2024 Fall Weekend Guide

Top Events

• Blues in the 'Burg - Just as the name would suggest, this event on Saturday in Brownsburg features the sweet sounds of blues music from award-winning acts from around the country as well as food, a beer and wine garden and kids activities.
• Danville Tri Kappa Presents Fair On the Square - This massive two-day event in Danville includes more than 100 vendor booths selling home decor items, handmade creations and even produce.
• Venardos Circus - This new-age circus, billed as Broadway style and animal free, returns to The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield. This amazing show under the big top will include 14 performances from Sept. 5-15.

Top Things to Do

Discover Parks

• McCloud Prairie Maze - One of the top options for outdoor fun, McCloud Nature Park, also will debut a new attraction for the season this weekend -- their annual prairie maze.
• Top Trails - The best way to experience the natural beauty of Hendricks County is to grab some hiking shoes and explore.
• Parks & Gardens - This short window between summer and fall traditionally provides the best weather to experience some of our top outdoor attractions.

Top Events

• Venardos Circus - If you happened to miss the opening weekend, this will be your last opportunity to see this incredible Broadway-inspired circus show that tours around the country.
• A Musical Feast: Vienna Sweets - The first concert of the 2024-2025 Hendricks Symphony season occurs this weekend at Hendricks Live! in Plainfield. Shows include a Friday night performance and a Sunday matinee.

Top Things to Do

An Apple a Day

• Beasley's Orchard - October remains without a doubt the busiest month for Beasley's Orchard, so if you want to avoid the crowds, visit this weekend before the rush begins. You can still enjoy all the wonderful aspects of this fall family attraction including u-pick apples, their Barnyard Bonanza family activity area and more.

Top Events

• Quaker Days - This annual festival celebrating Plainfield's Quaker heritage will expand to a weekend event this year that will include a parade, live entertainment, vendor booths, a car show and so much more.
• Levi Riggs Concert - Danville native and country music star Levi Riggs performs for the first time at the new Hendricks Live! venue.
• Back Your Badge Marathon - Also happening in Plainfield, this annual event brings the community together to celebrate and support local emergency responders.

Top Things to Do

Kickoff to Fall

• Fall Treats - This is the time of year to find pumpkin treats. Check out our list
• Hiking, Biking & Horse Riding Trails - While the weather is still nice, make sure to get out and enjoy nature on one of our paved or natural trails.

Top Events

• National Alpaca Farm Day Open House - Explore this family-owned farm in Brownsburg for this free event and learn more about the gentle alpaca that call it home.
• Indiana Guitar Show & Music Gear Expo - This two-day show remains the single largest musical event to occur in Indiana every year and features about 80 dealers from across the country.
• Bowwow Bash - This fun event for dogs and their owners includes temporary dog parks, splash areas, contests, food, entertainment and more.

Top Things to Do

Farm Fresh Weekend

• Hogan Farms - Located in Brownsburg, this family-owned farm is open for the season featuring hayrides, a pumpkin patch and corn maze.
• Beasley's Orchard - Get a head start on everyone else by visiting this family-owned apple orchard as it ramps up its fall activities featuring a corn maze, children's activities and hayrides to the pumpkin patch.

Top Events

• Hendricks County International Festival - This free event for the entire family celebrates various cultures throughout the world through food, live dance and music performances, interactive booths and more at The Shops at Perry Crossing.
• Heartland Apple Festival - The biggest fall event that occurs in Hendricks County each year kicks off this weekend at Beasley's Orchard in Danville. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, apple cannons, live entertainment, children's activities, food and event vendors and so much more.

Top Things to Do

Downtown Danville Square

• Mayberry Cafe - No visit to Danville would be complete without a visit to this Andy Griffith Show-inspired, destination restaurant. Filled with memorabilia and TVs playing the show continuously inside, you can sample Aunt Bee's fried chicken and then get your picture taken with the deputy car outside.
• Hendricks County Historical Museum - Any weekend trip to Danville should include touring the museum, which served as the old sheriff's residence and county jail until the 1970s. Open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, it is well worth your time.
• Shopping, Artwork & More - You will find plenty of quaint shops featuring hidden gems including Gallery on the Square, which features local artwork. That artwork even extends outside, so make sure to check out every building and alleyway for murals and other photo ops. 

Top Events

• Heartland Apple Festival - If you missed it last weekend, make sure you don't miss the final weekend of this event at Beasley's Orchard in Danville. This is truly a place to make memories with hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, apple cannons, children's activities and so much more.
• Fall Harvest Days at Nehemiah Ranch - If you are looking for a more toned-down version of fall fun with less crowds, Nehemiah Ranch in Avon would be the place for you. This free family event includes hayrides, a pumpkin patch, live music, food and more.

Top Things to Do

Fall Break Getaway

• uPaint Pottery Studio - As you get ready for Halloween, uPaint in Plainfield has a variety of seasonal pottery and events that your family can paint, make memories and use it to decorate your home.
• McCloud Prairie Maze - If you haven't visited this unique fall maze yet at McCloud Nature Park in North Salem, you're running out of time. It's free, fun and different than traditional corn mazes.

• Horseback Riding at Natural Valley Ranch - Another tradition that makes a trip to Hendricks County so much fun can be found just outside of Brownsburg on this beautiful ranch that bursts with color this time of year. Reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a guided horseback ride (no prior riding experience necessary) through their scenic woods.
• Hotels With Indoor Pools - When the kids still have energy to burn, having an indoor pool at your hotel will give you the perfect opportunity to relax poolside watching them swim and play. 

Top Events

• Fall Colors Festival & Fall Colors Run - A celebration of fall in one of Hendricks County's most beautiful places to see fall foliage. Visit McCloud Nature Park in North Salem and enjoy numerous free family activities and games. And it all starts early with 5K & 10K runs.
• Indianapolis Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show - This annual three-day event provides collectors a one-stop shop to the finest gems, minerals, jewelry, beads, fossils and meteorites found anywhere.

• Beasley's Dog Daze at the Maze -  Enjoy a weekend at Hendricks County's most popular fall attraction, Beasley's Orchard, with your dogs. Costume contests, pet adoption and more in addition to the usual fall activities.
• Doctoberfest - This annual event celebrating all things Doctor Who is back and will focus on authors this year! This one-day event at Who North America is the fall festival every Whovian must experience.

Top Things to Do

Fall Color

• The Tie Dye Lab - One of our favorite and most unique DIY studios can be found in Avon where you can bring your family and tie dye just about anything.
• Best Places to See Fall Foliage - This tends to be one of the best weekends to see peak fall color in Hendricks County, and we have a lot of great places to experience that natural phenomenon including one of the best locations in the region at McCloud Nature Park.

Top Events

Last Chance

• Halloweekend at Beasley's Orchard - This is the final weekend to enjoy Beasley's Orchard fall activities with this festive weekend that includes costume and pumpkin-carving contests in addition to its usual fall activities.
• McCloud Prairie Maze - It's the last weekend for McCloud Nature Park's most popular fall attraction.
• Hogan Farms - This family-owned farm featuring hayrides, a pumpkin patch and corn maze will close for the season after this weekend.

Top Things to Do

Fall Friends Getaway

• Avon Haunted Bridge - Pass under this legendary bridge in Avon to find out if the spooky legends are true.
• Breweries - Celebrate the weekend before Halloween by sampling seasonal brews at our 2 local breweries - Brew Link Brewing and Nigh Brewpub, both in Plainfield.

• Red Curb Improv Comedy Theatre - Laugh the night away at this improv club in Avon that hosts two Saturday shows (a PG-version and adult version) where the hilarious performers make up their acts on the spot oftentimes based on audience suggestions.
• LumberjAXE - Perhaps throwing axes at some zombies is more your thing. You can do that and more at LumberjAXE in Plainfield.
• Hendricks Live! - This will take a little preplanning, but there is a show every weekend at this amazing entertainment venue, including the Hendricks Symphony and a Dave Mathews Tribute Band this weekend. But you may want to check out their full event schedule to plan the perfect time for your crew.