Autumn is one of the most popular seasons in Hendricks County, Indiana, and my personal favorite time of year.
What is there not to love about fall? We have the changing leaves, the cooler temperatures and, of course, some fantastic family-friendly festivals and events.
Here's a hayride full of some of our favorites, giving you every reason to visit Hendricks County this fall.
Danville Tri Kappa Fair on the Square
Danville Tri Kappa's Fair on the Square & Handmade Market is an annual community event drawing visitors and locals to the historic Hendricks County Courthouse.
On Sept. 6 and 7, the fair will feature more than 100 booths offering shopping, live entertainment, locally grown foods and more. Booths line three of the streets surrounding the courthouse in Danville.
McCloud Prairie Maze
Come out to McCloud Nature Park just outside North Salem during September and October for the 2025 McCloud Prairie Maze and celebrate deer! The maze opens on Sept. 6 and can be explored from dawn to dusk daily through Oct. 31.
Admission to McCloud Nature Park and the prairie maze is absolutely FREE. The correct path through the labyrinth is one (1) mile long. Bring the fawns, too, as this maze is appropriate for all ages.
Beasley's Orchard Events
Located in Danville, Beasley's Orchard is the undisputed king of fall destinations in Hendricks County. Activities include an 8-acre corn maze, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, apple cannons, barnyard bonanza family play area, delicious food, entertainment and more! Additional activities include u-pick apples and u-pick pumpkins.
The farm is open every day Sept. 20 through Nov. 2. Weekdays offer a discounted admission price. Their fall festivals, including their popular Heartland Apple Festival, occur every weekend, each with a unique theme.
Quaker Day Festival
On Sept. 20, the Plainfield Friends Meeting Church hosts the Quaker Day Festival to celebrate the town's heritage. Craft and community vendors will set up on the church's front lawn, and food trucks will be available for hungry festival-goers, along with a car show.
A parade also marches through the heart of Plainfield at 10 a.m., and the evening concludes with tethered balloon rides, a concert and a first-ever nighttime drone show at Hummel Park.
National Alpaca Farm Day Open House
Did you know we have alpacas in Hendricks County? Every year, the Montrose Farms Alpaca Ranch, located in Brownsburg, hosts the National Alpaca Farm Day Open House to educate the public about these beautiful animals.
This year's event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 27. The event features tours of the farm, fun activities, up-close interactions with the friendly alpacas, a spinning demonstration, vendors and more. Admission is $5 a person.
Volktoberfest
How about a fall festival for car enthusiasts? Clear your calendars and bring your air heads, tuners and 'wagens to the 24th Annual Circle City Volkswagen Club Volktoberfest on Oct. 4-5 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds in Danville!
Volktoberfest is a vintage car extravaganza open to all Volkswagens, as well as their friends Audi and Porsche. Weekend camping is also available on-site. The event is free to attend.
Hendricks County International Festival
Come enjoy the free, family-friendly and educational Hendricks County International Festival on Oct. 4 at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield. You can expect to see food trucks, live cultural dances and music performances, interactive booths, traditional attire and more from several countries around the world!
The festival was first held in 2019 to introduce diverse cultures to members of our community and to support, encourage and increase awareness of the many cultures that live, work and reside in the area.
Nehemiah Ranch Fall Harvest Days
Bring the entire family out to the 34-acre, secluded Nehemiah Ranch in Avon for Fall Harvest Days from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 4, 11 and 18.
Enjoy hayrides, a bonfire, food, hot chocolate, s'mores, live music and a pumpkin patch. Fall Harvest Days is free, but they encourage donations of $5 per person or $25 per carload, as they rely on donations to stay open.
Fall Colors Festival & Fall Colors Run
Just outside North Salem, McCloud Nature Park hosts the Fall Colors Festival on Oct. 11. Explore the McCloud Prairie Maze while you're there, and try hands-on activities such as axe-throwing, throwing an atlatl (an ancient hunting weapon), hayrides, yard games, crafts and more.
The park is one of the top places in the state for fall foliage, according to Visit Indiana. The Points Guy has even featured McCloud! Runners and walkers can also register for the 5K or 10K Fall Colors Run, which takes place immediately before the festival.
Doctoberfest
Join in the annual Doctor Who-centric Fall Festival, Doctoberfest REGENERATE, on Oct. 19 at Who North America in Camby.
Enjoy discussions with authors and other guests during Doctoberfest, as well as a button swap and contests, including a creative art competition and a Doctor Who Look-A-Like Competition.
Fall-o-ween Spooktacular
W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Avon hosts its inaugural Fall-o-ween Spooktacular from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 18. The event is FREE to attend!
Wear your costumes and wander a winding Trick-or-Treat Trail overflowing with seasonal sweets, stop at the monster lab and create your own awesome ghoul, visit the vendors and face-painting stations to bring your fanciful visions to life and settle in for hayrides (for a nominal fee) through the moonlit woods.
Scarecrow Festival & Scares on the Square
Scarecrows will line the lawn on all four sides of the Hendricks County Courthouse in Danville during October, and then the annual Scares on the Square will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Jurors will select the best three scarecrows and announce the results at Scares on the Square. In addition to announcing the winners of the Scarecrow Festival, Scares on the Square will feature costumes and lots of family fun on Halloween!
