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. Fall festivals and events are the best, and there are a hay ride full of them.
Here's a look at some of our great festivals and events that give 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 large numbers of visitors to the streets surrounding the historic Hendricks County Courthouse.
On Sept. 7 and 8, the fair will include more than 100 booths of shopping, live entertainment, locally grown foods and more. Booths line 3/4 of the block surrounding the courthouse on Washington, Marion and Jefferson streets in Danville.
McCloud Prairie Maze
Come out to McCloud Nature Park just outside North Salem during the months of September and October for the 2024 McCloud Prairie Maze, and celebrate our county’s bicentennial! The maze opens Sept. 7 and is open from dawn to dusk daily through Oct. 31. Admission is free.
Hendricks County Parks & Recreation is celebrating the county’s 200th birthday with their 200-themed maze design. The correct route through the maze results in a hike of approximately 2/3 of a mile.
Beasley's Orchard Events
Located in Danville, Beasley's Orchard is the undisputed king of fall activities. Visit their farm to enjoy the fall harvest and family fun.
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.
Activities are available every day Sept. 14 through Oct. 31. Weekdays offer a discounted admission price and all the fall activities. Their fall festivals, including their popular Heartland Apple Festival, occur every weekend, each with a unique theme.
Quaker Day Festival
On Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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 there will be food trucks there for hungry festival-goers as well as a car show.
A parade also marches through the heart of Plainfield at 10 a.m.
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 is Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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 Shaggin' Wagons to the 23rd Annual Circle City Volkswagen Club Volktoberfest on Oct. 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. 5 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 for the many cultures who 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 on Oct. 5, 12 and 19!
Enjoy hayrides, a bonfire, food, hot chocolate, s'mores, live music and a pumpkin patch right there on the property. Fall Harvest Days is free, but they do encourage donations of $5 a person or $25 a carload as they depend 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. 19. 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!
With a wide variety of tree species within its 232 acres, the park is one of the top places in the state for fall foliage, according to Visit Indiana. McCloud has even been featured by The Points Guy!
Runner and walkers can also register for the Fall Colors Run that takes place right before the festival and choose the 5K or 10K course.
Doctoberfest
Come join in the annual Doctor Who-centric Fall Festival, Doctoberfest, on Oct. 19 at Who North America in Camby.
Enjoy discussions with authors and other guests during Doctoberfest, as well as contests including Doctor Who Creative Arts, Lego Creations and a Doctor Who Look-A-Like Competition. Keith Barnfather of Reeltime Pictures, producer of Doctor Who documentaries and dramas, will also be in attendance!
Monster Bash
W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Avon transforms into a Halloween Party of MONSTER proportions on Oct. 26 during the Monster Bash!
With activities like a dance party, hayrides, a pumpkin trail, food and many more exciting events, this is guaranteed to be a graveyard smash! Registered entrants get a free mini pumpkin to decorate, unlimited hayrides and a treat bag! Come in costume and dress for the weather!
Scarecrow Festival and Scares on the Square
Scarecrows will line the lawn on all four sides of the Hendricks County Courthouse in Danville during the month of October, and then the annual Scares on the Square will take place on Oct. 26.
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 just ahead of Halloween!
