Your Ultimate Guide to the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival
If you’ve ever wanted to experience one of the largest street festivals in the United States, look no further than the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in Evansville, Indiana. Each October, more than 280,000 people pack Franklin Street on the city’s west side for a week of food, parades, and Hoosier hospitality. (That figure comes from Placer.ai foot-traffic data for the 2025 festival.)
Here’s everything you need to know for 2026: dates, schedule highlights, food booths, parades, the record-setting Half Pot raffle, and insider tips to make the most of your visit.
When Is the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in Evansville?
Festival dates: Monday, October 5 through Saturday, October 10, 2026
Half Pot drawing: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Location: Franklin Street, Evansville, Indiana
Cost: Admission is free; food and rides are pay-as-you-go
The festival started in 1921 as a one-night Halloween carnival with about 25,000 people and has grown into a week-long celebration bigger than many county fairs. A Family Day with the Kiddie Midway traditionally opens things the Sunday before the festival week.
West Side Fall Festival Schedule: Daily Highlights
The official day-by-day schedule posts at nutclubfallfestival.com closer to the festival, but here’s the rhythm of the week:
Opening Monday: the Lighthouse Parade at 7 PM kicks off the week, along with the first night of Amateur Hour
Midweek: kiddie rides, the Queen & King contest, tug of war, and nightly Amateur Hour
Amateur Hour Finals later in the week
Closing Saturday: the Pet Parade (10 AM) and the Main Parade (4:30 PM), with rides all day
West Side Nut Club Food Booths: What to Eat on Franklin Street
With more than 137 food booths run by local non-profits, the Evansville Fall Festival is one giant community fundraiser. In 2024 the Nut Club gave more than $600,000 back to local schools, youth programs, and charities, part of nearly $9 million donated since the festival began.
Must-Try Foods at the Evansville Fall Festival
Brain Sandwiches. The festival’s most famous food, fried cow brain on a bun, a true Evansville original. If you love iconic Hoosier eats, check out our Indiana Tenderloin Road Trip.
Pronto Pups. Not your average corn dog; hand-dipped and beloved for generations.
Fried Kool-Aid. Yes, really. Sweet, tangy, and deep-fried.
Donut Burgers. A juicy burger between two glazed donuts.
Deep-Fried Oreos. Classic fair food, perfected here.
Walking Tacos. Chips loaded with meat, cheese, and toppings, easy to eat on the move.
Homemade BBQ Sandwiches. Several booths smoke pork shoulders all day.
Frog Legs. Crispy, fried, and surprisingly popular.
Apple Dumplings with Ice Cream. A sweet fall classic to balance the fried stuff. Pair it with a stop at one of the Best Wineries in Indiana.
Gator on a Stick. Grilled, skewered alligator, a tradition for daring eaters.
Pro tip: many booths are run by local churches, schools, and civic groups, so every bite supports the community.
Live Music & Amateur Hour
Every evening the stage comes alive with live music, talent shows, and Amateur Hour, a festival tradition going back generations. Past winners have gone on to perform nationally.
Love live entertainment? Check out our Guide to Indiana’s Best Fall Festivals for more music, parades, and local traditions across the state.
The Nut Club Half Pot Raffle: Evansville’s Biggest Festival Jackpot
The Half Pot raffle is the largest of its kind in the U.S. In 2025 it set a record: a total pot of $2,618,110, with the winner taking home half, $1,309,055. The other half funds Evansville charities.
Presale tickets: begin in early October (drive-thru at the Mead Johnson lot)
On-site sales: during festival week
Drawing: Sunday, October 11, 2026
How Big Has It Gotten?
2019: first introduced, about $400,000
2021: $1.2 million
2023: $1.6 million
2024: about $2.0 million (roughly $1 million to the winner)
2025: a record $2.62 million (about $1.31 million to the winner)
Every ticket has the same odds, and winners are drawn live. Even if you don’t win, your money helps fund schools, youth sports, and nonprofits across Evansville.
Fun Festival Stats
280,000+ visitors in 2025 (per Placer.ai), with a single-day record around 47,000
Started in 1921 with about 25,000 attendees
More than 137 food booths run by non-profits
Named the Best Fall Festival in America by USA TODAY 10Best readers three years running (2023, 2024, and 2025)
Indiana is full of big-name attractions too. Plan a road trip with our guide to Indiana’s Grandest Mansions or sip your way through the Best Wineries in Indiana.
Tips for Visiting the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival
Cash is king: most booths don’t take cards; ATMs are available
Parking: expect heavy traffic near Franklin Street, so arrive early
Crowds: have a meetup plan in case you get separated
Wristbands: buy unlimited-ride wristbands early for savings
Nearby: Mesker Park Zoo, downtown Evansville, and the Ohio riverfront
Looking for more weekend trip ideas? Explore our Local’s Guide to Brown County or plan a nature escape with the IN the Parks: Indiana State Parks Podcast.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Go
Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is a must-visit Indiana tradition. From the food booths to the parades, the Half Pot to the live music, there’s no other fall festival quite like it.
Mark your calendar for October 5 through 10, 2026 and see why Evansville’s Franklin Street is the place to be this fall.
