It's a new year, and it's time to sit down with a hot drink and your new 2025 calendar and plan some new adventures in Hendricks County, Indiana! Just west of Indianapolis, Hendricks County is full of fun events throughout the year for people of all ages and interests.
Let's take a quick peek at the Top 25 events for 2025 in chronological order, and then be sure to subscribe to our Weekly Insider and/or Monthly Planner newsletters so you don't miss a thing!
1. Indiana Fishing Expo
The annual Indiana Fishing Expo is set for Feb. 1-2 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex in Danville. It's the perfect opportunity to find the best gear, tips and tricks or just connect with others who share your passion.
The Indiana Fishing Expo spans more than 40,000 square feet and features more than 90 vendors, making it the most species-diverse fishing show in the region.
2. Anime Crossroads
The Indianapolis area's largest anime convention, Anime Crossroads will take place Feb. 21-23 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport Hotel & Conference Center for three days of anime, animation, video games, board games and fun!
Plan to attend a celebration that will be full of events, activities, celebrities, cosplay contests, panels, Q&A sessions, autographs, workshops and much more!
3. Geek Meet Indy 2025
Taking place March 1-2 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex in Danville, Geek Meet Indy is a spin-off of the Indiana Toy and Comic Expo where you can find some of the best vendors, artists, collectors and creators of toys, games and more in the Midwest.
Organizers created the event to promote local vendors, rather than celebrity speakers or guests, and provide easy accessibility for all. Guests can expect the best lineup of regional artists, graphic designers, comic writers and toy makers.
4. Maple Syrup Days
A fun, free and educational family event takes place at McCloud Nature Park, just outside of North Salem, on March 1 and 8 during Maple Syrup Days. Learn how sap from maple trees becomes that sweet topping that so many people love while also participating in all sorts of fun activities!
Additionally, on March 8, there is a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at McCloud featuring McCloud maple syrup, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast while supporting McCloud Nature Park at the same time!
5. Indiana Guitar Show
The Indiana Guitar Show is the largest gathering of musicians in the state of Indiana. They meet twice a year at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex in Danville with shows in April and September.
National dealers will be on hand with cash to evaluate your musical instruments, so bring your favorite instrument to find out what it's worth. You can buy, trade or sell at the Indiana Guitar Show on April 12-13 and Sept. 27-28.
6. Cleetus and Cars & Indy 800
Cleetus McFarland and his friends are headed back to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg for an action-packed two-day event to kick off the month of May: Cleetus and Cars & Indy 800 on May 2-3!
This fan-favorite event combines drag racing with oval action for a weekend full of fun! Friday will be headlined by the Indy 800 featuring 20 Ford Crown Vic’s battling it out on the iconic IRP oval, and Saturday will feature the Cleetus and Cars burnout contest, plus action on the drag strip!
7. Carb Night Classic Featuring Hoosier Hundred
The Carb Night Classic returns to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2025 on May 23, featuring multiple classes of open-wheel racing on the Friday before the Indianapolis 500!
The Carb Night Classic will feature the 72nd Anniversary Hoosier Hundred, one of the crown jewel events on the USAC Silver Crown Series calendar. This 100-mile race will kick off the evening, which also includes the USF Pro 2000 and USF2000 Championships, as well as a 30-lap National Pavement Midget Championship feature.
8. Ultimate Callout Challenge
The Ultimate Callout Challenge brings together the best competitors in North America to battle it out over three days, May 30 - June 1, competing in a drag race, sled pull and dyno competition at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
After three days and three events, scores are calculated to find out who is the 2025 UCC Champion! Come see the best of the best compete in drag racing, dyno and sled pulling!
9. Amo Fish Fry Festival
The Amo Fish Fry Festival, a highly anticipated and widely attended affair, is hosted by the Amo Volunteer Fire Department and the Cascade Youth League. It is a cherished tradition in the southwest region of Hendricks County.
The 75th edition of the event will take place June 5-7 and will showcase an array of captivating attractions such as live music, tasty food, bounce houses, a car show, an antique tractor and equipment show, a parade, fireworks and more! Follow the Amo Fire Department on Facebook for updates.
10. Indy Tattoo Expo
The annual Indy Tattoo Expo returns to Hendricks County June 6-8. This huge annual tattoo convention features more than 150 artists from around the country, vendors, live entertainment and much more over three days at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex in Danville.
Whether you're curious about tattoos, a hard-core enthusiast, displaying a little ink of your own or an admirer of fantastic artwork, make plans to attend the Indy Tattoo Expo. Some of the best artists from across the country attend and are available to provide tattoos by appointment or, in some cases, they even allow walk-ups.
11. Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ
One of the best events of the summer in central Indiana occurs the last Saturday in June every year when the Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ lights up the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds with the illumination of festive hot air balloons and fireworks after dark. This year's festival takes place on June 28.
This event also features entertainment, not-for-profit vendor booths and lots of delicious food. There will also be a beer tent for attendees ages 21 and older. The event kicks off with the Rib-Run 5K in the morning and ends with fireworks in the evening.
12. Hendricks County 4-H Fair
The week-long Hendricks County 4-H Fair occurs July 13-19 and offers tons of family fun. The activities and events change annually, but you can expect action-packed motorsports, carnival rides, farm animals and great fair food.
This popular event is a highlight of the summer season, attracting visitors from all over Indiana.
13. NASCAR Doubleheader
The ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to the iconic Indianapolis Raceway Park oval in the Circle City 150 presented by Dutch Boy and the TSport 200, respectively, during the NASCAR Doubleheader on July 25.
14. NHRA U.S. Nationals
Each Labor Day weekend, NHRA racers and fans descend on Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for the World’s Biggest Drag Race™. They say that no career is truly complete without a win at drag racing’s grandest event, the 71st Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which will take place Aug. 27 - Sept. 1.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers, as Every Ticket’s a Pit Pass® at the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet! Get direct access to the teams, see firsthand as the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds and get autographs from your favorite NHRA drivers.
15. North Salem Old Fashion Days
From Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, North Salem Old Fashion Days features live music, craft & food vendors, tractor and horse pulls and so much more small-town, family-fun entertainment.
Some of the key, not-to-be-missed events include the parade, the largest in Hendricks County, on Saturday and the bed race down Pearl Street on Monday. Be sure to arrive early whichever day you visit because parking around town fills up fast.
16. Fair on the Square
Danville Tri Kappa's Fair on the Square is an annual community event that draws large numbers of visitors — from Danville and surrounding towns — to the streets surrounding the Hendricks County Courthouse.
To be held Sept. 6-7, the fair includes more than 100 booths of shopping, live entertainment, locally grown foods and more. Booths line Washington, Marion and Jefferson streets around the square. The fair is the centerpiece for what has become a popular community weekend.
17. Back Your Badge Marathon
The 3rd Annual Back Your Badge Marathon will be held on Sept. 21 at the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center in Plainfield and is sponsored by the Town of Plainfield to show support for all public safety agencies. The event offers 5K, half-marathon and marathon courses, as well as a free kids' fun run on Sept. 20.
You pick the agency you support, and each mile you run or walk will be added to their combined total, with the agency totaling the most miles earning bragging rights and the traveling trophy. All proceeds will directly benefit public safety beneficent programs, local youth assistance programs and a paramedic scholarship program.
18. Hendricks County International Festival
While the official date of the 2025 Hendricks County International Festival has not yet been announced, it has traditionally been held on the first Saturday in October, which would make Oct. 4 at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield a pretty good guess, though we will update this post when the official date is announced.
The International Festival is an annual family-friendly event that celebrates the diversity found throughout Hendricks County. Every year Plainfield invites attendees to learn about a variety of cultures, customs and cuisines from countries all around the world.
19. Heartland Apple Festival
Beasley's Orchard in Danville knows how to celebrate fall with special events scheduled every weekend in September and October. One of the most popular of these events is the Heartland Apple Festival, which is traditionally held during the first two weekends in October (2025 dates have not yet been released).
This two-weekend festival features craft vendors, live music, puppet shows, balloon magic, face painting, pony rides, apple cannons, hayrides, corn maze and more!
20. Fall Colors Festival & Run
The annual Fall Colors Festival will take place Oct. 11 at McCloud Nature Park outside of North Salem, and this free family-friendly event is always popular as attendees explore the free McCloud Prairie Maze and enjoy target sports, hayrides, games, crafts and other activities in the 232-acre park that is one of the best places in the State of Indiana to view fall foliage.
Additionally, runners and walkers can enjoy a 5K or 10K run along the trails at McCloud on Oct. 11 during the annual Fall Colors Run. Registration is already open.
21. Dog Daze at the Maze
Traditionally held the weekend following the Heartland Apple Festival at Beasley's Orchard in Danville is Dog Daze at the Maze. The 2025 dates have not yet been announced, but shoot for the third weekend in October for this canine lovers' paradise.
Bring your four-legged family members to the farm for some fall fun, as Beasley's Orchard encourages guests to bring their dogs to enjoy the corn maze, hayride and all the other attractions! Local dog/animal rescue groups will be in attendance with adoptable dogs looking for forever homes.
22. Doctoberfest
Experience all things Doctor Who, the long-running British sci-fi TV show, at the annual Doctoberfest event. Fans of the series will want to check WHO North America in Camby any time of year, but Doctoberfest is where it really comes together.
Enjoy panels and workshops, participate in games and contests and purchase merchandise from various vendors. Generally held in mid to late October, fans will want to follow Doctoberfest on Facebook for more details when the 2025 dates and activities are announced.
23. Winterland Holiday Light Show
If you enjoy looking at colorful lights during the holiday season, the Winterland Holiday Light Show at Ellis Park in Danville should be on your don't-miss list. An enormous display of lights takes over the park from mid-November through late December every year, and Danville Parks & Recreation will undoubtedly release their 2025 dates on the event's Facebook page.
Pay a one-time entry fee at the gate and then take as many laps through the park as you and your family would like. You can even stop in and visit Santa Claus at the Ellis Park Train Station on select dates!
24. Gingerbread Christmas
Always held on the first Saturday in December, the 2025 Plainfield Tri Kappa Gingerbread Christmas will take place Dec. 6 at Plainfield High School. Gingerbread Christmas is the oldest and largest fine art and craft show in the area with more than 130 booths where master artists and crafters from many states showcase a wide variety of creative, hand-crafted and original works of art.
Gingerbread Christmas is unique in that vendors are required to submit an application with photographs of their items every year. These applications and photos are juried by Plainfield Tri Kappa's Vendor Committee to make sure all items are handcrafted, meaning that no commercial or imported items are allowed.
25. Christmas Under the Stars
Brownsburg's Christmas Under the Stars on Dec. 6 is an enchanting event that will transport you to a winter wonderland! Beginning with a large, night-time parade through downtown Brownsburg, Christmas Under the Stars then moves to Brownsburg Town Hall for more festivities and activities.
The town sparkles with thousands of twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. Join Brownsburg for a night of merriment during Christmas Under the Stars, where you can sip on hot cocoa, indulge in delicious holiday treats, shop local for the perfect gift for everyone on your list and even meet Santa Claus!
