We’ve made it to fall, my absolute favorite time of year, filled with the scent of pumpkin spice and apple pie or cider and the colorful scene of falling leaves.
Halloween is coming soon and the kids are getting excited to pick out costumes and make their plans. I always say I want everyone to be creative, have fun and of course, be safe.
Hendricks County, Indiana, offers so many family-friendly experiences, and I’m a fan of taking the kids to an event over going door-to-door anyway. It’s fun, it’s safe and don’t worry, there will be candy but there will be other things to do as well!
Check out everything you need to know about public Halloween activities in Avon, Brownsburg, Danville and Plainfield in 2023.
The Smiley Morning Show Pumpkin Drop – Oct. 12 
If you’ve never seen Smiley’s annual pumpkin drop, it is a unique experience and fun for all.
The ZPL radio host, Dave Smiley and staff will put on a show as they hoist the largest pumpkin you’ve perhaps ever seen, hundreds of feet in the air by a crane and release it to create a very messy, pumpkin splat in Plainfield’s The Shops at Perry Crossing parking lot.
Wear your costumes, play games, receive candy and prize giveaways and enjoy the morning with the community.
The Smiley Morning Show will broadcast live from The Shops at Perry Crossing beginning at 6 a.m., and the first "test pumpkin" will drop at 8 a.m., with the large grand finale pumpkin dropping around 10 a.m.
Beasley’s Halloweekend’s – Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29 
Talk about a one-stop shop. At Beasley’s Orchard they celebrate Halloween with two full weekends of family fun. On Oct. 21-22 and 28-29, give those costumes a test-run and enjoy a day full of candy giveaways, kid’s costume contests, family pumpkin-carving contests and of course, take a hayride and pick up your pumpkin for the porch while you’re at it.
Beasley’s annual fall activities will be available as well, including the Barnyard Bonanza, corn maze, straw mountain and more.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each of those Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The family pumpkin-carving contest begins at 2 p.m. each day, and you don’t want to miss that one.
Scares on the Square – Oct. 28 
From 6 to 9 p.m., join the Danville community celebrating fall at Scares on the Square with trick-or-treating with the local merchants on the square, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a scavenger hunt.
Costumes are encouraged and don’t forget to snap one of the many photo ops at the scarecrow displays in front of the historic Hendricks County Courthouse.
The event is sponsored by Downtown Danville, Danville Kiwanis and Danville-Center Township Public Library.
Sat-Terror-Day – Oct. 28 
This free annual event invites the community out for Halloween fun between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Plainfield’s Talon Stream Park.
Wear your costume, take a hayride, dance to the music and get some fun photo ops at the event.
Not only will the kids enjoy bringing home their first bucket of candy from the Trunk-or-Treat giveaways at Sat-Terror-Day, but you can expect some fun activities involving pumpkins, costume contests and crafts.
Trail and Treat – Oct. 28 
Just like Trunk-or-Treat but located on the walking trail at Williams Park in Brownsburg, families can enjoy safe trick-or-treating by community businesses and organizations, ready to hand out candy, promotional items and fun trinkets.
Vote for the best decorated booth in the lineup. Winners receive a trophy and a special treat.
The Trail and Treat event is 5 to 7 p.m. at Williams Park and the Halloween fun is offered by the Town of Brownsburg and Brownsburg Parks and Recreation.
Ghosts and Goblins – Oct. 28 
Washington Township Parks and Recreation will hold their annual Ghosts and Goblins event, adding a few additions to the popular trick-or-treating and food trucks.
Ages 7 and under are invited to attend from 1 to 3 p.m., and ages 8 and older can attend from 3 to 5 p.m.
There will be bungee trampolines, bounce houses, a haunted slide, Harry Potter mini train and much more to celebrate Halloween.
Don't forget to stop by the local vendor booths for some fun treats, too!
Can’t Miss Events & Trick or Treating Hours on Oct. 31
The Town of Avon staff will offer a special opportunity for daytime fun.
From 10 a.m. to noon, little ones that may find Halloween a bit too scary can stop by in costume to trick-or-treat at Avon Town Hall.
The entire event is sensory friendly, so don’t expect loud music or bright lights, however anyone can attend and vote on their favorite staff-led candy booth.
Don’t forget to stop by the Brownsburg Police Department for some extra special fun from 6 to 8:30 p.m. They will host a Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot and officers are hosting a squad car decorating contest. Vote for your favorite!
For those of us headed out to our neighborhoods for traditional Trick-or-Treating, here are the recommended hours on Oct. 31 for each Hendricks County community.
- Town of Avon – 6 to 9 p.m.
- Town of Brownsburg – 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- Town of Plainfield – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Town of Danville – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
