Your Guide to Indiana’s Best Fall Festivals in 2025
Indiana knows how to celebrate autumn in style. From apple pies and covered bridges to heritage parades and spooky Halloween fun, the Hoosier State offers something for everyone during September and October. Here’s your ultimate travel guide to nine of the best fall festivals in Indiana this year.
Indiana’s Fall Festival Spotlight: The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival
If you only make it to one fall festival this year, make it the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. It’s one of the largest street festivals in the U.S., drawing more than 200,000 visitors to Franklin Street.
When: October 5–11, 2025
Where: Evansville
What: There are 130+ food booths run by nonprofits, from brain sandwiches to fried Kool-Aid. If you like parades, enjoy the Pet Parade, Lighthouse Parade, and Grand Parade with 100+ floats. There is also a Massive Half Pot Raffle, which has previously had jackpots topping $1.8 million. In 2024, proceeds from the festival fueled more than $700,000 in donations to local schools and charities.
Check out our complete guide to the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.
Monroe County Fall Festival
When: September 11–13, 2025
Where: Ellettsville
What: This free festival is all about community spirit. Visitors enjoy a Saturday parade, two live music stages, craft and food vendors, and educational exhibits. Kids will love the games and contests, while adults can browse the flea market and pageants.
Lanesville Heritage Weekend
When: September 11–14, 2025
Where: Lanesville
What: This 50th anniversary celebration showcases Indiana’s agricultural roots with antique tractors, steam engine demos, weaving displays, and bluegrass music. Festival highlights include a hot-air balloon glow, tractor pulls, pageants, and a lively parade—all wrapped in small-town charm.
Nappanee Apple Festival
When: September 18–21, 2025
Where: Nappanee
What: Home to the famous giant apple pie that serves hundreds, this festival also offers a parade, carnival rides, apple-themed contests, a 5K run, and over 150 craft booths. From apple peeling challenges to live entertainment, this is a sweet way to kick off fall.
Ferdinand Folk Festival
When: September 20, 2025
Where: Ferdinand
What: Held under the trees of 18th Street Park, this free music festival features folk and Americana headliners like Will Hoge. Highlights include artisan booths, eco-friendly workshops, activities for the kiddos, and an inviting picnic-style atmosphere.
Harvest Homecoming Festival
When: October 4–12, 2025 (Booth Days: October 9–12)
Where: New Albany
What: This riverside tradition begins with a parade on Saturday, October 4, and offers pumpkin chunking, baking contests, and delicious fall foods, plus craft booths over the final four days. Families return year after year to enjoy live music, contests, and fall fun in downtown New Albany.
West Side Nut Club Fall Festival
When: October 5–11, 2025
Where: Evansville
What: Franklin Street comes alive during one of the nation’s largest street festivals, drawing more than 200,000 people. With over 130 food booths serving everything from fried Oreos to fried brain sandwiches, plus carnival rides, nightly music, talent shows, and a grand parade, this is a must-see autumn tradition. It all starts Sunday, October 5 with the Kiddie Midway open for families from 1-7 p.m. and continues through Saturday, October 11, the final day featuring the grand parade and a pet parade.
For a deeper dive into this Evansville favorite, check out our full article on the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.
Parke County Covered Bridge Festival
When: October 10–19, 2025
Where: Rockville
What: Celebrate Indiana’s 31 historic covered bridges with a scenic 10-day festival. Visitors can drive or stroll through picturesque routes framed by fall foliage, shop from hundreds of craft vendors, browse antiques, and savor local favorites like persimmon pudding and homemade pies.
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
When: October 18–25, 2025 (Street Fair: October 25)
Where: Indianapolis
What: One of the country’s oldest Halloween celebrations, this weeklong festival builds up to a massive street fair and parade. Visitors can enjoy ghost tours, a masquerade ball, the Vampire Run 5K, costume contests, and spooky performances throughout the week.
Prophetstown State Park Fall Fest
When: October 24–26, 2025
Where: West Lafayette
What: Perfect for campers and nature lovers, this state park festival includes trick-or-treating, campsite decorating contests, seasonal hikes, storytelling, and craft projects. It’s a cozy way to enjoy autumn surrounded by Indiana’s natural beauty.
Plan Your Fall Adventure
From apple pies in Nappanee to the spooky streets of Irvington, Indiana’s fall festivals are full of food, music, and tradition. Whether you’re chasing history, Halloween, or just a slice of apple pie, these events are the perfect way to experience the Hoosier State in autumn.
🍷 Love fall flavors?
Pair your festival trip with a stop at one of the Best Wineries in Indiana — from Oliver Winery in Bloomington to Two-EE’s near Fort Wayne, the state is full of scenic vineyards perfect for a crisp autumn day.
🏛️ History buff?
Extend your trip with a tour of Indiana’s Grandest Mansions, where ornate staircases, gilded details, and presidential homes tell the stories of Hoosier history in style.