make this your go-to guide this Fall. {And be sure to add the Hamilton Town Center Hamilton Harvest Fest to your calendar - coming up on 9/30! More details below.}
///// September /////
9th Annual Zionsville Fall Festival
This three day festival is the largest fundraiser for Lions Park in Zionsville. It begins with a VIP Carnival for special friends and their family/caregivers and the Poor Jack Carnival. The Lions Club Parade kicks off the festival on Saturday on Main Street at 10:00 am. The festival is filled with local entertainment and performances, food, carnival rides, kids corner bounce houses and vendors that include arts & crafts, commercial, kids and pets.Details: 9/8-9/10. FREELocation: Lions Park, Zionsville
Penrod Arts Fair
This year’s fair features over three hundred artists, six stages of entertainment, more than 75 arts-related non-profit organizations, and an extensive children’s area. Also, don’t forget to visit the Indiana Craft Beer Garden.Details: 9/9 from 9am-5pm. Tickets begin at $15/adults; free for kids 10 and underLocation: Indianapolis Museum of Art campus, Indianapolis
Indy Donut Festival
Come hungry to sample donuts and coffee from Indy-based donut shops and bakeries. After you've sampled some of Indy's best donuts, you can vote on your favorite. This is a family-friendly event with live music, fun activities & great food!Details: 9/9 from 11am-2pm. Tickets are sold out at this time but stay tuned to their Facebook page for any possible ticket openingsLocation: Broad Ripple Park, Indianapolis 
Carmel Apple Festival
The kickoff day of fall activities at Tuttle Orchard includes U-Pick apples, a caramel apple hunt, opening day of the agrimaze, Tractor Town Farm Area fun and so much more. See all activities here.Details: 9/9 from 9am-7pmLocation: Tuttle Orchards, Greenfield
St. Joan of Arc French Market - a theCityMoms favorite!
This major neighborhood street fair is an annual tradition packed with live bands, artisan booths, a raffle, and an array of French food. Kiddos can enjoy a specialized area with child-focused games and food until 5pm. After 5 the Market comes alive in an adults-only atmosphere with French food offerings - including quiche, escargot, oysters, beef bourguignon, pommes frites and ratatouille - and plenty of live music.Details: 9/9 from 12-10pm. FREE to attendLocation: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Indianapolis
Indy Jazz Fest
Indy Jazz Fest is 10 days of concerts, master classes and panel discussions in various locations around the city, committed to keeping the legacy and future of jazz in Indianapolis at the forefront.Details: 9/14-9/23. Tickets begin at $20Location: Varies. Check schedule for complete listing
St. George Festival
This Festival presents a heritage of faith, hospitality, good food, music and crafts from our roots in the Holy Land, the Middle East and the cultures that make up our congregation. The family-oriented festival includes Middle Eastern foods, live music, dancing, and a children’s carnival. Church tours will explain the church’s Byzantine architecture and iconography painted by team of Greek iconographers.Details: 9/15 from 5-10pm; 9/16 from 1-10pm and 9/17 from 1-5pmLocation: St. George Orthodox Church, Fishers
Indianapolis Wine Festival
Sample from a selection of more than 200 wines from around the world. Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting. Also includes: Wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, and Indy’s best restaurants and caterers onsite with signature dishes.Details: 9/15 from 5-10pm; 9/16 from 3-8pm. Tickets begin at $30Location: Pam Am Plaza, downtown Indianapolis
Irish Fest
This annual festival is an opportunity to share Irish heritage during a weekend encompassing cultural activities and family fun. Enjoy Irish performances, a Wee Ones area for kids, Irish dancing, sheep herding, kilted mile race, Irish market and more.Details: 9/15-9/17. Tickets start at $12/adults; kids 0-4 freeLocation: Military Park at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis
FIESTA Indianapolis
The premier celebration of Latino culture in Indiana, bringing together a vibrant and diverse community and enhancing the cultural fabric of Indianapolis. Over 15,000 Hoosiers join the FIESTA celebration every year, where they enjoy a full day of music, dancing, food, children’s activities, a health and wellness fair, and community service booths.Details: 9/16 from 12-1opmLocation: American Legion Mall, downtown Indy
Festival of Machines
Celebrate Indiana's rich history of transportation at this two-day event. Get up close to elite cars, steam engines, helicopters, vintage cars, aircraft, military vehicles, motorcycles, steam engines, firetrucks, and more will be at this year's #FestivalOfMachines at Conner Prairie! This year's theme is "Cars of the '50s and '60s."Details: 9/16-9/17 from 10am-5pm. Included with general admission or free to membersLocation: Conner Prairie, Fishers
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Join the Zoo to celebrate the culture and traditions of Latin America through a variety of special afternoon activities fit for the whole family! Fun includes an animal scavenger hunt, piñatas, community partners and colorful decorations.Details: 9/17 from 12-4pm. Included with general admission or free to Zoo membersLocation: Indianapolis Zoo, downtown Indianapolis
MORE IDEAS FOR FALL FUN: Beer Garden at Newfields debuts new fall menu
Fishers Oktoberfest@ Saxony
Celebrate the beginning of Fall: This two-day event will feature concerts, food, and festivities; a Beer Garden, a free kids zone, and craft/art vendors. Visitors can also enjoy tethered hot air balloon rides and a costume contest, so don't forget to wear your best German attire.Details: 9/22 from 5:30-10:30pm and 9/23 from 12-10:30pm. FREELocation: Witten Park, Fishers
WestFest
Saddle up for a journey to the American West right here in Indianapolis at WestFest. Visitors can expect to be immersed in the West, from the aroma and tastes of chuck wagon food to the sound of strumming guitars, from panning for gold to taking a ride on an authentic Wells Fargo stagecoach. This is a fun-filled event for all ages.Details: 9/23 from 10am-5pm. Tickets begin at $13/adults; free ages 0-4 and membersLocation: Eiteljorg Museum, downtown Indianapolis
2017 Indianapolis Chinese Festival
The Chinese festival not only offers a learning experience but also you will get an opportunity to participate in Chinese cultural activities. Will include Chinese dances, sports, art, and cuisine.Details: 9/23 from 12-6pmLocation: IUPUI Wood Plaza, downtown Indianapolis
WZPL's Kid Fest
The first ever Kid Fest is right around the corner! Enjoy Bounce Houses, games, music, obstacle courses, face painting, character meet and greets and so much more! Kid Fest is presented by Honda of Fishers.Details: 9/24 from 12-5pmLocation: Federal Hill Commons, Noblesville
FEATURED EVENT: Hamilton Harvest Fest
Festival-goers can enjoy live music from The Flying Toasters and the Blue River Band while watching David Smith, professional pumpkin artist, carve a giant pumpkin. The Kid Zone will feature face painting and cupcake decorating. There will also be food trucks, beer from local breweries and a marketplace for shoppers to browse products from Indiana-based vendors. In addition to the Hamilton Harvest Fest, Hamilton Town Center will host Burton Brothers Amusements for a nine-day carnival complete with rides, games and delights. The carnival will run from September 22 to September 30; the last day of the carnival will coincide with Hamilton Harvest Fest. Ticket prices to ride and play will vary.Details: 9/30 from 3-8pm. FREE to attendLocation: Hamilton Town Center, Noblesville
Fall Harvest Festival
Hosted by the Fishers Farmers Market, join in a celebration of the final summer farmers' market complete with family-friendly activities, Indiana-grown produce and endless photo opportunities! Over 55 vendors will be onsite with fresh fall-inspired products and flavors. But don't just shop and run, stick around to climb the hay bales, try pumpkin bowling and much more.Details: 9/30 from 8am-12pmLocation: Fishers Farmers Market, Municipal Drive, downtown Fishers
Potters Bridge Fall Festival
Enjoy a special autumn day during the 18th Annual Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival. Listen to live music, visit the more than seventy arts, crafts, and food booths, watch your little ones play in the KidZone, or simply take in the natural beauty of Noblesville’s most scenic park on the White River Greenway Trail.Details: 9/30 from 11am-3pmLocation: Potters Bridge Park, Noblesville
TURN Festival
A one-day educational event presented by Paramount School, in partnership with Community Health Network, focused on urban farming, food, the environment and health. Activities planned: Workshops, demonstrations, information booths, a children’s area and food vendors. Kimbal Musk joins as the 2017 Keynote Speaker at 1pm.Details: 9/30 from 12-6pmLocation: Paramount School of Excellence, Indianapolis
///// October /////
Uncle PawPaw's Pickin Patch Festival
An old fashioned, handcrafted fall fair. They'll have handcrafted items for everyone on your list, games and toys for kids as well as face painting, glitter/henna tattoos and balloon creations. Several local artists will be demonstrating their crafts so you can watch them work! Also includes local food, like barbecue, cakes, cookies, pies, hot dogs, coffees, kettle corn, pork rinds and more!Details: 10/6-10/7 from 9am-4pm. FREE.Location: 2316 S. German Church Road, Indianapolis
Fall Festival + Mini Touch A Truck
Fall is MORE FUN at Main Event Entertainment! Enjoy a mini touch a truck with numerous large trucks, a DeLorean and the chicken limo! Mr. Daniel will be on-hand for a fun kid's concert. Other activities include pumpkin decorating, face painting, a game card points contest, autumn games and FREE pizza and soda for the kids.Details: 10/7 from 9am-12pm. FREE.Location: Main Event Entertainment, Indianapolis
Coffee, Beer and Donuts with Indianapolis Girls Pint Out
Join Girls Pint Out for a morning of tasting coffee beers from 15 Indiana breweries and 3 Indiana cideries. If you need a jolt of alcohol-free caffeine, local coffee roasters will give you the boost you need. Each brewery will be paired with samples of delightful baked goodies from local bakeries and restaurants.Details: 10/7 from 11am-2pm. Tickets start at $25Location: City Market, downtown Indianapolis
Indiana Renaissance Faire
Experience the Golden Age of Queen Elizabeth I at 13th annual Indiana Renaissance Faire {formerly Fishers Renaissance Faire}. There will be over 250 costumed characters, jousting by the Knights of Valour, period music and dance, Shakespeare vignettes, roving comedy, swordplay, knighting ceremonies, parades, and over 70 artisans and merchants, many food vendors, and free kid's games.Details: 10/7-10/8, 10am-6pm. Tickets $14/adults; $5/kids. Family pricing availableLocation: Klipsch Music Center, Noblesville
Feast of Tabernacles
A one-day festival with live music, singing, dancing, "Ask the Rabbi" booth, kids area, and more, presented by Messianic Jewish Congregation Shaarey Yeshua.Details: 10/8 from 1-5pm. FREE to attendLocation: Broad Ripple Park, Indianapolis
Heartland Film Festival
Indiana’s largest and longest-running film festival will celebrate its 26th anniversary this October! Stay tuned following their 9/14 kickoff party for film lineup, locations, ticket pricing and more details.Details: 10/12-10/22Location: Varies
9th Annual Germanfest
Discover your inner German: Enjoy Urban Flea with 100 vendors, Durstig Games, live Wiener Dog Races, OktoberFAST 5K run/walk, Strong Man Competition, ZwergenLand For Kids, German beer, German food by the Indianapolis Sangerchor. All proceeds from GermanFest benefit the maintenance and care of the Historic Athenaeum.Details: 10/14 at 12pm. Tickets $8/adults; $3/kidsLocation: The Athenaeum, downtown Indianapolis
Boo Bash - a theCityMoms favorite!
Trick or Treat! The 5th annual Boo Bash invites families of all ages for a free Halloween Village featuring fun games, raffles, a live DJ, and lots of CANDY! Kids can trick or treat at over 50 vendor booths and participate in our famous costume contest. Free hot chocolate and Pat's Philly Pretzels available for first 1,000 guests!Details: 10/27 from 6:30-8:30pm. FREELocation: Central Green in front of City Hall, Fishers
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
Trick or Treat! The 5th annual Boo Bash invites families of all ages for a free Halloween Village featuring fun games, raffles, a live DJ, and lots of CANDY! Kids can trick or treat at over 50 vendor booths and participate in our famous costume contest. Free hot chocolate and Pat's Philly Pretzels available for first 1,000 guests!Details: 10/22-10/29; primary day of celebration is 10/28Location: downtown Irvington neighborhood
DISCLAIMER: Phew! That was a lot of 2017 festivals, fiestas, fests and faires to share. And we did our best to pull all accurate details but sometimes, things change and we aren't able to keep up with the times on those updates. Before you go, be sure to check the festival website, Facebook page, Snapchat account, whatever have you to ensure all of the details reported above are accurate. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]