It's a new year, and it's time to sit down with a hot drink and your new 2026 calendar and plan some new adventures in Hendricks County, Indiana! Just west of Indianapolis, Hendricks County is full of fun events year-round for people of all ages and interests.
Let's take a quick peek at the Top 26 events for 2026 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. Hendricks County Flavor Fest
Enjoy all the flavors of Hendricks County during this four-week event from Feb. 17 through March 17, where participating restaurants, candy shops and other eateries create a new menu item for guests to enjoy.
Hendricks County Flavor Fest also allows participants to dine, check-in and win one of 10 $50 gift cards by registering at each location they visit during the event.
3. 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!
4. Maple Syrup Days
A fun, free and educational family event takes place at McCloud Nature Park, just outside North Salem, on March 14 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, there is a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at McCloud, featuring, of course, maple syrup. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast while supporting McCloud Nature Park!
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 11-12 and Sept. 26-27.
6. Cleetus and Cars
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 racing season. The 2026 dates for Cleetus and Cars have not yet been announced, but look for it to be held in early May.
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. Geek Meet Indy 2026
Taking place on May 17 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.
8. Carb Night Classic Featuring Hoosier Hundred
The Carb Night Classic returns to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2026 on May 22, featuring multiple classes of open-wheel racing on the Friday before the Indianapolis 500.
The Carb Night Classic will feature the 73rd 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.
9. Amo Fish Fry Festival
The Amo Fish Fry Festival, a highly anticipated and widely attended small-town tradition, is hosted by the Amo Volunteer Fire Department and the Cascade Youth League. The 2026 dates have not yet been announced, but you can expect the 75th edition of the event to take place in early June.
It will showcase an array of captivating attractions, including 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. Ultimate Callout Challenge
The Ultimate Callout Challenge brings together the top competitors in North America to battle it out over three days, June 5-7, 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 2026 UCC Champion. This is an exciting event every year where fans come to see the best of the best compete.
11. Indy Tattoo Expo
The annual Indy Tattoo Expo returns to Hendricks County June 5-7. 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.
12. Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ
One of the best events of the summer in central Indiana occurs on 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 27.
This event also features entertainment, not-for-profit vendor booths, lots of delicious food and 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.
13. National Powwow
National Powwow exists to respectfully share in the values of American Indian culture. The goal is to educate Indian people and increase awareness of American Indian traditions among the non-Indian community.
Held every three years, the 2026 National Powwow is set for July 9-12 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex in Danville. The four-day event introduces visitors to a cultural experience filled with traditional singing and dancers in full regalia, primitive skills demonstrations, a living history tipi village, ethnic foods, crafts, artisans, kids' activities, bird shows and so much more.
14. Hendricks County 4-H Fair
The week-long Hendricks County 4-H Fair occurs July 19-25 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, held at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, is a highlight of the summer season, attracting visitors from across Indiana.
15. NASCAR Doubleheader
The ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to the iconic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park oval on July 24 during Brickyard weekend in Indianapolis.
The NASCAR Doubleheader, which includes the Circle City 150 presented by Dutch Boy and the TSport 200 races, kicks off the popular racing weekend in central Indiana.
16. 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 72nd Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which will take place Sept. 2-7.
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.
17. North Salem Old Fashion Days
From Sept. 5-7, 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.
18. 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.
Held Sept. 12-13, the fair features more than 100 vendor booths lining three sides of the square, live entertainment and more. The fair serves as the centerpiece for what has become a popular community weekend with plenty to see and do.
19. Quaker Days & Back Your Badge Marathon
The annual Quaker Days Festival has expanded in recent years to include an entire weekend full of fun, traditions and new events, Sept. 17-20 in Plainfield. Attractions include the annual Quaker Day parade, craft and food vendors, car show, live music, tethered balloon rides and even a drone show.
The weekend fun also includes the popular Back Your Badge Marathon held on Sept. 20 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. 19.
20. Hendricks County International Festival
The 2026 Hendricks County International Festival returns on Oct. 3 at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield.
The International Festival is an annual family-friendly event that celebrates the diversity found throughout Hendricks County. Learn about a variety of cultures, customs and cuisines from countries all around the world.
21. Heartland Apple Festival & Dog Daze at the Maze
Beasley's Orchard in Danville hosts numerous events during the fall with one of the most popular being the Heartland Apple Festival, which is traditionally held during the first two weekends in October. This two-weekend festival features craft vendors, live music, puppet shows, balloon magic, face painting, pony rides, apple cannons, hayrides, a corn maze and more.
Dog Daze at the Maze is traditionally held the weekend following the Heartland Apple Festival, allowing guests to bring their four-legged family members for the same fall fun on the farm. Local dog/animal rescue groups will also be in attendance with adoptable dogs looking for forever homes.
22. Fall Colors Festival
The annual Fall Colors Festival will take place Oct. 24 at McCloud Nature Park outside North Salem.
This free family-friendly event is always popular, as attendees explore the McCloud Prairie Maze and enjoy target sports, hayrides, vendors, games, crafts and other activities. The 232-acre park also remains one of the best places in the State of Indiana to view fall foliage.
23. 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 visit 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 on the 2026 dates and activities.
24. 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.
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!
25. Gingerbread Christmas
The 2026 Plainfield Tri Kappa Gingerbread Christmas will take place Dec. 5 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 ensure all items are handcrafted.
26. Christmas Under the Stars
Brownsburg's Christmas Under the Stars on Dec. 5 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!
