Halloween is coming soon, and the kids are getting excited to pick out costumes and make their plans. Hendricks County, Indiana, offers so many family-friendly experiences it’s hard to choose which one or how many to attend.
They are fun, safe and feature plenty of fall activities in addition to, of course, a ton of candy! Check out everything you need to know about public Halloween activities in Avon, Brownsburg, Danville and Plainfield in 2024.
Trot & Treat - Oct. 19
Strides to Success, the nonprofit equestrian facility in Plainfield, will offer a free event with a horse costume contest. Check out the spooky barn decorations, play games and vote on your favorite horse. In addition, bring cash to purchase food at the food trucks and participate in a raffle.
The Smiley Morning Show Pumpkin Drop – Oct. 24
WZPL radio host, Dave Smiley, and staff will hoist a giant pumpkin hundreds of feet in the air by a crane and release it to create a very messy, pumpkin splat in The Shops at Perry Crossing parking lot. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, and they can enjoy games, receive candy and win prize giveaways.
They’ll begin broadcasting live 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 – Oct. 26-27
At Beasley’s Orchard they celebrate the fall harvest season with a festival every weekend in October, culminating on Halloweekend, Oct. 26-27.
Give those costumes a test-run and enjoy two full days of candy giveaways, games, hayrides and pumpkin picking. Don’t miss the family pumpkin-carving contest and the kids costume contests beginning at 2 p.m. each day.
Scares on the Square – Oct. 26
Join the Danville community celebrating fall at Scares on the Square and trick-or-treat with the local merchants. In addition, enjoy 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.
Sat-Terror-Day – Oct. 26
The Town of Plainfield invites the community to wear your costume, take a hayride, dance to the music and get some fun photo ops at the free family event at Talon Stream Park. There will be costume contests, crafts, bounce houses and fun activities throughout the afternoon.
Trail and Treat – Oct. 26
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.
Ghosts and Goblins – Oct. 26
Washington Township Parks and Recreation will hold their annual Ghosts and Goblins event, with bungee trampolines, bounce houses, candy, food trucks and more.
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. at Washington Township Park in Avon.
Pumpkins & Paws - Oct. 26
New this year, check out the Pumpkins and Paws fundraiser event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex for pumpkin bowling, food, games, trick-or-treating and more.
The event will benefit the Hendricks County Animal Shelter. Adult tickets cost $10 per person, children age 16 and under are $5 and children under four get in free.
Monster Bash - Oct. 26
You can enjoy another new event as the Hendricks County Parks and Recreation host Monster Bash at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park from 7 to 10 p.m.
For $10 per person or $30 per family, receive unlimited hayrides, a dance party, pumpkin trail and a mini pumpkin to decorate.
Trick or Treating Hours - 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.
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 – 5:30 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.
